(Continued from page 3)   Left Hand Drive

with the shims. After he's got the shims right, he packs the bearings and torques them. He also suggested a micrometer to measure the shims to keep track of what you're adding. If you haven't replaced front wheel bearings on an MG, my babbling is probably more bewildering than enlightening. It's really not too bad a job. For icing on the cake, "Cowboy" is having a tech session on this topic on June 5.

Reinout gave a good overview of this year's driving events at the May meeting, and as I said before, they all sound enticing. The main point of emphasis is having fun driving our MG's. To that end, the Rally Masters are going out of their way to make the events easy and fun without diabolical tricks. Hope-fully, that will get more members taking part and en-joying these events. As Jim Evans was describing the Land's End Trial, it sounded more like a tour, but with some questions thrown in.

See you on the road!

Safety Fast, -- Dave Peterson

(Continued from page 3)   Right Hand Drive
didn‘t look good. Essentially, it was totaled; too expensive to repair. Well, Bob needed a stereo for his other car, and since that is my business, that‘s how I ended up with the back half for my limo.
What got me going, besides the technical expertise I got from working on the Club project car? Well, it‘s coming right up again: where I first welded, a CMGC Tech Session! Saturday, June 12, brings us MGB Body Panel Repair, where novices can observe custom sheet metal work on a stripped down body shell, and get hands-on training with the Club‘s MIG welder. After that, I learned how to weld while building my limo with a lot of help from Tom and Jon visiting the shop often. Jon did most of the weld work, with Tom‘s special guidance. From that first Tech Session, I've gotten to be really good with welding. The body work wasn't too difficult -- with the help of a friend (Jose Corte), the shell was created. The top was another trick. Since I used a front half and a back half of two different B‘s, I adapted two stowaway frames from two early B‘s. We used the sewing machine of another friend, Miguel, and just custom-made a longer top with side curtains, just like on the early Brit-ish cars. The drive train is all stock, except the drive shaft from an extended-cab Chevy.
But the goofy thing always starts! It still amazes me that my MGB limo is still going after all the years -- it hasn't split in half, even after a couple of racecourse events. The limo still attracts attention to this very day -- good or bad! Some owners just like their cars stock. But it was a good trainer for me, it speaks well for MG,

-- Dino Perez

and it‘s just a toy -- a real long toy!

(Continued from page 2)   Editor's Corner
typewriters and vintage British cars in that category. Take it from a guy that junked four BMWs last year, if I am going to have something towed by AAA, "I'd rather it be British!"
If you are reading this, you probably own an MG. If you are one of those who don‘t participate that much in the Club's regular rotisserie of rallies, tours, meets, and events, maybe you should get your car out of the garage and get it running. Brit cars need to be driven to be properly maintained. We have Tech Sessions, members who can help with problems, and specialized MG shops to get your car in shape. That‘s what I did, and now I could drive my B to Florida, and I might do it!
People stop me all the time (not the police). They want to know about the car. Their "father used to have one." Everybody loves the car. Many people ask me if it is for sale. (Of course it is not!) But, I always say, we have a very active Club, and that is how you network to find a car for sale, parts, or expertise. And it is a lot of fun to participate! The point is to drive your British MG and keep it on the road.
You build interest in the marque by driving it. The cars have to be seen on the road. The rarer the cars, and the more interest in them, the more VALUABLE they become. THAT is simple basic economics.
But it‘s not that: It‘s the FUN! Thirty cars – all very similar, only different colors, roving and rallying about on backcountry roads like jelly beans in a pinball game on a perfectly pristine, sunny, first day of sum-mer, the wind in your hair, the throaty roar of sport-tuned exhaust, that particular British-car smell of oil and leather in the nostrils… That was the Spring Chicken. It‘s going to be a great summer, with lots more driving events and Club activities!
There is some inner spiritual reward in maintaining and driving a vintage British sports car. So come on out, and drive your MG, and show up at the next Club meeting or Natter 'n' Noggin or driving event. June events are coming fast and furious, and the weather should be great!!! We will be glad to see you!

-- John Kearns