shenandoah valley british car club - founded 1981 …1973 mgb mk iii roadster parts car- 1967 mgb gt...

Shenandoah Valley British Car Club - Founded 1981

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2019 SVBCC Officers

President: Gloria Rodgers

V. President: Bill Rodgers

Secretary: Mary Ann Harris

Treasurer: Bill Krzastek

Membership: Michael Brittingham

Webmaster: Michael FitzGeorge

News Editor: Ev Gorman

Historian: Bob Vitrikas

Car Show: Bill Rodgers

In This Issue of "On Your Marque"

SVBCC—People Page

Newsletter index and Information 1

President’s Message 2

Member Spotlight 3

2018 Membership & Renewal Info 4

2019 SVBCC Car Show Committee 5

Ultimate Road Tour with LHA 5

Where We're Going

SVBCC Calendar of Events 2019 6

Other Events of Interest 7

Groundhog Day Drive About 8

Soup & Scat “31” Card Party 9

Ice Chipper Rally 10

Where We've Been

Historian’s Perspective: The Story Behind the Austin-Healey Logo

11

Winter Party in Review 14

Information for Members

The Simple Stuff: What are those dots doing on my windshield?

16

Advertisement Information: 4 SALE: ▪1973 MGB MK III roadster ▪Parts Car- 1967 MGB GT ▪1982 DeLorean ▪1965 MGB MKI

17

Back Editor Page and Mailing Address 19

The Shenandoah Valley British Car Club Ltd. (SVBCC) is dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of British automobiles.

ON YOUR MARQUE

FEBRUARY 2019 Website: www.SVBCC.net Volume 32, Issue 2

REMINDER—For one reason or another, many of us change our email address, and email is our primary method of keeping you informed of events and what is going on with SVBCC. If you change your email address, please let us know so you will not miss out on any important events. Update your Contact Information by emailing [email protected].

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP! WHY?

THE CLUB ROSTER IS BEING FINALIZED & WE WANT YOUR

NAME TO BE ON IT!

EMAIL DISTRIBUTION LIST IS BEING UPDATED & WE WANT

TO INFORM YOU ABOUT ACTIVITIES & OPPORTUNITIES!

WE LIKE YOU &

YOUR CAR!

RENEW NOW!

SVBCC MEMBER

mailto:mailto:[email protected]


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: FEBRUARY, 2019

The 2019 Winter Party at Wayland’s Crossing Tavern in

Crozet was a great success. There were lots of fun stories,

terrific food and drinks, and a super turnout of 45 members!

We are especially happy that several of our newest members

attended this event. We welcome them to our club! We look

forward to their involvement and friendship. Thanks to all who

attended. We hope to see many more of our members

attending next year. See pg. 14 for a glimpse of the fun!

We have a new Calendar of Events on our website at www.svbcc.net and also listed on pg. 6

of this newsletter. Please mark your calendars to attend these events. Many thanks to each of our

event sponsors. It’s going to be another exciting, fun year of activities and good times!

Events for February are:

Feb 2: Groundhog Day Drive About sponsored by Evelyn Gorman – see pg. 8

for details.

Feb 16: Soup and SCAT “31” Card Party sponsored by Bill & Gloria Rodgers – see

pg. 9.

Car Show Chairperson Bill Rodgers announced a kickoff meeting for the Car Show Committee

to plan the SVBCC 38th Annual British Car Festival to be held on October 4-5th. Thanks to the

experienced leaders and regular assistants, who have already ”jump-started” (for those of you

familiar with that phrase...) many components of the show already. This 1st Car Show Committee

meeting is Thursday, Feb. 7 at 5:00 p.m. at Waylands Crossing Tavern in Crozet. All are welcome

and encouraged to attend — many hands, light work! More information on pg. 5.

February is Valentine’s Day month, so let’s Share the

Love of British Cars, and use your “invite” cards to round up

new members wherever you can! These were distributed at the

Winter Party – small wallet-friendly cards to give to potential

members or leave on an interesting LBC windshield! Please

contact Michael Brittingham, Membership Officer, at

[email protected] if you want a stack or two.

Happy Driving! ~ Gloria Rodgers

http://www.svbcc.net/calendar_of_events.htm

mailto:[email protected]


MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

This month, we highlight SVBCC members John and Deborah Jones who have enjoyed sports cars over the years, but nothing compares to their adventures in repairing and restoring a beloved 1973 MGB. John shares the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of investing yourself in your LBC and the sure bond that develops between driver and car….

“In 1986, I purchased a 1973 MGB for the stately sum of $1000, which had a newly rebuilt engine with 200 miles on it. The gentleman who sold it to me was a Naval officer and was being transferred, so he decided to sell it. After owning a 1966 AH Sprite, a 1960-sometime TR3, a 1968 Sunbeam Alpine, a 1960-something BugEye Sprite, and a 1983 Porsche 356B, I reentered the world of sports cars. It wasn’t much to look at, as it looked like a Pinto pony, with areas of brown primer carefully and artistically placed to give it an air of aesthetic credibility! As I was a single dad, there were many opportunities to introduce my two children to the pleasures and exhilaration of driving with the top down and looking cool.

As time went by, I did get it painted by a gentleman who actually had worked for a dealership in Virginia Beach at one time. Unfortunately, he liked to take a nip or two as he worked, or so I was told. The white paint job was OK, it certainly looked 100% better, but he decided to paint the engine compartment BLACK! And it was a thick covering, which later proved to be a challenge to chip off when I restored the car. I reupholstered everything that could be upholstered, put on a new leather top, new carpeting, and any other needed items. The car came with a Weber carb and worked well for years. Of course, there was many other things such as suspension, shocks, etc. that had to be replaced. Basically, a lot of necessary mechanical replacements. But, it just kept on trucking, as it were! I was a member of the Tidewater Classics MG club and benefited from the many members’ expert knowledge.

When we moved to Staunton from Virginia Beach, it was fun towing the MGB behind my Ford Ranger truck! The truck has no power going up hills, so Afton Mountain was a real challenge, not to mention the street leading up to our house in hilly Staunton. For several years, it was a recreational driver, then I decided to really do some work on it. I completely stripped it of everything that I could get off, chipped off the black paint in the engine bay, and redid the whole area.

I towed it to Crimora, where it was taken down to metal and some “adjustment” done on the panels, etc. They did a good job and with a lot of new chrome, the MGB was looking good! Then I replaced every nut and bolt, screw, washer, gasket, etc. I installed new rubber around the windows and doors. You really get to bond with your car when you have to do all that little fun stuff! I can say though, she was pretty well put together.

THEN, I had problems with it running! It ran fine when it went to Crimora, but was not up to par upon its return. It just would not run right. With all new plugs, wires, coil, etc., everything checked out, even the rebuilt dizzy, but she still had a problem.

Well, seems the carb was messed up, and needed a rebuild. What transpired is that my friend, Bob Lasater, was replacing his MGB/GT racing car engine, so I bought a set of S.U.s from him. He sandblasted them, and we rebuilt them together. After putting them on the car, and fine tuning them, it ran GREAT! Zoom! I have a header on it, and it just sounds so sweet when it runs. So, problems solved? NOPE!

I had some problems with the gas tank/filter, and so had to blow out the line, after replacing the fuel pump a third time! I had two pumps literally fall apart as we were driving. The next project is to replace the gas tank when it warms up. THEN, all should be fine... can’t wait! While I did enter the SVBCC car show the year before last, hopefully, we will be able to participate in more SVBCC activities as it appears that there are a lot of fine people in the club who know how to have fun! Safety Fast!” ~ John Jones


MEMBERSHIP IN SVBCC

W E W E L C O M E N E W M E M B E R S !

PLEASE SHARE our sign-up info below with interested potential members!

To join the Shenandoah Valley British Car Club, membership application is available online:

To join online, go to http://www.svbcc.net/membership.htm and click the “Join/Renew Online” tab, which will take you to Eventbrite where you will be able to join and pay dues using PayPal, MasterCard, or Visa.

Dues are $20.00 annually per family!

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

This COULD be your LAST newsletter. We would love

to have you stay with us. However, if you have not

renewed your membership, it expired on December 31!

In just a couple of weeks, a new club roster will be

created, and a new mailing list will be

established for those who have renewed or

recently joined. This newsletter issue contains a

calendar of events that should have something to

appeal to each and every one of you. Keep up your

membership and come out to enjoy some of these great

driving opportunities!

Renewal is SO easy. To join or renew, go to http://www.svbcc.net/membership.htm

All renewals and new memberships will be done on-line only through Eventbrite, with

NO Eventbrite fees! You do NOT have to have a PayPal account, all major credit cards are

accepted (if you don’t see that option right away, just scroll down the screen). You just fill out

your current information (don’t forget to list all your wonderful British cars!),and choose your

method of payment. Club membership fee is a flat $20/year/family! Please...We would hate

to see you go…. Hope to hear from you soon!

Also, it’s time to recruit new members to share in our club events and meet our SVBCC

community! We have small wallet-sized SVBCC member recruitment cards available for

you to carry on your person or in your car(s). Please contact me at [email protected] if

you want a stack or two! Share the fun of SVBCC!

~ Michael Brittingham, Membership Chair

http://www.svbcc.net/membership.htm

http://www.svbcc.net/membership.htm



2019 CAR SHOW COMMITTEE MEETING

Bill Rodgers, Car Show Chairperson, invites all project leaders and interested members to attend this important Kickoff Meeting of the 2019 Car Show Committee!

Date: Thursday, Feb 7, 2019 Time: 5:00PM Place: Wayland's Crossing and Irish Pub Address: In Old Trail Subdivision, 1015 Heathercroft Circle, Suite 400, Crozet, VA

Primary agenda: 1. Quickly confirm our project leaders, and update status. 2. Determine any needed volunteer ?! leaders. 3. Discuss if February 15 date is a good deadline for printing flyers for the Show.

Please RSVP to Bill at [email protected], or text cell 540-256-8667 if you want to help! Volunteers always welcome and always needed. Thanks! ~Bill Rodgers

********************************

The Ultimate Road Tour with LHA

If you have ever dreamed about traveling across the U.S. at a leisurely pace on two lane roads, this may be the opportunity you've been waiting for. The Lincoln Highway Association is sponsoring a cross country tour starting in Washington, DC on 31 August and ending in San Francisco on 16 September, 2019. The tour will trace the route followed by a 1919 U.S. Army transcontinental convoy from Washington, DC to San Francisco. I cannot think of a better way to explore and enjoy our beautiful country, and you’ll bring home a treasure chest of memories to last a lifetime! To find out more about the Lincoln Highway Association and the tour, follow this link:

https://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/tour/2019/

Over the past four years, you’ve read about the amazing times some SVBCC members have had on these tours. Registration is limited to the first 60 cars so don't delay! For more information, contact Bob Vitrikas at 540-360-5890.

https://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/tour/2019/


SVBCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2019

February 2 Groundhog Day Drive About Sponsor: Ev Gorman February 16 Soup & Scat “31” Card Party Sponsors: Gloria & Bill Rodgers

March 23 Ice Chipper Rally Sponsors: Ken & Diana Brasfield

April 13 Trash Bash Sponsor: Danny Leech April 27 Off the Cuff Rally Sponsor: Dennis Gorman May 11 Quarry Gardens Sponsors: Michael Brittingham & Rhonda Roebuck May 17-19 Jefferson 500 Vintage Races Sponsor: Mark Harris June 8 Wings & Wheels 4 Paws Sponsor: Dave Eames June 23 "Mini Madness" at the Wayne Theater Sponsors: Michael Brittingham & Rhonda Roebuck July 13 Highland Tour & Picnic Sponsor: Wes Maupin July 27 Keswick Winery Sponsors: Dave & Shirley Eames August 10 Luray Caverns Run Sponsor: Sam Koogler August 18 Humpback Rocks Picnic Sponsor: Mark Harris August 29 Thursday Night Jazz in the Park Sponsors: Rebecca & Doug Harmon September 14 Mad Hatter Tea Party Sponsor: Ev Gorman September 21 Trash Bash Sponsor: Danny Leach October 4-5 SVBCC Car Show Sponsor: Bill Rodgers, Car Show Chairperson October 26 Witches Party Sponsors: Sam Koogler & Gloria Rodgers November 10 Annual Business Meeting Sponsor: Bill Rodgers December 8 Annual Planning Meeting Sponsor: Bill Rodgers

January TBA Winter Party Sponsor: Bill Rodgers


OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST

We list here a number of other events that may be of interest to our members or that other clubs have asked us to publicize:

March 7 - 10 Amelia Island Concourse Amelia Island, FL

March 13 - 16 67th Annual Sebring 12 hour and Historic Races

Sebring, FL

May 4 British & European Car Show Williamsburg, VA

April 12 - 14 British Car Gathering Dobson, NC

May 18 Triangle British Classic Car Show Raleigh, NC

May 17 - 19 Import and Performance Nationals Carlisle, PA

June 7 - 8 Moss Motorfest Petersburg. VA

June 7 - 9 The Elegance at Hershey Hershey, PA

June 28 - 29 Star City Motor Madness Roanoke, VA

August 18 Concours d'Elegance Pebble Beach, CA

September 5 - 8 Vintage Grand Prix Watkins Glen, NY

September 13-15 Goodwood Revival United Kingdom

September 13 - 15 British Invasion Stowe, VT

October 19 - 12 AACA Eastern Fall Meet Hershey, PA

October 13 Hunt Country Classic Middleburg, VA

https://www.ameliaconcours.org/event-schedule.aspx

http://www.sebringraceway.com/

http://www.sebringraceway.com/

http://www.wmbgbrit.com/

http://www.triumphclub.org/

https://ncmgcarclub.wildapricot.org/event-3230320

http://www.carlisleevents.com/carlisle-events/carlisle-import-and-performance-nationals/default.aspx

https://mossmotors.com/motorfest

http://theeleganceathershey.com/

http://www.starcitymotormadness.com/

http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net

http://www.grandprixfestival.com/

https://www.goodwood.com/flagship-events/goodwood-revival/

http://www.britishinvasion.com/

http://www.aaca.org/Calendar/aaca_calendar.html

http://www.mgcarclubdc.com/hcc/hcc_main.html


GROUNDHOG DAY DRIVE ABOUT

Sponsored by Ev Gorman

Well, on February 2nd, Weather, or Not, it all comes down to a Groundhog…. Will “Punxsutawney Phil” of Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania awake to sunshine and his shadow resulting in a fright and 6 more weeks of Winter, OR to a cloudy, perhaps drizzly day that spares his feelings and promises an early Spring? To quote Phil Connors, TV weatherman of Groundhog Day (the movie) : “This is one time when television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather!”

SVBCC believes in Punxsy Phil! In his honor, we are going on a déjà

vu-laden Groundhog Day Drive About. On Saturday, February 2nd,

we shall meet at 10:00 a.m. SHARP at the Frontier Culture Museum in

Staunton located on Frontier Drive off Route 250-Richmond Road (and Exit 222 off I-81). [Address

is 1290 Richmond Road, Staunton, Virginia 24401] For those wishing to join us for lunch only, we gather

at 12:00 noon at the Byers St. Bistro in Staunton... free parking at The Wharf Parking Lot off West Johnson

Street!

Please RSVP to [email protected] or call (434)-977-3594.

NOTE: Active Snow and icy weather cancels this event… Drive British or Not.. Just Drive SAFE! I'll check roads & make a final weather call on Friday, Feb 1st, so check your evening email!

Punxsy Phil inspires us to run like a Groundhog, in flight or for fancy, and to see what happens!

LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT DRIVING DAY, WEATHER OR NOT!

Running like a Groundhog, Until the next bend in the road, ~ Ev Gorman

PUNXSY PHIL PREPARES...


SOUP & SCAT “31” CARD PARTY

Sponsored by Bill & Gloria Rodgers

Gloria and Bill will host a Soup and Card Game for the February 16th car club event. For those who do not know how to play “SCAT or 31”, we will teach you. We will have a practice game before starting. The objective of the game is to win the POT. The POT is $3 per person times the number of people who will play. It is easy and so much fun!!! So come and join us for fun and fellowship with other club members. Once the soup is eaten, the game will begin!!!

When: Saturday, Feb 16th Time: 11:30am to 3:00pm Where: Spring Lakes Clubhouse Address: 48 Meadow Glen Dr., Staunton, VA 24401 Menu: Soup, bread, dessert and drink

PLEASE RSVP: In order to have sufficient tables and cards, we need to

know how many will attend. Please let us know by email at

[email protected]

PLEASE BRING: Bring at least three $1 bills for the first game. Bring your own wine/beer or drink. *Since we are in our clubhouse, we need to “brown bag”.+

“SCAT or 31” Card Game Rules (Only these simple rules, no other variations): Objective: *Get 31 points in your hand, or as close as you can, with 3 cards in the same suit. Play several hands, be the last player left, and you win the POT! Process: *Deal 3 cards to each player. (Ace=11; King/Queen/Jack=10; all other cards face value.) *Each player has (3) $1.00 bills at their side. *Pick up a card from the deck (faced down), OR from the top of the discard stack (faced up). *One card is discarded (leaving only 3 cards in player’s hand). KNOCKING: *If you are holding enough count in the same suit, and you think it beats at least one other player, you may KNOCK, when it becomes your turn. (You cannot pick up and knock at the same time). Following the Knock, the other players get a final draw. *If your total is higher than, or equal to the lowest count from any other player, you win. *Whoever is lowest in count, must put a $1 in the POT. *If the person who KNOCKS has the lowest count, he/she is penalized by placing $2 in the POT. *When any player loses $3, the player plays “on their looks” until they lose another round. Then they are out of the game. *Players continue the above process until only one player is left who wins the POT! SCAT: *Whenever a player gets 31 in one suit, immediately say SCAT or 31. All other players put a $1 in the POT. If SCAT is called after someone has KNOCKED, SCAT person wins and all others must put a $1 in POT.



ICE CHIPPER RALLY SPONSORED BY KEN & DIANA BRASFIELD

March 23, 2019 marks the 19th Ice Chipper Rally! This year, we are going to the Hotel Strasburg located at 213 South Holiday Street, Strasburg, VA. We have done one Ice Chipper Rally to this location before and folks enjoyed it. The Hotel Strasburg was built in 1902 and was a private hospital. It was converted to a hotel in 1915. They have a nice website so you can check it out. We will plan on arriving between 12 Noon and 1 PM for lunch. You can skip the drive and meet us there, if you want.

If you want to join Diana and me for the drive up meet us at the Pilot fuel station located in Greenville, VA at the intersection of I-81, US-11 and US-340. We will depart at 10AM. I estimate our drive time will be 2 hours (95 miles) including pit stops as we will be going straight up US-11 North. After lunch ,Diana and I will leave Strasburg and tour Fort Valley Road (678) from the north to the south that goes right thru the middle of Fort Valley which splits Massanutten Mountain in half at its northern end. Then we will exit Fort Valley and go down the western slope of Massanutten Mountain to Edinburg on US-11.

You may contact Diana and me be telephoning (540) 885-1757 or emailing [email protected] or [email protected]

~ Ken "I Don't Brake for Corners" Brasfield

https://www.hotelstrasburg.com/C:\Users\Evie\Documents\AutoCAD%20Sheet%20Sets




HISTORIAN’S VIEWPOINT: The Story Behind the Austin-Healey Logo

by Bob Vitrikas

The British are big on hyphenated last names indicating the merger of two families through marriage. This also applies to British car marques such as Rolls-Royce, and the subject of this article, Austin-Healey. The name is the amalgamation of two great automotive geniuses, Herbert Austin and Donald Healey.

Herbert Austin was one of the founding fathers of the British motor industry, beginning in 1895 when he built his first car. This led to the founding of The Austin Motor Company Limited in December, 1905. In 1952, the Austin Motor Company Ltd merged with another British automotive giant, Morris Motors Limited, to form British Motor Corporation (BMC) Limited. The Austin name remained as a separate marque until 1987.

Donald Healey, born three years after Herbert Austin built his first car, was an accomplished automotive designer, rally driver, and speed record holder. His early automotive manufacturing roots were with the Triumph Motor Company where in the 1930s he held a succession of increasingly important positions including experimental manager, technical manager, and finally works manager during the war years.

Healey was anxious to build his own cars, and in 1945, he formed the Donald Healey Motor Company Limited based out of an old RAF hanger in Warwick England. Healey turned out a string of expensive and very successful road and track cars winning the 1947 and 1948 Alpine Rallies, and a class win in the 1948 Mille Miglia.

The Healey Silverstone put Donald Healey on the map with wins in the prestigious Alpine Rallies and the Italian Mille Miglia.

Early Healeys used a 2.5 liter Riley engine and carried this logo which paid homage to Warwick where the cars were produced. Just 591 cars were built from 1950-54.


HISTORIAN’S VIEWPOINT: ...Austin-Healey cont.

In 1949, a merger with American manufacturer Nash Motors, led to another hyphenated named car, the Nash-Healey. Donald Healey drove a 1950 Nash-Healey in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 1950 and 1952 Mille Miglia. A Nash-Healey, driven by Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt, famously finished 4th overall in the 1950 Le Mans race. These early Healeys were expensive cars, and Healey realized that in order make his company viable, he needed an affordable sports car.

From that idea, he developed the Healey Hundred which made its debut at the London Motor Show 22 October -1 November, 1952. Just one Healey Hundred was built and displayed at the show. That’s all it took. Healey’s timing was perfect! The story continues…

Shortly after the merger of Austin and Morris in early 1952, MG (a Morris subsidiary) approached newly installed BMC chief and former head of Austin Motor Company, Sir Leonard Lord, with the idea to produce a new design sports car which was in fact the prototype MGA. (I have a blueprint of that car dated February 1952.) Lord turned MG down on the spot saying he had just approved a similar design only three days earlier at the 1952 London Motor Show. That design, named the Healey Hundred, became the Austin-Healey 100. Beaten but undaunted, MG went back to Abingdon where three MG men designed the replacement for the MG TD with a piece of chalk on the factory concrete floor. A panel beater named Billy Wilkens built the TF prototype in just two weeks, and the rest is history.

The mass produced Austin-Healey 100 was a comparatively inexpensive sports car utilizing a sturdy Austin sourced 2.6 liter inline four cylinder engine and gearbox giving the Healey an impressive 100 mph top speed. The similarities in body design between the Austin-Healey 100 and the MGA are undeniable.

Brother Joe & Bill circa 1996 enjoying the Blue Ridge Parkway in a rented TR3

Healey merged with Nash to produce the 6-cylinder Nash powered Nash-Healey from 1950-54. Production totaled 506 cars.

The 100M raised engine hp from 90 to 110 and improved handling with a stiffer front suspension. Bonnet louvers and leather belt added some pizzaz to the package.

In the 1960s, MGs and Austin-Healeys, big and small, were assembled in MG’s Abingdon Factory.


HISTORIAN’S VIEWPOINT: ...Austin-Healey cont.

If you are interested in a great recap of Austin-Healey history, check out this 45 minute video.

https://silodrome.com/documentary-history-austin-healey/

There are some clips for MG enthusiasts as well as a shot of 1970s Triumphs racing at Summit Point Raceway in nearby West Virginia. Enjoy the ride through history!

“Cheap and cheerful”, the popular Austin-Healey Sprite was produced at the MG factory from 1958-71.

Sadly, the end of Austin-Healey production came in 1968 with the end of Mk III production. This classic British brute represents all that was right at the time with affordable British sports car production. It is sorely missed.

https://silodrome.com/documentary-history-austin-healey/


WINTER PARTY IN REVIEW

The SVBCC 2019 Winter Party at Waylands Crossing Irish Pub in Crozet was well attended, drawing 45 members together for greets and eats. Braving a blustery cold January day, we gathered to catch up with old acquaintances and get to know new friends. After a time to socialize, we tucked into quite a tasty selection of food at the buffet table.

Bob & Sue Shiflet, Rebecca & Doug Harmon

Michael & Ellen FitzGeorge

Jerry & Sara Rosenfeld

Sal & Sarah Zambito

Joyce Byrd & Hermione Hutter

Dave & Shirley Eames

Paula & Derek Goossens, Chauncey & Hermione

Hutter

Cindy Booker, Rebecca Harmon, & Rhonda Roebuck

Scottie & Carl Kirby

Will Seay & Lew Byrd

Chauncey & Jude Dayton

WINTER PARTY REVELS TO DRIVE THE COLD WINTER AWAY!

Ev & Dennis Gorman


WINTER PARTY IN REVIEW… cont.

As we enjoyed a little dessert sweetness, 2018 Past President Michael Brittingham made a special announcement regarding our club’s Dave Barker Award. Not given every year, but when the person merits, the Barker Award recognizes a club member for their commitment to and their often behind-the-scenes service to further club activities and goals, and especially their dedication to our mission of promoting and enjoying our British cars. This year, past recipients recognized Michael FitzGeorge with the 2019 Barker Award!

As his last official act, Michael passed on the Club Banner to incoming 2019 President Gloria Rodgers. While not gavel, chair, or orb, Gloria certainly took on the “mantle of office” with style!

We ended our evening by hearing about the many exciting displaying, driving, and dining events planned for 2019 — check out the full SVBCC Calendar of Events on pg. 6. Hope to see you on the road with your British car!


THE SIMPLE STUFF:

What are those dots doing on my windshield? by Bob Vitrikas

As you are peering through your windshield (windscreen) patiently waiting for the traffic light to change, you have probably wondered, “What are those little black dots doing around the edge of my windshield?” The answer may surprise you, as it did me.

What are they called? Turns out those little darlings are called “frits”. Don’t ask me where that name came from, I couldn’t find the answer to that question, but I did find out quite a bit about what functions these frits perform.

How did they get on the glass? The black border and dots are made from ceramic paint, are baked onto the window, and are virtually indestructible.

What purpose do they serve? Back in the day, auto manufacturers used to use rubber gaskets to keep windows sealed from the elements, and over the top of that gasket, they’d fasten chrome trim to make it look nice and help secure the windshield. In the ‘50s and ‘60s, as auto manufacturers began transitioning from metal trim to adhesives to hold the glass in place, a way of protecting the glue and ensuring good adhesion became necessary. The frit provides an etched surface that allows the urethane adhesive to bond to the glass. The adhesive worked OK, but the black goop wasn’t pretty to look at. The frit concealed the ugly adhesive and presented a more finished appearance as it transitioned from the solid black band to the glass. The outward facing side of the frit also acts as a shield against the sun’s UV rays, protecting the adhesive from weakening.

Why is there an outer solid band followed by dots of diminishing size? They make an aesthetically pleasing transition from the thick black line to the transparency of the window. The dots aren’t randomly placed; they are positioned in what’s known as a “halftone pattern,” getting smaller and farther apart as the black recedes. This pattern is less jarring to the eye than opaque black paint juxtaposed with transparent glass.

There is a functional reason as well. Rapid temperature changes and extreme temperatures can be detrimental to your auto glass, and that goes for the cold and the heat. I learned this the hard way one cold winter morning when I turned my Discovery’s defroster on full blast to melt the ice off the windshield and promptly cracked the glass!

When the windshield is manufactured, it is baked to allow the glass to be curved. The black paint of the frit band heats faster than the rest of the glass, but the dots distribute the heat a little more evenly, preventing the windshield from warping or causing an optical distortion.

Why are there a bunch of them behind my rear view mirror? Some manufacturers use this to the occupants’ advantage by expanding the dot pattern downward between sun visors to create a kind of “third visor”, which helps to reduce glare from sunlight that the driver and passenger visors can’t block. Some car makers even take it a step further and use small logos or other unique designs in place of the traditional circular dots.

So that’s the story of these simple little black dots and the many functions they perform for us.


Classifieds On Line The Webmaster has established a classified section on our club website at: http://svbcc.net/Classifieds.htm Individual members of the club may post Wanted or For Sale items at no charge. The posting will be in place for 60 days unless canceled or renewed. Send ad and pictures to the Webmaster at [email protected]

Members Buying and Selling in Print

Individual members may submit ads that will run in the SVBCC Newsletters for 2 months unless an extension is requested. Pictures are welcome! Please send ads to [email protected]

FOR SALE — 1973 MGB MK III roadster. $14,000 or best offer. No trades.

Lovely car, meticulously maintained, extensively restored 2007. Approx 27,000 miles since restoration. There's a small dent in the trunk lid. There's a dent in the rear valance. NO rust in body. Runs perfectly. Everything works. Needs nothing. Clean throughout. Great driver.

Overdrive, Moss aluminum head, Moss leather seats, stainless steel wire wheels, Nakamichi CD/FM radio with twin 8" speakers (professionally installed), Lucas Flamethrower driving lamps. Everything works. Zero rust in body. I have receipts for all repairs and maintenance done since purchase, 5 years ago.

Please email for details. Serious inquiries only, please: [email protected] Located Charlottesville, VA, USA. ~ Mark Brown

FOR SALE — PARTS CAR — 1967 MGB GT

Wire wheels, aluminum bonnet (Moss Al bonnet sells for

$1299), all glass, all instruments, bumpers etc. No engine,

no tranny, no title.

REDUCED PRICE $300 $200!

Contact Michael Brittingham at [email protected]

FOR SALE — 1982 DELOREAN Back to the Future is here! 1982 DELOREAN in excellent condition. Less than 39,000 original miles. Stainless steel exterior with gray interior. No accidents, dents or dings. Always garaged and well maintained. More information and photos at http://brittsminis.com/Delorean.html . Check out the info first, and then if interested, contact Michael Brittingham at [email protected]

SAVE ME FROM THE JUNK YARD!

http://svbcc.net/Classifieds.htm


mailto:mailto:%[email protected]



http://brittsminis.com/Delorean.html



FOR SALE – 1965 MGB Mark I

I purchased this 1965 MG B Mark I in 1998 with only 21,000 miles on the odometer. The car had been in dry storage since 1972 and I had a nut and bolt restoration done that was completed in 1999. A head gasket was needed in 2003, so I consulted with Gassman Automotive, and we decided to increase performance, depth, and reliability. Here are the specifics: original engine and crank was magnafluxed, pressure tested, and shot peened, cylinders were bored to .030 of an inch and cast iron liners inserted, competition ARP head studs, rod bolts, and main bolts installed; an alloy head was installed and decreased the stock 8:1 to 7:1 compression, hardened exhaust and stainless steel intake valves installed, and seats have been hardened and guides are silicon-bronzed; a 1.51 alloy rocker assembly was installed with solid spacers to replace the springs and valve cover is alloy; King High Performance main bearings and bushings were fitted as well as rod bearings; new aluminum, forged pistons with total seal rings were hand fitted and balanced; alloy competition flywheel; upgraded heavy duty clutch with new hydraulics; high output oil pump with upgraded relief valve spring; one-off custom made cold air intake system with a K&N air filter were fitted to 1.75" HS6 SU carburetor attached to a Moss supercharger; 2" ID competition equal length tubular header port matched and wrapped attached to a 2" ID exhaust; Mallory dual point distributor with MSD ignition; one-off alloy radiator with an electric thermostat-controlled fan; gear reduction starter; Lucas alternator replaced the generator; original transmission with rebuild electric over dive unit; front bushings were replaced with MGB V8 bushings, kingpins replaced, competition coil front springs to lower the car about 1", 5/8" sway bar was added, new leaf springs; front discs upgraded to slotted and drilled, new calipers, all new steel braided brake lines; 15" center lock Mini-Lites with 205/15 Michelin tires; custom roll bar with LED brake lights and head rests; 5-point racing harness; HS4 fluted sealed beam halogen head lights. The car measures over 100 HP and at the rear wheels, while maintaining a 27-31mpg status. The car is quite capable and copes with today's driving conditions easily. Although this is a 15 year old restoration, the car still looks and performs as if new. No issues to date since restoration and after 57,000 miles. It also has a fiber glass removable hard top and the black canvass soft top is included. I have all receipts and complete service records since 1999. I would not hesitate in driving this car anywhere. I'm selling to reduce my collection.

Price: $25,000 negotiable Kenneth H. Brasfield, Call 540-885-1757 or Email: [email protected]



On Your Marque is the official publication of the Shenandoah Valley British Car Club, Ltd. Any and all

opinions expressed herein are those of contributing author's and not necessarily those of the SVBCC, its

individual members, or the leaders of the Club. Contributions and comments are enthusiastically

encouraged. We are always looking for interesting articles and stories about owning a Classic British

Sports Car. Send your letters, pictures, and articles of interest to: [email protected] or On Your

Marque Newsletter Editor, 1088 Campbell Road, Keswick, VA 22947.

Shenandoah Valley British Car Club, Ltd.

P.O. Box 323

Waynesboro, Virginia 22980