Exhaust
Notes
Newsletter of the St. Louis Triumph Owners Association
www.SLTOA.org May 2004
May Meeting, Jack & Bonnie David’s, Tuesday May 18th, 2004, 7:00 PM
500 Marie Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301-0500, (636) 949-0825
Driving Directions:
Hwy 270 north to 370, west to Elm/New Town exit. Left under hwy & stay on Elm to Marie Dr. – left go approximately 1 ½ blocks (street numbers make no sense).
Hwy 70 west to First Capitol, right to Kingshighway (past Lindenwood College) to Elm – several miles to Marie Dr – turn right. (See previous.)
Page Extension west to St Charles/Hwy 94/First Capitol exit – stay on first capitol/94 till you cross over Hwy 70 (See previous.)
Dues Are Past Due
Most members have renewed, but some have not yet. If you would like to remain a member of St. Louis Triumph Owners Association, please mail Bonnie David a check for $20 made payable to St. Louis Triumph Owners Association (or SLTOA). Her address is 500 Marie Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301-0500. If you don’t remember if you have paid or not, call Bonnie at (636) 949-0825. Or see Dues Page 6 of this newsletter.
President’s Epistle, By Dave Massey
May has come and the belated Polar Bear run is now history. The turnout was good and there were only three technical issues. Well, four if you count non-functioning brake lights. The bad news is one was serious enough to require a tow. But John is not one to let moss grow and I'm sure his car will be back on the road in a week or two. May officially marks the start of the driving season - although some of us have been driving our cars since March when the weather allowed The problem with spring is the fact that showers can develop with little or no warning. Having a good top and a quick dash out to the car park is the best defense against those pesky inundations. This leads up to the Drive Your British Car Week coming up in late May. So take the car out and drive it. Especially the week of May 23 through May 29.
This summer we are trying out a new meeting venue. Or should I say new venues. The May, July, August and September meetings will be hosted by various club members. The May meeting will be held at the home of Bonnie and Jack David in St. Charles. To which a map is included elsewhere in this newsletter. You may have noticed that the June meeting was not included in the above list. That is because we will hold our annual picnic in June at the Des Peres city park. More on that in next months news letter but I want to remind everyone that due to park availability the June meeting will be held on a Wednesday that month.
A couple of last minute additions to the calendar: May 21-23 is the date of the Carlisle Import Kit/Replicar National in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Lots of replica, kit and genuine European cars. http://www.carsatcarlisle.com/. Also, Mid Ohio Sports Car Course (race track) will host their 6th annual British Car Showdown on June 19 and 20. In addition to the show on Saturday there will be races including an All Jaguar Feature Race and a concours on Sunday. Over 300 British cars are expected to participate. Call (800) MID OHIO or check out the website http://www.midohio.com/.
See you on the road. Dave
April 2004 Minutes, By Chris Allgood
Staring in May we will hold our summer meetings at different houses of triumph members.
Bonnie and Jack David have graciously offered their house for the May Meeting at 500 Marie Drive, St. Charles Mo.63301. Maps to their house will be listed on the website. You are being asked to bring a sack lunch along with a beverage. Hope to see you there.
The All British Car Show is being hosted in Champaign Il. On May 29 –30. Most of the hotels close to this event are booked but we where told that the Champaign Car Club may have some rooms available. This is a great Car show and a lot of fun. Cathy And Chris plan on making this event the coming out for their Car now completed.
Also that weekend is the World’s Fair Car-Cycle Show at Buder Park. There is a link on Website for more information. http://www.worldsfairstlouis.com/
June 6 is the European Car Show at Fronentac Plaza. This show is always a lot of fun. Plus the display of cars is usually very good. If you would like to register your car the cost is $20.00, which will benefit the Shrine’s Hospital.
June 9 we will have our annual picnic at Des Peres Park. Joe Muller has offered to run this event. Look for more information to follow.
Please pay your dues as they are now due. Please mail them to Bonnie David at 500 Marie Drive, St. Charles Mo. 63301.
Keith Besters Tune and Wash up was a great time. Dave Massey worked a tech session showing how to get the bushings in a Tr-3. Any pics Dave?
Endurance Rally was run by four of our members. Creig Houghtaling and Gary Allgood in a TR6. Patrick Hughes and Raymond Maxwell in a TR4A. They all said that is was a long night and a great run. Creig said that Patrick’s floodlights on his car helped them out a lot but also ran down his battery. Pat has better wiring plans next year... Gary said that he would like to do the 12-hour run next year, and hoped to borrow the Bently that took third place.
Tartan Day Parade had Massey fleet of cars. Richard said that this event was a great turn out. With Dave in his native Scottish dress and the Bagpipers plying their music.
SLTOA EVENTS CALENDAR AND VARIOUS BRITISH CAR SHOWS/MEETS
May 18 SLTOA Summer Meeting hosted by Bonnie and Jack David
Tuesday Address: 500 Marie Drive, St. Charles, 63301
Telephone: 636-949-0825
Time: Anytime after 6:00 p.m., meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Bring: Picnic dinner, beverages, and lawn chairs
May 28-30 All British Car Show
Friday-Sunday Location: Champaign, Illinois
Website: http://www.wvbscc.org/
Contact/Telephone: Dick Brown 309-662-3020
Email: mailto:altmgb2@yahoo.com
May 29 100 Year Celebration of 1904 St. Louis World's Fair
Saturday Location: Lower Buder Park in Valley Park
Activities: Music, games, food, children's activities, car and cycle show
Website: http://www.worldsfairstlouis.com/
June 5 20th Annual Marques on the Green
Saturday Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Website: mailto:mikes72mgmidget@earthlink.net
Contact Michael Leezer
Telephone: 502-239-8343 Home 502-451-3230 Work
June 6 St. Louis European Car Show
Sunday Location: Plaza Frontenac (Clayton Rd and Lindbergh)
Contact: Rick Siefert
Telephone: 636-532-1051 Ext. 105 or 636-273-6971
Contact: Rodger Van Ness Telephone: 314-576-3647
Cost: $20 Preregister, $23 Day of Show
June 9 SLTOA Annual Picnic
Wednesday Location: Des Peres City Park
Time: Food available 6:00 p.m.
Meeting: 7:15 p.m.
Master Chef: Karl Schmitt
June 9-11 Gold Cup Historic Races
Sunday- Location: Virginia Intternational Raceway
Tuesday 1245 Pine Tree Road
Alton, Virginia 24520
Grand Marshall: Denise McLuggage
Telephone: 888.RACE099 or 434-822-7700
Fax: 434-822-8033
Email: mailto:info@virclub.com
June 19 Pinnacle Motorsports
Saturday 2nd Annual Indianapolis Concours Grand Prix
Location: Monument Circle, Indianapolis, Indiana
Featured Marque: Auburn
Contact: Andrew Lee - Telephone: 317-358-1942
June 24-26 TRA 2004 Annual Meeting in
Thursday- Location: Springfield, Ohio
Saturday Website: www.triumphregister.com or http://www.miamivalleytriumphs.org/
Contact: Bruce Clough - Telephone: 937-255-2831
Email: mailto:clough@erinet.com
2004 VTR
National Convention Update
July 14 – 17, 2004 Richmond, Virginia Check out the website at http://www.vtr2004.com/
Stories About Those Triumph Cars,
By Kathy Kresser
Chris, tell me about your car.
The car, Collin, came to me as a basket case from Collinsville, Illinois. Literally, after two truck loads, a trailer and a van, Collin found a new home in my garage.
The first challenge was to sort and identify the hundreds of pieces. The ‘unknown’ pile quickly became the most popular. Early on, it became apparent that a parts car was needed. Cincy, a car we acquired in Cincinnati, looked to be the better of the two. But, significant body damage to Cincy eliminated the need for any decisions.
Compared to so many others, the engine rebuild was an easy task. The machinist did the head, installed the valves, cleaned and honed the various pieces and parts. The frame was deemed straight and true by the seller, but upon close examination in the garage, it was far from true. The mission became locating a reputable body/frame shop. Ultimately, the frame was bent and pulled back into its original shape. Moving on to the body repair and paint mode, the real fun began. Collin took up temporary residence at the body shop for several months. His exterior was sand blasted, welded and generally abused before being puttied and molded into its sleek and elegant shape. When painted with the single stage urethane enamel he was transformed from an ugly duckling into a sleek swan.
UPS became a regular visitor with the delivery of parts, parts, more parts, interior kits, chrome pieces, carpet kits, ad nauseum. The basement and garage were littered with both old and new pieces. Then assembly started. First, the engine and transmission were attached to the frame. The body tub was mated to the frame. With tender loving care the newly painted body panels were mounted on the tub. The wiring nightmare gave this machine a whole new look inside the engine compartment. It was certainly an exciting day, when the key was inserted, turned and wow -- it started! While seated on a milk crate, several test runs on a vacant parking lot confirmed a couple of problems, nothing major. Finally, the interior took shape with a new steering wheel, a dashboard with gauges, carpet, and seats. It is a car at last!
Collin, a restored 1959 TR3A, is beaming proudly in his British Racing Green color with biscuit interior is ready to attend the "coming out" party in Champaign, Illinois, on Memorial Day weekend. Hope you will be there to celebrate with us and enjoy a glass of champagne.
TR3 Racing Is Not Dead: By Kathy
Kresser
The highlight of January was the racing competition. A British Racing Green TR3 was revved and ready to go. Okay, it was the pinewood derby racing competition, but a TR3 did compete and won 1st place in the Den 1 Speed contest which qualified for the Pack Pinewood Derby against 50 other cars.
Nicholas, an eight year old neighbor of Chris Kresser, spied Chris' TR3 early in the restoration process. The near finished product really captured his attention and inspired him to copy the design for the pinewood derby competition. At the Pack Pinewood Derby Speed race, Nicholas was anxious. The downhill start followed by a 25 foot straightway was the focus of attention. Car after car sped down the track, the timing was recorded. Finally, the BRG TR3 made its way to the starting line, the whistle blew, and the race was underway. The track seemed endless to Nicholas, but the car was hot, and finished the run in seven seconds. But, the purple Wedge car still had to race. In the end, the seven seconds placed the TR3 in second place by a mere 2/10 of a second.
Good job, Nicholas. Perhaps, this is a future owner of a real TR3.
Dues (From pg 1)
As of 5/11/04 we have no record of having received dues from the
following individuals who were members in 2003. I know that the check is in the mail from several listed here, so
thanks in advance. I hope all will
renew. It makes the club more fun! --
Frank, Nancy & Ben Axelrod, Dennis & Pam Battern, Keith Bester,
John Bickford, Dale & Carol Boggs, Brian & Robin Borgstede, Steve &
Kim Bruzek, Jason Buchek, Thomas M & Gayle T. Culbertson, Cliff &
Cherly Davis, Ed & Shirlee Donnan, Richard & Anice Etz, Matt &
Wendy Finch, Larry & Sue Gipson, Kevin L. & Teresa Kenney, Charlie
& Paula Key, Sam Lawson, Ronald A. Leggett, Fred Lenkman, Mike & Patti
Lewis, Katherine Cuba/Michael Mason, David & Linda Massey, Roy Matteson,
Gary & Linda Mazzaola, David & Mary Meadows, George Most, Patrick
Michael & Anne Murphy, Tom & Maureen Neusel, James & Jeanine Orr,
Bill & Jacquie Reck, Jerry L. & Margaret A. Sanders, Mark, Lucas &
Ashley Schmidt, Paul M. Schuessler, Kurt & Betty Schumacher, Michael R.
Shepard, Ron Spiegelman, Jerry & Mary Standley, Andrew Stark, Steven &
Sandy Street, Mike Vance
Classified Ads: Contact Creig Houghtaling at the address listed below, or oldtoys@brick.net or 636-305-1143 to place a free ad in this newsletter.
SLTOA Shirts, $25, Call Bonnie David for delivery to out next meeting. (636) 949-0825
Castrol GT LMA Brake Fluid $10.00 per quart. Major mail-order vendors sell 12-ounce containers for $5 plus shipping. No major auto suppliers sell it locally. So I bought a 12-quart case from the St. Louis distributor so that I could have a quart to do some brake work. This is the fluid recommended for our Triumphs. I’ll use nothing else! Creig Houghtaling oldtoys@brick.net 636-305-1143
Auto Painting Steve Street is looking for someone to do some body and paint work on his Spitfire. If you know of someone who can do good work at a reasonable price, please give him a call at: (314) 846-2554
1967 Austin Healey Sprite - red convertible, rebuilt engine, new gas tank, fuel pump, tires, timing chain, battery, and lots more! Professionally done. A great car. Call 314-713-9327 anytime and leave a message. Asking $4200. Thanks - Jeff Weintrop ('72 blue/white spit driver)
St. Louis Triumph Owners Association
Creig Houghtaling, Editor
36 Copper Mountain Court
Fenton, MO 63026