|
The Steering Column
|
|
Left Hand Drive
from our President
|
 Well, it’s summer time. That means we’re out driving our cars, and having fun while doing it. I’m excited, because last month I was able to participate in the Windy City Miata Club’s Autocross. It was exciting for a couple of reasons.
First reason, is that the autocross made me (finally) change my oil! I know I should have done it sooner, but I didn’t. I haven’t been able to make it to the Spring Tune-Up in a couple of years, and that’s my excuse!
I figured, while I was under there, I might as well lubricate all the grease fittings. This is always exciting, because my grease gun doesn’t work very well, and is nearly out of grease. And I don’t know how to re-fill it! Luckily, either because of my smooth-talking, or my cursing, I was able to squeeze out enough grease to satisfy the Lubricant Gods.
So, with the chassis lubricated, and the engine running on fresh oil and filter, I was able to tackle the autocross. It’s amazing, but I ordered both the oil, and filter from Amazon. Will wonders never cease?
A friend of mine from work stopped by the autocross, with his young son, and mounted my camera to the badge bar. So I was able to record all the runs on the second half of my day! After downloading some new software, and many curses hurled at the new software, I was able to put all the pieces together, into a semi-watchable video! So now all the evidence of my slowness is now on display for all to see.
What did you do with your Saturday? 8-)
|
|
|
The Steering Column
|
Right Hand Drive
from our Vice-President
|
As I write this we are in the final stages of organizing 40/50 Anniversary Tour and lunch. This got me thinking about seeing some of the vintage club member’s TDs and TFs. This in turn got me wondering how the MG got to be popular in the US. When WWII brought American soldiers to Europe they were exposed to the British sports car. These cars were everything an American car was not: small, light and maneuverable. The British sport car was designed to zip through hedge-lined country roads in an alternative universe were light fog is considered a nice day and only sissies put the top up unless it was a monsoon. Enter the MG. This is the marquee that started the post-war imported car business in America. Not just sports cars. The British needed to rebuild a bombed-out country and set up a peace-time industrial base. Americans needed cars. We were running on five to ten-year-old cars at war’s end and it would take years to fill the back orders. The British sent Morris Minors, Austins, Jaguars, and the most intriguing the MG roadsters.
They were classy, sporty and sexy. How could you not love a car with a tire on the back and a steering wheel on the wrong side? A car that required a yardstick for a fuel gauge, a heavy sweater and a lap blanket, even if you remembered to pack the side curtains. Were these cars ill-suited to American driving conditions? Yes. Motorheads (or gearheads if you prefer) seem to turn adversity into adventure when it comes to a sexy car. Some things never change. The TD was introduced in 1949 and was essentially built for the American market. This time the steering wheel could be had on either side. I don’t know if we will see a right hand drive TD or TF at the tour but whichever side the steering wheel is on; it is a great car.
~~ Ray Hansen & Maggie
(AKA Little Red)
|
|
August 2016
