BMCU Newsletter

A suitable spot in the Pioneer Day parade has not materialized for the club, so you can spend the night before in a lawn chair on State St., waving a British flag (we'll look for you on television).

On a completely different subject, the club has been approached by Hogle Zoo to participate in their Rock 'n Roll Around the Zoo Day on August 14th. Here's the deal: up to 10 cars will be spotted around the zoo grounds (they've asked for years 1930-70). Mats must be placed under the cars, and the owners must stay with the cars (to keep kids from inflicting damage, I am told) from 10am - 4pm. A certificate of insurance is required, which your Governors can provide. Free admission is provided for owners and immediate family (up to four kids).

To do this, we need a leader who will rustle up the cars and oversee our participation. The Zoo wants our decision by July 9. If you've always wanted a photo of your club by a rhinoceros (we did dinosaurs in Vernal), contact Gary Lindstrom (532-1259, gary@cs.utah.edu , fax 606-2837).

We have been invited to display cars at the Angel's-Hands-Ride event and car show at Sugarhouse Park, Saturday, July 10th. If you would like to attend contact Kevin Potter at 801-599-8283 or e-mail KPotter@murray.utah.gov. The show will be from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM but we are asked to set up about 10:00 AM.

The Bonneville Austin-Healey Club is presenting Healey Days at the Park City Radisson Inn, July 31, 12 noon to 3:30 pm, with awards at 4pm. The entry fee is $10 prior to July 22, and $15 thereafter. Each entry will receive a dash plaque, 2 raffle tickets, and 2 ballots for judging. All entrants will judge the cars by ballot for class winners. General public spectators will be asked to vote for a People's Choice award.

Classes for cars will be determined by number of entrants of similar cars, e.g., British, European, American, etc. To register contact Doug Lewis, 801-255-8161.

Members of BMCU, the WMJR Jaguar club, and the Healey club were treated to a tour of Ardell Brown's classic car collection at his estate in Sandy on July 26. The collection is truly amazing -- over a hundred classic cars, including marques such as Auburn, Cord, LaSalle, Cadillac, Bricklin, Studebaker, Chevy, Triumph, and many others. Even fire trucks and tractors are represented, all neatly displayed in spacious metal buildings with easy spectator access.

After touring the collection Ardell set up barbeque grills in his cool grove, and everyone enjoyed dining al fresco. Actually, Al couldn't make it, but many familiar BMCU faces did, including Susan and Jon Hermance, Dixie and Bob Jahnke, Pugs and Diane Pivirotto, J. Jennings, George Schmidt, Susan and Mike Cady, John and Liz Green, Ron Gunderson, Mitch and Diane Johnson, Dave and Sandy Maxwell, and no doubt several others we missed.

Ardell urges all classic car owners to participate in the Senior Citizens Concours at South Towne Expo Center on August 26-29. This years emphasis is on car clubs, and BMCU is guaranteed a group spot under our glorious new club banner. Mark the date on your calendar, and plan on it!

This calendar works about as well as its namesake, so use it with care. All events are subject to change. Check our web site for the latest information.
www.britishmotorclub.org
July 12-16 : GoF West 2004, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada. Contact Floyd Inman (435) 645-8460 or FloydInman@earthlink.net for further information.
July 31 : Healey Days concours. See article, page 1.
August 7 : Heber Valley Parade in Heber. Doug and Ilene Wimer (435) 654-2117.
August 21 : Alpine Loop Run. The event that started the BMCU, and a club favorite. Larry and Mary Bishop. We need another person to help organize this event.
August 26-29 : Senior Citizens Concours, South Towne Expo Center.
September 6 : Miners Day Parade in Park City. Floyd Inman, (435) 645-8460.
September 19 : State Street Cruise Night. Mark Noeltner and Joe Chou.
October 2 : Fall Color Tour to Monte Cristo. Bill Walton.
October 23 : End of the Season Dinner. Gregg Smith.
November 13 : Tech Session. High Performance Coating (HPC) for heat/durability. Mitch Johnson.
February 12, 2005 : Potluck and Business Dinner.

Lucky 13: British Field Day 2004 Is A Huge Success
The thirteenth annual British Field Day, held June 5, was a grand success, with over 140 cars and a nice increase in admission revenue over last year. The event featured several innovations, including live entertainment, hot food, co-sponsorship by the Utah British Isles Association, and an expanded perimeter providing lots of elbow room. The new full color BMCU banner was unveiled (see photo above) at our booth, which enjoyed steady sales of shirts and other club regalia.

A strong contingent of BMCU members participated, including Bill Davis, Bruce Schilling, Sharon and Dan Forster, Jon and Susan Hermance, Bill and Julie Van Moorhem, Mitch and Diane Johnson, Floyd Kathy and Hyacinth Inman, Steve Nelson, Dave Marks, J. and Kay Jennings, Gary, Sandy and Margaux Lindstrom, Dan Kasha and Leigh Mercer, Mike Bailey, Ray Agutter, Kendall and Connie Dewsnup, Larry and Mary Bishop, Mark and Karen Bradakis, Pugs and Diane Pivirotto, Ron Gunderson, Rob Green, John and Barbara Progess, Haruo Miyagi, Craig and Judy Welk (apologies to those we missed).

Autojumble
MK3 ('65-'66) Austin Healy Sprite . Complete rolling chassis minus engine and tranny (complete exhaust still installed). Exterior complete including lights, bumpers and windshield/windows. Seats and instruments missing but dash still installed. VERY GOOD body including floors and rockers. Quality conversion by previous owner to '73-'74 style round arch rear fenders. Great starting point for restoration without much if any welding or body work or could be made reasonable driver just by replacing missing parts. No title. Too many projects but want to find it a good home. Much too nice and complete to part out. $300 or offer. (435) 649-0106 home. (435)640-0451 cell or e-mail at Odernheimer@juno.com

Wanted - one wheel for a Bugeye Sprite. There are two versions, welded and riveted. I need a riveted one. Call Bill at 801 484 2858 evenings or 486 5049 days.

1972 MGB , chrome bumper. Ambitious project or parts car. Runs but needs major body work. Unmolested motor compartment. New fuel tank. $750 or best offer. Also, 1977 MGB parts car. Fair body, no interior. 90K on engine, was running when parked. Could be restored. $400 or best offer. Contact Bob Wagner, 455-4400 or wagner@aros.net

'56 Bentley S1 saloon . Beautiful condition, new paint, wood, carpet. Black with silver roof. $18,500. Records back to original owner. Joseph Feaster, home 801-731-0517, cell 801-390-3039.

Two 1967 Sunbeam Alpines . One was a parts car that has been fairly well picked over but still has things like axles, brakes, and wheels. I am about to send it to scrap, but want to offer it to any club members who are interested, before I do so. Who ever wants it has to take the whole deal, not just parts! They must also arrange to tow it away promptly. I can be contacted at 364-4427. The car is up by the University of Utah.

FOR SALE; 1965 MGB Good condition, runs good, motor has about 8,000 miles. New clutch. Asking $2,000.00 or best offer. Has extra rims, no top but has tonneau cover. Restored 11 years ago. Almost original. Positive ground. Call DONI- 801-792-9684

There was a nice turn out of cars for this new BMCU event on June 12. The venue was Electric Park at Thanksgiving Point, a new, spacious and scenic fair grounds. The weather was beautiful, with lots of sun, a cool breeze, and snow dusted Timpanogos in the background.

Our cars were placed in a nice spot conveniently located between the pipe band competition and warm up areas (Huh? What did you say? I can't hear you). Ample entertainment was provided beyond the pipe bands (?), including Scottish dancing, celtic folk bands, and the quintessential Scottish recreation, Heavy Athletics. This last was described by Rob Green as "Hey, that looks like it weighs a lot -- let's toss it around a bit!"

The tossers were all in kilts, of course -- including the lasses -- and the tossees were hay bales (sheaves), hammers, stone weights, and of course junior telephone poles (cabers). Maybe we should adopt this at Field Day, e.g., the Lucas Generator Toss. Fortunately, the British pastime of Dwarf Tossing was not warped into Midget Tossing (whew).

Scottish treats were in abundance in the food court, including haggis, meat pies, and wrapped sausages. The idea was tossed around (these are lightweight) that we should develop a cookbook called "Entrails Roasting on an Open Manifold".

The highlight of the day was the people's choice "Best Car on the Lot!" trophy won by Mitch and Diane Johnson's pristine white Spitfire. Another treat was the debut (at BMCU events) of Paul Stoddard's impressive AM-V8 Astin-Martin. Attending were: Mitch and Diane Johnson, Gary, Sandy and Margaux Lindstrom, Rob and Nan Green, Bill and Julie Van Moorhem, Bill and Robyn Rhinehart, Steve Nelson, Larry and Margaret Farrington, Roger Davis, and Paul Stoddard.

Only in America ......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Only in America ......do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

Only in America ......do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

Only in America. .....do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.

Only in America ......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.

Only in America ......do we use the word 'politics' to describe the process so well: 'Poli' in Latin meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'bloodsucking creatures'.

Only in America ......do they have driveup ATM machines with Braille lettering.

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!

The old, lapsed club tradition of the Fairview Run was renewed on June 19 under, blue skies and scudding clouds (good scrabble word). The latter kept the heat down for the eight cars in the convoy.

Or should I say two convoys? The run down US 89 from Lehi to Provo was uneventful, until construction blocked a critical left turn. At that point US 89 was lost, and then found in two different manners, leaving two convoys in search of each other. Fortunately, the slower one got ahead, so the faster one (after various mistaken turns and actually asking for help from locals), overtook it about 10 miles north of Fairview.

After a tasty and relaxing lunch at the Home Plate Cafe (try the roast lamb), the scenic and enjoyable trip up Fairview canyon began. As predicted, there were rolling hills, gentle curves, and no traffic. Upon reaching Scofield, some folks headed on to US 6 and directly home, while others did an about face for a second helping of Fairview canyon. After an I/O stop in Fairview (geek talk), it was onward toward home on US 89, 6 and I-15. All in all, it was a full day, with a total travel of about 250 miles.

Participants were Gary, Sandy and Margaux Lindstrom, Dan and Sharon Forster, Todd and Connie Pixton, Mike and Sally Pennington, Clayton and Sharon Merchant, Haruo Miyagi, Dan Kasha, and Don and Julie McEligot.

The Saga of the Spark(ing) Plug
The first known spark plug was invented on February 2, 1839 by Edmond Berger.

France dominated the spark plug market in the early 1900s, supplying gasoline engine manufacturers with only a limited line of plug configurations. They were also known to be quite costly and had substandard quality.

Albert Champion was born in France in 1878. In 1889, a renowned bicycle and motorcycle racer, Champion came to America to compete in a series of races. He had brought several bicycles and motorcycles, but found parts very hard to find in the United States. As a result, Champion made his own. To help pay bills and cover expenses, Champion began making spark plugs and sold them to friends.

Champion's love of motors slowly turned towards automobiles and he later returned to France to open a shop that manufactured spark plugs and magnetos.

In 1900, Champion returned to America after being hired by Charles Metz to race bicycles and motorcycles for the Waltham Manufacturing Company. In 1904, Champion moved to Flint, Michigan where he founded Champion Ignition Company for the manufacturing of spark plugs. With the help of investors, Champion was able to turn his racing hobby into a successful business. Unfortunately, problems with the investors soon lead to a break up. Champion soon found himself without a company. The investors continued to manufacture the spark plugs under the Champion name, but Champion himself was out of a job.

In 1908 with the backing of the Buick Motor Co., Champion began a new company called the AC Spark Plug Company. Albert Champion was appointed president. In 1916 Alfred P. Sloan formed United Motors Corp. and eventually acquired Buick and AC Spark Plug.

On October 27, 1927, Champion died of a heart attack. General Motors purchased the remaining stock held by Champion's estate and took over the AC company. On December 1st of that year, AC became a full division of General Motors. In 1971, United Motors Service was renamed United Delco Division. A few years later United Delco and the AC Spark Plug Division combined to form the company we know today as AC-Delco. To this day Albert Champion's name lives on with every AC and Champion spark plug made.

1927- AC spark plugs were used in Charles Lindbergh plane in his trans-Atlantic flight.

1932- Amelia Earhart's plane was equipped with AC spark plugs when she made her trans-Atlantic solo flight

1969- AC igniter spark plugs were used to fire the second and third stage rocket engines that took Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins to the moon.

Other forms of ignition for early day engines before spark plugs were Hot Tube ignition, Wipe Spark ignition, and Low Tension Ignitor.

GoF West To Be Held At Harrison Hot Springs, BC
A small, yet courageous group from the BMCU will head for the Wilds of Canada on July 9 for the annual Gathering Of The Faithful. Anyone interested in joining the Trek should contact Floyd Inman at 435-645-8460.

This Newsletter is published by the British Motor Club of Utah, Ltd., a non-profit corporation of British automobile owners. The group holds monthly events such as drives, picnics, technical sessions, and more. We welcome owners (or potential owners) of British cars, in any condition, to the group. Membership is free, but we ask for a donation at events to support the Newsletter and other activities. If you would like to join the group, send your name, address, and a list of British cars owned to:
Bruce Schilling
917 East Mill Creek Way
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
or to Bruces email address shown above.

Exchequer Report
As of June 26, 2004:
Beginning balance	(from last report)		$1,769.50
Income:
	Regalia sales	$ 998.80
	Advertising sales	$ 200.00
	Members' contributions	$ 45.00
	Interest income	$ .37
		------------
		$1,244.17
Expenses
	Polo shirts	$ 623.20
	T-shirts, etc.	$ 310.00
	USPS permit	$ 150.00
	Newsletter	$ 137.00
		------------
		$ 1,220.20
			------------
Ending balance			$1,793.47

A Chapter of the North American MGB Register
A Zone of the Vintage Triumph Register

In kind support of the BMCU, ZenZoey's Copy Shop (487-9915) is gratefully acknowledged.

Preview: Heber Parade August 7
Mark your calendars for the August 7 Heber Parade. This is arguably one of the most enjoyable parades we participate in and a good time is always in store. Plan on taking the short drive to the cool Heber Valley and enjoy the parade and lunch with the Wimers.

Bumper Sticker Of The Month
If life were fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead

BMCU Newsletter - JULY 2004 Volume 16 Number 10

BMCU Newsletter - JULY 2004
Volume 16 Number 10