VOLUME 49 ISSUE 7 JULY 2013

1st Place Concours Award, Silver Cloud III, Bentley S3 categoryOwner: Gene Towle1963 Silver Cloud III Saloon (LSCX7)

The Mullin Automotive Museum – July 27thThe Mullin Automotive Museum – July 27thThe Mullin Automotive Museum – July 27th

JULY 2013

July

2013 Regional OfficersChairperszon Pierre Lemieux 760 408-0230 Vice Chairperson Steve Butler Treasurer Karen Perrault 310 519-0536 Secretary Carolyn Quadt 562 598-7028

Appointed PositionsChief Judge Tom Mercurio Technical Chairperson Ronny Shaver Membership Chairperson Susana Gateau-Cumin Awards Chairperson Tom & Terri Mercurio Newsletter Editor Dori OisenHospitality Chairperson Joan Hugron Cell: (949) 439-0465Marketing/Advertising Gene TowIe Directory Editor Karen Perrault Webmaster Steve Power-Fardy Archivist Diane Cerveny Bylaws, Policies, Procedures Brad Zemcik

2013 Board of DirectorsBenoit Gateau-Cumin Ronny Shaver Howard Green Larry Ewaska Brad Zemcik Sherry SternClint Camomot Joan HugronRobert/Nancy Ratinoff

Editorial StaffEditor: Dori Olsen

Cell Phone: (424) 644-5987 dorianolsen@earthlink.net

The Spirit of Ecstasy is published monthly, approximately two weeks after the meet. Articles and notices should be received no later than the 15th of the month prior. Please Identify cars (with chassis numbers) and individuals in all photographs. Private party advertisements for Rolls-Royce/Bentley sales, wanted items, parts, lost and found, or information will be published for members at no charge. For car sales, include chassis number and asking price. Photos will be published at a nominal charge. Non-member advertising will be accepted at published rates. Display advertising is accepted, at the discretion of the Editor, for business card, 1/4, 1/2, or full page insertions in increments of three, six or twelve months. Please contact the Editor(s) for information or published rates. Articles reflect the opinion of the authors and do not necessarily reflect national or regional policy. The Southern California Region and its Editor(s) seek to publish accurate material but neither assumes responsibility in the event of a claim of loss or damage resulting from publication. The organization is under the control of the National RROC.

The Mullin Automotive Museum On Saturday, July 27th, Michael and Rosemary Tobin will be our hosts for a visit to the Mullin Automotive Museum. This wonderful museum was founded by noted car aficionado Peter Mullin who is dedicated to the preservation of classic French cars. The museum is home to Peter Mullin’s French Curves Collection that “exemplifies the zenith of the French automobile”. The collection includes Bugattis, Delages, Delahayes, Hispano Suiza, Talbot-Lagos and Voisins. Significant and representative art from the period is also on display. The new art gallery has the Lalique crystal hood ornament collection. Our guided tour will include a viewing of the Peugeot Traction from the Fritz Schlumpf collection and we will be visiting the Upper Floor Bugatti Club Room. After viewing the exceptional automobiles and fine art, we will travel a short distance to the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club for lunch. Your choices for lunch are: 1) Barbecue Chopped Chicken Salad, 2) Barbecue Chopped Veggie Salad, or 3) New York Steak Sandwich. Dessert is a Hot Fudge Sundae. Please mark your remittance envelope with your luncheon choice.

What: Mullin Automotive Museum

Hosts: Michael and Rosemary Tobin

Date: Saturday, July 27, 2013

Time: 9:30 a.m. Coffee and Muffins 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Tour 12:30 p.m. Lunch at Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club

Where: Mullin Automotive Museum 1421 Emerson Avenue Oxnard, CA 93033 Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club 2600 Harbor Blvd. Oxnard, CA 93035

Cost: $57.00 per person

RSVP Deadline: July 24, 2013

Directions:

From Malibu: Head North on CA-1 N/Pacific Coast Highway. Take the Pleasant Valley Road/ CA-1N /Oxnard Blvd exit, Exit 112. Merge onto CA-1N/S Oxnard Blvd. Turn right at Statham Blvd. Turn left at Emerson Ave. The museum is on your right.

From Los Angeles: Take US-101 North toward Ventura. Take the Rose Ave.exit, Exit 61. Turn Left on Rose Ave. (3.0 miles). Turn right onto Emerson Ave. Museum will be on your right.

Hotels in the area: Embassy Suites: (805) 984-2500 - 2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard, CA Hampton Inn Channel Islands: (805) 985-1100 – 3231 Peninsula Road, Oxnard, CA Hilton Garden Inn: (805) 983-8600 – 2000 Solar Drive, Oxnard, CA

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2013

Willy HugronChairman’s Corner

July24 Movie Night at the Petersen Automotive Museum A showing of Grand Prix with Mr. Frankenheimer

27 Mullin Automotive Museum $57 Hosts: Mike and Rosemary Tobin

August3 Safety Self-Inspection Technical Seminar Host: Ronny Shaver

25 The Automobile Driving Museum $60 Host: Steve Butler

September14 Board Meeting

28 – 29 English Motors at Fairbrook This is a non- RROC sponsored event For information please go to www.englishmotorsatfairbrook.org

October 20 Fox Hunt Hosts: Howard and Betty Green

26 Palm Springs Air Museum/Great Car Show Contact Erik Baltzar at (760)346-1984 or driwasherik@aol.com This is a non RROC-sponsored event

November9 Board Meeting

JULY 2013

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2013

Willy HugronChairman’s CornerGreetings! One of my favorite club events is the driving tours. There is nothing like getting your PMC on the road and joining other members exploring the countryside. Recently there was a Bentley Drivers Club group that arrived from the UK. They began their tour in Long Beach, then headed off to Death Valley and on to Canada. I joined them in Long Beach for the first day of the tour and had a wonderful day driving up the coast to Trump National Golf Course in Palos Verdes. I met some of these people several years ago when they came to Palm Springs and it was great to see them again and also see new faces. It’s because of that tour that I got into “older cars.” If you ever wanted to go on a RROC tour, you’re in luck because the San Diego region is hosting a Spring Tour next year on April 13th through 17th. Many members come from all over the country to attend these driving tours. The San Diego region is expecting a big turnout so I am going to register as a driver that is willing to take passengers and I am looking forward to a fun-filled four days of driving with PMCs and dear friends. If you have time, you should check out the new National RROC website. It has a new look, is easier to use and can be very helpful; especially if you are restoring a car. I would highly suggest using the “Forum.” It has helped me resolve several issues in restoring my car and also gave me great leads in locating spare parts and services. You may also want to consider joining one of the many “Societies” that National offers. These are clubs within National RROC that are dedicated to the special interest of a certain period or model of Rolls-Royce or Bentley. You can make new friends and get great expert advice from the following Societies - Derby Bentley, Early Post-War, Modern (cars built after 1966), Phantom I, Phantom II, Silver Clouds and small horsepower (20, 20/25,25/30hp). The National RROC website address is www.rroc.org. I would like to especially thank Susana Gateau-Cumin for all that she does for us as Membership Chairperson. She has been doing this with such class over the last couple of years and her hard work is much appreciated.Happy motoring!Pierre Lemieux

The Cover Storyby Gene Towle

After a lengthy search for a Silver Cloud III that was in need of restoration, I found this 1963 Silver Cloud III Saloon (LSCX7) in Orange County. Not knowing very much about English automobiles, the car appeared to be complete but needed everything restored from bumper to bumper. It was just the candidate that I was looking for, so in 1985 I purchased the car from JR’s Classics in Santa Ana. I decided to familiarize myself with the Rolls-Royce marque and drive the car for awhile before I began the long ground-up restoration process. In spare time, during the next twelve years, nearly everything was rebuilt and restored back to the original condition. The Chassis Card revealed the car was originally “sand” color with “brick” pin striping and a “beige” interior. In 1999, it was ready for the National Meet in Dana Point, Orange County. I had never entered an automobile in a concours event before, but this first try won 3rd place in the Silver Cloud class. More recently, it placed 1st in the Silver Cloud III concours class at the RROC So Cal Region 40th Anniversary Concours de Elegance at Santa Anita Park. Driving around southern California in an elegant PMC is the reward for putting new life into a classic Rolls-Royce. Cover Photo Courtesy of Steve Power-Fardy

Cover Photo Courtesy of Steve Power-Fardy

JULY 2013

The Richard M. Nixon Library and Museum Lou and Diana Oddo hosted a trip to the Richard Nixon Library on Sunday, May 19th. A number of members drove their PMCs to this wonderful event, which enhanced the experience. It was great fun perusing our beautiful cars in the parking lot before beginning our tour. Because this year is the centennial of President Nixon’s birth, the museum has a year-long celebration. We enjoyed a guided tour of the Library, which included a reproduction of the East Room, unique and unusual bronze statuary of historical figures and the beautiful grounds with roses galore. We saw a wide variety of artifacts from the era including a moon rock, space suits, the Presidential limousine, and daughters Tricia and Julie’s wedding gowns. We also toured the presidential helicopter that transported presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Ford and Nixon. What makes the library and museum especially memorable is that it is located in President Nixon’s family home that was built by his father in 1912. This was a great event! Our thanks to Lou and Diana Oddo for arranging it.

At the Nixon Library

Back in time

Bronze statues at the Nixon Library

Our group tour

Our PMCs at the Nixon Library

The beautiful grounds

JULY 2013

DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THE 40 th ANNUAL CONCOURS d’ ELEGANCE?

Please go to our website at rroc-socal.com

Webmaster Steve Power-Fardy

has posted 167 photos of the Concours.

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2013

Willy HugronChairman’s Corner

JULY 2013

TidbitsWelcome to two future RROC members Sarah Cerveny and Clayton Power. Clayton Xiaolong (Little Dragon) was born on March 25th to his proud parents Steve and Wenshi Power-Fardy. Sarah was born on April 7th to her proud parents Michael and Amy Cerveny and grandparents Gary and Diane Cerveny.

Bill Cronkhite’s beautiful 1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Saloon (SRH14) was featured in the movie Hitchcock. Above is a photo from the film of his PMC parked in front of a movie theater and another photo of the car with the film’s stars Helen Mirren and Anthony Hopkins.

Steve Power-Fardy took this picture of a new Rolls-Royce Ghost while cruising along the 405 freeway. And they say you shouldn’t text and drive! The Spirit of Ecstasy is always looking for contributions from our members. If you have an interesting story and/or pictures about your PMC or would like your car on the cover, please e-mail the editor at dorianolsen@earthlink.net

August Fun at the Automobile Driving Museum Please join the RROC Southern California Region on Sunday, August 25th for a trip to the Automobile Driving Museum (ADM) in El Segundo. The ADM has 150 cars from all eras and marques, including some with famous ownership. On Sundays, three cars are generally available for visitor rides. This is a jewel of a museum that is tucked into small-town El Segundo and you will thoroughly enjoy it.

We are also planning to have brunch at The Proud Bird, an aviation-themed restaurant adjoining one of the runways at LAX, where we can watch the planes take off and land. This restaurant is an iconic, long-time landmark in the area and is known for its comfortable atmosphere and tasty food. In times past, one could listen to the LAX air traffic controllers on headphones and small planes were parked on the area adjacent to the restaurant. Mark your calendars and be sure to plan on joining us for this great event. The cost is $60.00 per person.

Safety Self-Inspection Technical Seminar Ever wonder what the technician looks for when inspecting your car for safety? Ever want to see the underside of your own car? You are in luck!! Mark your calendar for August 3rd. Our Technical Chairman Ronny Shaver is hosting a technical seminar at Ronny’s Garage in Santa Ana where you will learn how to perform the inspection yourself.

The seminar will cover safety items such as: brakes, tires, suspension, leaks, engine mounts, belts, hoses, etc. We will have checklists for participants who will be able to look under their own and fellow PMC owners’ cars and learn what technicians look at and how they determine what does and doesn’t need attention. Space and time will impose limitations on how many cars can be inspected though, so make sure to RSVP early and secure your car’s spot in this interesting and informative seminar! The number of attendees is not limited; only the number of cars to be inspected. Coffee, tea, water, doughnuts and pastries will be provided.

What: Safety Self-Inspection Technical Seminar Host: Ronny Shaver Date: August 3, 2013Time: 9:30 a.m. - ?Place: Ronny’s Garage 1111 West 1st St., Santa Ana, CA 92703RSVP: Ronny at ronnysgarage@gmail.com.Cost: No Charge

Directions:

From West L.A.: Take the 405 South to the 22 East. Exit at Bristol and turn left (South) to 1st St. Turn left and make a U-turn at the second left and continue to Ronny’s on the right.From East LA: Take the I-5 South to Orange County. Exit at Broadway and continue to 1st St. Turn right and continue to Ronny’s on the right.From south OC: Take the I-5 North and exit at 1st St just past the 55 freeway. Turn right and continue West past Flower St. to Ronny’s Garage on the right.

Jeffrey HaganLong Beach

Rodney KemererBeverly Hills

JULY 2013

By Ronny Shaver, Technical Chairman

Summer Time Blues Does your car suffer from the Summer Time Blues? When driving, does the temperature gauge constantly run in the upper end of the range and every time the car is parked, a puddle of green fluid develops under the car? Summer time can be difficult for PMCs in Southern California. Let’s cover some basics to help protect your precious PMC from the “Summer Time Blues.”

The usual preventative maintenance for your car’s cooling system is to flush the system with a chemical additive, replace the thermostat and renew the coolant. This is a great idea but has one drawback. If the chemical does a really good job and dislodges sediments and scale from the engine, where does it go? It usually fills the top tank of the radiator, blocks the core and makes the car run even hotter. In fact, the radiator “matrix” or “core” can actually act as a filter for debris in the cooling system which is why it is so important to add only clean coolant mixture to the system. A proper cooling system flush includes a power back flush of the radiator with the upper and lower hoses disconnected. This will remove any debris that may have collected in the top tank. Sometimes even a proper cooling system flush won’t cure a radiator problem. A good way to test a radiator’s function or efficiency is to get the system up to temperature and check the temperature of the coolant going into the radiator and coming out of the radiator while the car is running. A great tool for this is a “laser digital thermometer.” This is a digital thermometer which uses a laser to check the surface temperature of anything without having to touch it. Just point the laser dot at any surface and the temperature is displayed on the screen. The radiator should be about ten to twenty degrees Fahrenheit cooler at the bottom than it is at the top. If there is a larger difference, then the radiator core is probably plugged or has an airflow problem. Airflow problems can be caused by dirt accumulation on the front surface of the radiator core or possibly a bad fan clutch. One common cause of dirt accumulation on Shadow through Spirit (including Corniche) series cars is a leaking power steering cooler. The steering system cooler on these cars is located on a tray in front of the radiator and behind the grille shell. The cooler is a small metal tube loop with fins on it and has rubber hoses that connect it to the system pipes. These hoses will leak down the front of the radiator and air conditioning condenser (which is directly in front of the radiator) causing dirt to collect and block airflow through the condenser and radiator. Without air flow, the radiator core cannot release heat from the coolant. A common sign of a leaking steering cooler is wetness on the trays at the front when the bonnet is open. These hoses are easy to replace once the grille shell is removed.

The fan clutch is a mechanism that allows the fan to “slip” slightly and reduce drag and noise from the fan. Some clutches are thermostatic and will slip when the car is cool and “lock-up” when the car is running hot. The fan clutch can be checked by grabbing a fan blade (with the engine turned off, of course) and gently wiggling it fore and aft. If there is a very noticeable amount of play, then the clutch is probably bad. If you can see a large accumulation of oil and dirt around the shaft and housing where the fan is attached to the water pump pulley, then the clutch has lost its fluid and will not work properly.

If airflow is not the problem, then the radiator is most likely plugged. Years of use or even non-use will cause the tubes in the core to accumulate scale and restrict flow; the same as years of improper diet and lack of exercise can cause arteries to accumulate deposits and cause heart attacks. Sometimes radiator cores can be “rodded-out” and be good as new. “Rodding-out” a radiator consists of un-soldering the radiator tanks from the core, soaking it in a solution and then running “rods” through each tube and clearing out any build-up. Unfortunately, most of these cars are many years old and are unable

to be “rodded-out” and the core must be replaced with a new one. The good news is that new “high-efficiency” cores can be installed and work much better than the original cores. These “high-efficiency” cores can pack more tubes from side to side and more rows from front to back which provide better heat transfer because of the increased surface area.

One more thing: the cooling system is pressurized when warm and has to be able to maintain this pressure. Most average cars have radiator caps with built-in pressure valves that will maintain pressure at a certain level and release when this level is exceeded. If you have a Silver Cloud, Shadow or early Corniche, you have probably noticed the radiator cap does not have this type of cap. The filler cap on these cars is a large “plastic” solid cap. The pressure valve for this type of system is built into the “expansion tank” that is incorporated into the radiator top tank or bolted above it. This valve is called a “steam-valve” and performs the same duty as the all-in-one pressurized radiator cap. Unfortunately, these steam valves have become very costly in recent years but I have found a solution. A normal pressure cap can be modified to fit inside the “steam valve” housing and works great! Remember, if your car is running warm, a multitude of causes can cause the condition: plugged radiator, bad fan clutch, malfunctioning thermostat, inefficient water pump operation or the dreaded “blown” head gasket. It is important to correctly diagnose the problem before performing any repairs in order to minimize cost.

Happy Motoring!

Ronny

Please address your technical questions or ideas for a column to our Technical Chairman Ronny Shaver at ronnysgarage@gmail.com

JULY 2013

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