Updated March 9/99 While a sampling from this issue is available below, this Edition also contains much more! To subscribe to THE BLURB and get six complete issues each year - see the CLUB INFO PAGE. Click on an article below (or scroll down) to sample articles from "THE BLURB" 2-99 Edition THE PREZ SEZ March & April/99 Edition. By Vern Dale-Johnson RHINEMOG By Jim Nichol WEST Of THE ROCKIES By Ron Theroux INTERNET CLIPS By Vern Dale-Johnson EVENTS CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLES FROM THE PREVIOUS EDITION Prez Sez Vern Dale-Johnson (vern_dj@msn.com) Thanks, Sylvia, for the first Blurb of 99. Great start and looking forward to the new ideas you want to incorporate. Looking forward to the next issue. As we contemplate the coming driving season, (remember British Car Week is May 24-30 -- regardless of where you are, drive them!) I’m reminded all our calendars fill up very quickly. June is already gone in mine and I’m struggling to find appropriate dates in July and August. Fortunately some of you are ahead of me -- Peter McCowan phoned to volunteer both his place for our MSCCC summer "beefout" for Toronto area Morganeers (and invited guests). Date will be August 14 so..... mark you calendars now and be prepared for a great afternoon and evening. I’m ahead of myself. Welcome to two new members -- David McCrossan of Burnaby B.C. and Geoff Wheatley of Clinton, N.Y. Our first Toronto area MSCCC event is First event of 99 will be a lunch hosted by Nyal Wilson and Lois. I wasn’t able to correct the info in the 1-99 Blurb in time -- Glen and Nyal decided there was just not enough time to sandwich a run in between two meals so....... Driving tour organized by Nyal (with help from others) -- will be on June 13 (Sunday). Event will start with a gathering a Nyal Wilson’s in Ancaster at 12 noon for lunch, will finish "in the country at a suitable location". Call Nyal at 905-648-0888 to confirm." If you just "show up" note that Nyal’s address is 22 Sulphur Springs, Ancaster. The British Car Toy Run will be organized by the British Saloon Car Club of Canada (BSCCOC). Date has been set for Sunday Sept 26th. They will need help -- those who can please contact Roger Tipple 905-632-6582 tipple@procor.com or Dave & Elva Allen 519-367-5854 elva@log.on.ca A worthy cause will be supported and a guaranteed great time will be had by all. Peter McCowan has also offered assistance in securing the Mountain Springs Lodge in Collingwood for our Fall Weekend. After discussion on dates we’ve settled on the weekend of October 1-3. Later than usual to get around conflicts with the Sept 11-12 Watkins Glen Weekend, September 19 British Car Day, and Sept 17-19 British Invasion in Stowe. Unfortunately the weekend of Sept 24-26 is not available at the site. After discussions with Martin Brassard of the MG Car Club of Toronto, who hold their Wayne McRae Memorial Weekend in the fall, it was decided to take the Oct 1-3 weekend for a combined event. Prices for accommodation have risen from the bargain basement rates of previous years but are still very affordable for the luxury accommodation offered. Look for more details to follow, if you want to book early call 800-704-8633 and mention the "Morgan Car Club". The turnover to a new "exec" has not been without some trials. First there was the issue of dates for the January and February "Pubs" -- my apologies to those who arrived on the Saturdays (as advertised) instead of the Sundays (as intended). Our March 7 Pub gave us a chance to talk about the calendar for 99 as, at least for Central Canada we were able to coordinate calendars with other British Car Clubs at the March 6 BCCI general meeting. The results are noted below in the listings of events. The electronic net seems to be taking over, slowly...... Interesting to see the recent ads from Canada Post suggesting they "want us back". I have to admit, handwritten letters do have a certain charm. It will be a while yet before the internet totally takes over. Despite the printing of email addresses in the last Blurb, I’ve only received one address correction (Richard Blair’s -- please note it is now richard_blair@bc.sympatico.ca ; Freddy sent in addresses for Chris & Gayle Taylor spitfire@worldchat.com (very appropriate!), Chris Walker cwalker@on.maxxam.ca, Bob & Susan Wright writhr@mail.mmc.org, and Chip Brown ebrown@ms.com; while Sylvia & Russ Balfour are now online at ycw@golden.net. Other members whose addresses have come in include Luc Charette & Danielle Grenier chagren@sympatico.ca, Ian Fyfe ifyfe@execulink.com, Mike & Linda Hughes mkl123@idirect.com, Milton Lackman ml@arrow1897.com, Alec Knight & Gayle Ginnings alec.knight@nextrom.com, John & Martha Lot jonick@wincom.net, Fraser & Darcy MacKenzie fdmack@freeway.net, Joan & Stewart MacLellan smaclellan@blue.georgian.net, Brian & Brenda Morgan bmorgan@sympatico.ca, Ted & Lilly Zurbrigg tz@mail.lac-mac.com. Anyone who has succeeded in contacting Peter Pfahl by email, please let me know the key to his address -- nothing I try seems to work! A revised table of internet addresses is available -- email Vern or Fred for a copy. For those who just must have a T-shirt from every conceivable Morgan group, check out the new Hawaiian "HiMog" shirt (in teal or natural). HiMog have no dues instead will be raising funds for the club through sale of shirts. Cost is US$15 including shipping (? to Canada?). Send cheque payable to Paul Levitt, 334 Auwinala Road, Kailua, HI 96734, ph/fax 808-261-8903 or email kailuana@pixi.com. Perhaps Sylvia will include a rendition of the shirt elsewhere in this issue. As mentioned in the 1-99 Blurb, last year’s shunt required Norm Mort to do a new appraisal on OLBDII’s. Norm is rebuilding an Allard (more of this from recent Old Autos included in this issue) and, from his recent appraisal work, included a write up of OLBDII’s in his column. If Sylvia has room perhaps this can be used as "filler" in this or a future Blurb! Other recent communication has been with Gary Moles of the New Zealand Morgan Owners Group. We’ve now set up reciprocal correspondence with Gary and look forward to including gems of info. I can recall several trips to New Zealand in the 80’s and the incredible stock of "old" British machinery on the roads. Needless to say, Morganeering is alive and well with many fine examples accounted for. For those who are anxiously awaiting the promised "special edition" of the Blurb featuring the fine art of Valentin Tanase, my apologies -- as usual I’d thought more time would come to hand than has over the past few months. It’s on my list and will be out to you...... promise! Perhaps in April as I’m off to Oz for two weeks in March. Another "special edition" is in the works -- we produced the MSCCC badge back in 94 and ran 150 of those original "white" Morgan badges. When that badge was conceived, the Morgan color was to be "gold". For the millennium we have rerun a series of 50 badges with a "yellow" Morgan, number M01 to M50, and dated 2000. For those who missed out on the first run of badges, please don’t wait to get your order in for one of these 2nd run badges. Lapel pins, this run 1 inch in diameter and of the same quality as the badge will be available as well -- most with "brooch" closing, some with "tack" closure. Badges will be sold for C$80 (US$55) plus shipping while the pins will be C$12 (US$8) plus shipping. Orders should be sent to VDJ (see back for address). Delivery should be before the summer (depending on availability of couriers from England to Canada). Also, don’t forget you can still have your favourite shirt or other item of clothing embroidered with the MSCCC badge. Send this in to VDJ, with $10 and return postage, and we’ll have it embroidered. If you can’t wait, we’ve some crests available, assorted colors, for $10 each again, plus postage. Repeat from the last Blurb: A second cross-the-USA (and Canada) Morgan event is taking shape for the year 2000. Richard and Anita Jordan (see events list below) are organizing his third "Morgan’s Over America" tour with a run from New Orleans through to Halifax in September-October 2000 and now we hear the 4S Italian Morgan Club is hosting on the occasion of their 10th anniversary a bi-directional run from New York to Los Angeles with a return through New Orleans and Miami. Remember the Mog over the winter. Almost time to start gathering the necessities to bring it back to life. If you did the winterizing job back in Oct/Nov now’s the time to recheck the battery charge, give those wheels another spin to avoid tyre flatspotting, buy your oil and filter, oil the leather, vacuum the interior, and get some of your favourite wax ready to renew the shine after that first wash of the season. Our’s will be out in April -- can hardly wait! Vern Rhinemog ‘99 , Morgan 3/4 Group Jim Nickel (jhalfdime@aol.com) Rhinemog ‘99 will be held at an old/new venue. For those of you who’ve played with Morgans for twenty five years or better, you may recall the early ‘70s saw the first Rhinemogs held at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Well, an old friend is back! While focusing on "Proper three-wheeled Morgans", this newest Rhinemog is open to all Morgans, regardless of tyre count! On Saturday, June 19, 1999, we have been invited to help open the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s show season. it’s an opportunity to see some of aviation’s oldest birds take to the air, including an Anzani-engined Bleriot XI, the same type which Louis Bleriot flew (?) across the English Channel. The show will focus on the Aerodrome’s collection of pre and post World War I aircraft and we will be part of the festivities. The Aerodrome curator, Jim Hare, has set aside space next to the runway which we will be sharing with the Northern NJ MG "T" Club. As a courtesy, Morgans (3 and 4 wheel) and their drivers will be admitted free. Any passengers will have to purchase a regular airshow ticket ($10 adult; $5 child 6-10). In addition to the airshow and the field level displays (Which include an early ‘30s Matchless MX 2 Sports 2 seater), there are four large museum buildings with aircraft, autos, and motorcycles dating back to the turn of the century. In the event that you’re tired of being tied to Mother Earth, there are rides given in a 1929 New Standard open cockpit biplane. All-in-all, a great way to begin summer! If I hear of enough interest by mid-May, I’ll work to set up a Morgan dinner Saturday following the show. Local lodging is available as follows: Beekman Arms, Rhinebeck: 914-876-7077 (the oldest continuously operated inn in America) Super 8 Motel, Hyde Park: 914-229-0088 Hearthstone Motel, Red Hook: 914-758-1811 Gaslight Inn, Red Hook: 914-758-1571 Gaslight Inn B & B, Red Hook: 914-758-0120 Village Inn, Rhinebeck: 914-876-7000 Dutch Patroon Motel, Hyde Park: 914-229-7141 Belvedere Country Inn, Rhinebeck: 914-876-8000 Red Hook Inn, Red Hook: 914-758-8445 Veranda House B & B, Rhinebeck: 914-876-4133 If you're considering joining us for Rhinemog '99, Rhinebeck, NY is located in the Hudson Valley about one hundred miles north of NY City, fifteen miles north of Poughkeepsie, NY, 45 minutes west of Lime Rock Park Connecticut, and ten minutes east of Kingston, NY. It is easily (Sure, that's easy for me to say...) reached by taking either NY Thruway east from Buffalo, or the Adirondack Northway (I-87) south then the NY Thruway south to Exit 19; Kingston (NY), Rhinebeck. Follow signs to Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, after bridge, take right at 2nd light (Right at first light is more fun if you're going to village of Rhinebeck), then at first light go left to find Aerodrome signs (On right), or right to go to village of Rhinebeck. Area is about five or six hours from Buffalo and three and a half or four hours from Plattsburgh, NY. Should you have any questions, Jim Nichol may be reached at 25 Crumwold Place, Hyde Park, NY 12538, 914-229-5088, or jhalfdime@aol.com. Jim Hare, the curator, is genuinely excited about our visit and the Aerodrome is a perfect site for a Morgan gathering. Cheers & Happy Morganing, Jim West of the Rockies: Ron Theroux (ronsmog@home.com) Fall on the west coast is a great time of year. While we do not normally have as grand a show of color as Eastern Canada, this year was to be an exception. The exception was to be September 20-22 the Vancouver / Whistler British Car Run, and our Carry on Gang tour of the interior of the province. Saturday morning rose clear and warm, with 24 Morgans gathered in North Vancouver for coffee and sticky buns, along with 130 other British cars. With the large turn out and the expected delays on the highway, some of the Moggies took the low road and others the high road from the foot of the Lions Gate Bridge. All of us gathering up later on the Sea to Sky Hwy. for the scenic drive to the Howe Sound Brewing Co. for lunch. We have stopped here for the past two years, with good reason, good food and ale. Our group stops are generally longer than the rest of the cars. Which gives the others a chance catch up. This also means we are the last cars to arrive in Whistler. This year we were parked, for the run display, at the base of the Blackcomb Whistler chair lift. It was here I saw one of our members, Mike Powley AKA (THE POT) wearing his trademark cargo shorts and thongs, waving a cane, warding off the pressing tourists from his fresh paintwork. As I quickly approached to add my bulk to his defense. I could see it was not a cane but a gearshift lever in his hand. With his arms outstretched and eyes cast upward , he was in fact demanding to know from the Thunderbird atop a totem pole, "WHY ME.?... IT HAS A FORD ENGINE YOU KNOW!!" With the help of the many Morgan owners on hand we were able to jury rig the top end of the transmission with a few washers and a bit of wire to get him through the next two days of the tour. If attendance at the home of Ken & Pat Miles for a Pot Luck dinner January 9th, is an indication of the year to come, we are going to have an active year on the coast. They were able to get twenty-three of us out with the promise of good food and wine. The evening lived up to its billing, and gave us a chance to see the start of the frame up restoration of Pat’s 69 4/4, 4 seater. With it’s frame freshly coated in black epoxy, while Ken’s 69 Plus 8 sat covered in the far bay on its own. Excellent game put together by the Miles later that evening -- 10 Morgan parts were brought out for us to identify. Good guesses, good laughs and no overall winner. This was not the only event for the month. The Prez comes west. Yes, we on the wet coast were to be treated with the attendance of Vern Dale-Johnson January 23rd at our Robbie Burns-A Wee Re-Visit, which thanks to his presence turned out to be a hoods down, see those mountains and snow, bright sun kind of day. With a planned run and tour of Betterbodz Refinish Inc. to see the 4/4 of Jonathan and Dale Russell undergoing a facelift after receiving several "keying" scratches in a parking lot. Showing up with Morgans, Mike Powley with co-pilot Colin Race, Dave Collis & Ruth, Ron & Yvonne Theroux, and arriving for lunch in their 4/4’s were Larry & Tina Sharp and John Rennie. Steve & Liz Blake showed up in their trusty MG-TD, also Ted Carew-Gibson and son Evan, with fellow student John in the back seat of their Ford. Bob McDiermit joined us for the garage tour but begged off lunch, something to do with remodeling the kitchen. Our final destination for the day was the Flying Beaver Pub. As its name suggests, it’s at the old Vancouver Airport built on pilings overhanging the Fraser River with a magnificent view of the river and air traffic. A great day by all, good food and friends. Notes from the East: Greg Kaufman (toad@storm.ca) See the events list below. From the Internet: Those of you who do have access to the net, take a look at http://dealer.vw.com/cgi-bin/bestdrive/profile.pl This is a "write-in" listing of great roads with the comments by those who enjoy them. Amongst the listings were some of my personal favorites from across Canada. The list is, however, anemic -- why not send your comments in for those who love tops down, sunshine, shadows, scenery and open roads: Alberta -- Bow Valley parkway: "What a drive. Everything from long and winding to aggressive curves. The Majestic Rockies and... Alberta -- Old Banff Coach Road: "The drive is very curvy. There is lots of wildlife and not much traffic..." Nova Scotia -- Cabot Trail: "Easily one of the most beautiful and challenging roads in North America..." Nova Scotia -- TCH 105 onto Hwy 102 to Truro through to TCH 103: "The drive is long (8-9 hours) and you have to like mountains to enjoy this drive..." British Columbia -- Sea to Sky Highway: "Drive from the Pacific for an hour, winding along an inlet towards Squamish. Ocean, islands, mountains and fabulous stopover at Whistler....." British Columbia -- the back road to Vancouver: "From Kamloops drive west through Cache Creek to Lilloet and Pemberton to Whistler..." (or, if you start with the Sea to Sky, continue on to Kamloops). British Columbia -- Highway 4: "This exhilarating drive takes you through the mountains of central Vancouver Island to the beautiful West Coast... Long straight stretches, many corners around a mountain with a lake cliff to one side. Hugh trees, up and down....." Ontario -- Beaver Valley Road: "Start in Clarkesburg. Unbelievable fall colors, limestone cliffs, plenty of places to pull the mountain bike off the racks. Ontario -- Sault Ste Marie, Highway 17: "Follow the shoreline of Lake Superior. A spectacular vista of a fresh water ocean, rocky cliffs, waterfalls....." Ontario -- Chapleau Highway: "Twisty, turny, with the Mississauga River on the left and a shear cliff on the right...." Ontario -- Hwy 123, Opeongo Trail, Hwy 60: "This is the most beautiful tour of more remote and historic parts of Ontario. It begins in the historic town of Renfrew...." Jon Callas wrote: "I've been lurking here, contemplating getting a Morgan, and it looks like I will. I put down a deposit on a '67 two-seater plus four today. Assuming it checks out with another mechanic (and I can't imagine it won't), I'll be a Morgan driver. What should I get ready for? (Other than a lot of fun, of course. I couldn't stop grinning after test-driving it)." The following, in response to Oliver Dawson’s enquiry posted in the 1-99 Blurb, is a sampling of the responses: "JonJon -There are a number of things you need be ready for: 1) Kids under 13 and adults over 50 will wave a lot, typically accompanied by "neat car!" 2) Ferrari owners, bewildered, will ignore you at traffic lights. 3)You will become accustomed to certain questions. The answers are: - No, I didn't build it myself. - Wood. Really. No, not the chassis. - 150 miles per hour, but not on these tires, of course. - Oh, I dunno, $150 thousand dollars, I guess. - 1967, or 1947, or 1937. - I'm sorry, I'm married, but Thanks anyway. 4) Oil and grease. Lots of it. Morgans love the stuff. If in doubt, lubricate it. At the very least, you'll keep it from rusting. 5) The possibility of getting wet. These are not convertibles in the "folding top" sense of the word. Experience erecting pup tents in monsoons may prove helpful. 6) Get all the Morgan books you can find, starting with Fred Sisson's "Morgan Bedside Reader" You will discover shortly that there are not two identical Morgans in the world, and come to cherish your car's own peculiarities. 7) Mainly, get ready to have fun. There is no practical reason on earth to buy a Morgan other than the fact that they look and act unlike anything else. I can sit in my garage and stare at it -- it's that pretty. And, after awhile, you'll discover that it behaves differently in dry weather than when the humidity's high and the wood swells. Try explaining THAT to a guy driving a Camry! And, every once in a while, you'll find a perfect day, and a perfect road, and create a memory that will last years. You are in for a good time. Good Luck, and let us know how it turns out! Jeff Smith 1968 4/4 2 str. "Falling in love consists merely in uncorking the imagination and bottling the common-sense." (Helen Rowland, A Guide to Men). Jon, this is exactly what happens when you own/drive/cater to your Morgan. You uncork your imagination and bottle up your common-sense. Welcome to the fold. Rick Rader, 66 4/4 Jon, I agree with everything you're hearing from everybody else on the list. There is one incontrovertible thing you must prepare yourself for -- You must prepare yourself for pieces falling off. Loose nuts, carb bolts, wheel lugs, suspension bits. "Everything loosens up on a Morgan" should be rule #1. Rule #2 should be: "Get ready for the car to die by the side of the road". Keep your AAA membership up to date, always go out with a cel phone stuck in the glove compartment and with a simple set of tools. If you're a flyer, do with your Morgan what you do with your Piper Cub or Lear Jet: Go over it thoroughly before every single drive. The cars are lots of fun, but they’re also lots of work. If you approach the car with this attitude, it will not disappoint you in terms of fun per mile. Chip Brown. Jon Callas continued the correspondence with: "The car we are getting is #6283, a two-seater in BRG (we includes Tamzen Cannoy, to whom I'm married). We're getting it from Los Gatos, and are being sold it by Dennis Glavis, who is the president of the local owner's group. We've taken it to a mechanic one of my Land Rover friends recommended, and it's been given the once-over. It's going to get fixed up and then we'll get it." "I have another quick question -- why are Morgans called Mogs? I can understand MOG as Morgan Owners' Group, but why for the car itself?" Jon, Mog, as I see it, is also short for "Moggie". Affectionate slang for a Morgan. I’ve also been told that "moggie" is also Brit slang for a cat. "MOG" could also stand for many things, such as: "My Orgasmic Grin" when driving in said conveyance! (When not spitting out the bugs between the teeth). You won't find too many shop manuals, as such. And since I have a 4/4 Competition, I agree that it's a pity you don't have the other engine.... Happy Morganeering on the Left Coast! Fred Kuzyk MSCCC Webmaster JonJon --The answer is shrouded in mystery, but there are a few theories: 1) When we called them "Mors" they were often confused with a confection involving Hershey bars, marshmallows and graham crackers. 2) We then tried "Mons," but started receiving unseemly amounts of reggae music, and veiled references to something called 'ganja'. 3) Calling them "Morgs" seemed tasteless, if not macabre. The only alternative was Mogs. Wish I'd known you were in San Jose- I was there last week for an Intel Dog-and-pony show at the convention center. Would have preferred looking at your Mog in Los Gatos.... Jeff Smith 1968 4/4 Net chatter included a discussion of films and TV shows where Morgans appeared. For those still snowbound and in need of a Morgan fix try the following, but, as described below use caution! Silent Movie, Mel Brooks (1976) War of the Roses, Kathleen Turner & Michael Douglas (1984) The Party, Peter Sellers (1968) The World According to Garp, Robin Williams, Glenn Close (1982) Muppet Movie, Kermit Frog & Miss Piggy (1979) Now and Forever (Australian), Cheryl Ladd, Robert Coleby (1983) Speechless, Gina Davis & Michael Keaton (1994) Lair of the White Worm, Amanda Donahoe, Hugh Grant, Catherine Oxenberg (1988) The Trip, Peter Fonda, Susan Strasberg, Dennis Hopper (1967) Wolf, Jack NIckelson, Michelle Pfeiffer (1994) King Ralph, John Goodman, Peter O’Toole (1991) I can’t personally vouch for them all although I’ve seen a few (rest assured "Lair of the White Worm" and "Wolf" were not on my list). One string of comments made was by MSCCC member Gerry Willburn, on "The War of the Roses" with the following response: "Robert Couch of Morgan Spares rebuilt the War of the Roses car into a vintage racer for a client member of the 3/4 Morgan Group, who alas died before getting to race the car. Couch told me he leased the car to the studio, knowing they'd squish it. He already had a new frame & body on order for when it returned to NY. How do you rebuild a Morgan? Well, if you start with a VIN, then everything else is readily available." Jerry Murphy '67 +4 "Actually there were three MORGAN’s used in filming "The War of the Roses." The car used in the initial scenes was (and is) owned by Jim Whelan. The second (used as the "restored" car) was purchased by the studio and sold at auction afterwards. The third was a "hulk" leased from Bob Couch for the crushing scene. It was completely "gutted" no engine, transmission or drive line was used. In fact, the wheels did not touch the ground. It was mounted on a dolly with the jack. As the SUV rolled on top, the jack was lowered to enhance the crushing effect. After the filming it was returned to Bob who rebuilt it." "Unfortunately, most of the MORGAN scenes ended up on the cutting room floor. Too bad. The film would have made a better six hour TV mini-series than a movie. It was cut so drastically that the real story line was lost. All you knew from the film was that they were in love then all of a sudden he hated her shoes and she hated his car. In the screen play (Written by [then] SNOBMOG owner, Michael Leeson) the marriage began to deteriorate when he decided to restore the car and began spending more time in the garage with the car than he did in the bedroom with her. The MORGAN starting handle that they were diving for at the end, also belonged to Jim Whelan and he never did get it back." Gerry Willburn "Gerry, Your comments on The War of the Roses made a lot of sense. This movie had far more impact on me after I bought my Morgan. The War of the Roses is the Morgan owners' version of a horror movie! I gleaned the following morals for Morgan owners from what little of the original story was screened: 1) Don't buy your wife a sport utility vehicle. 2) Hope she doesn't find out about the movie The War of the Roses (whatever you do don't you be the one to tell her about it!). 3) Don't get divorced. 4) If you have failed in rules 1 and 2, and must break rule 3, hide the Morgan first! These cars are wonderful." Jack Claxton 1956 +4 4-seater "Jack, Substitutes for rules 1 & 2: 1) Buy your wife a MORGAN, not a SUV 2) Let your wife do the restoration Then she will laugh at War of the Roses." Gerry Willburn "Lew Spencer used to say that " Morgan is not a car, its a disease." I must say I am kind of amazed at the number of comments "about parts falling off" and "breaking down on the road." If a Morgan is well maintained, parts don't fall off, and the cars don't "break down" any more than any other well maintained car. Morgans do require more maintenance than a modern Japanese car though." Greg Solow "Greg, I whole-heartedly agree. "My" Morgan was actually a Christmas gift that my wife wanted. Through the years she has done some of the work on it but has been keener on the driving, social & club aspects of ownership. She laughs at "War of The Roses" & I can rest assured that she would never crush her baby. As for the Mustang, that may not be safe!" "Several thousand miles with nary a part falling off! There are similar tales. A MSCCC couple did a Newfoundland & Maritimes tour (5,000 miles) last summer. Only malady was a burnt out bulb! Another MSCCC couple put on 21,000 kilometers during 1997 with no mishaps. Morgans can be no less dependable than any mass produced LBC. Cheers." Fred Kuzyk, MSCCC Webmaster "Greg, Barbara says "MORGAN is not a car, it is a way of life". When we drove the SNOBMOG to Toronto a few years ago (7,000 miles round trip), not a single part fell off. Barbara was an inch taller before we left though." Gerry Willburn Central Canada Morgan Events: April 18 Ancaster British Car Flea Market, info: Ron Kielbiski 905-828-6810 or Don Ainsworth 905-526-8138 May 15 Morgans of Philadelphia Moggie Miglia IV. Contact Tony Souza tjsouz@epix.net or try Craig Seibert at 610-253-5327 (phone/fax). June 5 British Car Classic, London Ontario (Bob Plante, 519-472-4586) June 13 MSCCC Driving Tour and Lunch -- start @ Nyal Wilson’s in Ancaster at 12 noon, Call Nyal at 905-648-0888 to confirm. June 19 "Rhinemog 99", Rhinebeck, NY (contact Jim Nichol 914-229-5088, or jhalfdime@aol.com) July 1-4 MOG 29, Mount Saint Mary’s College, Emmitsburg, MD (info: Bob Hanson 703-820-3496 or check the website at http://ploof.tierranet.com/mccdc/mog29.htm) June 20 Classics Against Cancer, Georgetown Ontario (info: 905-877-2203) July 3 Empire Day at 50 point Conservation Area, (info call Marty Walters at 905-544-6083) July 4 Carriage Classics -- British Car Day, Caledon Hills Ontario August 14 MSCCC "Beef Out", McCowan’s, Stouffville. Call Peter or Heather at 905-888-1151 to confirm. Sept 19 British Car Day, Bronte Creek Provincial Park (Toronto Triumph Club, Gil Caratin 905-274-0974) Sept 26 British Car Toy Run. Organized by the British Saloon Car Club of Canada (BSCCOC). Contact Roger Tipple 905-632-6582 tipple@procor.com or Dave & Elva Allen 519-367-5854 elva@log.on.ca Oct 1-3 MSCCC Fall Weekend / Wayne McRae Memorial Weekend, Mountain Springs Lodge, Collingwood (contact VDJ 416-530-4599, vern_dj@msn.com for details, or Martin Brassard -- MG Club -- at 905-712-0719, mbrass@yesic.com) West Coast Events for MSCCC and MOG NW: March 21 South Surrey Scramble (KEN & PAT MILES 604-576-8036) April 18 Vancouver Classic Motoring Show B.C. Place Stadium (LARRY SHARP 604-986-6621) May 22 Vancouver All British Field Meet, VanDusen Gardens (RON THEROUX 604--576-2957) June 18-19 Alberta All British Motoring Society Field Day, Edmonton (Frank French, allbritmotor@yahoo.com) June 20 Victoria Fathers Day British Car Show / Picnic Becon Hill Park, Victoria B.C. (ROLAND GILBERT 205-652-2159 Also a tour of Vancouver Island is being organized. July 1-4 Rally in the Valley (Okanagan), Vernon B.C. (PETER MOORE 205-545-2432) July 30-31 MOGWest, Cambria California (BILL BUTTONS 206-935- 3616) Sept 18-19 Vancouver Whistler British Car Run (MIKE POWLEY 604-261-0901) Eastern Canada Events May 16 Sunday Brunch (check with Ed Burman 613-839-3041 for location and time) May 30 British Car Week Celebrations -- show organized by the Jaguar Club of Montreal. Email dthompsonggbc.ca or dthompsogtotal.net or call Daniel Thompson at 450-441-6522 for details. June 13 Kars and Planes show, staged by the Historical Automobile Society and the Recreational Aircraft Association, Kars Ontario. (check with Greg Kaufman 613-832-3620 for details June 20 Richmond Car Show, organized by Ottawa Valley Triumph Club, check with Steve Bourne 613-253-0739 July 1 Arnprior Car Show. Contact Greg Kaufman 613-832-3620 for more info on this one. July 15 Malone N.Y Car Show Greg Kaufman has details for anyone interested. August 20-22 Moggies on the Grass Sunset Farms, John Bowles coordinating. Sept 17-19 British Invasion. Stowe Vermont, contact Ed Burman 613-839-3041 for details Other Events of interest: April 17 SVAO Annual General Meeting, 1-4 pm, Ford Headquarters, Oakville May 14-16 Carlisle Import - Kit/Replicar National, Carlisle, Pa. (info 717-243-7855) May 24-30 British Car Week -- regardless of where you are, drive them! May 28-30 Spring Fling -- MGCCT and TTC event, (info, Martin Brassard 905-712-0719, Email mbrass@yesic.com) June 6 Vintage Car Show, Victor N.Y. info Linda (B’n’B Club, Kingston) at 613-542-8110) June 9-14 Les Vingt Quatre Heurs (contact Dallas Jones, CRANMOG, 011-44-1908-542719) July 2-4 VARAC Festival, Mosport, Ontario July 16-18 MOG 99 ‘Bridge of Allan’ near Sterling, check out http://freespace.virgin.net/k.mclay/mog99/htm or call MOG 99 coordinator Rodger McAslan at 0141 634 6825. July 21-23 Brits in the Park, Lindsay Ontario, (call Little Brian Motor Co, 888-228-9299) August 15 St George’s Society, London Ontario (details from Stu Brownlow at 519-453-0068) August 27-29 British Marque Car Club News ‘Triathon III’ at Jiminy Peak, Hancock PA (info: Don or Nancy Hull 508-923-0020) Sept 11-12 Watkins Glen Race Weekend Sept 24-26 Indy British Car Days, featuring Morgans and T series MG’s. Contact Tom Beaver 317-227-7555 pneed@webtv.net for details. Sept-Oct 2000 Morgans Over America, The Eastern Experience (organized by Richard & Anita Jordan, 8 Thirsk Gardens, Bletchley, Buchinghamshire MK3 5LH, 011-44-1773-521816) Click Here for NEWSLETTER EDITION 6-98 Click Here for NEWSLETTER EDITION 5-98 Click Here for NEWSLETTER EDITION 4-98 Click Here for NEWSLETTER EDITION 3-98 Click Here for NEWSLETTER EDITION 2-98 Click Here for NEWSLETTER EDITION 1-98 HOME CLUB INFO EVENTS PHOTOS NEWSLETTER MORGAN CARS REGALIA LINKS TOY RUN TECHNICAL FALL WEEKEND MESSAGE BOARD
Updated March 9/99
While a sampling from this issue is available below, this Edition also contains much more!
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2-99 Edition
THE PREZ SEZ March & April/99 Edition. By Vern Dale-Johnson
RHINEMOG By Jim Nichol
WEST Of THE ROCKIES By Ron Theroux
INTERNET CLIPS By Vern Dale-Johnson
EVENTS
CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLES FROM THE PREVIOUS EDITION
Prez Sez Vern Dale-Johnson (vern_dj@msn.com)
Thanks, Sylvia, for the first Blurb of 99. Great start and looking forward to the new ideas you want to incorporate. Looking forward to the next issue. As we contemplate the coming driving season, (remember British Car Week is May 24-30 -- regardless of where you are, drive them!) I’m reminded all our calendars fill up very quickly. June is already gone in mine and I’m struggling to find appropriate dates in July and August. Fortunately some of you are ahead of me -- Peter McCowan phoned to volunteer both his place for our MSCCC summer "beefout" for Toronto area Morganeers (and invited guests). Date will be August 14 so..... mark you calendars now and be prepared for a great afternoon and evening.
I’m ahead of myself. Welcome to two new members -- David McCrossan of Burnaby B.C. and Geoff Wheatley of Clinton, N.Y. Our first Toronto area MSCCC event is First event of 99 will be a lunch hosted by Nyal Wilson and Lois. I wasn’t able to correct the info in the 1-99 Blurb in time -- Glen and Nyal decided there was just not enough time to sandwich a run in between two meals so....... Driving tour organized by Nyal (with help from others) -- will be on June 13 (Sunday). Event will start with a gathering a Nyal Wilson’s in Ancaster at 12 noon for lunch, will finish "in the country at a suitable location". Call Nyal at 905-648-0888 to confirm." If you just "show up" note that Nyal’s address is 22 Sulphur Springs, Ancaster.
The British Car Toy Run will be organized by the British Saloon Car Club of Canada (BSCCOC). Date has been set for Sunday Sept 26th. They will need help -- those who can please contact Roger Tipple 905-632-6582 tipple@procor.com or Dave & Elva Allen 519-367-5854 elva@log.on.ca A worthy cause will be supported and a guaranteed great time will be had by all.
Peter McCowan has also offered assistance in securing the Mountain Springs Lodge in Collingwood for our Fall Weekend. After discussion on dates we’ve settled on the weekend of October 1-3. Later than usual to get around conflicts with the Sept 11-12 Watkins Glen Weekend, September 19 British Car Day, and Sept 17-19 British Invasion in Stowe. Unfortunately the weekend of Sept 24-26 is not available at the site. After discussions with Martin Brassard of the MG Car Club of Toronto, who hold their Wayne McRae Memorial Weekend in the fall, it was decided to take the Oct 1-3 weekend for a combined event. Prices for accommodation have risen from the bargain basement rates of previous years but are still very affordable for the luxury accommodation offered. Look for more details to follow, if you want to book early call 800-704-8633 and mention the "Morgan Car Club".
The turnover to a new "exec" has not been without some trials. First there was the issue of dates for the January and February "Pubs" -- my apologies to those who arrived on the Saturdays (as advertised) instead of the Sundays (as intended). Our March 7 Pub gave us a chance to talk about the calendar for 99 as, at least for Central Canada we were able to coordinate calendars with other British Car Clubs at the March 6 BCCI general meeting. The results are noted below in the listings of events.
The electronic net seems to be taking over, slowly...... Interesting to see the recent ads from Canada Post suggesting they "want us back". I have to admit, handwritten letters do have a certain charm. It will be a while yet before the internet totally takes over. Despite the printing of email addresses in the last Blurb, I’ve only received one address correction (Richard Blair’s -- please note it is now richard_blair@bc.sympatico.ca ; Freddy sent in addresses for Chris & Gayle Taylor spitfire@worldchat.com (very appropriate!), Chris Walker cwalker@on.maxxam.ca, Bob & Susan Wright writhr@mail.mmc.org, and Chip Brown ebrown@ms.com; while Sylvia & Russ Balfour are now online at ycw@golden.net. Other members whose addresses have come in include Luc Charette & Danielle Grenier chagren@sympatico.ca, Ian Fyfe ifyfe@execulink.com, Mike & Linda Hughes mkl123@idirect.com, Milton Lackman ml@arrow1897.com, Alec Knight & Gayle Ginnings alec.knight@nextrom.com, John & Martha Lot jonick@wincom.net, Fraser & Darcy MacKenzie fdmack@freeway.net, Joan & Stewart MacLellan smaclellan@blue.georgian.net, Brian & Brenda Morgan bmorgan@sympatico.ca, Ted & Lilly Zurbrigg tz@mail.lac-mac.com. Anyone who has succeeded in contacting Peter Pfahl by email, please let me know the key to his address -- nothing I try seems to work! A revised table of internet addresses is available -- email Vern or Fred for a copy.
For those who just must have a T-shirt from every conceivable Morgan group, check out the new Hawaiian "HiMog" shirt (in teal or natural). HiMog have no dues instead will be raising funds for the club through sale of shirts. Cost is US$15 including shipping (? to Canada?). Send cheque payable to Paul Levitt, 334 Auwinala Road, Kailua, HI 96734, ph/fax 808-261-8903 or email kailuana@pixi.com. Perhaps Sylvia will include a rendition of the shirt elsewhere in this issue.
As mentioned in the 1-99 Blurb, last year’s shunt required Norm Mort to do a new appraisal on OLBDII’s. Norm is rebuilding an Allard (more of this from recent Old Autos included in this issue) and, from his recent appraisal work, included a write up of OLBDII’s in his column. If Sylvia has room perhaps this can be used as "filler" in this or a future Blurb! Other recent communication has been with Gary Moles of the New Zealand Morgan Owners Group. We’ve now set up reciprocal correspondence with Gary and look forward to including gems of info. I can recall several trips to New Zealand in the 80’s and the incredible stock of "old" British machinery on the roads. Needless to say, Morganeering is alive and well with many fine examples accounted for.
For those who are anxiously awaiting the promised "special edition" of the Blurb featuring the fine art of Valentin Tanase, my apologies -- as usual I’d thought more time would come to hand than has over the past few months. It’s on my list and will be out to you...... promise! Perhaps in April as I’m off to Oz for two weeks in March.
Another "special edition" is in the works -- we produced the MSCCC badge back in 94 and ran 150 of those original "white" Morgan badges. When that badge was conceived, the Morgan color was to be "gold". For the millennium we have rerun a series of 50 badges with a "yellow" Morgan, number M01 to M50, and dated 2000. For those who missed out on the first run of badges, please don’t wait to get your order in for one of these 2nd run badges. Lapel pins, this run 1 inch in diameter and of the same quality as the badge will be available as well -- most with "brooch" closing, some with "tack" closure. Badges will be sold for C$80 (US$55) plus shipping while the pins will be C$12 (US$8) plus shipping. Orders should be sent to VDJ (see back for address). Delivery should be before the summer (depending on availability of couriers from England to Canada). Also, don’t forget you can still have your favourite shirt or other item of clothing embroidered with the MSCCC badge. Send this in to VDJ, with $10 and return postage, and we’ll have it embroidered. If you can’t wait, we’ve some crests available, assorted colors, for $10 each again, plus postage.
Repeat from the last Blurb: A second cross-the-USA (and Canada) Morgan event is taking shape for the year 2000. Richard and Anita Jordan (see events list below) are organizing his third "Morgan’s Over America" tour with a run from New Orleans through to Halifax in September-October 2000 and now we hear the 4S Italian Morgan Club is hosting on the occasion of their 10th anniversary a bi-directional run from New York to Los Angeles with a return through New Orleans and Miami.
Remember the Mog over the winter. Almost time to start gathering the necessities to bring it back to life. If you did the winterizing job back in Oct/Nov now’s the time to recheck the battery charge, give those wheels another spin to avoid tyre flatspotting, buy your oil and filter, oil the leather, vacuum the interior, and get some of your favourite wax ready to renew the shine after that first wash of the season. Our’s will be out in April -- can hardly wait!
Vern
Rhinemog ‘99 , Morgan 3/4 Group Jim Nickel (jhalfdime@aol.com)
Rhinemog ‘99 will be held at an old/new venue. For those of you who’ve played with Morgans for twenty five years or better, you may recall the early ‘70s saw the first Rhinemogs held at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Well, an old friend is back! While focusing on "Proper three-wheeled Morgans", this newest Rhinemog is open to all Morgans, regardless of tyre count!
On Saturday, June 19, 1999, we have been invited to help open the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s show season. it’s an opportunity to see some of aviation’s oldest birds take to the air, including an Anzani-engined Bleriot XI, the same type which Louis Bleriot flew (?) across the English Channel. The show will focus on the Aerodrome’s collection of pre and post World War I aircraft and we will be part of the festivities.
The Aerodrome curator, Jim Hare, has set aside space next to the runway which we will be sharing with the Northern NJ MG "T" Club. As a courtesy, Morgans (3 and 4 wheel) and their drivers will be admitted free. Any passengers will have to purchase a regular airshow ticket ($10 adult; $5 child 6-10).
In addition to the airshow and the field level displays (Which include an early ‘30s Matchless MX 2 Sports 2 seater), there are four large museum buildings with aircraft, autos, and motorcycles dating back to the turn of the century. In the event that you’re tired of being tied to Mother Earth, there are rides given in a 1929 New Standard open cockpit biplane. All-in-all, a
great way to begin summer! If I hear of enough interest by mid-May, I’ll work to set up a Morgan dinner Saturday following the show. Local lodging is available as follows:
If you're considering joining us for Rhinemog '99, Rhinebeck, NY is located in the Hudson Valley about one hundred miles north of NY City, fifteen miles north of Poughkeepsie, NY, 45 minutes west of Lime Rock Park Connecticut, and ten minutes east of Kingston, NY. It is easily (Sure, that's easy for me to say...) reached by taking either NY Thruway east from Buffalo, or the Adirondack Northway (I-87) south then the NY Thruway south to Exit 19; Kingston (NY), Rhinebeck. Follow signs to Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, after bridge, take right at 2nd light (Right at first light is more fun if you're going to village of Rhinebeck), then at first light go left to find Aerodrome signs (On right), or right to go to village of Rhinebeck. Area is about five or six hours from Buffalo and three and a half or four hours from Plattsburgh, NY.
Should you have any questions, Jim Nichol may be reached at 25 Crumwold Place, Hyde Park, NY 12538, 914-229-5088, or jhalfdime@aol.com.
Jim Hare, the curator, is genuinely excited about our visit and the Aerodrome is a perfect site for a Morgan gathering. Cheers & Happy Morganing, Jim
West of the Rockies: Ron Theroux (ronsmog@home.com)
Fall on the west coast is a great time of year. While we do not normally have as grand a show of color as Eastern Canada, this year was to be an exception. The exception was to be September 20-22 the Vancouver / Whistler British Car Run, and our Carry on Gang tour of the interior of the province. Saturday morning rose clear and warm, with 24 Morgans gathered in North Vancouver for coffee and sticky buns, along with 130 other British cars. With the large turn out and the expected delays on the highway, some of the Moggies took the low road and others the high road from the foot of the Lions Gate Bridge. All of us gathering up later on the Sea to Sky Hwy. for the scenic drive to the Howe Sound Brewing Co. for lunch. We have stopped here for the past two years, with good reason, good food and ale. Our group stops are generally longer than the rest of the cars. Which gives the others a chance catch up. This also means we are the last cars to arrive in Whistler. This year we were parked, for the run display, at the base of the Blackcomb Whistler chair lift.
It was here I saw one of our members, Mike Powley AKA (THE POT) wearing his trademark cargo shorts and thongs, waving a cane, warding off the pressing tourists from his fresh paintwork. As I quickly approached to add my bulk to his defense. I could see it was not a cane but a gearshift lever in his hand. With his arms outstretched and eyes cast upward , he was in fact demanding to know from the Thunderbird atop a totem pole, "WHY ME.?... IT HAS A FORD ENGINE YOU KNOW!!" With the help of the many Morgan owners on hand we were able to jury rig the top end of the transmission with a few washers and a bit of wire to get him through the next two days of the tour.
If attendance at the home of Ken & Pat Miles for a Pot Luck dinner January 9th, is an indication of the year to come, we are going to have an active year on the coast. They were able to get twenty-three of us out with the promise of good food and wine. The evening lived up to its billing, and gave us a chance to see the start of the frame up restoration of Pat’s 69 4/4, 4 seater. With it’s frame freshly coated in black epoxy, while Ken’s 69 Plus 8 sat covered in the far bay on its own. Excellent game put together by the Miles later that evening -- 10 Morgan parts were brought out for us to identify. Good guesses, good laughs and no overall winner.
This was not the only event for the month. The Prez comes west. Yes, we on the wet coast were to be treated with the attendance of Vern Dale-Johnson January 23rd at our Robbie Burns-A Wee Re-Visit, which thanks to his presence turned out to be a hoods down, see those mountains and snow, bright sun kind of day. With a planned run and tour of Betterbodz Refinish Inc. to see the 4/4 of Jonathan and Dale Russell undergoing a facelift after receiving several "keying" scratches in a parking lot. Showing up with Morgans, Mike Powley with co-pilot Colin Race, Dave Collis & Ruth, Ron & Yvonne Theroux, and arriving for lunch in their 4/4’s were Larry & Tina Sharp and John Rennie. Steve & Liz Blake showed up in their trusty MG-TD, also Ted Carew-Gibson and son Evan, with fellow student John in the back seat of their Ford. Bob McDiermit joined us for the garage tour but begged off lunch, something to do with remodeling the kitchen. Our final destination for the day was the Flying Beaver Pub. As its name suggests, it’s at the old Vancouver Airport built on pilings overhanging the Fraser River with a magnificent view of the river and air traffic. A great day by all, good food and friends.
Notes from the East: Greg Kaufman (toad@storm.ca)
See the events list below.
From the Internet:
Those of you who do have access to the net, take a look at http://dealer.vw.com/cgi-bin/bestdrive/profile.pl This is a "write-in" listing of great roads with the comments by those who enjoy them. Amongst the listings were some of my personal favorites from across Canada. The list is, however, anemic -- why not send your comments in for those who love tops down, sunshine, shadows, scenery and open roads:
Jon Callas wrote: "I've been lurking here, contemplating getting a Morgan, and it looks like I will. I put down a deposit on a '67 two-seater plus four today. Assuming it checks out with another mechanic (and I can't imagine it won't), I'll be a Morgan driver. What should I get ready for? (Other than a lot of fun, of course. I couldn't stop grinning after test-driving it)." The following, in response to Oliver Dawson’s enquiry posted in the 1-99 Blurb, is a sampling of the responses: "JonJon -There are a number of things you need be ready for: 1) Kids under 13 and adults over 50 will wave a lot, typically accompanied by "neat car!"
3)You will become accustomed to certain questions. The answers are: - No, I didn't build it myself. - Wood. Really. No, not the chassis. - 150 miles per hour, but not on these tires, of course. - Oh, I dunno, $150 thousand dollars, I guess. - 1967, or 1947, or 1937. - I'm sorry, I'm married, but Thanks anyway.
4) Oil and grease. Lots of it. Morgans love the stuff. If in doubt, lubricate it. At the very least, you'll keep it from rusting.
5) The possibility of getting wet. These are not convertibles in the "folding top" sense of the word. Experience erecting pup tents in monsoons may prove helpful.
6) Get all the Morgan books you can find, starting with Fred Sisson's "Morgan Bedside Reader" You will discover shortly that there are not two identical Morgans in the world, and come to cherish your car's own peculiarities.
7) Mainly, get ready to have fun. There is no practical reason on earth to buy a Morgan other than the fact that they look and act unlike anything else. I can sit in my garage and stare at it -- it's that pretty. And, after awhile, you'll discover that it behaves differently in dry weather than when the humidity's high and the wood swells. Try explaining THAT to a guy driving a Camry! And, every once in a while, you'll find a perfect day, and a perfect road, and create a memory that will last years.
You are in for a good time. Good Luck, and let us know how it turns out! Jeff Smith 1968 4/4 2 str.
"Falling in love consists merely in uncorking the imagination and bottling the common-sense."
(Helen Rowland, A Guide to Men). Jon, this is exactly what happens when you own/drive/cater to your Morgan. You uncork your imagination and bottle up your common-sense. Welcome to the fold. Rick Rader, 66 4/4
Jon, I agree with everything you're hearing from everybody else on the list. There is one incontrovertible thing you must prepare yourself for -- You must prepare yourself for pieces falling off. Loose nuts, carb bolts, wheel lugs, suspension bits. "Everything loosens up on a Morgan" should be rule #1.
Rule #2 should be: "Get ready for the car to die by the side of the road". Keep your AAA membership up to date, always go out with a cel phone stuck in the glove compartment and with a simple set of tools. If you're a flyer, do with your Morgan what you do with your Piper Cub or Lear Jet: Go over it thoroughly before every single drive. The cars are lots of fun, but they’re also lots of work. If you approach the car with this attitude, it will not disappoint you in terms of fun per mile. Chip Brown. Jon Callas continued the correspondence with: "The car we are getting is #6283, a two-seater in BRG (we includes Tamzen Cannoy, to whom I'm married). We're getting it from Los Gatos, and are being sold it by Dennis Glavis, who is the president of the local owner's group. We've taken it to a mechanic one of my Land Rover friends recommended, and it's been given the once-over. It's going to get fixed up and then we'll get it."
"I have another quick question -- why are Morgans called Mogs? I can understand MOG as Morgan Owners' Group, but why for the car itself?"
Jon, Mog, as I see it, is also short for "Moggie". Affectionate slang for a Morgan. I’ve also been told that "moggie" is also Brit slang for a cat. "MOG" could also stand for many things, such as: "My Orgasmic Grin" when driving in said conveyance! (When not spitting out the bugs between the teeth). You won't find too many shop manuals, as such. And since I have a 4/4 Competition, I agree that it's a pity you don't have the other engine.... Happy Morganeering on the Left Coast! Fred Kuzyk MSCCC Webmaster
2) We then tried "Mons," but started receiving unseemly amounts of reggae music, and veiled references to something called 'ganja'.
3) Calling them "Morgs" seemed tasteless, if not macabre.
The only alternative was Mogs. Wish I'd known you were in San Jose- I was there last week for an Intel Dog-and-pony show at the convention center. Would have preferred looking at your Mog in Los Gatos.... Jeff Smith 1968 4/4
Net chatter included a discussion of films and TV shows where Morgans appeared. For those still snowbound and in need of a Morgan fix try the following, but, as described below use caution!
Silent Movie, Mel Brooks (1976)
War of the Roses, Kathleen Turner & Michael Douglas (1984)
The Party, Peter Sellers (1968)
The World According to Garp, Robin Williams, Glenn Close (1982)
Muppet Movie, Kermit Frog & Miss Piggy (1979)
Now and Forever (Australian), Cheryl Ladd, Robert Coleby (1983)
Speechless, Gina Davis & Michael Keaton (1994)
Lair of the White Worm, Amanda Donahoe, Hugh Grant, Catherine Oxenberg (1988)
The Trip, Peter Fonda, Susan Strasberg, Dennis Hopper (1967)
Wolf, Jack NIckelson, Michelle Pfeiffer (1994)
King Ralph, John Goodman, Peter O’Toole (1991)
I can’t personally vouch for them all although I’ve seen a few (rest assured "Lair of the White Worm" and "Wolf" were not on my list). One string of comments made was by MSCCC member Gerry Willburn, on "The War of the Roses" with the following response:
"Robert Couch of Morgan Spares rebuilt the War of the Roses car into a vintage racer for a client member of the 3/4 Morgan Group, who alas died before getting to race the car. Couch told me he leased the car to the studio, knowing they'd squish it. He already had a new frame & body on order for when it returned to NY. How do you rebuild a Morgan? Well, if you start with a VIN, then everything else is readily available." Jerry Murphy '67 +4
"Actually there were three MORGAN’s used in filming "The War of the Roses." The car used in the initial scenes was (and is) owned by Jim Whelan. The second (used as the "restored" car) was purchased by the studio and sold at auction afterwards. The third was a "hulk" leased from Bob Couch for the crushing scene. It was completely "gutted" no engine, transmission or drive line was used. In fact, the wheels did not touch the ground. It was mounted on a dolly with the jack. As the SUV rolled on top, the jack was lowered to enhance the crushing effect. After the filming it was returned to Bob who rebuilt it." "Unfortunately, most of the MORGAN scenes ended up on the cutting room floor. Too bad. The film would have made a better six hour TV mini-series than a movie. It was cut so drastically that the real story line was lost. All you knew from the film was that they were in love then all of a sudden he hated her shoes and she hated his car. In the screen play (Written by [then] SNOBMOG owner, Michael Leeson) the marriage began to deteriorate when he decided to restore the car and began spending more time in the garage with the car than he did in the bedroom with her. The MORGAN starting handle that they were diving for at the end, also belonged to Jim Whelan and he never did get it back." Gerry Willburn "Gerry, Your comments on The War of the Roses made a lot of sense. This movie had far more impact on me after I bought my Morgan. The War of the Roses is the Morgan owners' version of a horror movie! I gleaned the following morals for Morgan owners from what little of the original story was screened: 1) Don't buy your wife a sport utility vehicle. 2) Hope she doesn't find out about the movie The War of the Roses (whatever you do don't you be the one to tell her about it!). 3) Don't get divorced. 4) If you have failed in rules 1 and 2, and must break rule 3, hide the Morgan first! These cars are wonderful." Jack Claxton 1956 +4 4-seater
"Jack, Substitutes for rules 1 & 2: 1) Buy your wife a MORGAN, not a SUV 2) Let your wife do the restoration
Then she will laugh at War of the Roses." Gerry Willburn
"Lew Spencer used to say that " Morgan is not a car, its a disease." I must say I am kind of amazed at the number of comments "about parts falling off" and "breaking down on the road." If a Morgan is well maintained, parts don't fall off, and the cars don't "break down" any more than any other well maintained car. Morgans do require more maintenance than a modern Japanese car though." Greg Solow
"Greg, I whole-heartedly agree. "My" Morgan was actually a Christmas gift that my wife wanted. Through the years she has done some of the work on it but has been keener on the driving, social & club aspects of ownership. She laughs at "War of The Roses" & I can rest assured that she would never crush her baby. As for the Mustang, that may not be safe!" "Several thousand miles with nary a part falling off! There are similar tales. A MSCCC couple did a Newfoundland & Maritimes tour (5,000 miles) last summer. Only malady was a burnt out bulb! Another MSCCC couple put on 21,000 kilometers during 1997 with no mishaps. Morgans can be no less dependable than any mass produced LBC. Cheers." Fred Kuzyk, MSCCC Webmaster
"Greg, Barbara says "MORGAN is not a car, it is a way of life". When we drove the SNOBMOG to Toronto a few years ago (7,000 miles round trip), not a single part fell off. Barbara was an inch taller before we left though." Gerry Willburn
Central Canada Morgan Events:
April 18 Ancaster British Car Flea Market, info: Ron Kielbiski 905-828-6810 or Don Ainsworth 905-526-8138 May 15 Morgans of Philadelphia Moggie Miglia IV. Contact Tony Souza tjsouz@epix.net or try Craig Seibert at 610-253-5327 (phone/fax).
June 5 British Car Classic, London Ontario (Bob Plante, 519-472-4586)
June 13 MSCCC Driving Tour and Lunch -- start @ Nyal Wilson’s in Ancaster at 12 noon, Call Nyal at 905-648-0888 to confirm.
June 19 "Rhinemog 99", Rhinebeck, NY (contact Jim Nichol 914-229-5088, or jhalfdime@aol.com) July 1-4 MOG 29, Mount Saint Mary’s College, Emmitsburg, MD (info: Bob Hanson 703-820-3496 or check the website at http://ploof.tierranet.com/mccdc/mog29.htm) June 20 Classics Against Cancer, Georgetown Ontario (info: 905-877-2203)
July 3 Empire Day at 50 point Conservation Area, (info call Marty Walters at 905-544-6083)
July 4 Carriage Classics -- British Car Day, Caledon Hills Ontario August 14 MSCCC "Beef Out", McCowan’s, Stouffville. Call Peter or Heather at 905-888-1151 to confirm.
Sept 19 British Car Day, Bronte Creek Provincial Park (Toronto Triumph Club, Gil Caratin 905-274-0974) Sept 26 British Car Toy Run. Organized by the British Saloon Car Club of Canada (BSCCOC). Contact Roger Tipple 905-632-6582 tipple@procor.com or Dave & Elva Allen 519-367-5854 elva@log.on.ca Oct 1-3 MSCCC Fall Weekend / Wayne McRae Memorial Weekend, Mountain Springs Lodge, Collingwood (contact VDJ 416-530-4599, vern_dj@msn.com for details, or Martin Brassard -- MG Club -- at 905-712-0719, mbrass@yesic.com)
West Coast Events for MSCCC and MOG NW:
March 21 South Surrey Scramble (KEN & PAT MILES 604-576-8036)
April 18 Vancouver Classic Motoring Show B.C. Place Stadium (LARRY SHARP 604-986-6621) May 22 Vancouver All British Field Meet, VanDusen Gardens (RON THEROUX 604--576-2957) June 18-19 Alberta All British Motoring Society Field Day, Edmonton (Frank French, allbritmotor@yahoo.com) June 20 Victoria Fathers Day British Car Show / Picnic Becon Hill Park, Victoria B.C. (ROLAND GILBERT 205-652-2159 Also a tour of Vancouver Island is being organized.
July 1-4 Rally in the Valley (Okanagan), Vernon B.C. (PETER MOORE 205-545-2432)
July 30-31 MOGWest, Cambria California (BILL BUTTONS 206-935- 3616)
Sept 18-19 Vancouver Whistler British Car Run (MIKE POWLEY 604-261-0901)
Eastern Canada Events
May 16 Sunday Brunch (check with Ed Burman 613-839-3041 for location and time) May 30 British Car Week Celebrations -- show organized by the Jaguar Club of Montreal. Email dthompsonggbc.ca or dthompsogtotal.net or call Daniel Thompson at 450-441-6522 for details. June 13 Kars and Planes show, staged by the Historical Automobile Society and the Recreational Aircraft Association, Kars Ontario. (check with Greg Kaufman 613-832-3620 for details
June 20 Richmond Car Show, organized by Ottawa Valley Triumph Club, check with Steve Bourne 613-253-0739 July 1 Arnprior Car Show. Contact Greg Kaufman 613-832-3620 for more info on this one.
July 15 Malone N.Y Car Show Greg Kaufman has details for anyone interested. August 20-22 Moggies on the Grass Sunset Farms, John Bowles coordinating.
Sept 17-19 British Invasion. Stowe Vermont, contact Ed Burman 613-839-3041 for details
Other Events of interest:
April 17 SVAO Annual General Meeting, 1-4 pm, Ford Headquarters, Oakville
May 14-16 Carlisle Import - Kit/Replicar National, Carlisle, Pa. (info 717-243-7855)
May 24-30 British Car Week -- regardless of where you are, drive them! May 28-30 Spring Fling -- MGCCT and TTC event, (info, Martin Brassard 905-712-0719, Email mbrass@yesic.com)
June 6 Vintage Car Show, Victor N.Y. info Linda (B’n’B Club, Kingston) at 613-542-8110)
June 9-14 Les Vingt Quatre Heurs (contact Dallas Jones, CRANMOG, 011-44-1908-542719)
July 2-4 VARAC Festival, Mosport, Ontario July 16-18 MOG 99 ‘Bridge of Allan’ near Sterling, check out http://freespace.virgin.net/k.mclay/mog99/htm or call MOG 99 coordinator Rodger McAslan at 0141 634 6825.
July 21-23 Brits in the Park, Lindsay Ontario, (call Little Brian Motor Co, 888-228-9299)
August 15 St George’s Society, London Ontario (details from Stu Brownlow at 519-453-0068) August 27-29 British Marque Car Club News ‘Triathon III’ at Jiminy Peak, Hancock PA (info: Don or Nancy Hull 508-923-0020) Sept 11-12 Watkins Glen Race Weekend Sept 24-26 Indy British Car Days, featuring Morgans and T series MG’s. Contact Tom Beaver 317-227-7555 pneed@webtv.net for details. Sept-Oct 2000 Morgans Over America, The Eastern Experience (organized by Richard & Anita Jordan, 8 Thirsk Gardens, Bletchley, Buchinghamshire MK3 5LH, 011-44-1773-521816)
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