Cat Scratch Fever

The long Memorial Day weekend afforded me a couple of opportunities to do car stuff with buddies from the club. Last Saturday, our intrepid NEWSLETTER editor, Richard Cunningham and I popped down to Silverhill, Alabama to take in the annual car show there. It's a big event for the little community and the purpose is to raise funds for the local library.
I rode shotgun with Richard in his newly-tuned Jaguar XJS V12 (yeah, baby) on the way down. On the way back, he kindly invited me to drive. Nothing could have prepared me for the turbine-smooth power from the V12. Literally, the more I pressed the go pedal, the more my head was pushed back into the headrest. More impressively, this 20 year-old example was tight and rattle free - even with 100,000+ miles on the clock.
The next day was a traditional SABCC event - the annual Lawn Party at St. John's Catholic church in Magnolia Springs, Alabama. My transport this time was my faithful Mini - 70 MPH is as fast as I can pedal. The Mini is fun, but the Jag is seriously posh. I wonder how much plasma I would need to sell to get one?

The British Leyland Family Tree

If you're looking for the last word in scholarly references, Wikipedia is probably not it. If you do need a quick read on nearly any subject it can be fairly useful.
A Wikipedia contributor developed an easy to read timeline of the marques that made up the old British Leyland conglomerate with along with some very recent updates. It's interesting - have a look here.

SABCC June Meeting- Family Picnic

This year's family picnic will have a new venue due to construction activity at our traditional site, Meaher State Park on the Causeway. We're set for Blakeley State Park, site of the defunct town of Blakeley, Alabama off Alabama highway 225. Saturday, June 14 is the date.
Situated about 5 miles north of Spanish Fort, Blakeley is a gorgeous spot with century-old oak trees, natural springs, walking trails and wildlife everywhere. We'll be in the Pavilion which will provide us with shade and a nice place to chat.
The June meeting is also when we select a charity to support from a portion of our British Car Festival proceeds. Nominate your favorite charity at the meeting!
As beautiful as Blakeley is, you might want to consider whether you want to bring your British pride and joy since the roads are pretty dusty. If you love detailing your car, you will have a good reason to after the picnic.

The Bruce McLaren Trust

A little Web surfing brought me to the Bruce McLaren Trust site. It's an amazing collection of McLaren related facts, photos and stories of this talented driver and car constructor. It's worth a visit online if you won't be finding yourself in New Zealand anytime soon.
There's a fascinating story about the restoration of M8A-2, the car campaigned by Denny Hulme in 1968. This car is owned by the trust and is shown publicly at special events.
The distinctive car color was chosen by Bruce McLaren for visibility when passing backmarkers. The official name of this shade of orange 'papaya'.

50 Years Old and Still Smiling

2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the beloved Austin-Healey Sprite. Known in the US as the 'Bugeye', this happy little car brought inexpensive sport cars to the masses.

The Sprite was designed by the renowned Donald Healey who raided the Austin parts cupboard for bits to include in his low-priced sports car. Engine, suspension and various other pieces used on downmarket Austin saloon cars found their way into the Sprite. The original design called for 'popup' headlights, but they turned out to be costly. Hence, the most endearing characteristic of the car was set.

Sprites were built in the MG factory at Abingdon and were so well received that a MarkII version was developed as both an Austin-Healey and an MG Midget.

Happy birthday, little friend!