Bakersfield British Car Club

Buttonwillow Extravaganza 2007

2007-05-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

May 5 and 6 – On a brilliant and breezy weekend, hundreds of Brit cars and vintage racers of all persuasion converged at the Buttonwillow Raceway for the Eleventh Annual Buttonwillow Extravaganza hosted by Moss Motors and VARA.

Slide show photos by C. Enns unless otherwise noted.

As vintage formula ones and race-equipped Sprites and Minis and MG’s and Triumphs sped around the raceway, shiny Brit cars lines up for the BBCC / Moss-hosted car show.

The raceway is in the middle of a desert-like plain about ten miles north of the actual small town of Buttonwillow, and the sun can be intense — especially since there is a near complete lack of shade trees around. This weekend was no different; however, the coolness of the breeze made the time under the sun refreshing.

A highlight for the BBCC was Linda Freeman’s taking of two First Place trophies for her beautiful E Type – one for the Jaguar category, and one for Most Popular Car in Show. Wally Freeman took Second Place in the “Other British Open” class. So it was a bit of a Freeman sweep for the weekend.

Cortnie and I met some new friends – Steve and Linda Simmons of Southern California. Their beautiful racing-equipped 1969 MGC GTS won First Place in the MGB class. The car is an immaculate red with classic white sport dots on the hood and sides. You can view more of their automobiles on their personal website, www.mgnuts.com.

The highlight of the event for Cortnie and me was the track time. We took out ’69 GT Coupe onto the track with the other participating Brit cars and let the car stretch out. The pace car kept us at a maximum speed of about 55 miles per hour, but that was plenty for us track newbie’s getting a feel for the curves for the first time.

Add an your own anecdote or story of the event by clicking “Comments” and posting as “Other.”

Take your MGB Shopping

2007-04-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

When you go out to run errands like grocery shopping, don't forget to take your little MGB or Triumph or Mini. Your car desires only to spend time with you and gets very lonely when you leave it home alone.

If you simply must leave your car at home, then strongly consider getting a second British automobile to keep it company. They are social autos with natural pack instincts and abhor being left covered and parked away from you for any stretch of time.

The March 10-12 Morro Bay Overnighter

2007-04-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

By Lou Zaninovich

On a mild, clear, spring-like Saturday morning, we gathered at the usual jump-off point – Saunders Park. Wally and Linda Freeman had already done an outstanding job of planning and organizing before we did the first mile. They had done a pre-run to lay out the route, basically west on Highway 58. Linda persuaded the manager of the upscale boutique motel, La Serena Inn, into giving us rooms usually priced at $130 for the low price of $89 Saturday and Sunday without extra charge. The hotel let us use the breakfast room for a potluck Saturday night.

While we formed up our ten car column at Saunders Park, Linda issued everyone an individual quiche Floren-tine and a blueberry muffin. This was very welcome to those who had al-ready been an hour on the road from Tehachapi.

Wally issued everyone a route plan with turning points, segment distances, and ETA’s like the water and gas break at Buttonwillow junction. With four of us positioned along the column with walkie talkies, it seemed foolproof at the time. At 9:10 a.m. we launched westward.

All went well through Buttonwillow Junction, Buttonwillow town, McKittrick, and into the Temblor Range. Wally and Linda led in that beautiful white E Type Coupe, followed by Jeff Johnson in his red XK 140 Jag, then Sandra Sandstead in her red gnat MG Midget, Geoff and Barbara in the beautifully restored ’69 MBG/GT, Pierce and Joan O’Leary in their im-maculate ‘79 MGB, Lou and Sula Zaninovich in that ebony ‘97 Miata faux Brit, (because their three Brits are on medical leave), Xavier and Olivia Ramirez in their Kia Sportage, Gary and Donna Boss in a Toyota Camry, Kevin and Eileen Lykins in a Chevy SUV, and “Tail End Charley” Harold Sugden and wife Carol in an Explorer, in cleanup position. Would they all make it?

Halfway up the curvy-curvy grade, we were all passed, Alpine rally style, by a Kamikaze in a blown Rice Rocket be-ing chased by a black Ferrari. Shortly after, our first casualty – the Toyota! Gary eased right onto a turnout, as if to take in the view. Kevin fell back to check on what was up, or help, if needed. By way of walkie talkies and cell phones we learned that the Toyota was out, and the Bosses’ son in law would bring up a trailer from Bakers-field.

Then on across the Carrizo Plain, into the coastal hills, and arrival at the Still Waters Vineyards' Wine Tasting Room outside of Paso Robles. There the proprietor, Paul, a Cal Poly Viticulture grad and Oildale expatriate gave us a wonderful presentation of tastes and truths about winemaking. Throughout, Geoff kept remarking about seeing “legs” in his wine glass. “Not to worry,” said Paul, “That may be a good thing.”

Next, Big Bad Bubba’s Barbeque in Atascadero. Plenty of good food and good prices. Even a couple of booths behind bars for rowdy customers.

Leaving Bubba’s for Morro Bay, trouble struck again. Within two blocks, the back half of the caravan disappeared! Our phones couldn’t raise them. No worry, we reasoned – they have Wally’s route sheets. When we arrived at Morro Bay and the La Serena Inn, Tail End (Harold) was there ahead of everybody! Kevin got there a little later, but hours later for Sandra. She had followed Xavier, not knowing he was going to visit relatives in Pismo first.

The La Serena was modern and clean, the rooms well appointed and large, with many balconies overlooking the town, the south bay, and Morro Rock. The potluck was also a surprise birth-day party for Geoff (Saturday) and Lou (Monday), complete with cake, song and ribald cards. Sunday was an on-your-own day to relax, recover, or fol-low your nose around the area. Some folks weren’t staying over and went home in the afternoon.

Monday, some club members did local visiting on their way home. Near San Luis Obispo, the O’Leary MGB died in the best area of the state for a vintage Brit car to do such a thing. Pierce was able to coast to a safe spot on an off-ramp from Highway 101. It was mid Monday, and Triple A towed them to British Motors of San Luis Obispo where Peter Jurgens quickly found an ignition short, then solved two other electrical problems that had been bug-ging Pierce.

The E Type and the Miata motored home uneventfully, and Wally and Linda finished the adventure with an afternoon barbeque at the home of Bernardo and Shirley Romingquet. More about that another time.

The Ultimate Tech Session

2007-02-24T23:01:00.000-08:00

There’s something slightly sinister yet magical about ripping something beau-tiful apart – especially if the ultimate goal is to rebuild it and make it better.

Last month, Lou Z. shared with us a Rattle and Hum report about his problems and plans for his little red MGB GT Coupe. It read like this:

“About three weeks ago one cylinder seemed to go on strike on the MGB and left the other three to do all the work. I thought that wasn't fair, since they were already sick, but still trying to carry on for me. I decided to put them all on sick leave, pending major surgery on the engine, including over-bore, new pistons, rings, bearings, cam assembly, and headwork. This will all go back in front of an overdrive transmission.”

He wasn’t kidding when he said he‘d put them on sick leave! I was invited to the engine removal party at Jon Paschke’s, along with Pat Bailey and Pierce O’Leary. Pierce showed up in his shiny white MGB Tourer, and I drove my GT Coupe up from Bakers-field.

I didn’t want to miss this! I don’t plan on taking out the engine of my little coupe any time soon (if ever!), so this was a great opportunity to see the inner workings of the engine.

There were greasy hands, and a few oil spills with cat litter thrown over them. And good pizza, compliments of Lou. Jon’s dogs kept us company.

I banged my hand up sufficiently – necessary badges of honor from a big job.

Finally, that engine lifted out, and we proceeded to dismantle it, piece by piece until it was nearly down to its basic building blocks.

We’ll wait anxiously for more updates from Lou regarding his upgrades and repairs.

Rattle and Hum

2007-02-24T22:47:00.000-08:00

Bill Brewer – 1961 Triumph TR3A and 1967 Mini Cooper

Many of the BBCC members remem-ber me because they ate at the bear Valley Springs Country Club for Moth-ers’ Day brunch, got a glider ride, or took a tour at the cement plant in Tehachapi where I was automation pro-grammer. Well, do to a series of une-plainable wild and crazy events I ended up quitting on Friday the 13th of October and starting the following Monday at Scaled Composites in Mo-jave. Many members have taken a tour out there with the BBCC.

I am now Data Acquisition and Te-lemetry engineer for Burt Rutan and doing the instrumenting of White Knight 2 and Space Ship 2. It is an unbelievable fantasy come true. Unfor-tunately, it also cuts into the British car time heavily. I work extra hours every day and study at home at night.

The old Triumph TR3 will have to take a back seat for awhile until I get on my feet. When Scaled is open for tours again, after the Space Ship 2 rollout to the public, we’ll see about getting an-other tour at Scaled!

Geoff Kimler – 1965 MGB

This is the B roadster I rescued from a barn out side of Cholame. I am replac-ing the complete front end, ‘firewall’ forward. It is in the body shop in Taft, been there a year or more. This past weekend I spent most of the day screwing it together in preparation for the final welding. I hope Lee is working on that this week! He has a little sheet metal work to do to get the left foot well to line up correctly but not much. It had taken a big wallop bending the frame and inner fender and that is why I had to splice on the front end off a donor car. It will be nice when it is all in grey primer. Stay tuned.

Wally and Linda Freeman – 1972 Jaguar E-type series III and 1967 Sunbeam

Linda’s 1972 Jaguar E-type series III, is a white 2+2 with the original num-bers matching V-12 engine. It has not been restored and has been a Califor-nia Central Valley car since the begin-ning. We purchased the car in 1994 from the 2nd owner. Although not a daily driver, we do drive it frequently, especially on Club activities. It still has the original Blaupunkt radio (operating) installed by the importer in 1972.

The 1967 Sunbeam Alpine series V, has the original 1725 cc numbers matching engine, which I believe has not been re-built or overhauled. The car was very professionally repainted by the previous owner, an instructor of automobile design at Pasadena Col-lege. The interior and trunk were re-stored at that time, and I have a new soft top to be installed this spring. It also has the factory removable hard top which is in very good condition.

This is the third Sunbeam Alpine I have owned. I purchased my first one soon after getting out of the Army in 1964. It was a 1959 Series I. I really loved that car but an overseas transfer forced a sale. Later, in 1968, I pur-chased a new Series V, while living in Germany. I drove the car all over Europe, Austria, Italy, Yugoslavia, Denmark, Holland, before bringing it to the USA, where again an overseas transfer forced a sale.

I had been looking for a replacement for years when I found our current car on the Internet. The rest is history.

Jon Paschke – 1967 Jaguar E Type series I

The car is a 1967 2+2 XKE, series one E Type to us. The car appears to be about 90% or more there and no rust or body damage, and it looks like a replacement motor was being in-stalled. A new exhaust is already in-stalled and a new radiator.

The interior is close to a 9 I'd say only missing the floor carpets and a small tear in the head liner. It looks to have new chrome wire wheels and tires although I don't know how old the tires are.

The paint is a total wreck, looks like it could have been green at one time
(rattle and hum cont.)

and it is covered with maybe “rattle can red paint” so after I get it on the road a paint job is in order and all new rubber seals everywhere.

The car was in a mini storage building for six years and then the owner dis-appeared and defaulted on the rent so it went to lien sale and as they say the rest is history, being in the right place and knowing the right people at the right time made it a once in a life time event for me. I never even would have dreamed of getting a British car like this ever in my wildest car day dreams. Needless to say getting this car going is on my front burner, come up any-time and check it out.

I think you could say it qualifies as one of the fabled barn finds, truly one of the luckiest finds in a while.

Bill and Ann Brewer

2007-02-10T12:56:00.000-08:00

Members Since
1994

Car
Year: 1961
Marque: Triumph
Model: TR3A

Car
Year: 1967
Marque: Mini

About
Bill and Ann Brewer live in Bear Valley Springs in Tehachapi and have been club members since 1994. They have a 1960 Triumph TR3A which Bill has had since 1992 when he paid $300 for it because it came with $300 in new parts. They also have a 1974 Mini Cooper, which is Ann's toy. They have three kids, Adriana age 12, Carrie age 10 and Jack age 8. Bill works as Data Acquisition and Telemetry Engineer at Scaled Composites (of Burt Rutan fame) in Mojave.

"And we'll bask in the shadow / of yesterday's Triumph, / sail on a steel dream"
- Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"

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Rattle and Hum Club News

2007-01-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

Jeff Johnson – 1956 Jaguar XK140
“Got a chance to take it for a drive to Bakersfield last month. After getting rid of local mice colony, I backed out of the garage and found, to my dismay, my right front tire was flat. So much for my trip. Happily I found a local tire shop to repair the tire a week later but the rains have now interrupted my travel—I have about two miles of dirt roads (muddy) to travel to get to a paved road.”

Lou Zaninovich – 1972 MGB GT
“About three weeks ago one cylinder seemed to go on strike and left the other three to do all the work. I thought that wasn't fair, since they were already sick, but still trying to carry on for me. I decided to put them all on sick leave, pending major surgery on the engine, including overbore, new pistons, rings, bearings, cam assembly, and headwork. This will all go back in front of an overdrive transmission. Unfortunately the ‘72 BGT is in line behind the ‘53 FLTRD. This is a project that is going on too long, now, especially since the MGB/GT has gone sick. The Moggie needs some corrective body paint, sanitizing of the engine compartment, and an engine rebuild which was started to correct F & R crankshaft oil seal leaks.”

Chris Eicher – 1959 MGA
See the “A Long Awaited Dinner” feature in the newsletter.

Sheldon Walker – 1975 Triumph TR6
“New head lamp relays, halogen head lamps, under hood liner, ignition switch. Car should be at next meeting if I can get the hood back on.”

George Aguilar – 1959 Austin Healey Sprite
“Restoring Bonnet for paint or looking at fiberglass bonnet.”

Tom Salisbury – 1958 Austin Healey Sprite
“What’s new? Virtually everything. It is a ground up that has been in process for the past two years. 1380cc hooked via rivergate to a Datsun 5sp. Eventually it will be a driver, but not quite there yet. Still some nit-pickin’ little things to do, am hoping for some new Band-Aid’s for Christmas... Little bitty cars need little bitty fingers to work on them! Have a merry christmas and happy new year!”

The Nethercutt Collection

2007-01-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

"The recognition and preservation of beauty has been a major focus of my life, it would suit me well if what people remembered about me was 'Where he went he left beauty behind.'" - J.B. Nethercutt

Merle Norman Cosmetics co-founder J. B. Nethercutt had a passion for beauty of many kinds. Fortunately for us, his interests extended beyond cosmetics. One of his greatest passions happened to be for beautiful antique, classic, and vintage U.S. and European cars.

The recently opened Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar, California stands as testament to his passion. It is an amazing place for vintage car lovers to view one of the finest collections of U.S. and European concourse-ready automobiles, all restored to exacting standards. The collection includes Rolls-Royce, Pierce-Arrow, Packard, and Duesenberg cars as well as many other marques. The automobiles are lavishly displayed on marble floors, under glowing chandaliers, between amber classical columns, and in an order and manner that accentuates the historical significance of each automobile.

The museum boasts one of the finest restoration shops in the world whose work wins concourse prizes on a regular basis. Most recently, their 1930 Ruxton Sedan was voted "Dual Winner" at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and their 1930 Cord L-29 Town Car won the "Most Elegant Award" at the Concours d’Elegance in Palos Verdes, California.

Surprisingly, there is much more to see than cars at the Nethercutt. The collections include a horde of music boxes the likes of which Louis IV would be impressed. Ask to hear them, and your wish just might be granted by the museum staff. There is also a musical instrument collection featuring musical pocket watches, phonograph players, pianos and one gigantic Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ - acording to the museum "one of the world's largest and most powerful." All pieces are restored to the same exacting standards as the cars.

Recent acquisitions include a 1912 Pullman Railcar and a Canadian Royal Hudson locomotive steam engine.

Admission is, amazingly, free of charge but requires reservation far in advance. Dress code (slacks, no shorts or jeans, etc.) is enforced. Children under 12 years of age are not admitted. Visit The Nethercutt Collection Online for hours of operation, reservation details and contacts.

Route from Bakersfield

From: Saunders Park in Bakersfield 93309
To: Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar 91342
Drive: 88.0 mi (about 1 hour 25 mins)

Head south on Real Rd toward the CA-58 Bakersfield Tehachapi Freeway 0.5 mi
Take the ramp onto CA-99 S 25.6 mi
Merge onto I-5 S 58.6 mi
Take the San Fernando Rd exit 161B to Balboa Blvd 0.5 mi
Turn right at San Fernando Rd 2.7 mi
Turn left at Bledsoe St 0.2 mi
Arrive at The Nethercutt Collection Museums, 15151 Bledsoe St. Sylmar, CA 91342

***

Do you have a comment or addition to the story? Click "comments" below and post your thoughts as "other."

Clarkson's Car Years: British Sports Cars

2007-01-12T16:26:00.000-08:00

Club member Joh Paschke found the following "British Sports Cars" episode of Clarkson's Car Years on YouTube. It is hosted by - you guessed it - British auto personality Jeremy Clarkson.

The episode is split into three bites and covers MG, Morgan, Triumph, TVR, Lotus, and more. Enjoy, and thank Jon for the reference!

British Sports Cars 1

British Sports Cars 2

British Sports Cars 3

Click "comments" below to tell us what you think of the episode!

2007 Christmas Parade

2006-12-24T21:14:00.000-08:00

On December 7, 2007, BBCC members participated in the Bakersfield Christmas Parade in downtown Bakersfield. Here is a slideshow of the event. Photographers: Club Members Xavier Ramirez and Lou Zaninovich.

MG and Triumph in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

2006-11-12T01:30:00.000-08:00

Searching for your car in the movies? Then check out the Internet Movie Cars Database.

You'll find MG's and Triumphs and Jaguars and other Brit cars making cameo appearances and taking major roles in feature films, from Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! to Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke to more than one of the X-Men movies.

The IMCDB claims to be "one of the most complete" lists of "vehicles seen in movies, image captures and information about them." I think they're right. I conducted a simple search for "MG" and came up with well over 200 matches, complete with still shots of MG's that have made appearances in many titles, from obscure B movies of the '60's to major blockbusters of the 21st Century.

You can search by movie or by vehicle make. And no role is too small. You'll see an MGB on the streets in The Simpsons, James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 in Thunderball, a Lotus Esprit in Basic Instinct, the list goes on and on.

***

Tell us what you find! Click "comments" below and add to the story. For a quick post, try posting as "other."

Jackets and Patches

2006-11-10T22:19:00.000-08:00

If you're in a club, you've got to have some type of club clothing to show off your club pride. Luckily, the BBCC has got some great patches - large and small - based on the club logo you see here. (That Brit flag is neatly nestled into the shape of Kern County, roughly cut on its left side by SLO County.)

I've seen the patches on Brit racing green polos, denim button ups and jackets of club members. I'm picking up one or two for a club jacket I'm creating.

I'm partial to the mechanic's style jacket and actually used to have one before it got lost somewhere on the pig trail of the Arkansas Ozarks. So I picked up a new slash pocket online at Automotive Worker. To be honest, I'm shamelessly stealing the idea from club member Jon Paschke, whose charcoal gray jacket's got a name patch, British car marque and club logos and flags stitched all over it.

The jacket is made of some secret blend of poly-cotton that will apparently withstand a nuclear explosion or good soaking in battery acid. So it'll have style and longevity. Should last me for a long time - that is unless I leave it in some old diner somewhere.

If you're interested in picking up a patch or two, contact the club treasurer Lou Zaninovich.

***

Got any club clothing or other club paraphernalia ideas? Share them here by clicking "comments" below and posting as "other."

Navigable Club Calendar

2006-11-10T11:53:00.000-08:00

For future and past months, click the arrow buttons.

Chris Eicher

2006-10-29T12:09:00.000-08:00

Member Since
2002

Car
Year: 1953
Marque: MG
Model: TD

Car
Year: 1957
Marque: MG
Model: MGA (unrestored)

Car
Year: 1959
Marque: MG
Model: MGA

Car
Year: 1960
Marque: Austin Healey
Model: Sprite (bugeye)

Car
Year: 197?
Marque: MG
Model: Midget (race car project)

Car
Year: 1973
Marque: MGB
Model: GT

Car
Year: 1976
Marque: MG
Model: MGB (parts car)

About
Chris has been playing with cars since he was a little kid but he didn't get his first British car until he came across a rubber bumper MGB in college. Chris has been involved in the Theatre since 1970 and is a professor at CSUB where he designs the scenery and lighting for the department's plays. He is a private pilot and enjoys playing chess, scuba diving and skiing. On the weekends when he is not zipping along twisty back roads in an MG with the BBCC he can be found zipping along twisty back roads on one of his vintage BMW motorcycles with the Bakersfield BMW Motorcycle Owners Association.

"You should never wear your best trousers when you go out to fight for freedom and truth."
- Heinrich Ibsen

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Twin Oaks Run

2006-10-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday, October 22 at 10:30 AM twenty-two members of the BBCC converged at Saunders Park in Bakersfield for the club's monthly run. This time we headed up to The Caliente Cafe nestled in the arid foothills of Twin Oaks, California.

This forty-four mile (that's one way) trip took the British brigade of sport tourers down smooth winding mountain roads and through golden desert valleys and gulches. The sky was blue and cloudless. The October foothill grasses were dried golden and moved slightly in the breeze. A few cottonwood stands, live oak, and low-lying pine trees dotted the landscape.

(Photos by Lou Zaninovich, Pat Bailey, Wally Freeman, and myself.)

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

We shook over cattle grates, passed ineffectual and rusty barbed wire fences, meandered alongside dried up creek beds and by at least two unfortunate skunks who had recently met their fate. A ghostly and abandoned looking Guelph Slaugterhouse stood just off to the left of the road. It looked like it hadn't been used in years - cows relaxed in a corral nearby.

Speaking of cows - free range cattle are the true masters of Caliente Bodfish Road. Brown and black sway-backed cows lolled and sat in turnouts or strolled and munched their way down both sides of the road. They were just thick enough in number to make a driver of a tiny British automobile think twice about taking a turn too aggressively.

The Bakersfield members met up with the Tehachapi contingent at the Caliente Post Office. Caliente - a tiny mountain community formerly known as Allen's Camp - was named in 1875 when the Southern Pacific Railroad established its construction headquarters here. It was a freighting center for mining and cattle operations in the area. (See California State Historic Landmark 757 in the slide show.)

After a quick rest, the club continued up to The Twin Oaks General Store, a charming old ramshackle wooden schoolhouse structure - home of The Caliente Cafe.

The large group of twenty-two sat family style down a long row of pushed-together tables. Robert the head chef wore chef's whites and cooked unseen for the most part in the tidy little kitchen until he caught a chance to visit us after the meal. Our servers Linda and young Josh brought the large group roast beef, French dip sandwiches, hamburgers, fries, sodas, teas, beers--hearty mountain cafe fare done well.

After lunch, smaller groups splintered off, with some heading toward Bodfish thrift stores, others up alternate winding passages in the foothills, and still others heading back to Highway 58 the way we had come.

Trip Specs

Start: Saunders Park - Bakersfield, CA 93309

End: Twin Oaks General Store and Caliente Cafe - 15782 Caliente Creek Rd, Caliente, CA 93518

Distance: 43.4 mi (about 1 hour 6 mins)

Weather

84° F
Clear
Wind: W at 7 mph
Humidity: 14%

Route

Depart Saunders Park in Bakersfield

Turn left into the CA-58 E entry ramp - go 23 mi 23 mi - 22 mins

Turn left at Bealville Rd - go 2.0 mi 2.0 mi - 4 mins

Continue on Caliente Bodfish Rd - go 3.2 mi 3.2 mi - 5 mins

Bear right at Caliente Creek Rd - go 12 mi 12 mi - 20 mins

Continue - go 0.3 mi 0.3 mi

Turn right at Caliente Creek Rd - go 0.6 mi 0.6 mi - 1 min

Arrive at Twin Oaks General Store and Caliente Cafe - 15782 Caliente Creek Rd, Caliente, CA 93518

***

BBCC Online welcomes your thoughts and additions to this story. Simply click "comments" below and post as "other."

BBCC Officers

2006-10-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

President
Linda Freeman
Email

Vice President and Run Chairman
Jeanne Cates
Email

Treasurer
Joe Cates
Email

Historian
Lou Zaninovich
Member Page
Email

Call Committee
Kathy Lyles
Email

Web Editor
G. S. Enns
Member Page
Email

Lou and Sula Zaninovich

2006-10-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

Car
Year: 1972
Marque: MGB
Model: GT Coupe

Car
Year: 1952
Marque: Morgan

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Geoff Kimler

2006-10-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

Car
Year: 1952
Marque: MG
Model: TD

Car
Year: 1969
Marque: MGB
Model: GT Coupe

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Dale Folwell

2006-10-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

Car
Year: 1961
Marque: Triumph
Model: TR3

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Sandra Sandstead

2006-10-16T14:41:00.000-07:00

Car
Year:
Marque: Triumph
Model: GT6

Car
Year:
Marque: MG
Model: Midget

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Jon and Bonnie Paschke

2006-10-16T14:37:00.000-07:00

Car
Year:
Marque: Triumph
Model: TR8

Car
Year:
Marque: MG
Model: Midget

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Gary and Cortnie Enns

2006-10-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

Members Since
2006

Car
Year: 1969
Marque: MGB
Model: GT Coupe

About
Gary and Cortnie are Valley natives into the local art and culture scene. They both read lots of books and watch Dark Shadows re-runs. When Gary is not editing the BBCC website, he teaches college English and writes a local blog Ruined by Books. Both Gary and Cortnie perform in a dreampop band called The Dalloways with a full-length CD available called Penalty Crusade. Their '69 BGT is their first British automobile.

"It's a sportscar. It's comfortable. It's reliable. It's fun to drive."
- Jim Tyler, MGB Owner's Survival Manual

Email

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Pat and Julie Bailey

2006-10-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

Members Since
1999

Car
Year: 1979
Marque: MGB
Model: Tourer

About
Pat and Julie Bailey live in Tehachapi, California. I have had my 1979 MGB since 1994 and have driven 130,000 miles since I got it. I have lowered it and replaced the rubber bumpers with chrome bumpers. I am retired from Soouthern California Gas Company after thirty-four years. My other interests are astronomy and model airplanes. I have built an observatory in my back yard and I am getting into taking astro photos which keeps me busy at night when I'm not driving my MG! My wife Julie is into crafts and gardening and watching our grandson Nicholas grow up. He is two years old now. We are expectinganother grandson in November.

"Klaatu barada nikto."
- The Day the Earth Stood Still, 1951

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Buster Cluster 2006

2006-10-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

Jon Paschke shared a recent Sprite miracle weekend with us through our yahoo group. On July 29th, Jon attended Buster Cluster 2006 in Anaheim, a place where one Spridget lover's dream came true.

Buster is a man whose 1953 Austin Healey Sprite was in a state of suspended restoration in his Anaheim garage. The body had been painted properly, but the car had yet to be put back together and was sitting around a bit like Humpty Dumpty without the cracks. Buster was looking at a complex project.

Luckily, Buster belongs to a Spridget yahoo group (the same one Jon participates in) full of knowledgeable and willing Brit car enthusiasts ready for a challenge. Some flew, some drove, some rode motorcycles from far off places. On July 28, 2006, this esoteric group converged on Buster's garage, and over one incredible weekend, put this Sprite back together in road worthy order.

Here are a few links to some great pictures, slides, and stories about the event:

Buster Cluster 2006 Photo Blog
Buster Cluster 2006 Youtube Slideshow
The Buster Cluster 2006 story as told by Ron Soave
Buster Cluster Photo Album

Thanks to J.P. for sharing this story.

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2006 British Car Roundup

2006-10-09T23:08:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, October 8, I drove up from Bakersfield to Clovis in my 4 speed MGB GT Coupe to attend the fourth annual British Car Roundup.

Polasky and the surrounding streets were blocked off for several blocks for the car show, and the streets were packed with some beautiful British steel. Our friends in the Valley British Auto Club time this event perfectly to coincide with the annual antiques flea market so that the two events merge perfectly together.

Here's a little slide show featuring some highlights of the pictures I took. Click on a particular picture to enlarge.

What I like particularly about this car show is that most, if not all, of the cars are drivers. These cars hit the highways and byways, and once the day was done and the awards were given, these beautiful cars simply drove off as they were meant to do.

One of the highlights was meeting Joe Baba, the British import expert that rebuilt my engine a few years before I owned my car. I knew him by word of mouth and by the little plaque that adorns my engine. I've got a picture of him in the slide show--he's the gent with the cap that says "The Man, the Myth, the Legend." Fitting for a guy that at one time or another has touched more than a few of the MG's parked at the event.

I'm looking forward to the 2007 event and only hope more of the Bakersfield club gets to attend.

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BBCC Members

2006-10-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

George and Alma Aguilar
1959 Austin Healey Sprite
1974 MGB

Rick Aldrich

Mac and Linda Askari
1952 MG TD
MG Midget

Pat and Julie Bailey
1979 MGB Tourer

Dave Bailey
1967 Mini
1974 Triumph TR6
2004 Mini

Ed and Eileen Bandy
1959 MGA
1962 Triumph Herald
1977 MGB

Gary and Donna Boss
MGB

Earl and Cindy Bowman
1961 Triumph TR3A
1962 Triumph TR4

Bill and Ann Brewer
1961 Triumph TR3A
1967 Mini

Rowan Brooks
1960 Austin Healey Sprite

Jeanne and Joe Cates
1979 MGB

Tavis and Angela Dahlke
2004 Mini

Gabriel Donovan
1978 MG Midget

Tom Downs
Triumph TR6

Chris Eicher
1953 MG TD
1957 MG A (unrestored)
1959 MG A
1960 Austin Healey Sprite (bugeye)
197? MG Midget (race car project)
1973 MGB-GT
1976 MGB (parts car)

Gary and Cortnie Enns
1969 MGB GT Coupe

Dale Folwell
1961 TR3

Wally and Linda Freeman
1967 Sunbeam
1972 Jaguar E-type

David and Catherine Gay
1962 Austin Healey

Mike and Nora Gold
1967 MGB

Gary and Carolyn Golden
1959 MGA

Jeff Johnson
1956 Jaguar XK 140

Geoff Kimler
1969 MGB GT
1952 MG TD

Tom LeMay
MGB

Kevin and Eileen Lykins
1973 MGB

Gary and Kathy Lyles
1977 MGB

Gilbert and Darlene Mendez
1967 MGB GT
1969 Triumph TR6

Jeannette Miller
1962 Jaguar XKE

David and Diane Oblonsky
1978 MGB

Pierce O'Leary
1979 MGB

Roger Otis
1968 Triumph TR250
1972 Triumph TR6

Jon and Bonnie Paschke
TVR
Triumph TR6
Spridgets
Triumph GT6's

Xavier and Olivia Ramirez
1978 Triumph Spitfire

Harry Reidel
1950 MG TD

Bernardo and Shirley Romingquet
1953 MG TD

Ray and Betty Roundtree
1970 Midget
1974 MGB

RD and Danielle Roberts
1995 Jaguar XJS

Tom Salisbury
1958 Austen Healey Sprite

Steve Sanchez

Sandra Sandstead
MG Midget
Triumph GT6

Van and Susan Schultz

Mike and Jeannette Shea
MG TD

Bev and Linda Stewart

Tom Stewart
1973 MGB

Harold and Carol Sugden
1961 MGA

Gary and Meg Sundburg
1972 MGB GT Coupe

Steve and Pat Taylor
1965 MGB

Glenda Turner
1974 Triumph TR6

Sheldon Walker
1968 Triumph TR6

Lou and Sula Zaninovich
1952 Morgan
1953 Morgan
1972 MGB GT Coupe

A Special MGA for North America

2006-09-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

I love chance encounters like this. I was walking through the Tower District in Fresno today when I happened across a beautiful red MGA parked in front of old Lauk's Bakery.

Being a fellow enthusiast, I just had to meet the owner and shake his hand. So I crossed the street to Cucca's restaurant looking for that person with the bearing of a proud MG owner and finally found Maynard.

What a fine car, restored from the ground up. Just take a look at the pictures on Maynardsgarage.com. And this isn't just any MGA. According to the website, this is "the first MGA dispatched from the factory
and the first MGA exported to North America."

Maynard and his A will be at the Roundup in October, so make sure to say hi and take a look at his beautiful car.

British Auto Tech Session

2006-09-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

I'm not only new to the BBCC but new to the under-the-hood workings of my little B GT Coupe, so when I heard that the club offers periodic tech sessions, I jumped at the chance to participate.

Wednesday morning, September 20, I met Sandra and her little red Midget in Bakersfield and followed her up the winding highway to Tehachapi, through that little hill town, then down a tiny dirt lane to Jon's garage. Once there, I soon realized I'd hit the BBCC's "tech" ground zero.

The garage itself is a metal shed surrounded by a British boneyard of Triumphs and MGB Midgets and chrome bumpers and rubber bumpers, old cars with semaphores and half-gone badges and stripped innards and such. Inside, under the big British and U.S. flags hanging on the wall, Jon's got a full sized hydraulic lift and a rack of profressional grade tools--everything needed to work on the cars.

Jon guided me in and we lifted the coupe and checked out the underside and basically worked the car over. I greased the fittings and replaced a lost nut, among other things. Then we lowered the car and got under the hood and went to work.

We adjusted carbs and cleaned spark plugs and set the gaps and tweaked the timing. Jon explained the technical aspects of each job to me and then shoved the wrench or the strobe light or the gapping tool my way and said, "Now do it!"

Lou showed up in his red coupe, and Pat in his burgundy roadster, and Dale in a beautiful blue Triumph. All of Jon's dogs--led by Coyote the mini pin--were nearby, especially when the pizza and cream soda arrived. The dogs flocked to Jon as if he were St. Francis of Tehachapi.

Before I left, I said hello to Gizmo and the other exotic birds and coy fish nearby.

Where else could I have had the opportunity to work side by side with a fine import mechanic and other enthusiasts on my own car? As a new British car owner, I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Saunders Park Meeting of Great Wheels

2006-09-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

Hello, British auto enthusiasts! This is a trial pilot website I've created for the BBCC. If you like it, the group can use this spot for event listings, updates, and even an online version of the newsletter. Officers and members can sign in as bloggers and publish their own articles and news. Plus, a blogger powered website is very good for visibility online and is quickly picked up by search engines such as google.

I'd love your feedback about this site and whether or not you think the group could use it. Please comment below by clicking the comments link. (Hint: Unless you've got a blogger profile already, it's easiest to post your comment as other.)

I met up with the club at Saunders Park on Saturday, September 17 for the Lynn Valley Car Run. Here's a little slide show of the cars before their workout. Enjoy!