June 2009

I generally have to regard my MGB roadster as a fair-weather-only vehicle because the top puts up such a tremendous fight when I make any attempt to erect it, and as a result, I choose to engage in the battle only if I’m caught in unexpected rain. The very fact that the top is used so infrequently makes matters worse since I’m sure it shrinks when stowed for long periods. Even when it does pour down, I’ve found that if a reasonable speed can be maintained, most of the rain is deflected over the open car and its possible to stay comparatively dry. I remember Anne and I feeling quite smug when we were caught in a cloudburst while on the Washington beltway; at 60mph we just shrugged it off, that is until, as is inevitable on that road, everything came to a stop. Then we looked simply ridiculous ¾ trapped in the middle lane and unable to move as the interior of the car and we became completely saturated.

If the roadster is the sunshine car, then the GT with its metal top and recently fitted sun-roof serves as the car I now use when there is any risk of rain or cool temperatures, so that’s the car I took out of hibernation first so as to enjoy the early season of MG driving. However, as soon the forecast promised 70°F temperatures, I went straight to the garage to get the roadster off its axle stands and readied to drive. Luck, unfortunately, wasn’t going to cooperate. The bottom of one of the rear tires looked rather too clean and black compared to the top and I soon determined it was covered in oil. I first suspected a brake fluid leak but it turned out to be a rear axle oil seal failure that allowed oil from the differential to seep into the brake drum and so onto the tire. The most surprising thing to me was the damage the oil had done to the brake shoe linings, turning the lower one into something resembling blotting paper. That meant not just replacing the oil seal, but also changing the shoes on both rear wheels and doing a lot of cleaning up of thick gear oil.

Doing tasks like the one described above is something I regard as part of the experience of owning an MG, so whenever I can, I prefer to do the job myself, only resorting to professional help when confronted with body and paint problems that need attention. That said, I can’t say I always enjoy the experience, especially when it involves getting covered in dirt and grease and where things that should take a few seconds to take apart or reassemble, end up taking far too long and result in torn skin and a shortened temper. On top of that, there are the all too frequent times when I find I have some leftover bolt or clip that requires I do the job virtually all over again so that it can be fitted. It was with this in mind that I expressed my admiration to Guy St. John at the last club meeting. Once I’ve finished any difficult work on a car I have the satisfaction of being able to think that at least I won’t have to do that again for a while. Guy, on the other hand, has to start on the next job that’s waiting. There is of course a big difference, Guy’s long experience has provided him all the secrets to doing the job in the most efficient way and I’m sure, unlike me, he never has to do a job twice. US members are lucky to have a resource like him still in business, Don Ensley recently having closed his English Motors repair company.

As you will see elsewhere in the June issue, one company that is not going out of business is Downriver Sports Car Service. A miscommunication between Bob Fougere and Lise resulted in an announcement to the contrary in last month’s newsletter, and both were mortified when someone e-mailed the club to say that we had harmed the business. A few days later, I lifted my phone with some trepidation when the caller-ID indicated that John Coleman, owner of Downriver, was on the line. I needn’t have been concerned. The old adage that all publicity is good publicity had proven true and John, who is indeed selling a lot of his MG parts inventory, was delighted to have received a number of calls that were not only good for business but that started with some amusing exchanges.

Rick Astley
Club President

Here is some of what you will find in the June issue of Can-Am Connection:

• Impromptu "Brake for Brunch" ...

• Another instalment of "The car that got away" ...

• Enjoying the drive - Part II ...

• Tastes of summer ...

Plus all our regular features including:

• Club calendar

• Event details

• On the Borderline

• Blast from the Past

• Classified ads

• ...and more...

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