Barry Says...

It’s too hot mon. The EMC is marching right on thru the balmy 2006 summer. There’s little to report in the way of driving as the is the case most summers down here unless your into operating in oppressive heat while wrapped in a wet blanket of humidity. Drive times are currently limited to the early am or very late pm.

There is are a few hardy souls including yours truly and brother Clay who will venture out into the garage for a little wrench time.  We managed to keep the perspiration out of our eyes long enough in mid July mid 90's to return his recently rebuilt engine back in his MGB.  In my absence he completed the addition of the ancillary parts necessary and has his B back up and running.

EMC Tech Wizard Keith Anderson and I assisted Web Master David Crawford in pulling the engine from David’s ‘59 MGA the day before with the intent of doing a one day replacement with an original 1500 engine David had located.  David had single handedly installed the 3 main B engine back several years...like the early ‘70's if I recall and it obviously had served him well.  With the engine on the ground an evaluation of the transmission was made and it was decided that the replacement operation would have to wait a few weeks as after nearly 50 years of service the transmission was in need of a rebuild. Off to Jim Trunzler’s for a little "Jim’s Magic".

We’ll get back to David’s car in the very near future in the meantime David’s doing all those "might as well" things that developed during the extraction.Jim Trunzler's indicated that he had to take a brief hiatus from the heat. When I caught up with him he was returning from a kayaking tour on the Nantahala River near Cherokee TN. Said he had a nice cool down and thought he could make it thru the remainder of the summer working on David’s transmission and some customer cars that have made appearances at his place.

Jim Enzman’s been called away from his LBC’s and is tackling smaller jobs that will fit in the confines of an air conditioned enclosure. Seems that Jim has become the golf cart king of Eddiceton MS repariing golf carts for miles around.  I wonder if the electrical systems are made by Lucas or some such.

Barry Schmidt indicates that he’s on tap for the August gathering however due to the heat he’s not too up on the idea of a bunch of guys standing around in the 100 degree+heat index temperature with implements of destruction in their hands so he’s going to cook up a mess of bar-b-que for everyone.

Well, that’s about it for this edition of The Off-Side Undo. If anyone out there has stories/photos of information to submit please get that info to me and I’ll be sure to include it here.

Here’s the calendar of upcoming EMC activities including our own Brit’s By The River  and other notable shows in the area.

SEP 22-24, 2006 - Southeastern British Car Festival / Dillard GA

One of the largest all British Car Shows in the Southeast. An easy drive in the fall to the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Details: www.peachtreemg.com

SEP 30, 2006 - EMC’s Brits By The River / Vidalia LA

We’ll have a go at it again in ‘06. As Randy Newman wrote "they tried to wash us away" however the EMC’s 9th Annual Brits by the River is on the way. Friday night we’ll have a gathering at the River View RV Park Welcome Center. The show will be held again this year with the Jim Bowie Festival with bands, food and fun. Stay tuned for more details, pre-registration forms will be available shortly. John Turbeville (601) 940 - 5288 or Gene Johnston (601) 607 - 7021

OCT 6 - 7 2006 - 23rd Annual Memphis British Car and Motorcycle Fest

Just a jump up the road from the Jackson area. This show is a well attended charity event. Details at www.memphisbritishcars.org <http://www.memphisbritishcars.org>

OCT 7, 2006 - 5th Annual Brits in the Ozarks / Fayetteville AR

This show has been attended by members of the EMC in past years and have indicated this to be a great show. This years guest is scheduled to be Denise McCluggage which will be a real treat. Details: www.britishironnwa.org

OCT 27 - 28, 2006 - South Alabama British Car Festival / Fairhope AL

Even in an off year these folks put together a great late season gathering. The show is held at waters edge in Fairhope. Good food, show and shopping to boot with a whole lot of friends along to share the good time. Details: www.sabcc.org

It’s almost too hot to think. For now I think I’ll sink back in my recliner with a cool glass of ice tea and chill. Ya’ll stay in the shade.

Happy Motoring

Gene Johnston