Mr. Toad’s StoolBy Larry Carlson, President

Vintage ViewpointVol. 42 No 5 Vintage MG Car Club May 2008

The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 14,

at the Pizza Joynt, 39 W. North Avenue, Northlake, IL, 8 p.m. – 708-562-5334

MR. TOAD has been absent for a couple of months and an explanation is in order.

Last October I moved from Oak Park to Munster, Indiana. For those geographically-challenged, Munster is the first exit in Indiana from the Borman Expressway. It is bordered by Hammond on the north and Lansing, Illinois on the west. This move neither affected my duties as president nor hindered the writing of this column.

In March, I moved to Michigan City, Indiana. This move was an uprooting of major proportions. It required the cleaning out of three generations of “stuff” from two houses as well as the sale of two houses. It consumed every evening and both days of every week-end in January and February: sorting, packing and throwing away. All activities in my life, except for office hours, came to a standstill. The un-packing and moving in took a month.

I am pleased to report that MR. TOAD is happily ensconced on his newly-constructed stool, a mere two blocks from Lake Michigan. Access to the private beach is included. He has a new rug on the floor of his spacious (and heated) garage. Life is good.

Living less than a mile from the Indiana/Michigan border requires a commute on the South Shore of

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one hour 40 minutes, each way, to get to my loop office. Since I do not have a car at work I am unable to drive to the Pizza Joynt to attend, and chair, the meetings.

The alternative would be leave home even earlier, fight traffic on the Borman and Ryan, pay $50 (or more) to park, then fight the evening rush hour traffic to get to the meeting, and ultimately arrive home after midnight. I like the Club and the fellowship of the meetings but this is a longer and more expensive commitment than I care to make on a regular basis. Wednesday is, after all, a school night.

It is my intent to remain a member and stay as involved as possible under my new circumstances. It has been a privilege to serve as an Officer for the past several years. As president it has been my goal to encourage everyone to get their beloved MG out of the garage and onto the street. Drive it to a meeting, drive it to a garage visit, drive to a car show: just drive it.

The Club started out as a mutual-aid society to help each other keep the cars running and on the road. Forty years, later this is (or should be) the main and most important function of the Club. To that end I have encouraged as many garage visits as possible.

Let’s get some grease and oil on our hands and help a member get their car running and on the road.

The driving season is here!

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Minutes of the Meeting of the

Vintage MG Car Club of ChicagoApril 9, 2008

Treasurer Ric Maitzen called the meeting to order at 8:08 p.m. Twenty-one members were in attendance plus one guest, Bill Reece, editor of the Chicagoland MG Club newsletter.

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved by motion.

Ric reported a balance of $10,142 in the treasury. $450 had been expended for appraisals of the two MGs donated to the club. That included a $25 discount per car.

OLD BUSINESSThe VMGCC Spring Tour is scheduled for May 16 to 18. This year’s tour is to Baraboo, Wisconsin, and includes a tour of the Capital City Brewery on the way up.

Jerry Cihak needs someone to head the annual Pet Parade, May 31. Due to his wife’s illness, there will be no picnic at Jerry’s house in conjunction with the picnic this year.

The “Chicago Kruze” also takes place on the 31st, ending at the south end of Millenium Park. The cruise runs from 8 to 10 a.m., followed by a car show from 10 to 3. Registration is $20.

Saturday, June 14, is the date for the Illinois St. Andrews Car Show and Highland Games in Oakbrook. This is a British car show, no Detroit iron. From 12,000 to 14,000 people will walk by the car show as they enter the gate. Numerous awards are given and last year an MG won best of show. Thanks to Bob McLeod for sending this in.

There is another British Car Show in Wisconsin June 15.

Also, don’t forget this year’s GOF Central in Auburn, Indiana, July 10 to 13. The event includes a banquet at the world-class Auburn-Cord-Duesenburg Museum. If you’ve never toured this museum, don’t miss this opportunity.

Bids were opened for the two MGs donated to the club. A bid of $6,277 was received for the running car, and $4,110 for the car in parts. Although the bid for the running car was significantly below the appraisal, after a spirited discussion, a motion was made, seconded, and passed to accept both bids. NEW BUSINESSBill Cole raised the issue of club leadership in the absence of Larry Carlson. No specific answers were forthcoming, but it was agreed that strong leadership is essential to the organization.

On another subject, Bill Cole brought in a small LED flashlight bearing the club logo. After discussion, a motion was made, seconded and passed to buy 25 of these flashlights at $8 each to sell to members for $10.

Rey Navarro’s $300 bid was the only one on a Judson supercharger case that was a part of the donated MG parts collection. The internals are at a machine shop and Rey will acquire them independently.

Bill Reece, of the Chicagoland MG club, solicited our interest in doing an occasional joint newsletter and joint event. He noted that the Chicagoland club has a Spring Chicken tour around Lake Geneva we might be interested in.

It was noted that Shadetree Motors is for sale. The price is thought to be $200,000 but it is unknown whether this includes inventory or what.

TECHNICAL TOPICSGreg Hoeft brought in a new roller cam kit he recently purchased from Len Fanelli ofAbingdon Performance (914-420-8699).

Bob Smith brought in a beautiful rear hub and tapered axle half shaft manufactured by Bob Grunau, 150 Pinewood Trail, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5G-2L1, +1-905-274-4136.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,Win GouldSecretary

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TREASURER’S REPORTRic Maitzen, TreasurerMonthlyBeginning Balance 3/24/08 $10,142.00Receipts: Membership (99-101) Regalia Donated car (the runner)

100.00 48.00

6,277.00Disbursements: April VV Part to repair donated car

-130.80 -122.84

Ending Balance 4/22/08 $16,313.36

May Program:MG TC Master Cylinder RebuildBy Jennifer SmithWarm weather is upon us once again, and it is time to start those MG projects. My first project will be the rebuild of my TC’s Master Cylinder (MC), the subject of our May Program. At the end of last year, the heat shield and the MC were successfully removed from the car. The heat shield was pretty well knackered and after some speculation, I decided to purchase a new one rather than waste time and effort repairing the damaged one. (See Photo: old heat shield in mid-repair and new one beside it) The MC, on the other hand, was not in bad shape, and it is fairly new since it was replaced in the mid-1990s. The reason MC was replaced in the mid-1990s was due to a corroded and plugged up pinhole in the reservoir. This condition was not letting the brake fluid back into the reservoir in order to release the brakes. A new MC was the key to success in the resolution of this problem. “Why rebuild the MC, if it’s fairly new?” The car has been sitting for awhile, so I am in the process of cleaning out the entire brake system. It also needed a new MC push-rod that was bent beyond repair. I have already replaced all of the flex brake hoses, ordered a MC rebuild kit, taken apart all of the wheel cylinders, and freed up the ones that were stuck. I also loosened up all of the bleeder screws; only one needed a bit more persuasion with an oxy-acetylene torch. All that being said, drive into this May’s meeting to hear the continuing saga of my TC MC rebuild, or bring in your own tales to tell,

and, as always, any comments or suggestions are welcome.

From the EditorGreg HoeftWhat do your think?When reading the Minutes you may have noticed the initiative to develop a stronger relationship between the Chicagoland MG club (CMGC) and our Vintage MG Car Club (VMGCC). I use the word “our” club, but to be clear, there are quite a few of “our” members listed in the CMGC members directory. Bill Reece, the editor of The CMGC Driveline visited with us last month to formally introduce a few ideas. We hope to publish a combined newsletter once or twice this year and there are thoughts of holding a combined MG event.

What do you think? Do you have any ideas? I am interested in hearing your comments. You can

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contact me by mail at The Viewpoint’s return address or by e-mail at greghoeft@hotmail.com.

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To All Members of the Vintage MG Car ClubYou’re Invited to the

Chicagoland MG ClubSpring Chicken Tour

“Romp ‘Round Lake Geneva,” Sunday, May 18thOK folks, time to pack a picnic and head up north! It’s just about time for that first driving

event…”The Spring Chicken Tour.” We will meet at Bill Reece’s cottage in Lake Geneva, WI at 10:30 AM. Then we will depart for driving around 11 AM. We’ll be taking some nice rolling and

curving roads that travel all around the lake. When we cross into the town of Lake Geneva we’ll pick up a couple of very nice rustic routes that include Snake Road; many beautiful

estates are located on this stretch of roadway. After the driving is complete we’ll head back to Bill’s for some “Spring Chicken

Sandwiches.” John and I will provide the sandwiches and drinks (beer, pop and water). Please bring whatever side or accompaniment you’d like.

Since food is involved, we really need to have a confirmation for the number of people who will be joining us. Please e-mail Bill Reece or John Schroeder to confirm. After confirmation,

we will e-mail back directions to Lake Geneva. I have three (3) different sets included (Interstate, Route 12 or for the far west “burbs,” Route 47).

We are really looking forward to this opening event and hope that you can join us! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch with Bill or John.

Bill Reece - billr247@comcast.net - cell-- 630-816-1195 John Schroeder - flobearsmg@comcast.net - cell-- 630-244-4390

For further information contact:Kathy Kubick, Meet Chairman7915 W. Stinemeyer  Rd.New Palestine, IN 46163kkubick67 @gmail.comwww.geocities.com/hoosiermgs/gof2008.html

Area Car Shows

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Oak Brook Polo Grounds June 20-21, 2008Friday 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m.Contact:  Darrel Babuk, British Car Show Chair, 312.371.0583www.chicago-scots.org

British Car Field Day 2008Sussex, WisconsinSunday June 15th, 2008Sussex Village Park, in Sussex, Wisconsin. (414) 687-8447 or (262) 521-1072Email Jstockinger4@wi.rr.com

Wisconsin Dells Automotion 2008May 17 & 18, 2008Classic auto show up to and including 1989Noah’s ark WaterparkWisconsin Dells Parkway

www.wisdells.com/automotion to register

Saturday, May 31, 2008 Cruise 8am to 10am Car Show at Soldier Field South Parking Lot 10am to 3pm Cruise is free and open to any street legal vehicle; spectators freeCar show registration fee is $20 for participantswww.chitownkruze.com or 847-997-8624 for more information and car show application

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Baraboo, WisconsinMay 16, 17, 18

This year we are going to the historic town of Baraboo, Wisconsin, just north of Madison.

There is a lot to do so you will have to pick and choose your activities. The main attraction is the Circus World Museum with a live circus performance. (There have been rumors that this may be closing due to lack of funds. They have already discontinued the circus train and wagon parade to Milwaukee.) There is the opulent Al Ringling Theater that he built as a gift to the town of Baraboo. (The same architect that would later build the Chicago Theater designed it.) There is the Fair on the Square with arts and crafts exhibitors, food stands, farmers market and live music. Also of interest are the International Crane Foundation, The Mid-Continent Railway Museum, Ho-Chunk Casino, Devils Lake State Park, and the Dells. Also not to be missed is the strange sculpture garden of Dr. Evermore – you will not believe what can be done with junk.

On the way up, on Friday afternoon, there is a brewery tour at the Capital City Brewery and a great beer tasting in their beer garden. Friday dinner is on your own. Saturday dinner will be as a group.

We’ll be staying at the Best Western Baraboo Inn near the intersection of Routes 12 and 33. A block of rooms has been reserved. The release date is April 16th. They need 24-hours’ notice for cancellation. You are responsible for your own reservations. Call 1-800-831-3881. Mention the club by name or by group number 516.

More information to follow as plans progress.

Questions—Comments—Suggestions

Ric MaitzenHome: 847-205-0182

rmaitzen@thermoform.com

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June 14-15, 2008 | 5:00PM to 1:30PMWillow Creek Community Church

Corner of Barrington Road and Route 68 Algonquin RoadSouth Barrington, IL 60010

This is our 4th annual celebration of Fathers Day. Church services are 5:30PM Saturday evening and 9:00AM and 11:30AM Sunday morning. Our CARS ministry sponsors a car show, inviting individuals and clubs to show their cars. We usually have around 300 cars with no formal registration. Each entrant gets a goodie bag and Harvest ministry provides free food and drink for all. Plus live ‘60s music and lots of other activities.

This year we are giving awards in a few, in yet to be defined, classes. Cars come and go as needed. And families show up before, between and after each service, eat a little free food, walk around all the cars, ask a few questions and head for home. It’s usually quiet during the service with only a few other car guys wandering around. But, when each service ends, about 7,000 people descend on the cars. Let me know if you’re bringing an $80,000 show car, I’ll make sure it gets roped off in one of the large tents. Otherwise, expect people touching the paint as they lean in to look at the cool dash. The one guarantee is that it’s always a good time.

For further information, comments or suggestions please contact:

Bob Provost(847) 426-6382 (home) or rkprovost@sbcglobal.net

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Officers and Directors – 2008President: Larry Carlson, Vice President: Jennifer Smith, Secretary: Win Gould, Treasurer: Ric Maitzen

Board of Directors: Jerry Cihak, Brian Dubin, Glenn GrossklagsNewsletter: Greg Hoeft- Editor, Lou Louchios- Distribution

Website: www.vintagemgchicago.com

Upcoming Events: May 14 – May MeetingMay 16 – Spring TourMay 18 – Spring Chicken RompMay 31– Annual Pet ParadeJuly 10 – GOF Central

Vintage MG Car Club

c/o Editor1814 Illinois RoadNorthbrook, IL 60062

First Class Mail

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