The Steering Column
Left Hand Drive from our President

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. I am writing this a few days before Santa is due to visit and just after the new tax bill has passed. I can tell you what is on my wish list, a 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster. It was added to my wish list back in April when it was the car for the month on the Auto Appraisal Group calendar from Jim Evans. I am not in the top 1% when it comes to wealth, so the tax break will not help Santa fit a Jaguar Roadster in his bag. I did not make room for it in the garage. If it somehow turns up in the driveway I know just where to put it but I’m not sure Susan wants to give up her space in the garage. It doesn't have to be a 1953 Jaguar, since I am not fickle when it comes to cars. I tend to fall in love with a different car very easily. After Christmas was the New Year celebration. Susan and I will probably have a nice dinner and a quiet night at home to bring in the new year. No parties and over drinking -- been there done that. We will have a little champagne.

Looking ahead to next year is exciting. The tours, the rallies, the day trips and all the other club events make for a fun spring, summer and fall. Before we start the next driving season it is time to work on our cars. I hear this at the club meetings, so it must be the thing to do in the cold weather. Every year I think “this winter I will work on Maggie”. This is wishful thinking since I really don’t know much about cars. I would find a lot of satisfaction getting something accomplished, but I am limited in my abilities. As of this date I still think “this winter I will work on Maggie”. Who knows maybe this will be the year. I don’t plan on anything too big to start with but something. Wish me luck.

It has been an honor to serve as your President for the past year, thank you for the opportunity. I know Dean will do a good job. Please support him and the rest of the staff as you did me.

I want to wish you all a very Happy 2018.

~~ Ray Hansen & Maggie (AKA Little Red)

	The Steering Column
	Right Hand Drive   from our Vice-President

I tried to start my MG the other day. But it’s sooo cold in my garage the 20W50 oil is like grease. Note to self, next year use lighter weight oil for winter storage. You see I like to start my car every week or so even during the winter. It helps keep seals from leaking, the battery charged and it’s good to see some signs of life from my MG. I feel really cooped up during the winter. Since I also work from home a lot I don’t even have the daily commute to the office. There’s good and bad in that.

How about you? Did you get your MG fired up since Thanksgiving? What projects are you working on now for the spring? I’m starting to think about opening the differential. During the tune-down I noticed a lot of play in the driveline. Most seems to be from the diffy. But first lots of reading and studying. Also, did I mention how darn cold it is in my garage? I do have a nice big kerosene torpedo heater that can get the garage toasty. But torpedo heaters are noisy and smelly. So, I have to keep the door cracked open and put up with a constant howl from the heater. I try to avoid using it unless I absolutely have too. Also, the concrete floor is still colder than ice. Not fun to lay on.

My wife and I have started thinking about downsizing our home. My requirement is a nice BIG heated and Cooled Garage/workshop with a lift! Well maybe she’ll let me have that.

Enough pointless rambling. Now for some begging. Please, pretty please share your expertise in some manor in 2018. Provide a presentation for a club meeting, write some articles for the driveline, help with a rally or a tour. The GOF will need lots of us to help out. Let’s show the country that the Chicagoland MG clubs are the best in the country. Let’s make 2018 our Best year yet. Thank you all!

Safety Fast

~~ Jim Compton