Sunday's Run: The Jag boys and a Moggie

       SWMBO had been very firm, I couldn't go out and play with my friends until my room was clean. I spent the day sweeping, vacuuming, washing, putting stuff away and even scrubbing up all the cat barf from under the furniture.  Satisfied with the results, she sent me on my way.   Pushing my toy out of the garage I cranked er over and quickly headed upriver.  As she warmed up I performed my 'post take-off check'.....gas, enough....temperature, climbing to normal operating temp....oil pressure, good.... although that was speculative since the senders and gauges are known to be as much as 30% off meaning that the 30 pounds I was seeing could conceivably be anywhere from an insufficient three pounds to a seal blowing fifty.  She'd run this way for decades so I wasn't worried and continued...voltage,14 and a bit ...squeeky-creak from the front right suspension, check...rattle from the windscreen tension bar, check.... clatter from the throttle linkage rods, check, mysterious "clunk!" from the differential area, check....blueish smoky haze from the rear under hard acceleration, check.    All was normal.
      At the meeting place by the dam the three of us pulled in close behind one another and with a minimum of chit-chat, hit the road.  It was a short drive up the 102 to highway 3 where we settled into a brisk (but still legal) pace under cloudless and hot skies.   Arriving in St Andrews we began a game of find three parking spots together.  Tired of driving up and down the main street I just parked in the first spot I found.   It only took us a few minutes to decide on the Gables restaurant and sat down a micro second before the dinner rush.  The view was gorgeous with the ebbing tide and the ocean breeze was quite welcome. After an enjoyable dinner we grabbed ice cream cones and wandered out to the wharf.
      By now it was around eight and we headed back into the slowly setting sun.  As enjoyable as the drive out had been, the trip back to Freddy was a treat.  The temperature stayed comfortably warm and the early evening sky was magnificent.  The long shadows over the fields made it hard to keep my eyes on the road.  Eventually, the Moggie took the curve on highway three while the Jag boys broke off onto Hanwell Rd.  Passing through the city we finally parted company with much horn-blowing and arm-waving.  Alone, I got to enjoy a most pleasant early twilight as it faded.  The last rays disappeared about the time I pulled into my driveway.
     Bob E.

(Click on any photo for a larger version.)

"Too nice a day" Sunday Drive

Assuming the weather is going to be anything close to what the meteorologists are saying, Carolyn and I are going to jump in the Morgan around 4:00pm this Sunday and head for the coast. We're sure some nice restaurant in Saint Andrews by the Sea will beckon us with promises of fresh crustaceans. We would be delighted to have any FABACians join us for any part of this little excursion. Let us know and we'll meet you at The Riverside Resort and Conference Centre near the Mactaquac dam around 4:00.
Regardless, do enjoy this beautiful weekend.
- David

Bob's Excellent Adventure

  ...started Friday morning at Kelvin's where Joe and I helped him get the brakes bled on the Mini.  Joe really did the bulk of the work while I stood around and lambasted Kelvin for having too many cars.  For once, Joe had no problem finding his nuts.  While idly fiddling with the car I pulled out a handfull of what we decided was mouse nest fixins. No one thought much of it and the mouse chewed material was tossed in the bin.   The job was quickly finished and the Mini took off for a test run down the road.  After another cup of tea Joe became concerned and we followed in a regular car.  Less than a minute down the road we came upon a forlorn Kelvin, hands in pockets, walking on the side of the road. Yeeeup, he's run out of gas.  We grabbed a can back at his garage and delivered them both to the car (where's that picture Joe?).
   After all the ribbing and finger pointing was done we left Kelvin's and headed home to clean the cars for tomorrow's trip because the weather was going to be.....

    ....gorgeous. At a little after seven the next morning the sky was brilliantly blue. I headed down the 105 with a big grin on my face as I slalomed around the bigger potholes and dead raccoons.  I followed it to highway 10 and eventually to the 112 heading towards Moncton.  Clouds had appeared on the horizon but I wasn't worried....

     ...until somewhere around New Canaan where the skies had become overcast, the temperature had dropped (I had donned light gloves at this point) and there where standing puddles on the road.  Despite the gloom, I was confident the clouds would pass.  I took the 112 through Salsbury and turned onto the 106 (Main St) to enter Moncton.  This was great little road and I enjoyed in Immensely.
    The show was pretty much as previously described by Gary.  I got to drool over my second favourite car, a Volvo P1800 and spent much time chatting with another E-Type owner.   Kelvin eventually turned up and regaled us with stories of smoking Mini dashboards.  Remember that mouse nest from yesterday?  Turned out that the mouse had eaten more than tissue paper and insulation.  At least he'd not gotten far from home before the wiring had shorted out.
    The show ended early and I headed over to the house of the gentleman I'd been chatting with to examine his car.  It turned out to be of the same year and I spent a couple of hours with him.  As the dinner hour approached I headed to my sister-in-law's place near the Casino where the four of us (SWMBO had come down after work) went out to raise a little hell (just a little mind you).
      Sunday morning finally brought some great weather and I was sent on my way with a stomach full of bacon and eggs.  The sky was perfect with high wispy clouds and a few fluffy ones peppering it, making for a dramatic view from Kelley's Mountain. The drive home couldn't have been better as the roads where completely deserted. While there where a few broken and patched sections, the vast bulk of the back roads; the former Trans Canada are smooth and unbroken.  It was a pretty nice send off to spring, with this weekend heralding the arrival of summer. Hopefully it's an omen of fine weather to come.

  epilogue,
   Thumbing my nose certain people, I'm pleased to report that I made it...

• all the way to the show grounds
• all the way to my sister-in-law's place at the west end on Moncton
• and all the way home the next morning,

    without getting lost or making so much as one wrong turn.
        so there!
- Bob E.

Fan replacement on a Jaguar XJ-S

Paul B. just sent me an excellent write-up of his project replacing the fan on his XJ-S. The steps are clearly illustrated with excellent photos and diagrams. It is in PDF format so any computer should be able to view it. However, this blog does not support pdf format for viewing, so, if interested, go here to download his step-by-step description.

REPORT: Foreign Auto Club Show and Shine

So much for a forecasted nice day in Moncton!

 Only 3 cars showed up for the departure call this morning at the Ramada Inn including Bob (2CV), Anne and John(MGB) and ourselves Barb and Gary(TR6). The drive to Moncton was rather nice, a bit overcast at times but no rain until we left Salisbury. By the time we arrived at the Show and Shine, it was pretty overcast, light rain and generally blah weather. Bob (XKE Jag) had arrived earlier and was already on the field and in the act of eating a Jaegar Burger, from the German mobile kitchen, for lunch when we arrived.

 Making the best out of a gray day we all toured the area, a great venue normally, with walking trails, a velodrome, a playground etc but wet grass does nothing for traction nor footwear as we found out. Overall there was still some very interesting cars to view including a TVR, Citroen(s), Fiats, BMWs, British marques, and many more marques sufficient to make it interesting but certainly the weather impacted the overall turn out and interest. Unfortunate too as the Foreign Auto Club of Moncton really put on as great a show as was possible with the weather conditions. Not to be deterred, and while not picnic weather, several of us ate from the German mobile delicatessen, enjoying some excellent German cuisine.

  Making the best out of natures participation, Ovide (Pres Foreign Auto Club, Moncton) presented countless prizes and awards to the participants including a grand prize of an wonderful dinner for 2 and an overnight stay at a wonderful accommodation in Moncton as well as so many other gifts, I really cannot remember all but certainly more prizes than similar show and shines, a testament to the hard and appreciated work of the hosting club . Bob (XKE) won several mugs, which he later passed out to our attending members. Thanks Bob.

  Kelvin and later Terry and Karen(TR7) , arrived at the show, just shortly before we were ready to leave. So overall, our club presence was noteworthy and much appreciated by the hosting club so much so that Ovide has invited us to attend one of their sponsored events....a really good upcoming event. More on that later.

  I'd like to thank all those that participated. While not the greatest weather for a car show, the hosting club, was much appreciative of our attendance as we were appreciative of their efforts. 

 Thanks to all those that participated. I know our attendance was much appreciated and will be help us build better partnerships with like minded car clubs.

  Gary

Circle this date in your calendars: July 16 FABAC Meeting

Sue B. has reserved Sam Sneads for our group at 5.30 pm. Kelly has given us the front room to ourselves if we can guarantee a minimum of 28 folks—otherwise it will be the normal spot. She is trying to arrange parking up the front drive to the restaurant.
Nice plan. Let's get lots of our LBCs out for this one.

Foreign Auto Clubs Show and Shine in Moncton

 Just a reminder to attend the above show. We'll be leaving the Ramada Inn (located at end of Princess Margaret Bridge North Side) at 9AM. The weather forecast say's it's going to be a beautiful day.The event itself is well organized, at a very nice venue with all kinds of wonderful automobiles and car enthusiasts. What better way to spend a Saturday? Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the day.

 This is also a great opportunity for "All" of our members to participate in this car show for all foreign marques.

 Hope to see many of you there.
 Thanks
   Gary

FABAC June 18th meeting (according to Bob E.)

    It was another noisy evening at McGinnis's Landing under clearing skies that brought those darned FABACians out again.  Three of them even had their goofy little cars out...with tops down no less.
     Some guy named Gary did a lot of arm waving and general gesticulating to get everyone's attention before delivering a number of ultimatums.

1. New member Patrick Peterson and his not-quite-ready-for-prime-time 69 MGB was introduced to the club and they were all warned to be nice to him. Welcome Patrick and just wait until Gary turns his back, then you'll get it. 
2. The Dieppe car show takes place in...well...Dieppe and all where ordered, that's right ordered to go.  Most folks will meet at 9:00 AM at the Ramada parking lot and take the highway *gasp* to Moncton.  At least one other will eschew the cursed highway and take the lovely (and empty) back roads leaving around 7 in the morning.  That's this Saturday, the 21st. 
3. The Windsor show is in (you guessed it) Windsor July 12th and 13th.  Some guy named Joe (reminds me of a song by Arlo Guthrie) yakked about it for awhile.  Seems he really likes the ferry and scenic drive. 
4. There's a fair in Stanley August 16th and 17th and the club will make an appearance. 
5. The weekend of the 23rd of August brings an invitation from two really nice club members (not sucking up for fuel injectors) to attend a games afternoon at their place in Stanley.  It will be pot luck and all are encouraged to bring pellet or paint ball guns to play 'Sink the Pirate ship'. 
6. Ralph from Saint john proposed (by proxy) some runs down to Maine in the fall. The Owl's Head museum is of particular interest. 
7. Johanna Pendral thanked all supporters of her recent bike tour in Ontario in to raise money for cancer research. 
8. The next meeting will take place at Sam Sneads restaurant at the golf course.

      After the meeting broke up a few folks went to Tingleys for ice cream and more chit chat.
      The evening ended with 'Mr Sense of direction' driving aimlessly around Lincoln, Oromocto,  Jemseg and finally Burton as he tried to find his way home.
- Bob E.

FABAC Meeting this Wednesday

McGinnis Landing at 5:30/6:00.

One of the items for discussion:
Don't forget Monctons Foreign Auto Clubs annual show and shine at the St Anselme Park in Dieppe this Saturday June 21st. I will be attending.

 I believe this to be a 2 hour drive. With that in mind, let's meet at the Ramada Inn for a timely 9am departure. We'll take the TCH to Moncton stopping along the way for a bio break.

 Several of us went last year and had a great time. I would recommend it as a casual event and a great opportunity to meet like minded car enthusiasts. Perhaps pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenery including a small pond and the grassy knolls surrounding it. It really is a nice venue.

 I'll bring this up at our upcoming club meeting at McGinnis Landing this Wed June 18. If attending, we will be meeting in a "special area" reserved for our club. The sectioned area we normally meet was not available this time around.
 Thanks,
 Gary

Run to St. Andrews

Click on big blue to see more photos from the trip.

     "Oh great!  Another redneck on a tractor blocking the road."  This particular one turned out to be a fellow FABACian and his presence couldn't have been better timed, however I'm getting ahead of myself.
    Three cars met at the Timmies and while a couple more dropped by to see us off, it was a determined four who braved the incessant rain (Dwight had brought along a potential member).    It rained most of the way out the Hanwell but slowed to a fine mist by the time we where on highway 3.  Dwight led at a brisk pace and the roads where deserted and got dryer as we motored on.  It was an enjoyable drive for the most part.
    Once in St Andrews we parked and wandered to the restaurant where I badgered everyone into sitting outside on the patio.  This turned out to be an excellent idea as it warmed up and the fog lifted while we wiled away a couple of hours over lunch and coffee.  We where pleasantly surprised by Joanna Pendral butting in and joining the group.  It seems she was there for a meeting of some sort and invited us all to stop at her place on the way home to inspect their 'big trench' in the back yard.
    With lunch out of the way, Dwight led us to the Huntsman Marine Science Centre just outside of town. This was quite enjoyable and even a bit educational.  It's a modest facility but well laid out with unique displays that invite visitors to get wet and handle some of the animals.
     It had now warmed up a good bit and one of us put our top down to enjoy the drive home over the now dry roads.  We did seem to run into a few old poops dawdling along thirty K's under the speed limit which tested our patience a couple of times.  After what seemed like only a short drive later we found ourselves on the close side of Harvey looking for number 670...or was that 760?  In a stroke of perfect timing, some yahoo on a tractor pulled out in front of us, blocked the road and directed us into a driveway.  I was relieved that it turned out to be Bruce Pendral.  We where offered the chance to inspect their all-mighty excavation of a trench in the (very muddy) back 40 but decided to stay on dry ground.  The grand tour of the new heat exchanger, it's associated plumbing and excavations plus the recent house renovations was followed by pie and tea in the 'great' room.  There, Joanna and Bruce, knee deep in nick-nacks tried to foist some of them on us in an attempt to get some clearing done gratis.  I very much appreciated the Chinese book mark (which is now stuck in an anthropology book) and will be looking forward to any yard sale they care to have.
   The outing gracefully ended as we split off towards our respective homes under warm skies.
   A big thanks to Dwight for arranging a memorable outing. 
  ...and Bill, if you need help with your TR6 please call Dwight and have him arrange a visit by the FABAC traveling road show & pit crew.  We'll get her roadworthy in short order.
   Bob E.

Ralph H's Travel Suggestions

I am on the hunt for fellow travelers to consider a couple drive destinations this summer.

Aug 15th 16th and 17th  A run to the Owls Head transportation museum for the annual fall auction on Saturday 16th  a couple spins up and down the coast around Rockport and Camden and a visit to a friend who wrenches on Land rovers and Jags for a living.  Maybe a run to Kennebunkport to visit the wildest British car hoarder you will ever meet.

Sept 12th 13th and 14th  for same destination at Owls Head but this time for their foreign car show.  check out the OHTM website  at http://owlshead.org/ .

Or a longer trip to Stowe British invasion Sept  19th to 21st (plus get there drive time)  check it out http://www.britishinvasion.com/

Come on folks let’s get some miles on these cars—they will love you for it and run even better.
- Ralph

FABAC run to St Andrews, June 14

Things are set for our run to St. Andrews on Saturday, June 14 (rain or shine)

•  9:30-10:00: gather at Tim Hortons, Exhibition grounds, Smythe St
• 10:00: leave; travel via Hanwell Rd thru Harvey
• 10:45-11:00 (approx): stop in Harvey
• 12:00-12:15: arrive in St Andrews
• 12:30: lunch at the Gables (143 Water St)
• Early afternoon: free
• 3:00-4:30: tour of the Huntsman Marine Science Centre Aquarium
• seal feeding at 4:00
• cost: $8.00/child; $9.50/Senior; $11.50/Adult
• 5:00 – 7:00  dinner at the Harbour Front (225 Water St)
• 7:00 – 8:30: return to Fredericton

I have to confirm #s with the Gables by 10 AM, so:

• for our members who may join us in Harvey, please call me by 9:45 via cell (506 470 4547), to confirm your attendance; and
• I hope that our Saint John members can join us at the Gables for lunch, and the rest of the day; please let me know by 9:45 via cell (506 470 4547), to confirm your attendance.

 Also, I have to confirm #s with the Harbour Front early in the afternoon, so anyone who will be not going to dinner, please let me know while we are at the Gables for lunch.

Dwight

Windsor British Motoring Festival Update (Reposting from one month ago)

FABACians who have previously participated in this event have received an email updating them on this fine event.
Some points extracted from the email:

• The banquet will now be held in one of the air conditioned dining halls instead of the cafeteria.
• They are not using PayPal for the registrations, so mailed cheques only please.
• The registration form should soon be available at the British Motoring Festival website

A glimpse of the past

Bob E. says, "A video of the 1962 Earl's court Motor Show.  Interesting cars and all the sexist comments one could want."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sItz5ZO2b9Y

Sunday Run Report (June 1)

  The nice little run.
   With summerish weather finally here, a few of us headed down river.  Stephen W stayed with us till Cambridge Narrows where the news of impending dirt roads scared him off(?).  The rest of us, four red LBCs continued down the 710 hunting for a couple of interesting stops.

(Click on photo for a few more nice shots.)

   The road is fabulous; winding and undulating along the water then dipping into green valleys.  Surprisingly it's also in decent shape.  We eventually pulled off onto a small dirt road and followed it for a few hundred metres to reach our first stop, Shaw Falls.  Toes were dangled in the water and we took some time to enjoy the scene.  This is one spot we'll be revisiting in the fall when the leaves change.  Continuing on we attempted to find the second spot of interest but where stymied by a seriously rough road.   After a few more minutes we stopped for ice cream at Hatfield Point where a local confirmed that the site was still there.  Maybe next time?
    The journey back to Cambridge Narrows was on the 695 which was a bit disappointing after the 710.  It wasn't nearly as scenic nor in as good a condition.  In the future I would suggest that we stick to the 710, turning around at Hatfield Point.....after ice cream of course.
   In Cambridge Narrows we stopped at the VERY popular Holiday Restaurant for a mid afternoon lunch.
    Bob E.