AUTOLUNKING

Six hardy members of the EMC traveled down to Jim and Faye Enzman’s February 18th in Eddiceton MS despite the blowing and very cool rain. To prove our resolve we attacked the removal and replacement of Jim’s 4 speed with an overdrive unit like a bunch of fire ants on a chicken bone on a hot July afternoon. Only after, of course a good meal of chili, soup and other goodies to keep us warm.

New member Bill Mendenhall made it down for his initiation of LBC grease.

Speaking of membership. Notices have been sent out to the remaining folks who haven’t re-enlisted 2006. We’ve added several new members since the first of the year including recent adds Darrell and Dawn Henderson and John and Lila Wilkerson. Welcome aboard folks and keep an eye out for upcoming events with the EMC.

I thought I’d take the opportunity to explain and explore some recent autolunking that members of the EMC have embarked on. I happened on the definition of autolunking recently and thought I’d share it:

What is autolunking you ask?

auto lunk ing \ kig\ n; the hobby or practice of exploring automobiles.

And who participates you ask?

auto lunk er \auto-‘lug kar\ n; one who makes a hobby of exploring and studying automobiles.

Within the EMC there are other lunking interest besides our central interest, LBC-lunking. There are also plane-lunkers (airplane study), rxr-lunkers (train study) and even boat-lunkers (boat study) to name but a few. We share very diverse interests.

On February 18th while the hardened members of the EMC were busying our hands on the dis-joining and re-joining of Jim’s engine and transmission fellow EMCer’s Keith Anderson and Dennis Loftin were traveling the country side auto-lunking with fellow lunkers from the Primo’s early breakfast car club (PEBCC). A very diverse group of lunkers that I’ve had the pleasure of joining on occasion.

Keith submitted this note following his autolunking weekend with fellow PEBCC members: "Sorry to have missed the EMC tech session. Dennis and I got caught up in the excitement of the Saturday morning breakfast discussion of a garage tour that was taking place with about 20 folks from different clubs traveling to 6 homes/garages in Rankin County to see about 10 antique cars and street rods in various stages of restoration. Rest assured that we fretted about missing the EMC tech session, but we decided to stay local and make a few new friends with the other club members and see how the local guys fix up their cars. We learned a lot and have a little more respect for what some of these folks can accomplish with a lot of skill and enthusiasm."

A February LBC-lunking took members of the EMC to Laurel MS in an expedition to locate and study an MG TC that I had become aware of in 2005.

The owners explained that the car had been in the family for many years however had been used very little in the last 20 odd years and had been stored away. Being the lunker that I am I explained my interest in LBC-lunking and that if the day came they decided to part with the MG to let me know. February 2006 I received a call from the family expressing an interest in allowing the study of their MG.

Keith, Dennis, brother Clay and I traveled over to Laurel on a cool and damp February morning to study the MG. When the cover was rolled back the four of us had a great time in study of the little MG and sharing the family history and good times. In exchange for allowing us to roll back the covers and go lunking in their MG I’ve agree to assist the current owners in finding a new home for the TC. Although in need of some TLC the car is all there and would make a great study. We have a strong history of lunking in the EMC so if any members find the opportunity, please let us know, we’d love to tag along.

Thanks to Tom Cotter and his recent released The Cobra in the Barn for providing some insight in to the hobby of autolunking. If you haven’t picked up a copy you should, it’ a great read.

The club is looking to update our website with new photos of member’s cars for 2006. I hope that everyone will join in and provide at least one photo. We’ll be taking photos during the year at our gatherings and will update new ones to the site. If your unable to make an upcoming gathering just submit your photo to me.

Spring and summer are approaching and the calendar is filling up. Here are a few of the events on our schedule at www.msemc.org:

MARCH 25, 2006 - New Orleans British Car Day / New Orleans LA
Word is spreading. The British Car Club of New Orleans is getting together for the 16th Annual New Orleans British Car Day. Plans are underway for another great show in the Crescent City so keep an eye on their web site. Details: www.bmcno.org

APRIL 1, 2006 - The EMC Tops Down / Rocky Springs MS
Our annual rite of passage is on tap again this year. This trip down the Trace (or perhaps up) is a great way to ensure that the top of that LBC is permanently dropped for summer. Bring a dish and settle back for a relaxing day under the trees at Rocky Springs. Lunch begins at 12:00pm. Details: Keith Anderson (601) 829 - 2573

April 8, 2006 - Gene Ponder Collection / Marshall TX
We've signed up a bunch of folks for a return invitation from Gene. We depart early am from the MS Welcome Center. Details: Gene Johnston (601) 607 - 7021

APRIL 29, 2006 - Pensacola British Car Show / Pensacola FL
The date may have changed and the planned location is still under discussion however the Panhandle British Car Association is working on another great event for their 14th annual gathering. Keep an eye on their web site for further information. Details: www.pbca1.com

MAY 13, 2006 - Birmingham British Car Show / Tannehill State Park AL
This multi-nation gathering of sports cars had a great gathering in 2005 with the Birmingham British Car Club assembling a fine collection of salons and sports cars. Look for more of the same in 2006. Details: www.birminghambmc.org.

Well that’s it up to mid March. Spring is around the corner now is the time for maintenance.

Happy Motoring

Gene Johnston