Exhaust Notes

Newsletter of the St. Louis Triumph Owners Association

www.SLTOA.org March 2008

March Meeting, Tuesday March 18^th, 2008, 7:00 PM, at Tom & Ann Stark’s

The Starks are hosting the March meeting at their home at 16 Brazilian Court, Ladue, MO. Brazilian Court is off Ladue Road about a quarter of a mile west of Price Road. It is a white colonial on the east side of a street light circle; the street numbers are not consecutive.

Starks will provide the main dish. Additions are welcome. They have a lot of chairs but not enough; so a few extras would be welcome. We hope to see everyone there.

Dues for 2008 are now due

Please make out your check today for $15 or $25 to St. Louis Triumph Owners Association (or SLTOA) and mail it to Bonnie David at 500 Marie Dr., St. Charles, MO 63301-0500. Either price gets you full membership in the club with many chances to meet other Triumph nuts who will help you with your own affliction. The lower price gets you an e-mail note when the newsletter is available on-line. The higher price gets you a hard copy of the newsletter in your mail box. Either price is cheap, about the price you would pay to ship a few parts from your favorite Triumph parts vendor, or eat out once, or pay for half a month of cable TV, or buy half a tank of gas… You get the idea. Club dues are cheap because many volunteers contribute hours of work to put together our events and activities.

Presidential Ramblings, By Craig Madsen

March has brought us the first decent Saturday for working in the garage - I'm pumped! I have to admit, I did have to split up the day between laundry & some outside gardening that didn't get done last fall and a load of dishes. I had been procrastinating putting the new dash in the white spitfire. This car, that I just HAD to have, brought me not one, but two presents today. I liken these cars to pets, which I have none, but am considering trading them in for. Like a cat laying a mouse proudly at my feet or a dog returning from the field with a pheasant that would have eluded us - My Spitfire, that I haven't been able yet to license I'm finding has an attitude of it's own...

This was the first time I've been able to pull the car out after having rebuilt the rear brakes & installing new shocks. Understand, this was the bargain I drug home from south of Chicago (another story) The previous owner had installed new front rotors & pads, yet the brakes were as if nothing had been done at all. My other Spit has unbelievable brakes, so I assumed that the rears were the problem. I discovered not only had they never been adjusted, but The right rear was soaked with brake fluid, so both sides got new cylinders & shoes. I was eager to try them expecting results equal to the burgundy Spit. I'm not sure why I thought that a car 28 years old would have a perfectly working master cylinder? This was gift one. After backing the car into the driveway getting out to admire its great lines I discover gift two! We're now leaking antifreeze! God give me strength, now I have tw! o cars leaking antifreeze, plus I get buy a new master cylinder!

All in all, it's been a good day. I did get some space cleared in the garage, dug out some more crap to put on e-bay and got to go around he block with the top down in car with next to no brakes! Fed-Ex brought a package of mail ordered car parts, so that was fun! I hope your "pets" refrain from bringing you any presents this spring. Just try to remember that it's just all part of the Gig.

The March meeting brings us to Tom & Anne Starks' home, Directions probably precede this, (possibly my last) diddi. Elections will be held this month, come prepared to vote for my opponent! Who is that?! I think Anne mentioned something about Chinese for eats. What ever it is, you can assured it will be good.

Only 5 spots left open for the Easter car show at Forest park (we'll make more if needed) For those sitting on the fence - If I don't fill these 5 final spots, I'll surely be impeached for misappropriating funds. That means special elections, you could end up being the one trying to dream up something to fill this space every month! So help me out here guys, If you don't join us, we don't get the privilege of your company and the great people of St. Louis won't get to enjoy the fruits of all your hard work. See particulars in later pages of this wonderful rag.

All for the moment, - See you at the Starks!

Craig Madsen

2008 St. Louis Triumph Owners Association Roster

The roster is being produced and folded into this March newsletter. It will not be published on line. For that reason, for this one month only, everyone gets a hard-copy of the newsletter. The newsletter will still be posted on-line, but without the roster included.

The reason we publish the roster in March is to catch as many members as possible prior to dropping non-renewing members. So please renew, so you are not one that is dropped!!!

Also – Please contact Creig Houghtaling with corrections. –

SLTOA Meeting Minutes for February 2008, By Gary Allgood

June picnic looking for ideas where to host it. Trying to stay away from I40/64 construction.
Treasurer report balance 1885.81
Dues are DUE, please send to Bonnie.
TR8 club expanding to include TR7. To join see Dave Massey, they have a website and we need to get that link on ours. Dave made an impassioned speech about the club.
A TR3 is found on Craigslist, in Eureka for approx 7k.
Next month is Elections, show up to vote and vote often.
Need ideas for the club, what is it you would like to see the club do?
Membership forms need updating to new dues fee?s (Note I changed all these to 21 as I typed this email). Our current goal is to get 100 members in the club, we have approx 91 members. Make sure we remind members to update and pay their dues soon by sending to Bonny.
Easter Car Show, March 23rd. Sunday rain or shine, pre-pay ? No judging. 15.00 per person, needs to be in by the 10th. If show is rained out no refunds.
RiverPort Swap meet hosted by the Model T Club, Gateway International April 27. 5.00 parking fee.

Calendar of Regional and National Events

March 23, Easter Car Show - Forest Park , upper lot Munie 11:00 Entry $15.00 non refundable.
March 28 – 29, New Orleans, LA, 18th Annual New Orleans British Car Day, http://www.bmcno.org/Show08/Carshow.htm Host hotel: Hampton Inn – Elmwood, 5150 Mounes St. Harahan, LA 70123, (504) 733 5646
April 15, SLTOA Monthly meeting - Chesterfield Marriott, anytime after 6:00 - whenever.
April 16 – 19, Tyler Texas, VTR South Central Region Triumph Meet. Come to Tyler in the height of the flower season. http://www.redrivertriumphclub.org/. Host hotel: Holiday Inn Express.
April 19 & 20, 2008 Missouri Endurance Rally, www.stlouismgclub.com
May 20, SLTOA Monthly meeting - Craig Madsen’s, anytime after 6:00 - whenever.
May 23 – 27, Champaign, IL, Champagne British Car Festival. http://champagnebritishcarfestival.com/
Friday Night party $35.00, Saturday Lunch Drive $15.00. Saturday Night @ Famous Dave's - Reservations Required. Sunday Dawn patrol @ 6:30, Car Show Entry fee $15.00, remaining registration from 8:00 - 12:00. Voting 11:00 - 2:00. Awards @ 3:00.
Call 309 - 662 - 3020 or e-mail altmgb2@yahoo.com
June 11 – 15, Huron, Ohio, TRA National Meet. Host hotel: Lodge at Sawmill Creek, (800) Sawmill. http://www.triumphregister.com/TRA2008_RegForm.pdf
June 19 – 21, Armagh, PA, Roadster Factory Summer Party. http://www.the-roadster-factory.com/
July 13 – 16, Port Washington, WI: British V8 Annual Convention. Host hotel: Country Inn and Suites, Port Washington, WI. (262) 284-2100. http://www.britishv8.org/British-V8-Meetings.htm
Aug 4 – 8, Ypsilanti, MI: VTR North American Challenge. Featuring: The Spinal Tappets, 48 hour Spitfire rebuild, Burt Levy, Triumph Wedge Owners Association Annual meeting. Host hotel: Marriott at Eagle Crest 1275 S Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Register here: http://www.natc2008.com/index.php?pr=Registration
Sept 20, Creve Coeur Lake, All British Car Show. This is a Saturday.
Sept 19 – 22, Elkhart Lake, WI, Vintage Races at Elkhart Lake. http://www.vscda.org/
December 5, SLTOA Annual Christmas Party

TR6 Filter Information, From Ron Theel

TR6 filters can be bought from your local auto parts store if you know what to ask for.

Wix – 51313, AC Delco - PF1412, Fram - CH837PL

One Volunteer Needed

I need one person to help with the newsletter. No previous experience or skills necessary. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone new (or old) to get to know more club members. Creig Houghtaling , or 314-401-7817

Classified Ads: Contact Creig Houghtaling at , the address listed below, or 314-401-7817 to place a free ad in this newsletter.

I am selling my 1957 TR3A. $7800. Not a 100 point show car but a nice looking and running car. I am in Northern Indiana, about 90 minutes from Chicago. Before I put it on eBay I'm letting all the area Triumph clubs know. Anyone interested can call for the details. It is in the garage for the winter but I can show it now. Tom Vaughn, La Porte, IN, 219-324-3494 home, 219-851-2803 cell

New member, Lyle VanHouten is looking for a shop manual for his Herald. If you can help, please call him at 660-699-2256

For Sale: 1979 TR7 rolling chassis - Texas car, solid floors straight body with exception of nose but have straight replacement sheet metal. Your choice of 390:1 or 345:1 rear end ratios. Additional parts negotiable, details - 636-734-3937 ask for Craig.

Arlie King has a set of TR3 spoke wheels and tires for sale, Call today to get a really low price. Please call him at 636-677-0545

I’ve got a new supply of Castrol GT LMA brake fluid. $10 for a quart. $5 for a 12 oz. Creig Houghtaling 314-401-7817

St. Louis Triumph Owners Association

Creig Houghtaling, Editor

36 Copper Mountain Court

Fenton, MO 63026