Off-Side Undo - May 2009

SPRING EVENTS

It's been a busy month since last update. I've been traveling quite a bit so the B GT has not received a lot of attention. It remains under a car cover on jack stands with the front end disassembled and scattered around the garage. But soon, I promise I'll resume work.

I have had the opportunity to run some of the roads less traveled both in Ole Red and without. There's nothing like running the roads that mapped the countryside pre-interstate checking out the wayside sites that were key markers on the landscape fifty years ago or so. It's been a little rainy this spring but all in all not too bad. Not once have I had to pull everything out of Ole Red for a major drying.

Brits On The Bay 2009

Jim Enzman and I had a dry run down to the Panhandle British Car Association's 17th Annual Brits On The Bay car show held April 14, 2009 in Pensacola Florida.

We arrived mid-afternoon for the parking lot greetings and that evenings red beans and rice dinner which as usual was well attended. The food and fun were great and right on the beach at the host hotel.

Saturday was a beautiful day with a slight breeze fresh off the Gulf. A full field of cars was available for viewing pleasure. I was really impressed with the number of Spitfires that made this years show and in such an array of colors looking like a fine collection of jelly beans with their bonnets all tilted.

There was also a large contingent of big Healeys that looked great under the shade of the overhanging oaks set against the backdrop of Pensacola Bay.

The EMC seems to be setting a record for placing in 2009 with Jim and me carrying on the tradition started in New Orleans each scoring a 3rd in class in the popular choice voting. A fabulous time was had by all in Pensacola.

Sunday was the day that we got caught in one of those spring showers, a real toad floater about half way home for me but nothing a fan wouldn't take care of.

Drive Thru History / The Town Square Tour

EMC's Drive Thru History was run with a wary eye to the sky but without too much hesitation on Saturday May 16. A total of seven British cars made the run beginning shortly before 10:00am from the Madison County Courthouse in Canton. We traveled some of those noted back roads arriving at the Holmes County Courthouse in Lexington where we received a warm welcome from Mayor Robin McCrory. She directed the group on a tour of the courthouse and historic Chateau Thierry, one of the many fine homes in the town.

We got our first exercise of hood erecting running into a brief shower in route to our next stop at the Cafe On The Square in Kosciusko across the street from the Attala County Courthouse. A little rain never slows the EMC down for long.

We had a great meal and the ladies got a chance to do a little downtown shopping before we headed off to our final destination for the day. The clouds seemed to have broken so a couple of brave souls decided they would exercise the top down boogie.

Forty five minutes later the mother nature decided that it was time for a little more rain so a quick road side stop was made to get the final top up exercise completed for the day.

Our last stop for the day was the Williams Brothers Store (circa 1907). They carry everything that a modern road warrior would want. Our purchases included hoop cheese and tennis shoes. The selection of mule collars hanging in the grocery area was very impressive.

David Crawford made the plans for this DTH and everyone had a great time on Saturday evening in Philadelphia. The meal was great and some of the luckier folks won the dinner tip at the Silver Moon.

Sunday arrived too early and we again took to the roads less traveled to get us home. Gray skies and a drizzle followed us home.

Thanks David for organizing the fantastic 2009 Drive Thru History.

Tales of Autolunking and Wrenching

Clay and I a few years back had sought an MGB that we were told was one county over from our home county but we had been unable to locate the car. Out of the blue in early April I got a call from a contact that my wife had made thru a student at Millsap's College here in Jackson. Seems his uncle had an MGB that he had put away many years ago in hopes of restoring one day. He got behind in his restoration and so his current plan was to sell the car for salvage to clean out his garage. Not one to let a LBC go to the crusher a price was arrived at. It took a few weeks for us to get away but four weeks later we managed to get over with a trailer to pickup our new prize. It wasn't the silk purse that I'd hoped for, tin worms had gotten at it pretty good and there was not the hoped for overdrive lurking under the fenders but for the money paid we did manage to make off with a complete drive train.

Jim Enzman has got is rebuild back together following the troubles he encountered on the way to the New Orleans car show. He indicates that his very yellow GT will be back on the road soon.

David Crawford and Trey Decell enjoyed easy cruising on this year's Drive Thru History both having recently completed 5-speed conversions to their MG's. Both were well done, provided lower RPM cruising and had no teething problems on our trip.

John Turbeville is nearing the completion of his shop construction and should be moving his cars into one location soon.

That's it for this time. If you've got interesting projects, or just need to vent a story or two please let me know. We're always interested in what other projects are out there and who's having fun with their LBC. There's still a lot on the calendar so please, make plans to join us for one or all of our upcoming 2009 events. We'll be glad you did and think you will also.

Happy Motoring!

Gene Johnston EMC

Here are some of the EMC's upcoming events:

May 30 - June 7, 2007 - British Car Awareness Week Get out and Drive Your British Car.

JUNE 20, 2009 - Jake Weaver's Picnic and Tire Kick' n / Clinton MS Jake has agreed to fire up the grille again in 2009 for our annual “darn and it's just getting hot” summer gathering. We'll provide the core food group requirements you can bring a side dish. We're usually light on work however Jake may have a project or two we can help with. Wrenching begins at 11:00am with lunch break about 12:00pm. Details: Jake Weaver (601) 974-4367

JULY 18, 2009 - EMC Lotus Weekend / Braxton MS Last year was the follow up year and nothing was broken. Participant's had a great drive down and enjoyed spending the afternoon wandering around Mike and Alice's place in the country. Join us for a great ride thru the country, good food and company. Details: Mike and Alice Glore (504) 231-5801

AUGUST 15, 2009 - EMC Tech Session II / Brandon MS When we last visited the David and Jo Ann they were still in the garage assembly phase. Come on out for the 2009 update. There's enough room here for everyone. Tire kicking begins at 11:00am and a meal at 12:00pm. Details: David and Jo Ann Bailey (601) 992-8566