RAGTOP - Hill Country Triumph Club · eat lunch around 1 PM. Please let Nel know if you plan to...

The RAGTOP 1 March 2007

The RAGTOPVolume 20, Issue 3, March 2007

www.hillcountrytriumphclub.org

A Girl, a Guy, and a TRby Nel McPhail, President

“Cool Car Papa Mike!”

That’s what my three year old granddaughter said when we pulled up in her driveway a few weeks ago in my red TR250. Clever child! We got to do a lot of driving in February, in spite of the sometimes-wintry weather. One trip we missed was the monthly meeting while we were skiing with the Bakers and the Kramers. Perhaps next year we should make it official and have a HCTC ski trip. Tomorrow Mike and I are off to Wolf Creek, Colorado, to scout a possible location.

Thanks to Dean and Elizabeth Mericas, the February driving event was a huge success. Mike and I served as sweep car and were pretty busy tidying up the Triumphs that fell by the wayside. Greg and Suzy

West (TR6) were the first to drop out with a fuel delivery problem. Not much of a problem, really, nothing that 15 foot of rubber hose wouldn’t cure. Next Ralph and Jeffie Herter’s Spitfire wouldn’t start after lunch. Once again, easily cured with a push start and stop at our house for generator brushes.

After much nagging, I finally got Mike to cut up that rust bucket TR6 he has been hiding behind the workshop and haul it to the scrap yard. So what did that stinker do next? He shows up the very same day with another junk TR6! I have to admit this one looks a little bit better and won’t be parted out. It is very complete and original with factory overdrive, but nonetheless an obvious money pit.

The March driving event is a short trip to New Orleans for All British Car Day on Saturday, March 24. If that’s a bit too far out of the way, plan on attending the fix-it-day Sunday, March 18.


OfficersPresident, MembershipNel [email protected]

Vice-PresidentBob [email protected]

TreasurerEarl [email protected]

SecretaryBarbara [email protected]

Ragtop EditorCarol [email protected]

WebmasterDan [email protected]

The Hill Country Triumph Club, the 50th Chapter of the Vintage Triumph Register (VTR), was founded in 1990 to bring together the owners of Triumph automobiles in the Central Texas area surrounding Austin. In 1991, the membership decided to include other British car fans as associates due to lack of other clubs in our area that represent some of the other marques. As owners and lovers of our unique types of cars, we have a special kinship, which draws us together. Membership is open to anyone who is a British car enthusiast, with or without a car.

Annual dues are just $15.00 per family group or address per year. We have dinner meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and at least one other event each month. We encourage you to join and support us, even if you don’t drive your car regularly. We also offer technical assistance if needed. One goal of the club is to help its members keep their cars on the road. Please call one of the club officers listed in the newsletter for more information about club benefits and spread the word about our club to others.

The Hill Country Club is a local chapter of the Vintage Triumph Register (VTR)/Triumph Sports Owners Association, which is open to all drivers of Triumph motorcars; a chapter of the Triumph Register of America, exclusively for TR2 through TR4A sports cars; and a chapter of the 6-PACK, dedicated to the enjoyment, preservation, and restoration of the Triumph TR250 and TR6 sports cars. Membership in these national organizations is encouraged. Visit their websites at www.vtr.org, www.triumphregister.com, and www.6-pack.org.

The RAGTOP is published monthly by the Hill Country Triumph Club. Material within may be freely reproduced providing Ragtop and the authors are credited. Any and all newsletter contributions are welcome. Deadline for submissions is the end of each month. Submissions may be sent to: Carol Pennington; 105 Etta Place; Austin, TX 78753 or E-mailed to [email protected]. Photos in jpeg format are always welcome. Car related classified ads are free to members and will run for three months unless otherwise instructed. Contact editor for other ads.

Name:

Address:

City/State: Zip:

Home Phone:

Work Phone:

E-mail address:

Car Make: Model: Year: Color:

Car Make: Model: Year: Color:

Please circle which method you would like the newsletter delivered: E-mail Snail Mail

How did you hear about the Hill Country Triumph Club?

Please mail application and check to: Nel McPhail, 1105 N. Canyonwood Dr., Dripping Springs, TX, 78260

Membership Application


Bits from Barbby Barbara KramerFebruary 13, 2007

Let’s have a fix-it-day at the McPhail’s workshop on Sunday, March 18. The lift will be available starting at 9:30 AM on a first come first served basis. We’ll throw some hot dogs and burgers on the grill and eat lunch around 1 PM. Please let Nel know if you plan to attend. 1105 N. Canyonwood Dr.Dripping Springs, TX [email protected] 512-656-1456

Directions from Austin:Canyonwood Drive is 10 miles west of Oak Hill on 290 West. Turn right onto Canyonwood after spot-ting Dominos Pizza on your left and Rustik Attik on your right. We are two miles down Canyonwood, on the left, white stone house.

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There was a huge crowd on a chilly night at Mangia Pizza. A total of 29 members and

one guest, Michael Schubert, sought out the warmth of TRue friendship. Quite a few Triumphs were in attendance, but two nuts, Dan Julien and Don Couch, had their tops down (on their cars!).

Dean Mericas talked about the hill country drive February 24.

We just found out that the VTR Regional has been moved to Houston. More details will fol-low.

Richard Ceraldi has devised a holder for a TX Tag that is removable from your windscreen. If you plan on driving your TR regularly on the toll roads, talk to Richard about his nifty gadget.

Don Couch mentioned that there is a “Tool Chest” on our forum, The Tailpipe. You may list any speciality tools that you would like to make available to other club members. Visit http://dcphotos.dyndns.org/tailpipe/index.php and click on Member’s Tools at the bottom of the Forum Index. Additional forums are:Club info and eventsSpitfire HangerTech TalkGreat DrivesRacing ChatTR3 TalkWedge TalkStag TalkBrick HouseMG TalkJaguar TalkMini ChatParts is Parts (for sale)Cars for Sale

There was not a raffle but Don Couch tried to use his ticket from the last meeting. Watch him!

The meeting adjourned to the parking lot where more nuts talked cars in the cold! Not me...

Carol Pennington, ghost writer


Hill Country Back Roads Tour – February 24, 2007

By Mike McPhail

This month’s gala Hill Country Triumph Club driving event was a back roads tour hosted by Dean and Elizabeth Mericas (TR4 and Alfa). The morning started at Casa Mericas with breakfast on the patio. We had a very good turnout with Herb Valliant (TR7) & son-in-law Barry Dearborne, Mike & Nel McPhail (TR250), Greg & Suzy West (TR6), John & Kim Trevey (Alfa), Bernie & Diana Bennett (Alfa), Carol Pennington (TR3), and Bob & Marilyn Skewis (TR250). After a quick driver’s meeting at 8:45, the lucky participants ventured west towards Blanco. There we met up with some of our own and a few folks from the Alfa Romeo Club, some of which had already joined us at breakfast. This was a pleasant mix of Italian and English sports car enthusiasts with a lot of mutual appreciation. Ralph and Jeffie Herter (Spitfire) were waiting for us at the courthouse square and soon we were on our way towards Kendalia. Unfortunately, Greg and Suzy had to make unscheduled stop for a clogged fuel line, but were soon on their way after a quick trip with Mike to Napa Auto Parts. They soon caught up with the rest of the gang at Juan Henry’s Cafe in Wimberley. By now everyone was there, including Don Couch (Spitfire) and Bill & Annette Waller (Spitfire), and we had delightful, leisurely lunch. By two o’clock we were saying our goodbyes and marveling at our good fortune for such wonderful weather in late February.

Driver’s meeting. Great directions and map, Dean. Fantastic breakfast, Elizabeth!!

The day started a little iffy, but Greg West, along with everyone else, took their tops down before leaving.

Blanco County Courthouse. Notice Mike thinks he owns the place.

There were a lot of low water crossings without water crossing and many cattle guards. FUN!

Photos by Carol Pennington


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As most of you are aware, the 2007 South Cen-tral Regional Trials are coming to the “ Space City ” of Houston , on April 26 – 29. This

years’ theme is: “Where were you in ’62?”, so bring your chinos and poodle skirts, roll up your sleeves on your T-shirts, and start growing your ducktails and pompadours.

The host hotel will be the Hilton Garden Inn North-west at 7979 Willow Chase Blvd. It is well located and most of the events and show will be at or within walking distance of the hotel. We’ve blocked 20 rooms for Thursday, and 50 rooms for Friday and Saturday. Make your reservations at the Hilton by calling 832-912-1000. Mention Texas Triumph Regis-ter to receive the special room rate.

The autocross and funkhana however, will be done at the Houston Police Academy on Saturday afternoon. This should be an absolutely incredible course, and for those of you who have autocross experience, this should be a real challenge. For those of you who have not done an autocross, this will be a lot of fun.

The raffle prizes this year will be a little different than what you may have experienced in the past. Rather than quantity, we have set our focus on a better quality item, and a much smaller quantity of items. This means that the “ho-hum” syndrome of taking all evening to award hundreds of small prizes that no one wants will not happen. We’ll have in the area of 10 – 15 quality prizes, such as wine gift bas-kets, a complete Triumph carpet set of your choice from The Roadster Factory, a free night (maybe two) at the host hotel, etc. It will be climaxed at the end of the evening by the grand prize drawing of two, first-class tickets on Continental Airlines. These tickets are good anywhere in the 48 U.S. states, Alaska , Mexico , Central America , or South America . We have priced some destinations such as Rio de Janeiro, and have found some of these fares to be in excess of $15,000 per ticket – don’t forget, these are first-class! So don’t miss out on the fun and great prizes. Visit http://www.texastriumphregister.org for more information.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, April 26

5:00 PM -9:00 PM Early Registration 5:00 PM -Dark Car Wash 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Dinner and Drive-in Movie

Friday, April 27 All day Car Wash 7:00 AM -10:00 AM Early Bird Breakfast Run 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Registration 9:00 AM -6:00 PM Road Tours (on your own)11:00 AM -2:00 PM Gimmick Ralleye 1:00 PM -6:00 PM Registration 6:30 PM -10:00 PM Welcome Social 7:00 PM -10:00 PM Registration 8:30 PM -9:30 PM Judges’ Meeting

Saturday, April 28

6:00 AM -9:00 AM Car Wash 7:00 AM -10:00 AM Late Registration 8:30 AM -11:00 AM Concours d’Elegance 8:30 AM -11:00 AM Tech Inspection (Autocross) 8:30 AM -12:00 PM Car Boot Book Sale12:00 PM-5:00 PM Road Tours (on your own)12:30 PM -2:30 PM Autocross – Group A12:30 PM -2:30 PM Funkhana – Group B 2:30 PM -4:30 PM Autocross – Group B 2:30 PM -4:30 PM Funkhana – Group A 5:00 PM -6:00 PM Presidents’ Meeting 6:00 PM -7:00 PM Pre-Awards Social 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Awards Banquet 9:00 PM -??? Social Time

NEW LOCATION!


VTR 2007 South Central Region TrialsApril 26-29, 2007 � Hilton Garden Inn Houston Northwest � Houston, Texas

To register, complete this form, total your fees and mail the form with your check or money order to: TexasTriumph Register, P.O. Box 40847, Houston, TX 77240-0847. Make checks payable to Texas Triumph Register.Need more information? Visit our website at www.texastriumphregister.com or call 281-773-0008.

Primary Registrant Name: ____________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

City: __________________________________________________________________

State/Zip: _____________________________________________________________

Telephone: ___________________________________________________________

Email: ________________________________________________________________

Club Affiliation: ______________________________________________________

Second Adult Registrant: _____________________________________________

Child Name 1: ________________________________________________________

Child Name 2: ________________________________________________________

ThursdayCar Wash

Drive-In Movie Run*

FridayCar Wash

Early Bird Breakfast Run*Gimmick Rallye*

Self-Guided Road Tour*Welcome Social

SaturdayCar Wash

Concours d'EleganceAutojumble (Car Boot Sale)

Autocross* & Funkhana*Self-Guided Road Tour*

Social Hour & Awards Dinner

SundayDrive Home Safely!

Registration fee includes Friday night social event (food and drink on your own tab), car wash supplies, entry for onecar in all driving events and Concours d'Elegance, and souvenir event logo plaque. One registration covers up to twoadults and two children (under driving age). Awards banquet and shirts priced separately. No registration refundswill be made after April 19. Hotel not included; to book rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn Houston Northwest call 1-832-912-1000 and request the Texas Triumph Register rate.

Vehicle Registration A

Year/Model: __________________________________

Commission No: _____________________________

Vehicle Registration B

Year/Model:__________________________________

Commission No: _____________________________

Eligibility, Safety and Insurance RequirementsProof of automobile insurance is required to participate in all moving events. All Triumphs competing in Concoursd'Elegance must run in at least one moving event (*see schedule above). Tech and safety inspections are required prior toparticipation in the Autocross. Any vehicle can be disqualified at the Technical Inspector�s discretion for safety reasons.Please bring a helmet if you have one. All drivers must sign the following release: I am aware of the hazards inherentwith motor vehicle events and do indemnify the organizers, supporting sponsors, Texas Triumph Register, collectivelyand separately, from any and all liability from personal injury and/or property damage incurred by me or my guests whileparticipating in the convention. I have read, understand and agree to this release:

Driver 1: ______________________________________ Driver 2: _______________________________ Date: _________

Activities and Regalia Quantity Total

Registration postmarked to April 1, 2007 _________ x $55 for 2 adult/2 child $ ____________

Registration postmarked after April 1, 2007 _________ x $65 each $ ____________

Additional child registration _________ x $10 each $ ____________

Additional cars _________ x $10 each $ ____________

Awards banquet _________ x $30 each $ ____________

Event shirts (Henley w/button crew collar) _________ x $20 each/$22 for XXL+ $ ____________

GRAND TOTAL Enclose check or money order: $ ____________

Circle banquet entree and quantity: Chicken Cordon Bleu ________ Prime Rib ________

Circle shirt size and specify quantity: M ______ L ______ XL ______ XXL _____ XXXL ______Shirts will be priced $5 higher at the event if available!


Harry Websterhttp://www.telegraph.co.ukLast Updated: 1:22am GMT 09/02/2007

Harry Webster, who died on February 6 aged 89, was a much-admired and respected automotive engineer whose team inspired the

birth of successful Triumph sports cars such as the TR2 family, the Spitfire and the Stag, and was also responsible for the Herald, Vitesse, 2000 and 1300 family car ranges; in the same period, he supported the building of special cars which raced successfully in the Le Mans 24-Hour race.

Although all these cars have now become icons of the classic car movement, Webster always insisted that this was never the intention when they were designed.

He once remarked: “Can you imagine a product planning proposal of the 1950s and 1960s saying that: ‘Finally, in making this proposal, I expect to receive an avalanche of greetings on my 80th birthday’. After all, I was only doing my job.”advertisement

Henry George Webster was born on May 27 1917, and educated at Welshpool County School. Aged 15 he was apprenticed to the Standard Motor Company in Coventry. After spending six years in Standard’s aircraft engineering operation as an inspector during the Second World War, he returned to the chassis design department in Coventry in 1945 and rose rapidly through the ranks.

By 1948 he was chief chassis engineer, and from 1952 was responsible for the design and refinement of the Triumph TR2 sports car which, along with its successors, was a great sporting, commercial and export success.

Having become director of engineering in 1957, Webster assembled an enthusiastic team which produced a series of charismatic new models to near-impossible development schedules, even though investment finance was always very limited.

It was Webster who discovered the mercurial little Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti in 1957, signed him up as a consultant to Standard-Triumph and ensured that a new generation of Triumphs would have much more flair than their ancestors.

Webster (a fast and enthusiastic driver) would often drive from Coventry to Turin and back in a weekend to confer with Michelotti about future products.

Because Webster was so successful with his new products, and could always convince his bosses (Alick Dick until 1961, Stanley Markland and Donald Stokes thereafter) of their worth, that generation of new Triumphs showed much innovation. In 1959 there were several types of new Herald, with a taxi-like turning circle. The 2000 saloon brought real refinement to the middle-class sector, while the TR5 was the first British sports car to have fuel injection as standard equipment.

At the same time Webster’s team produced TRS racing sports cars which won the Team Prize at Le Mans, and later developed sleek, very fast little Spitfires which also won their capacity classes at Le Mans.

Webster was director of engineering at Standard-Triumph for more than a decade. After the formation of British Leyland he was moved to Longbridge to bring order to the faltering engineering operation at Austin-Morris.

But his six-year term was hampered by a lack of corporate vision and by industrial action, so in 1974 he moved on to become group technical director of automotive products in Leamington Spa. He retired in 1982, then was chairman of SKF Steel UK for five years.

A modest man, Webster was astonished to become an icon of classic car enthusiasts. Three years ago, when the two oldest TR2s of all were reunited, he was enormously proud to have them parked outside his house at Kenilworth for commemorative photographs to be taken.

So popular was he among his former colleagues at Standard-Triumph that a thriving appreciation society was founded in his honour.

He was appointed CBE in 1974.

Harry Webster married, in 1943, Peggy Sharp. She and their daughter predeceased him.


Classy ClassifiedsFor sale:Highly modified 1967 Series 2a Land Rover LWB 109” Pickup with a 350 Chevy engine, 4 bbl edelbrock carb, TH400 auto trans, Range Rover differentials, 5,000# winch, Chrome 8 spoke wheels, custom interior. Asking $11,000.Alan Palmer 830 990 [email protected] 02/07

HCTC member Harry Taggart is selling his 1973 TR6. Maroon with tan interior, about 57,000 miles, lots of new stuff: paint, tires, top, carpet; $7,000. Contact Harry at 346-8642. 02/07

I have been doing the newsletter for four years now and would like to see if someone else is interested in taking over. I will be happy to help you get started. With all of the new members, hopefully someone has newsletter experience. This is a volunteer position, but the job would start in July with the other elected positions. I am just putting out some “feelers”, so be thinking about it.

This job involves a little Internet research for material, requesting material from HCTC members, and receiving newsletters from other clubs in our VTR Region. I usually get started on Monday evening and finish up on Wednesday evening one week before the meeting. I send the E-mail version out Wednesday night as well as one copy to Bob Skewis at Thomas Graph-ics, who does our printing. He has it printed Thursday and I pick them up after work, put the labels and stamps on, and run them to the post office before the last pick-up for a Friday delivery.

If you would like more info, please contact me at 834-0579 or [email protected].

Carol


Hill Country Triumph Club Events

MARCH 200713 Hill Country Triumph Club Meeting, 7PM. Come to Pok-E-Jo’s 5th street before it closes! See below.24 New Orleans 17th Annual All British Car Show, See page 3 and visit http://www.bmcno.org25 Autocross at The Driveway. Visit http://www.spokes.org or call Richard Ceraldi for more info.

APRIL 200710 Hill Country Triumph Club Meeting, 7PM.14 Drive to Burnet Air Show and cook-out; More info later. Visit http://www.highlandlakessquadron

.com/airshow.html26-28 VTR South Central Regional Convention, Houston; See pages 5-7 and visit http://www.texastriu

mphregister.org28 Kars and Kids Family Fun Day and Car Show, Downtown Austin, http://www.karsandkids.com29 All British and European Car Day, White Rock Lake, Dallas, http://www.kipmotor.com/abcd.htm

MAY 20078 Hill Country Triumph Club Meeting, 7PM.

JULY 200717-21 VTR National Convention, Valley Forge, PA. Visit http://www.vtr.org for details.

The meeting will be held March 13th at Pok-E-Jo’s, 1603 W. 5th Street, just east of Mo-Pac. This location will be closing the end of March leaving time for one more nostalgic

meeting there. The back room is reserved for us. Call 320-1541 for more info.

1105 N. Canyonwood Dr.Dripping Springs, TX 78620address change requested

RAGTOP - Hill Country Triumph Club · eat lunch around 1 PM. Please let Nel know if you plan to...

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