We have a winner!

Long ago, you will remember Jim Woodford's challenge for the first LBC on the road in the new year. Well, we finally have enough evidence to announce that Mike Smith and son and his Mini were on the road back on January 9th, 2007—before the snows, you will notice. Here's a view from the driver's seat—remember, right-hand drive–out in Mactaquac country:
and a shot of the car with the witness:
Congratulations, Mike. Maybe you'll receive your prize at the St. Patrick's day FABash.

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Steve Ball went to Tim Hortons in Hampton Feb 24.

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Also making a respectable effort in the spirit of competition was last year's winner, Paul Allen. He ventured out on March 5th and says, "Thought that a little warmup run through the woods might get the juices/oil flowing! Well, at least I beat the running of the sap!"

Ah... spring is just around the corner. :-)

8 Minutes of unbelievable driving

Wait until you see a passenger changing a tire while the driver has the car operating on two wheels!!!

Cold Weather Contest Announcement—Finally!

Well friends, I have a confession to make. On January 26th—the day I posted the first hint—I received an e-mail from Mark Brown in Saint John saying, "Oooo..I'm 99% I know it, but t'would be a shame to end the game so soon! ;)" So I e-mailed him back appreciating his wish not to end the fun, but asking him to verify that he recognized the car from Hint #1. His reply was right on the money: "If I had to put my money on something, I'd say it's a Caterham (or possibly Lotus, Westfield, Birkin, etc. etc.) 7!" He pretty well covered all the Super 7 bases. The car is a Westfield Super 7, owned and enjoyed by Kelvin Perry, just in the process of dropping that wonderful little aluminum block Rover v8 in it to replace the little original 4 cylinder. At 1200 or so pounds in total weight, the little thing should skat! So, congratulations to Mark Brown. Check out his blog and you'll understand that he may be just a little beyond being a car fanatic. Looking forward to meeting you, Mark. And, looking forward to having Kelvin join us over a good steak this month at McGinnis Landing.

Thanks to all of you who went out on a limb to guess, or proclaim, your answer. Participation is what inspires your webmaster to continue pounding the keys.

Well, for those of you who are still in the dark, and have not had the pleasure, here are photos—complete—not just tantalizing bits.

PS: Congratulations also to Ralph Holyoke who not only was among those with the correct answer, but continued in his posting to say, "I also guess that it is white!!!!!!!" Bravo!

Cold Weather Hint #5

This is your last hint, folks. Give it your best shot.

Cold Weather Contest Hint #4

You'll soon be able to piece this together.

Cold Weather Contest Hint #3

This hint should eliminate a number of "common" British sports cars.

Cold Weather Contest Hint #2

This is just going to make it too easy.

Photo Archives Are Returning

For all of you who enjoyed viewing photographs of past FABAC runs, events, etc., you will be happy to hear that I am gradually adding them to this new site under "Photo Archives" found on the right hand side at the beginning of the green section.

Let me know any of your favourites that I haven't added, and I will get them on first.

Cold Weather Contest #1

Since you can't drive your little British cars in this cruel weather, why not show your stuff with a try at this little contest. A free life-time membership to our club is the prize. ;-) Here it is: Soon we will have a new member in our club having just recently moved to Fredericton from Ontario. He has a rather interesting British automobile, but rather than just coming out and telling you what it is, I am going to provide tantalizing bits of it on this site over the next few days until someone gets it. You can research it or guess at it or grumble about it, but by all means, add a comment. To do so you do not have to register, or give a password, or anything -- just participate. I would be happy even if you post a comment that simply says, "I don't have the London foggiest idea what that car might be!" On your mark! Get set! GO!

First correct answer wins!

Report on January 17th FABAC Meeting

µClick on photo for more pictures.µ

Wow... the cold weather certainly did not hinder our usual good meeting turn out. We had 24 folks show up for our dinner meeting held at McGinnis Landing Wednesday evening.

Here are the minutes of the meeting portion of our get together:

• Jim Bleakney briefed us on a proposal from Jim Woodford to have a pot luck St. Patrick's day get together at his place. A lot of enthusiasm was shown in support of this. More details to come, but please start thinking about what to bring. Jim B to coordinate and will provide more detail for next meeting.

• Just a reminder to make your reservations if you're planning to attend the PEI British car event this July 13-15/07. Most of us have been normally staying at the Saint Nicholas motel in North Rustico. I just made our reservations and was told the rooms are filling up fast, and not with our folks, so if your planning on attending then best make your reservations now: Call the included off season number to do that:
  

  off-season (902) 963-2897
  telephone (902) 963-2898

  This year's featured car will be the Morgan. Please check out the PEI car club info for more details.
  

• We need to get our tour planning group together to begin the process of planning for the summer. The proposal was to tag it to the next meeting but it was thought we needed more time so it was felt we needed to get together for a separate get together. Gary to organize.
  The purpose of this group will be to put together a tour plan for the summer touring season which will then be presented to the group at large. It was generally felt we needed better planning as our previous way of putting together a tour proposal was at best a month advance notice and many times it much less. For many this just does not allow enough time, particularly in the busy summer months, to organize themselves to attend.
  As part of this plan, as well, we are asking folks, beyond those on the planning group, to step forward in leading a tour. To date this has fallen to just a very few and it's unfair to expect them to take this on continually.
  More to come on this later. If you have any tour plans that you would like to see happen now is the time to propose those to your tour committee. These people are:
  

  Barb Graham
  John Crumley
  David Strang
  Terry Johnson
  Phil Ossinger
  Gary Arsenault
  

• There were several folks who asked me for MGB/Triump/Austin Healey supplier numbers for parts. For original parts e.g. SU carbs etc I normally purchase through Chris Hollum in Montreal. His number is 1-514-639-4639. I also do most of my other MGB and Triump purchasing from Peninsula Motors in Oakville Ont. All my Healey purchases are from Auto Farm 519-356-2427.

• Next meeting (Wed Feb 21)will be back at McGinnis landing. Jim B to coordinate.
  

Best to everyone in the New Year,
Gary