Side Curtain News Volume 38 Issue 12 December 2017 Proud chapter of the Austin-Healey Club of America since 1979. Gateway Healey Association St. Louis, MO GHA Valentine s Day Dinner - page 7 Inside this issue: Rumbling 1&2 Minutes 3 Richard s pictures 4-5 GHA Christmas 6 Party Valentine Dinner 7 Nov Cars and 8 Coffee Keith s AH100 9 Misc pictures 10 Events 11 From the Boot 12 Greetings: Well, the weather has finally turned. One day, I was fearlessly piloting a top down Triumph. The next day, it was cold and rainy, putting at least a temporary end to the driving season. We have really become soft. In another age, our British sports cars were used as daily drivers. We were not deterred by side curtains, ineffectual wipers, and lethargic defrosters! I remember my uncle s VW convertible: windshield frost required a large rag and lots of squinting. An engine manifold heater supplied little warmth from the rear of the car to the front. When it rusted out, it supplied carbon monoxide to the cabin. And don t forget British heaters that roasted the driver s right leg as the rest of him froze! So, think about the opportunity to relive those glory days this winter. On a more serious note, November was a fine finish to our cruising season. The Triumph Club had a well-attended Veteran s Day Drive and the MG Club had a Christmas lights tour of Tillis Park. I attended the November 18 Cars and Coffee at Westport in spite of threatening weather. Few British cars showed up, presumably due to their water solubility. I did get to peruse the Healey Sprite owned by our friend, Bruce. His Sprite was restored from a stripped-down race car and included a neat wooden dash that he made. Jim R. and I talked to some owners of 1970s BMWs. I was alarmed to learn that Jim s handsome BMW (2002 model, not year) coupe sits outside, allowing the tin worm to take hold. Lately, I have been taking long neighborhood walks as my approach to fitness.
VOLUME Volume 38, 38 ISSUE Issue 1012 PAGE 2 I get to see all kinds of things. For example, I observed a lawn mower being used as a jack stand under the front of an automobile (see photo). Apparently this works, but I still don t recommend it! I also got to meet an MGB and its owner, Mike. Mike had recently painted it a non-stock metallic grey. With chrome wires, it really looked sharp! Nice to see an energetic and skilled young man taking part in our hobby! The Healey Club Christmas Party was, as usual, the event of the season. This was a chance to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and eat some delicious food. Keith, our gracious host, cooked beef (tenderloin?) and turkey that was out of this world! It was simple, he reported. Thanks again Keith. Cars were my favorite topic. Steve, the soon-to-be Triumph Club president covered the pleasures of low grade replacement parts. Ron and I admired Keith s latest restoration project. Ed, a Mercedes Club member told of his restoration of a 300SL roadster. Ed also has a 190 SL and a 280 SL! Apparently, he once owned a big Healey, but sold it. He then bought the 300SL sometime around 1970 (I forgot the exact date) for $1500. He used it as his only daily driver for years. It was apparently a show car, with Rudge wheels and an unusual turquoise over white interior color combination. Of course, today this is a million-dollar (or more) car. He said it was quite an investment! At the party, I learned that our friend and treasurer, Dan F. was recently stricken with serious illness. We were devastated by the news. I have few details, but I plan to find out more and will see if I can visit at the hospital. Please direct your thoughts and prayers toward him for swift and satisfactory healing. Thanks to Jim R. for all his efforts as he retires from newsletter editing as of this month. He has done a fine job in not only editing but adding to the content each month. In fact, portions of our newsletter have been published in Healey Marque magazine! I look forward to seeing you all at our meetings and activities after the holidays. Richard
PAGE 3 Volume 38 Issue 12 Gateway s Officers President Richard Etz (314) 640-3190 dretz@sbcglobal.net Vice President Ron Varley (314) 324-3021 ronvarley@aol.com National Delegate Tom Hartman 314 486 4320 thomasehartman56@charter.net Membership Chairman & Treasurer Dan Forguson (618) 558-3060 aforgus@aol.com Secretary Tom Hartman 314 486 4320 thomasehartman56@charter.net Social Events Coordinator Marilyn Salini (314) 991-9363 Msalini73@gmail.com RETIRED Newsletter Editor Jim Reiter (636) 532-7151 Ghawebmaster@yahoo.com GHA Webmaster Jim Reiter (636) 532-71151 Ghawebmaster@yahoo.com Don't forget to go to the club website! http://clubs.hemmings.com/gatewayhealey/ Members and Guests at meeting Meeting Minutes (Courtesy of Jim Reiter) No meeting minutes
Volume 38 Issue 12 PAGE 4 Misc Pictures from Richard Bruce s Sprite Bruce s Sprite Dash British Engineering Jim and Brent and BMW Bavarian Jim s BMW 2002 New Auto AC application Don t try this at home
Volume 38 Issue 12 Page 5 More Misc Pictures from Richard Lamborghinis Mike s MG Tesla and Richard s Corvette Triumph Meeting Couple old trucks
PAGE 6 Volume 38 Issue 12 Gateway Healey Christmas Party Photos by Bob McElwee Dave playing the pipes Party guests Steve and Robin Hurst Jean McElwee Party guests Jack Lambert and guests Keith Bester Party Host
Volume 38 Issue 12 PAGE 7 Gateway Healey Valentine s Day Dinner February 11, 6:30 pm Trail Head Brewery 921 S Riverside Drive, St Charles, MO Please RSVP to Marilyn Salini Msalini73@gmail.com, or 314 991 9363 Wear Red!!
VOLUME 38, ISSUE 10 PAGE 8 Volume 38 Issue 12 Nov 2017 Westport Cars and Coffee 73 BMW Bavarian Neue Klasse und Kaffee 1953 Triumph Custom Paint Cobra Lamborhini Custom hood support US Marines Toys for Tots Porsche MGA AH Sprite MG Sedan
Volume 38 Issue 12 PAGE 9 Latest progress on Keith s AH100 See Oct 2017 GHA SCN for the beginning
PAGE 10 Volume 38 Issue 12 The white car in front of Ford Wagon, is that a white AH 100?
Volume 38 Issue 12 PAGE 11 Events 2017. December Dec 9 7 PM GHA Christmas Party. Keith Bester s, 115 N Sappington Road, Kirkwood, MO Bring a dish to share No Regular GHA Monthly meeting in Dec. 2018 Austin Healey Club of America dues are due. You should be receiving a letter from national. It is very important that you get your dues check in Jan 15, 2018, if you want to be listed in the 2018 AHCA Membership Directory. 2018 January Jan 23 7 PM GHA Monthly Meeting at Keith Bester s Garage, 115 N Sappington Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122. (314) 821-2372. Jan 25 11:30 am. RUMP Lunch. O Fallon Brewery, WESTPORT PLAZA. 45 Progress Pkwy, Maryland Heights, MO. http://ofallonbrewery.com/ Please let me know if you are interested. Jim Reiter 636 532 7151 or j-reiter@sbcglobal.net February Feb 11 6:30 pm Valentine Day Dinner Trail Head Brewery, 921 S Riverside Drive, St Charles, Mo. Please RSVP to Marilyn Salini, Msalini73@gmail.com, or 314 991 9363 so she knows how many to plan for. Wear RED!!! Feb 27 7 PM GHA Monthly Meeting at Keith Bester s Garage, 115 N Sappington Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122. (314) 821-2372 Gateway Healey meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month in Keith Bester's garage. Located at 115 N Sappington Rd, Kirkwood, MO. 63122. Phone 314.821.2372
PAGE 12 Volume 38 Issue 12 From the Boot Three British Cars to Buy, Sell of Hold Click 100S Brochure to read about the AH 100S Click to read Steps for Winter Car Storage So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye! Thank you very much for the opportunity to be the Gateway Healey Side Curtain News editor. I have very much enjoyed working on the newsletter. I want to thank everyone who contributed, especially Richard Etz, articles to the SCN. I feel it is time to pass the privilege on to another. Please call if you are interested and I will get you set-up. Jim Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!! Join the Gateway Healey Association For information contact Dan Forguson 618.558.3060 or at aforgus@aol.com