TOP MARQUE Extra! March 2004
NEWS UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR
AGM
Thames Valley Centre’s AGM was held in November at the Queen’s Oak in
Finchampstead. As usual, we barely
managed to establish a quorum of members, so the proceedings were short and
sweet. Nevertheless, there are two
points of particular note.
Firstly, we were indeed
sad to bid farewell to our Treasurer of
several years, Norman Truscott. Unfortunately,
Secondly, we are
delighted to welcome a new member to the committee,
AND MORE
Subsequent to the AGM,
our Webmaster, Alan Cross, declared his intention to leave the
Club at the end of March. Alan has been
the motive force behind the creation of the national AHC website, arguably one
of the Club’s most important developments in recent years. The quality of the website bears testament to
Alan’s enthusiasm, determination and attention to detail. However, Alan feels that the Club is not
taking sufficient advantage, nor allocating sufficient resources, to this and
some other potential developments, and he has become frustrated that others do
not share his vision. As a result, he
has decided to allow his membership to lapse in March. That’s a shame because we shall certainly
miss his imaginative and challenging style, not to mention his particular
skills. Responsibility for the virtual
world of the TVC website has now passed to Rob
Fenton, another experienced web man; the rest of the committee have
enough trouble with the real world!
This year’s updated Committee List will be found elsewhere in this
newsletter.
Last year may have been
relatively quiet on the activity front, but our membership level has risen
steadily and, at the time of writing, currently stands at 210, which is one of
the highest figures that I can recall.
It also means that Thames Valley Centre is now the fourth largest centre
in the
Financially, TVC remains
on a very sound footing thanks to the legacy of funds (c. £11,000) carried
forward from previous years. Our current
level of annual expenditure is somewhat less than income, primarily because we
have struggled to spend our budget for local newsletters (“Top Marque”) in the
absence of an editor. We are all keen to
put that right and thus to serve you better, but we would benefit greatly from
a little input from everyone. Write to
George!
Attendance at meetings
and events in 2003 was somewhat patchy.
Our Sunday lunchtime meeting in the summer at “The Shire Horse” near
Maidenhead attracted a really sparkling turnout, whereas one or two other
events failed to attract appreciable support.
A low turnout usually prompts a round of soul-searching as we seek to
identify the magic “success factor” before degenerating into questioning our
right to exist. Very often, the
conclusion is that communication is the real key, and that we have to keep you
better informed – so you can’t overlook us!
We aim to do better in 2004. To
that end, we have prepared a Calendar of Events
designed to provide you with details of the main Austin Healey Club events, as
well as other events of general public interest. You should find it enclosed. Nigel Unsworth
AN INTRODUCTION
As Nigel has already told you I have taken on the dual
roles of TVC Hon. Sec. and newsletter editor.
After some years of ‘Big Healey’ ownership I thought I should not only
join up, which was a year or so ago, but also play an active part. So, having responded to the plea put out in an
earlier newsletter, I was ‘interviewed’ by Nigel & Liz at
I had my first 3000 in 1968, which was the ex
works Pat Moss car, SMO 745. Imagine the
huge and somewhat emotional thrill on the Friday of the recent Historic
Motorsport Exibition at Stoneleigh, when John Everard kindly reunited me with
this car that I hadn’t sat in for some 30 years! For those who didn’t go to the show, I think
they missed a real treat, and Healeys were very well represented.
SMO 745 was followed by an ex Donald Healey 3000
Mk 111, GAC 569C, nicely works modified, and I wonder if she’s still around? For the last twelve years I have owned and
thoroughly enjoyed my Phase 1 Mk11 3000, which I love dearly! Oh, and by the way, I also have a 1953 Green
Goddess, but I can’t find an owners club so can she join in as well?
I look forward to meeting you all, and please let
me know your thoughts, ideas, news and any other interesting items. It’s your club, so please use it.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
LUNCHTIME MEETING AT ‘YEW TREE’,
FRIETH, BUCKS, SUNDAY 25th APRIL
A new venue, which is excellent and highly
recommended, good car park, nice bar (separate restaurant), garden,
reasonably priced bar menu (£5 – 10) – must be ok as the
Aston Martin Owners Club use it! The
idea is to meet for lunch, and afterwards drive sedately to the nearby Chiltern
Valley Winery & Brewery at Old Luxters Vineyard, Hambleden, Henley-on-Thames;
www.chilternvalley.co.uk . RG96PJ and RG96JW are the respective
multimap.com references. Please do join
us around
NEW MEMBERS MEETING, ‘THE SHIRE HORSE’,
A4 NEAR MAIDENHEAD, SUNDAY 23rd MAY
TECHNICAL WORKSHOP, SATURDAY 12th
JUNE
Last year’s census of
the AHC membership highlighted a perceived lack of ‘technical
advice’ to help members understand and maintain their Austin
Healeys. Unfortunately, the absence of such
advice reflects the difficulty of extracting words of wisdom from knowledgeable
experts and members. So, putting the
written word to one side, we felt the very best response would be to set up a practical Technical Workshop that members can attend, with
the cost heavily subsidised by the Club.
We’re now glad to report that we’ve been fortunate enough to secure the
services of a well-known local restorer and expert in the marque – Bill Rawles
of Rawles Engineering – who give an introductory talk and then lead us through
a practical session on the theme of ‘smooth-running’ (i.e. ignition and
carburation), since this seems to be of perennial concern to Healey
owners. We shall aim to offer one or two
lucky members (drawn by lots on the day) the opportunity to have their Austin
Healey ‘tuned’ for demonstration purposes during the session (at no extra
charge, except for cost of any necessary parts). Bill will explain the steps involved, the
reasons, the potential problems, and give everyone an opportunity to learn by
experience. Time permitting, we shall
also have a question and answer session (any subject – Healey related!), and an
opportunity to look round his workshop.
Now to the details:
- Our host will be Bill Rawles of Rawles
Engineering, near
- The date is Saturday 12th
June, starting at
- There will be a short lunch break at
the local hostelry.
- Attendance will be strictly by
pre-booked ticket only – a Booking Form is enclosed.
- Cost per person will be £10 for
- Ticket numbers are limited to a
maximum 20 persons - first come, first served basis but with priority
given to club members. The closing
date for applications is 22nd May.
This is a new venture
for
Booking applications
should be made to
Place Farm Cottage,
Goose Green, Lambourn, Berks, RG17 8YB
[Tel 01488 71095 or
07774 235998]
“
The historic Brooklands motor racing circuit and aerodrome is
virtually on our doorstep and is to be the venue for Thames Valley Day in 2004.
While sections of the circuit and some of the runways have long been
buried under a retail and business park, the venue
retains much to interest visitors of all ages.
The motor and aircraft museums, the ‘banking’, the Test Hill and the
Clubhouse complex all help visitors to appreciate the special significance of
Brooklands as the very first purpose-built motor racing circuit in the world,
and also the home of British aviation right up to and including the development
of Concorde.
We held National Healey
Day here a few years ago, but we were so caught up in Healey related activities
that there was barely time to sample the attractions of the venue itself. For this visit, we thought we’d switch the
emphasis completely and provide an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the
museums, as well as having a friendly gathering and holding our annual Concours
competition.
But that’s not all. As an extra-special incentive, we shall be
offering a special fully inclusive ticket
price to AHC TVC members and immediate family only which will include:
- Entrance to the grounds, motor museum
and aircraft museum;
- A two course lunch with coffee in the
restaurant;
- One day’s membership of Brooklands
Members’ Club and bar (not normally available).
More details and a
booking form will follow later, but please make a note of the date (18th
July) in your diary now!
REGULAR MONTHLY NOGGIN & NATTERS
|
1st Tuesday |
“Queens Oak”, |
|
2nd Tuesday |
“Killingworth Castle Inn”, Wootton, |
|
2nd Wednesday |
“Hen & Chicken”, near |
|
4th Tuesday |
“Bell & Crown”, Strand-on-the-Green, |
Sunday
Lunchtime
|
Watch Newsletters and RevCounter for details |
Location,
Location!
|
|
|
Position |
Name |
Telephone |
Email |
|
Chairman / Director |
Nigel Unsworth |
0118 958 9180 |
nigel_unsworth@fwuk.fwc.com |
|
Honorary Secretary |
|
01488 71095 |
ggrammer@jekyllpr.co.uk |
|
Treasurer |
Liz Unsworth |
0118 958 9180 |
liz.unsworth@ukgateway.net |
|
Membership Secretary |
|
01344 776091 |
nickcrocker@compuserve.com |
|
Newsletter Editor |
|
01488 71095 |
ggrammer@jekyllpr.co.uk |
|
Webmaster |
Rob Fenton |
0208 998 8718 |
|
|
General committee |
Gerald Westcott |
01276 504765 |
|
|
General committee |
Mick Dwyer |
0208 444 0156 |
|
|
General committee |
|
01344 777130 |
|
|
|
John Bennett |
01295 262393 |
|
|
www.austin-healey-club.co.uk |
|||
AND FINALLY…..
Those who have not yet advised us of their email addresses, it would help if you could send them to Rob Fenton on rob.fenton@ntlworld.com .
Welcome to all recent
new members, and hope to see you at the Shire Horse.
And don’t forget to let
me know your thoughts, ideas and news…..thanks. Ed.
Austin Healey Club -
TECHNICAL WORKSHOP - BOOKING FORM
·
Please
reserve the following places for me at the Technical Workshop on 12th
June:
|
Name |
Membership No.** |
Cost* |
|
1. |
|
|
|
2. |
|
|
|
TOTAL COST |
£ |
|
*
**
Note: Booking priority will be given to
·
I
enclose my cheque for
(total cost, payable to Austin Healey Club).
·
My
contact details are as follows:
|
Name |
|
||
|
Address |
|
||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
Post Code |
|
Tel No: |
|
|
Email |
|
||
·
Signed:
____________________________________
Date: ____________
·
I
expect to drive my Austin Healey to this event (please circle): Yes /
No
·
Please
indicate your particular areas of interest in the table below – tick as many as
you wish. We will use this information
to prioritise any future workshops.
|
Big Healeys (100, 100/6, 3000) |
|
Electrics |
|
|
Sprites (Mks I - IV) |
|
Interior trimming |
|
|
Engine (valves, decoke,
rebuild) |
|
Instruments |
|
|
Clutch & gearbox |
|
Bodywork & painting |
|
|
Propshaft
& rear axle |
|
Chassis & structure |
|
|
Suspension (bushes, springs, shocks) |
|
Modern upgrades (eg.
alternators) |
|
|
Braking system |
|
Engine transplants (eg.
V8) |
|
|
Cooling system |
|
Other subjects (please list below) |
|
Other subjects:
___________________________________________________________
·
Spaces
are limited!! Please rush this form,
together with your full payment, to:
[Tel:
01488 71095