2010 Events Diary

Tony Burgess – MORRISMINR@AOL.COM -or- 614.899.2394

DATE EVENT DETAILS

April 18 British Swap Meet Ancaster, Ontario
May 1 Drive your MGA Day
May 2 BCD & Swap Meet Cleveland/Solon
May 15 – 16 British Car Day - Columbus Quaker Steak & Lube
May 20 COMGO Dinner 6:30 PM O’Charley’s - Polaris
May 24 British Car Cruise-In Quaker Steak & Lube
May 29 RiverRun Ohio River & Back
May 29 – June 6 British Car Week Everywhere
June 6 Ft. Miegs British Car Show Lake Erie British Car
Toledo, OH Club www.lebcc.org
Jun 16 – 20 AMGCR CBA 30 Ashville, NC
June 17 COMGO Dinner 6:30 PM Mimi’s - Polaris
June 20 – 28 Tony’s Tag-along to MG 2010 Niagara, Toronto, Belleville
June 23 – 27 MG2010 (NAMGBR) Belleville, Ontario
July 1 – 3 GOF Central & Summer Drive Sawmill Creek Huron,OH
July 9 - 10 Arthritis Foundation Car Show Dublin, OH
July 15 COMGO Dinner 6:30 PM O’Charley’s - Polaris
July 19 British Car Cruise-In Quaker Steak & Lube
July 25 British Invasion Concert/Picnic Scioto Park, Dublin
July 26-29 NAMGAR GT-35 Delavan, WI
August 7 British Car Day – Ursuline Cleveland
August 7 British Car Day – Dayton East Metro Park
August ** Summer In the City Columbus
August 19 COMGO Dinner 6:30 PM Mimi’s - Polaris
August 22? Riverside Motors Summer Party Delaware
September 11 Tour to Bob Evans Farm Rio Grande, OH
September 16 COMGO Dinner 6:30 PM O’Charley’s - Polaris
September 20 British Car Cruise-In Quaker Steak & Lube
October ** Lucas Night Rally TBD
October 15-17 Fall Colours Tour –Ohio Islands Kinney / Graham
October 21 COMGO Dinner – Elections Get Out & Vote!
November ** 2011 Planning Meeting TBD
December 4 Christmas Party Royal Amer. Golf Club

** Dates / Events TBD

April 2010 Vol. 21, No. 2
Website: www.comgo.org

Table of Contents
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ......................................................... 2 
Editor’s Corner............................................................................ 3 
NEWS ......................................................................................... 3 
Membership ......................................................................................3 
New Members.................................................................................3 
Keep Your Membership Information up to Date .............................4 
Website Updates...............................................................................4 
Regalia ...............................................................................................6 
Riverside Motors Expanding ...........................................................6 
UPCOMING EVENTS................................................................. 7 
COMGO Monthly Dinners ................................................................7 
British Car Cruise-Ins at Quaker Steak & Lube .............................8 
Drive your MGA Day – May 1...........................................................8 
British Car Day – May 15 - 16 ..........................................................8 
Spring Drive - RiverRun – May 29.................................................10 
MG2010 – North American MGB Register’s Annual Convention
June 23-27 – Belleville, Ontario ....................................................11 
ARE YOU INTERESTED? ...............................................................13 
Arthritis Foundation Car Show – July 9 - 10................................13 
Summer Drive: GOF Central MG Meeting – July 1 – 3...............14 
Feature Article .......................................................................... 16 
How to Drive a TC...........................................................................16 
TRAVELOGUE ......................................................................... 19 
COMGO Winter Retreat – Friday – Sunday Feb 19-21st .............19 
Bunco – Sunday, March 7..............................................................22 
Our Version of “Two for the Road” ..............................................25 
TECH CORNER ....................................................................... 31 
What Type of Nuts Do You have in Your Car? ............................31 
JUST FOR FUN........................................................................ 33 
Recipe Swap ...................................................................................33 
CLASSIFIEDS .......................................................................... 34 
CONTRIBUTORS ..................................................................... 35 
Don’t Forget: COMGO Picnic/British Invasion – July 25............36 

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
By: Mark Halm

Spring is Here!

Here we are finally, it is Spring.

Torn- Do I work on my car or do I get that yard work done or do I go to

that Clipper Baseball game? It is a very difficult decision. I hope you
make the correct choice!

The Spring drive has been combined this year with the RiverRun (May
29th) event. It should be a exciting time for all. I hope everyone is
getting those British beauties cleaned up, tuned up, and road worthy for
the upcoming year of events. Make sure you take a look at the
upcoming calendar of events because as events come closer we try to
update everyone with the latest information.

I want to wish Jim Nibert a speedy recovery from his hospital visit this
past month. I know everyone is still thinking about him during his
recovery. I'm sure Ann is hoping for a quick recovery also due to Jim’s
ringing that bell for her assistance! Just joking! The COMGO group all
hope to see you and all those new, never used British parts you pull out
of your trunk - they come in handy on road trips. Get well!
The message I want to get across for this Spring is to get out and drive
those cars and be safe!

Your humble servant,

Mark

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
Editor’s Corner
By: Joe Mercer

Having heard the passion of the younger generation in the last issue,
one of our elder statesmen, Bob Watts, shares his enthusiasm in this
issue, describing his approach for getting the most out of driving his MG
TC. If torque is relatively constant over your typical engine speed, then
increasing your RPM by a certain percent results in a like percentage
increase in horsepower. Bob’s message is simple: for more fun and free
horsepower, increase your engine RPMs!

Also in this issue is part 1 of a 2 part story titled “Our Version of Two for
the Road”. It recounts an MG trip by two couples, covering two thousand
miles, and spanning nearly two weeks. Enjoy Lynne’s tale of touring the
Empire State in an MG!

Upcoming Gazette deadlines are:

Articles Due Gazette Date

July 3 July 20
October 2 October 18

NEWS
Membership
By: Don Ritchey

New Members

This quarter we welcome the following new members:

• Timothy and Patricia Burchfield of Gahana with a 72 MGB

• Todd and Noelle Lydic of Pataskala with a 75, 79 Midget, 74 MGBGT
& 57 Magnette
• Steve and Janine Holekamp of Somerset with a 52 TD
• Brian and Edith Hajek of Columbus with a 67 MGB
• Tim Londergan of Worthington with a 61 Bugeye Sprite
• Robert and Stacey Little of Pickerington with a 76 Midget
• Les and Bonnie Mesler of Baltimore, OH with a 52 TD
• Peter Spence of Columbus with a 61 Midget.
• Mike & Laura Madden of London with a 73 Teal Blue MGB

As always, we look forward to seeing them at future COMGO events.

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
Keep Your Membership Information up to Date

In order to keep your information current, please

remember to let us know of any changes in
names, addresses, phone numbers and new or
changed email addresses. If you don’t wish it or
any of the above information printed in future
issues of the directory, please let us know.

We regularly send out via e-mail updated event information such as

changes in monthly dinner meetings, drive rendezvous locations, or tech
sessions. Don’t miss out on important club news and event notices –
make sure we have your correct e-mail address.

Please send any corrections or additions to your information to:

Don Ritchey
4824 Lytfield Drive, Dublin, Ohio 43017-2173
Tel: 614-571-8096 email: 66austinhealey@gmail.com

Website Updates
By: Ken Pendleton

The club’s Website has undergone a significant upgrade over the past
few months. The new web site address is easy to remember:
www.comgo.org
As you can see, the new Home Page provides links to all of the major
topics for COMGO, and a new feature is the inset of photos – when you
click on them, it opens up the photo collection.

Perhaps more important is the fact that the Club’s calendar has been
populated with this year’s events and has also gotten a tune-up. When
you click on a particular event, the time, location, and description pop up
and there is a link to a map, if needed.

Safety Fast,
Ken (kcpmgb@insight.rr.com)

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
 COMGO Home Page

COMGO Web Site Calendar

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
Regalia
By: Ann King

You may enjoy viewing the new COMGO website www.comgo.org and
see our 2010 regalia. I’ll bring samples to the monthly dinners and
COMGO will have a booth at the British Car Show at Quaker Steak &
Lube in May. You may want to get some new regalia for future events.
A lot of folks who wear their COMGO clothing to other gatherings help us
garner new COMGO members. Often strangers ask about the club
when they see your regalia. Remember, if you currently have a jacket or
other items that you would like to spruce up a bit with COMGO logo
embroidery, please bring the clean garment to me. The charge for
adding the logo on your own apparel is just $15.00.

Riverside Motors Expanding

By: Bob Forsblom

Riverside Motors is expanding! Peter Spence would like to announce

that he will now be offering full-car service in Delaware, OH. He will be
available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Peter has
extensive experience working on most makes of British cars, having
worked with Eric Jones and with British car repair shops in Oxford, Ohio
and Chicago.

Peter will be associated with Bob Forsblom who will continue to rebuild
most British car transmissions and expand the Midget and Morris Minor
business. Bob is a parts dealer with numerous U.S. parts vendors, and
recently he gained dealer status with Moss Europe. These vendor
contacts will allow him to expand Riverside Motor's parts, sales and
services.

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
Peter can be contacted at: 614-286-9005, or email:
PeterSpence_engineer@Yahoo.com, and Bob can be reached at: 614-
378-8153, email: Forsblom@wideopenwest.com, or come visit us at our
shop in Delaware. Peter and Bob look forward to serving your British car
needs with quality and expert service.

UPCOMING EVENTS

COMGO Monthly Dinners

By: Joe Mercer & Mark Halm

Our April 15th dinner was held at

Digger & Finch in Dublin, along
with a COMGO Cruz-In/Car Show.
A beautiful 80-degree day brought
out about 50 members with 20
MGs. Awards were given out to
the most unique (Everett Rainer),
original (Bob Watts), and best
appearance (Don Ritchey). Each
received a gift certificate for dinner
at Digger and Finch. A Full House at April Dinner

Cruz-In at Digger & Finch

For the near future, we’ll alternate our dinners between O’Charley’s and
Mimi’s. They both handle our group easily and most members like the
food. May will be O’Charley’s and June Mimi’s. If you have any other
particular place of interest, contact Mark Halm:
Halmmark@Yahoo.com.

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British Car Cruise-Ins at Quaker Steak & Lube
By: Tony Burgess
-- May 24, July 19 and September 20 --
Again this year, we’ll be holding three BRITISH CAR CRUISE-INS at
Quaker Steak and Lube in Columbus on May 24, July 19 and September
20. These will be casual tyre-kicking get-togethers for all British Cars
and will start at 7:00 PM at the Quaker Steak - Polaris. “The Lube” is
located on the southwest corner of I-71 and Polaris Parkway behind
Shell, Tim Horton’s and Arby’s. Stop in and say Hi, or grab a burger,
some wings, and a pint! Let’s show those Harley folks we can have fun
too!

Drive your MGA Day – May 1

By: Jeff Fields

Saturday, May 1st has been proclaimed "Drive Your MGA Day". MG
clubs have been asked to place this date on their events calendars, and
if you have an MGA so should you!

British Car Day – May 15 - 16

By: Tony Burgess

This year marks the 26th anniversary of Central Ohio’s great British Car
Day at Quaker Steak and Lube - Polaris Parkway & Lyra Drive, just west
of I-71. This year, we are featuring the MG TD which is celebrating its
60th anniversary.

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
 And to make it a full British weekend, the
Central Ohio MG Owners will be hosting
Saturday Evening’s Hospitality Suite from
7:00 to 10:00 PM, this year at Cambria
Suites Hotel, Lyra Drive and Gemini
Parkway (next to COSTCO). Last year,
about 75 people came and had a wonderful
evening. Many thanks to all the COMGO
members - led by the Rainers, and a host of
others, who do such a great job in hosting
this fun evening. We’ve received so many
compliments from our out of town visitors
about this.

Saturday will also offer a driving tour through the Central Ohio
countryside hosted by Buckeye Triumphs and will depart at 11:30 AM
also from Cambria Suites.

We expect that Sunday’s car show will draw about 225 vehicles as well
as several vendors and parts swappers. In addition, we plan to have an
Arts & Crafts area and hold the always-fun Rocker Cover Races. If you
need the rules to build your own Rocker Cover Racer or need more
information on the Arts & Crafts area, please let me know. Registration
Forms were mailed in early March to those who have participated in the
show within the last three years. If you’re not on the list, please let me
know and we’ll send you a form. You can also get information about
BCD on the web at: http://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/BCD/bcdindex.htm

Helpers are needed for Parking or Registration during our shifts of

9:00-9:45 or 9:30-10:30 as well as a few folks to count ballots for
an hour after lunch. If you can help, please let Lynne or I know
(see contact information on next page).

Finally, as we’ve done for the past several years, an after-show dinner

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
will be held at Cheeseburger in Paradise on Sancus Blvd (just south of
Polaris) at 3:30pm. This group has grown to between 40-50 folks over
the last few years so your RSVP is very important. If you’d like to join us,
please let us know either by phone or e-mail. Please RSVP with your
name and number of people attending to Lynne or I on 614.899.2394 or
e-mail to MORRISMINR@AOL.COM.

Spring Drive - RiverRun – May 29

Eric’s Riverrun is a 320 mile, all-day driving tour using some of Ohio’s
most interesting and challenging roads. This year we’ll go southwest
through West Union to Augusta on the river. After lunch at one of the
Augusta, KY restaurants, or enjoy a picnic along the river, we’ll head
east along the river and wind through the wonderfully twisty roads in
Shawnee State Forest. SR 772 takes us to Chillicothe, then up SR 104
to Circleville for a finish at Wittich’s.

Cars leave Bob Evans at I-71 and Stringtown Rd. in Grove City between
8 and 9 AM. We should be at the Ohio River around Noon and finish by
6 PM, depending on the time spent sightseeing. There is no fixed
schedule nor any assigned speeds, other than posted speed limits. This
is a tour rather than a rally. The route includes a mix of open and flowing
paved roads that connect tight and twisty sections.

The North American MGB Register, the Buckeye Miata Club, and the
Central Ohio British Car Club Council invite all driving enthusiasts,
regardless of vehicle make, model, or type, to join us on Eric’s RiverRun
2010.
Contact Susan Logan at: slogan.osu@gmail.com or (740)

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
363-2203 for more details and to reserve your spot. There is a $10 entry
fee to cover organizational expenses. The ferry from Higgensport to
Augusta charges $5/car.

MG2010 – North American MGB Register’s Annual

Convention June 23-27 – Belleville, Ontario
By: Tony Burgess

This year’s NAMGBR annual convention will

be held in Bellville, Ontario, about 100 miles
east of Toronto on Lake Ontario. This year,
the MG Car Club of Toronto will be hosting
this event, who also hosted the very first
NAMGBR convention in 1992 in
Peterborough, ON, just northeast of Toronto.

The show dates are June 23-27; however a number of us are leaving a
few days before and staying a few days after to enjoy some of Canada’s
wonderful scenery and hospitality.

We’ll leave on Sunday, June 20th and drive to Cleveland where we’ll
meet with many of the Emerald Necklace members who’ll be joining us.
From there we head to Niagara Falls, Ontario where we’ll take in the
splendors of the Falls and spend our first night. On Monday, we’ll follow
the beautiful Niagara Parkway to the Victorian Village of Niagara on the
Lake. After lunch, we’ll head to Toronto where we’ll spend the next two
nights. Canada’s largest city offers everything you need in a very large
metropolitan area, yet it’s very easy to get around compared to other
cities of the same size.

On Tuesday, we’ll shop, visit many tourist activities and enjoy the area.
On Tuesday night, we have reserved the “Toronto Hippo” which is an
amphibious “bus” for a tour of the city, and “in” the Toronto Harbour and
Toronto Islands. Should be fun! After the Hippo, we have reservations
at Toronto’s famous “Loose Moose” restaurant, then back to the hotel.

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
On Wednesday, we’ll head east 100 miles to Belleville for the opening
activities for MG2010 and get acclimated to Belleville, which is not a
large city, but is quite nice.

On Thursday, there are a number of activities planned including a wine

and cheese tour of the peninsula, some activities for the ladies (jewelry
and fashion) and a welcome BBQ. Tech sessions and parking lot parties
are assumed.

On Friday, some of Thursday’s activities are repeated to allow everyone

a chance to participate, but the big event is “Track Day” at Shannonville
Race Track. For those who pre-register, in the morning they will be
allowed to take lessons from a “tutor” familiar with the track. Then in the
afternoon, they will be allowed to “do laps” by themselves on the track.
Many folks will go to the track, not to drive, but to watch. Friday evening
will be the Pub Night and tour of the Canadian Royal Air Force base and
museum at Trenton which is about 10 miles away.

On Saturday will be the big Car Show in the park next to the Ramada
Hotel overlooking the Bay of Quinte. Then, in the evening will be the
awards banquet and a few other surprises.

On Sunday morning, we’ll leave Belleville and head back to the US and
spend that night in Jamestown, NY. That evening, we’ll all board the
Summer Wind for a nice dinner cruise on Lake Chautauqua. Then on
Monday, we’ll do the final leg home.

This promises to be a very fun week for everyone.

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
 ARE YOU INTERESTED?
Tony Burgess

‘DRACULA” - In March, 38 of us spent a Winter Weekend in Millersburg

and had a great time including the Mystery Dinner Theater at the hotel.
For Halloween (10/30) they are doing another show called “Dracula Bites
the Dust”. Anyone interested – with or without a Saturday night overnight
stay? Please let me know so I can block rooms (With ENMGR).

INTERNATIONAL AUTOJUMBLE– BEAULIEU, ENGLAND. Folks

keep asking me when I’m going to do a trip to this HUGE event (2,000
vendors). I’m thinking if there’s interest, we can do one in 2011 (Mid-
September). As with all the other UK Tag-Alongs, 7-10 days, plus
numerous other UK attractions. Please let me know what questions you
have and your interest.

Arthritis Foundation Car Show –

July 9 - 10
By: Don Ritchey

The registration for the 28th Annual Arthritis Foundation Classic Auto
Show and Cruise-in is now open. In the past COMGO's participation has
been growing (last year was a bit of a rain out) and we hope to continue
it this year. The dates are Friday, July 9 for a Cruise - in and Saturday,
July 10 is the actual car show for judging. There is entertainment both
Fri. and Sat. nites. It has been a great event. You will see all types of
classic cars if you have not been there.
So print off the application from the show’s web site below and join the
rest of us. Web Site: www.ArthritisAutoShow.com

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
Summer Drive: GOF Central MG Meeting – July 1 – 3
By: Jack Smittle

The MG date to remember in 2010 is as easy as

July 1-2-3, and as easy to remember as
GOFcentral.com

Y
es, it’s GOF Central, Ohio style, on wonderful Lake Erie.
A few highlights include a Lake Erie sunset dinner cruise and an
enjoyable drive around historic Marblehead Peninsula on our
scenic rally/tour. And as a real bonus, those colorful 1930’s MG’s will be
visiting in abundance with their Fabulous Triple-M Bibulous Gallimaufry
Shenanigans. All this is right on Ohio’s north coast playground within
easy reach of major highways.

Just down the road from Cedar Point (yet with super room rates for us),
Sawmill Creek Resort will be GOF Central Station for 3 days of fun.
With the rates we’ve secured you may wish to come early and stay late
to take in a Lake Erie Island hopping tour on the Jet Express, or check
out the many area antique stores, or charter a Walleye fishing trip, or
even enjoy a day or two at Cedar Point Amusement Park.

For those interested in vintage MG racing, a

special bonus event is in store if you come a
few days early. Nearby Put-In-Bay on South
Bass Island was the site of sports car road
races in the early 1950s. The “Put-In-Bay
Road Races Reunion” will be held the three
days previous to the GOF, June 28-30. A
short ride on a nearby ferry makes all the
island celebrations accessible from our
headquarters resort.

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
Those wishing to stay a day longer
can enjoy a world class fireworks
show from the famous Cedar Point
Amusement Park, just an easy and
scenic 5 mile drive away.

In between, the Ohio Chapter

intends to make GOF Central 2010
an unforgettable event in the life of
your MG! Sawmill Creek is a first
class resort facility set on 235 acres of private green space (and lots of
blacktop, too.) Located along the shore of Lake Erie, the Lodge has 240
deluxe guest rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, game room, tennis, an 18
hole golf course, and a selection of fine dining rooms.

The three days of GOF Central will be packed with

great MG events and camaraderie. With the
Triple-M Register making this their yearly focus
event, you can expect to see a fabulous display of
pre-war MGs. To see the schedule of events, go
to the web site at: www.gofcentral.com.

Our location near Huron, Ohio is easily reached by both major and
scenic highways. The GOF Central web site has a Google Map
pinpointing the location. Our Canadian friends may wish to drop straight
down from Kingsville on the MV JIIMAAN via Pelee Island and into
Sandusky’s Jackson Street Pier.

Whatever route your MG takes,

be ready for a warm Buckeye
State welcome in 2010. And
remember, it’s as easy as July
1-2-3 and GOFcentral.com!!

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Feature Article
How to Drive a TC
By: Bob Watts

Why is it desirable to discuss "How to Drive a TC"? The TC is grossly

underpowered by today’s standards, so how does a TC driver handle this
in today’s traffic? The engine is small, being only 1250 cc - smaller than
many motorcycle engines. The stock compression ratio is not stated in
the factory instruction manual and is variously quoted as 7.25 or 7.5 in
other publications. The factory listed horsepower is 54.5 at 5000 RPM
on 72 octane gasoline which was the best and only octane available in
1945 in England. Gasoline of 87 octane, which is the lowest available
today in the U.S., will raise the estimated horsepower to approximately
57, again at 5000 RPM with the stock compression ratio. Since many
TC’s on the road today remain unmodified, how to keep up with current
traffic seems like a logical point for discussion. This is herein described
as "How to Drive a TC".

Most TC's are driven on the road at 50 to 55 MPH, or under 4000 RPM,
which is utilizing 42 to 46 HP at most. In going through the gears many
are shifted to the next gear at 2500 to 3000 RPM which is using only
about 29 to 35 HP. The Instruction Manual cautions that the engine
should never be allowed to labour or pull hard during run in. This applies
after the engine is run in also. A shift point of about 4000 RPM will allow
you to more nearly maintain the acceleration of normally driven current
vehicles as well as moving the horsepower and torque up on the power
curve. A mild hill will either slow the TC considerably or cause the driver
to downshift to not hold up traffic and climb the hill at 3000 or perhaps
3500 RPM. 4000 RPM is a better speed to not hold up vehicles behind
you. When the hill is visible before you get to it, the solution is to speed
up to at least 4400 RPM or more so the loss of speed due to the gradient
will not slow the TC down excessively. Traffic in front of the TC may
make this difficult or impossible and force a downshift sooner. When
travelling with a group of MG's I have discussed this with the lead car
(frequently an MGB), and found them quite understanding and
cooperative in not getting in the way. Coming up behind a slower car on
a two lane road and desiring to pass will pose the problem of having
enough space or time to pass. Having only 45 or so HP and low torque,
will not allow rapid enough acceleration to pass in a reasonably short
time. This requires the TC to fall back far enough to accelerate to a high
enough speed to quickly approach and pass the slower car quickly and
not slow down to follow the slower vehicle. Traffic going in the other
direction can make this quite interesting and will require close attention,

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
due to right hand drive and blocked visibility. Such an exercise may
require running briefly at higher RPM's, perhaps up to 5000 or so. The
small XPAG-engined TC performs best at higher RPM's. By this I mean
at 4000 RPM's or better. To drive at about 60 MPH requires about 4200
RPM, a reasonable speed on many road trips.

When slowing to observe speed limits or heavier traffic moving slower,

drop down a gear, or two if necessary, to go with the traffic and to keep
the RPM's up, preferably above 3500 RPM. I generally ignore the No
Engine Brake signs as the TC does not generate an objectionably loud
exhaust noise. Use the brakes as needed, but the gear box is there to
be used. It is possible to shift into 1st gear while still moving but since it
is not synchronized, it is necessary to double clutch to match the engine
RPMs to the road speed in order to shift into 1st.

Many TC owners are very cautious about driving their TC's at RPM's of
5000 or more. The TC was made to "Drive" and higher RPM's are
usually not a problem unless the engine is not in the best of shape. I
have driven my TC quite a few miles at 5000 RPM. The "Tour" of the
"Tail of The Dragon" was run in 2nd and 3rd gears at an estimated 5000+
RPM for the entire 11 miles. I only had time to glance at the tach once
when it read about 5200. It was a very busy 318 curves which took
about 18 minutes. Tom Poole was brave, or foolish enough, to ride
along. We ran two motorcycles off the road that were tooling through the
switchbacks quite slowly. The average speed was about 37 MPH for the
11 miles. The road was almost empty as we only saw one vehicle, a
white pickup, going the other way. We ran it at around 9 AM on a
Thursday morning, with the prior warning that traffic became heavy in the
afternoons and on weekends. At Deals Gap we pulled into the
motorcycle shop on the Tennessee-North Carolina line. Soon afterward
two guys approached us and asked if we were driving the little red car. I
replied “yes” and Tom asked if they were the two motorcycle riders.
They nodded and Tom quickly told them: "You guys should be ashamed
of yourselves since you had to get out of the way of an 80 year old guy
driving a 60 year old car". They did not respond and turned and walked
away.

Obviously, in order to enhance the acceleration of the TC requires

additional horsepower. Higher RPM's will take advantage of the higher
HP available at the increased RPM's. There are several methods of
increasing the HP of the XPAG TC engine and to increase the torque,
which will allow an improvement in acceleration. Five stages of tuning
are described in The English Super Tuning manual. These may include
increasing compression, increasing displacement (there is no substitute
for cubic inches), larger valves, upgrading to 1 ½” SUs, or installation of

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
a supercharger.

TC # 6557 has 0.60" over cylinders, raising the cc's to about 1304 cc.
Compression ratio has been raised to about 9.1, part of which is due to
the over size cylinder bore. Larger valves and stronger valve springs
have also been installed. The intake and exhaust passages in the head
have been enlarged and are smooth as silk. The intake manifold is a TF
and matched to the head and is suitable for 1 ½ " SU's, although 1 ¼ "
SU's are presently in use. The cam shaft is stock "grind” and the rocker
arms have been lightened with tube spacers in place of the stock spring
spacers. I use 87 octane gasoline and found it necessary to advance the
spark considerably. I am guessing that it develops about 65 HP, at 5500
RPM. These improvements have made the TC more drivable and I have
no trouble driving with today’s traffic or climbing hills, but I do not
appreciate freeway traffic and generally stay on the side roads, which are
more enjoyable anyway.

In summary, regardless of the state of tune - enhanced or not - keep the

RPM's up. This will enable a TC driver to maintain speed with current
traffic and also it's more fun.

Author Bob Watts along with his 1948 TC # 6557

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
TRAVELOGUE
COMGO Winter Retreat – Friday – Sunday Feb 19-21st
By: Tony Burgess
Pictures by: Don Ritchey & Joe Mercer

This year’s COMGO Winter

Retreat was again held in
Millersburg, but this year we
stayed at the historic Hotel
Millersburg, right in downtown
Millersburg. The hotel, built in
1847, has recently undergone
a huge renovation. The hotel
has a Victorian theme and
contains many historical pieces
in both the rooms and common
areas.

Most folks arrived on Friday afternoon

Start of the Weekend for Some
Breakfast at Bob Evans
and early evening in time for dinner at
the hotel’s nice restaurant. The
restaurant was packed but they
managed to handle our group of 25 or
so with little fuss. The conversation
between all of the COMGO members
made the time go by quickly. After
dinner, many of us retreated to the
Lincoln Room
until about midnight for games, and
conversation.

On Saturday morning after breakfast, as has been the practice in prior

years, folks scattered all over a three county area to look for those
elusive items which needed to go with them. However, this year, the
Millersburg merchants hosted “Girls Night Out” on Saturday afternoon
where many of the downtown merchants held special activities and
prices in their shops on jewelry, clothing, facials, massages, manicures,
etc.

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
On Saturday night, the hotel, in conjunction the local performing arts
group, presented “Lady in Red” dinner-theatre. The play was not
schedule to open until March, but they did a special performance for us.
There were a few “flubs”, but that’s what made it more fun. After dinner,
many of us again retreated to the Lincoln Room until about 1:00 AM, this
time for games, magazine reading and conversation. It’s a good thing
we had taken over most of the hotel as the giggles and laughs
emanating from the Lincoln Room were quite loud.

These winter retreats are quite fun and gives everyone a chance to
unwind a bit.

During Actor’s Conference, The Cast of “The Lady in Red”

Joanne Created Our Own
Murder Mystery!

The Birthday Boys Ann Checking Out the

Amish Craftmanship

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
 Tony Overseeing the Activities Browsing thru Tony’s Magazines

Snow Oozing over the Gutters and Icicles Hanging from the Eaves

Ladies Night in Millersburg

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
Bunco – Sunday, March 7
By: Ann King
Pictures by Don Ritchey

On Sunday March 7th we woke to an absolutely gorgeous morning! After

weeks of snow and dreary skies the sunshine made us feel rejuvenated.

Don & I planned to arrive early about 11:15 to help get ready. The event
was to begin at noon. The Burgesses and Pendletons had gotten there
even earlier than we had and everything was all set up for the party.
COMGO is so lucky to have such conscientious members.

Our event was held at Spring Hollow

Lodge in Westerville. The view out
the back windows is always
remarkable. However this year the
combination of snow covered trees
glistening with the rays of the sun
made the vision absolutely breath-
taking!

Since I am one of the regalia chairs, I

laid out our new shirts and jackets. I
think this year’s selection must be
really right on or everybody needs
new clothes. We took more orders for
regalia than we ever had previously!

View from the Lodge

The reputation that proceeds us as “An Eat N’ Drive and Drive N’ Eat
club” fit once more. Each couple was requested to bring chili for
themselves, as well as a side dish or dessert. All the chili is combined
into one big pot and believe it or not the end result is scrumptious! This
year we even had a pot of zesty chili if your pallet desired something a
bit spicier.

Depending on what letter your last name begins with, you are asked to
bring either a side dish or dessert. Actually I think lots of people cook
what they do best and the results are awesome!

I’ll mention a few of the offerings - unfortunately I can’t remember all of

them. We had a great array of food including cabbage and apple
coleslaw, deviled eggs, corncakes, homemade breads, pies, cakes and
cookies and a dessert that was quite decadent which combined a pastry

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
crust covered with custard, whipped cream and chocolate! These were
just a few on the many sumptuous dishes that graced our table. If
anyone left hungry it was their own fault!

We played Bunco all afternoon. The finish resulted in some ties

between; Roseann Mercer and Don Ritchey for most buncos and Ann
Nibert and Tom Poole for most wins. Roseann and Tom were the
winners and Tony had prizes for both of them.

Everybody pitched in to clean up and we were out by four. If you haven’t

come to this event in the past put it on your calendar for next year! It is
one of my favorite gatherings we do. Winter is so dismal; one needs
something to look forward to doing. This event goes a long way to
beating the weather blahs. If you missed it we hope to see you join us
next year.

Socializing inside the Lodge

Food’s On!

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
 BUNCO!

Roll-Offs

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
Our Version of “Two for the Road”
By: Lynne Pendleton

[Editor’s Note: This is part 1 of a 2-part story]

The first phase of our trip began with Tony’s (Burgess) Tag-a-Long to
Toronto by way of Niagara Falls and lovely Niagara-on-the-Lake. We
were headed to the 2005 celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the
Toronto MG Club, which was held in the refurbished warehouse district.
It was a terrific site for tyre kicking, shopping and dining. A gourmet
luncheon at the CN Tower, a giant telecommunications hub, turned out
to be an unanticipated highlight. Constructed in 1974, it is the tallest
tower on the planet, at 1,815 feet, 5 inches in height. The Tower
Restaurant opened in 1995. Amazingly, it revolves 360 degrees,
providing an awe-inspiring, panoramic view of charming Toronto. We
thoroughly enjoyed our three-day sojourn there with our car club family.

When it came time to bid good-bye to the COMGO caravan of friends

who were returning to Ohio, the VanDeLinders and the Pendletons set
off instead on an easterly course. After Sunday Mass, we two couples
embarked on another leg of the journey to tour parts of Canada and up
state New York. Cris and JoAnn originally hailed from New York. What
great guides they would turn out to be! Cris admitted it had been his
dream to drive his fully restore, award-winning (There are photos to
prove it!) 1973 MGB on the winding roads of his home state. Another
adventure was about to unfold, especially since Cris, with the help of an
accomplice, had purloined another club member’s first place plaque from
the car show to take “on tour.” Was this his way of dealing with the
prestigious, albeit, second place award, or merely mischief?

Under an overcast sky, we followed route 401 along the northern shore
of Lake Ontario. By the time we arrived in Kingston, the sun had broken
through the clouds just in time to tour Fort Henry, a national historic site
built in 1774. The Fort had been constructed to defend the naval harbor
at the convergence of the Rideau Canal, Lake Ontario and the famous
Thousand Islands.

The visit proved to be a step back in the history to British garrison life.
We witnessed the changing of the guard, a mock battle, and soldiers
marching down the parade ground in full, authentic regalia. An
inspection of the barracks and inner sanctum of the landmark followed.
The overall design of Fort Henry was both unique and ingenious. During
the 1830s, it stood impenetrable to the American interlopers that tried to
claim the territory for the USA. From the pinnacle, we caught a last
breath-taking view of the glistening harbor far below. We departed more

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
informed and entertained by all that Fort Henry had to offer.

Ensconced in our MGBs once more, we struck out for the area marked
by the Thousand Islands, known for its natural beauty, wildlife and array
of majestic dwellings. Pangs of hunger led us to the resort town of
Gananoque, Ontario, for nourishment before we ascended the Skydeck.
This aerial apparatus juts some 400 feet in the air overlooking the St.
Lawrence River and the International Bridge. This lofty, windy perch
provided another bird’s eye view of God’s handiwork in creating one of
the most picturesque places on earth. The MGs far below looked like
miniature models.

The Thousand Islands were formed when thick sheets of jagged glacial
ice gouged away the soft soil and exposed million-year-old granite, which
covered a sixty-mile region. In the global warming of that era, the
melting ice packs eventually filled the valleys, thus forming the Thousand
Islands. In actuality, the count is nearer 1,800. To be considered an
island by definition, each must sprout at least one tree. The Treaty of
Ghent, which formally ended the War of 1812, divided the islands and
established the boundary between the two countries.

As daylight was still plentiful due to the eve of the summer equinox, we
pressed onward to Alexandria Bay before stopping for the evening at the
Riversedge Resort Hotel. In the middle of the bay stood Boldt Castle,
silhouetted against the dusky shadows of twilight. We happened upon a
nice floating restaurant for a tasty seafood supper by candlelight. Our
pleasant day concluded at sunset with a resolve to investigate the castle
the following day.

The sun rose bright and beautiful on the longest day of the year.
Morning began leisurely with coffee on the balcony where we lingered to
admire the scenic vista and embrace the glorious weather. After making
our way to the dock, we boarded an excursion boat for a two-hour ride
and tour of the Alexandria Bay. Our very knowledgeable guide identified
mansion after mansion that had once belonged to notable industrialists,
financiers, philanthropists, diplomats and more. The high society of New
York City retreated from the Big Apple to the veritable paradise of the
Thousand Islands - truly a playground for the rich and famous. From the
surface of the water, we were able to view the Islands’ bridge system
from a lower perspective.

We disembarked at Boldt Castle, which rose grandly above Heart Island.

Millionaire, George Boldt, proprietor of the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel
in New York City, commissioned construction. The extensive project
was dedicated to his beloved wife and family. The work was never fully

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
finished, however, because Louise Boldt passed away suddenly and
unexpectedly. Heartbroken, Boldt abandoned the Castle in 1904, and
relocated his children and himself, never to return.

The Castle rises six stories and encompasses 120 rooms. The layout is
reminiscent of the game board for Clue with various rooms such as the
parlor, ballroom and study located along the perimeter of the first floor,
surrounding the central feature of the grand staircase. An indoor
swimming pool occupies the lower level. Bedrooms and servants’
quarters on the second and third floors remain unfinished. Other
features on the island include the powerhouse, a dovecote, the arch and
drawbridge for welcoming guests, a stone gazebo and Alster House,
which was designed for games and recreation. Presently, the Castle’s
grandeur is being restored and finished by the Thousand Island Bridge
Authority. When finished, it may one day rival the Biltmore in its
magnificence.

An equally impressive boathouse is situated on the adjacent Wellesley

Island. The building rises three stories above the water to accommodate
the tall masts on the Boldt family yachts, and sports 128-foot slips. The
boathouse now serves as a marine museum for antique watercraft.

By mid-afternoon, we hailed the launch back to the mainland and settled

on the veranda of a local establishment for a late lunch. A green and
white striped awning shielded us from the sun and a light summer breeze
stirred the hanging plants overhead. We discussed our next destination
as we ate. Cris had something in mind he thought we would all enjoy.
We found not having a specific itinerary or timetable to be very liberating.

We adopted the “follow the bumper” philosophy and pursued the

VanDeLinders back toward Canada. En route, Cris remembered that a
boat lock was located in the vicinity. We arrived in time to see the last
ship of the day traverse to the St. Lawrence Seaway, one of the most
important trade routes in the world. The process is an engineering
marvel, not to mention an interesting experience.

To continue our journey, it was necessary to negotiate the Interstate

system of bridges we had been observing. Five different spans connect
the islands to the mainlands. The Bs carried us toward Canada across a
3,330-foot stretch of bridge high above the water. The cars must have
resembled ants on the massive structure. At the outset of this trip, we
had not anticipated spending so much of vacation high in the air or on
the water. It was fantastic!

Tuesday evening we crossed the border with the intention of exploring

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
the Upper Canada Village the next day. The village is a collection of
historic buildings from the 1860s. After gaining admission, we were
delighted to find many of the early Canadian businesses fully functioning.
Especially enthralling was the woolen mill where we could observe the
complete process from sheep shearing to blanket making with the huge
shuttles methodically weaving the warp and weft of the woolen threads.
The water-powered lumber mill was fascinating as well. Massive
machinery shaved and cut huge logs into heavy wooden planks for
building. From the brick oven bakery, which produces a hundred loaves
a day, we purchased fresh bread to go. The daylong visit concluded with
Cris having his picture taken in front of an outhouse with the now
infamous first place plaque.

As late afternoon approached evening, gray clouds obliterated the sun.

From the Village, we headed for Lake Placid, New York, site of the 1932
and 1980 winter Olympics. The 1980 games are memorable for the U.S.
hockey team’s miraculous victory over the supposedly unbeatable
Russians, but for winning the gold medal as well. I assumed that such a
global event would take place near a metropolis of sorts. Wrong. Lake
Placid is actually a diminutive, quiet town of 2,700 residents, nestled in
the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. There are so few hotel/motels
that we had difficulty locating satisfactory accommodations for the night.
JoAnn explained that athletes, officials and attendees to the Games
stayed in local homes rented out for the duration of the contests, or else
traveled from a distance to attend.

We made several passes through town without luck. However, as the

first raindrops splashed on the windscreens, we reluctantly pulled in at a
rather dubious place with a vacancy sign. While registering, we all
silently noted the desk clerk, clad in a stained sleeveless undershirt
stretched over a potbelly. He seemed grizzly in appearance and spoke
with a foreign accent. Needless to say, he was not a walking
advertisement. Pressed by both nightfall and rainfall, we decided to stay.
Later, we would refer to that evening as a night as the “Bates motel.”
Once we located our rooms, the ladies searched in vain for the typical
complimentary shampoos and lotions, and for amenities such as a
hairdryer and ironing board. To assuage our angst, we located a
restaurant on the main drag in town for dinner. Various comments on
our plight caused us to erupt in laughter as we dined, then hilarity gave
way to near hysteria. I could not contain myself when a clever quip from
Cris caught me mid-swallow. My soda erupted from mouth and nose -
not a pleasant sight, but a better alternative than choking. Fortunately,
there were few other patrons at this later hour to witness this unfortunate
scene.

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
Back at the motel, we thought it unusual, but did not question, why the
VanDeLinders were given a room on the second floor on the west side of
the building, while the Pendletons were quartered on the first floor of the
east side. There did not appear to be many other guests so it seemed
odd that we were not assigned adjacent space. As a precaution, Ken
and Cris decided to park their MGs together in view of the Pendleton’s
room. Both fit nicely into a small recessed area in a nearby corner of the
parking lot.

Rain continued through the night, but we managed to rest reasonably

well in spite of the peculiar circumstances. However, the MGs were not
as fortunate. By morning, the cars were immersed in five to six inches of
water covered by a bright green residue that had sloughed off from the
nearby pine trees during the storm. The slime clung to the cars as a
mildly indignant Cris retrieved his vehicle, then routed through the trunk
for cleaning supplies. Ken followed suit. While each labored to restore
his pride and joy to car-show quality, the women took inventory. After
eight days of travel, we decided that a stop at a local laundromat was
long overdue. The saving grace turned out to be the rising sun, which
promised a return of beautiful weather.

After finding a laundry, we purchased detergent, loaded the washing

machines, then dashed across the street. We decided to enjoy breakfast
outdoors at a sidewalk café. What we thought would be a quick bite to
eat was not to be. Several customers were waiting for service that was a
long time in coming. As it turned out, a lone employee was single-
handedly trying to take orders, bus tables, tally receipts and cook! Being
the nice person she is, JoAnn offered to help by locating the coffee
carafe and pouring a cup for anyone who wanted a hit. Then she and I
began to clear the outdoor tables of used dishes. Meanwhile, the guys
headed back to the laundry to shift the clean, wet clothing to the dryers.
Breakfast was eventually served so we relaxed and formulated a plan for
ascending White Face Mountain, the fifth largest peak in the state.

Once the dry clothes were folded and repacked, we were off again. It
might be well to mention that in preparing for and eleven-day trip, an
important decision had to be made early on, even before we left home.
In order to fit sufficient clothing, car accessories and other basic
necessities into the relatively small boot of the MGs, we needed to use
the space occupied by the spare tire. As there was simply not room for
both, we faced a critical decision…spare tire or clothing. In the final
analysis, the clothes won. Cris and Ken opted for Fix-a-Flat in lieu of the
spare. Luck was on our side, as we did not need to use it. It was

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
just as well. We later learned that it would have not worked anyway
because our tires were the tubed variety.

It was a short, thirteen-mile drive to the base of the mountain. The MG

engines purred as if they welcomed the challenge of the climb. They
carried us upward and onward on the narrow road that encircled White
Face, 4,867 feet above. A slow and steady pace brought us successfully
just shy of the peak to a parking lot. Our husbands parked their red and
green Bs next to three Corvettes in red, yellow and blue hues.
Obviously, the mountain attracted other car enthusiasts as well. We met
the owners who were just following the road, much as we were, only on a
“guy trip.” After some pleasant conversation, we parted company and
headed for the inter-mountain elevator that would complete the final 276-
foot ascent to the top.

Now the Van DeLinders had previously warned us to bring warm clothing
for the cool temperatures and windy conditions we would encounter 5000
feet above sea level. They were not mistaken, but otherwise the day
could not have been more ideal for “mountain climbing.” Cris was gallant
in loaning his insulated jacket as I stood shivering in spite of what I
thought was warm attire. From this elevation, we could see for miles in
all directions. The cotton puff clouds, suspended in the bluest of skies,
seemed close enough to touch. Their proximity cast moving shadows on
the ground as they glided across the sky. Crystalline lakes were cupped
in the valleys, and ski ramps and runs dotted the distant slopes. Mile
upon mile of evergreen trees blanketed the mountainsides, six million
acres in all…..more heaven on earth!

We scrambled on the rocky top for nearly an hour, taking in the view and
happily snapping photos to create a delightful memory. From behind a
craggy precipice, Cris and Ken posed as mountain climbers struggling to
make the summit. Cris could not resist the opportunity to pose with
Everett’s (Rainer) winning trophy as well. In this instance, however, Cris
dangled the first place plaque over the ledge of a steep cliff. His
twinkling eyes and Cheshire-cat-grin suggested that a demand for
ransom might be in the making.

Descending White Face Mountain was akin to a downhill roller coaster

ride. . . [To be continued.]

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
TECH CORNER
What Type of Nuts Do You have in Your Car?
By: Bob Forsblom

No, I'm not talking about the one behind the wheel or the one on the
other side of the car, rather what type of nuts are holding your car
together?

This is an important question to ask yourself before you start assembling

a "road kit" for yourself and your car. Is your car held together with
Whitworth, SAE, or Metric nuts, or some other obscure brand?
Regardless of what type of nut and bolt system you have, you should
have the correct tools to work on your car. If you are the "proud" owner
of an automobile using Whitworth nuts, then you may want to carry a set
of wrenches that will fit your nuts. As to SAE or Metric wrenches, these
are readily available at any shop or garage, but you will need standard
sizes for road-side emergencies.

If you are only driving in the local area, it might be best to just carry your
AAA card, a credit card, and a cell phone. These three items, get out of
jail free cards, will allow you to get your trusted nuts to your favorite
garage, or home. Then again if you are an adventurer, you may want to
add a few items to keep you going.

First off, your best defense in keeping your car on the road is preventive
maintenance! Before you take the out-of-town trip make sure your
classic gets its annual tune up, and that everything is running properly.
Don't forget to add air to the spare tyre - if you have one. And while in
the boot, check on the jack to see if it is there and operating properly.
When you feel everything is in proper order it is time to assemble your
car kit for your next trip.

Without hesitation you should carry a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a
flashlight or two, and medications you may need in an emergency! A cell
phone, even if it can only call 911, can help in an emergency. I also
carry at least two to four large bottles of drinking water. You never know
when you or your car will need a drink.

"The kits" - I have two soft sided bags which I carry in my car. I bought
them from Sears, but other suppliers carry a number of bags which come
in numerous sizes. In my small bag circa 12 x 6 x 10 inches, I carry a
partial roll of shop towels, a small tube of hand cleaner, a packet of baby

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
wipes, first aid kit, suntan lotion, safety pins, a roll of water proof tape
about 2'' wide to fix the tear in the top or window, a pair or two of rubber
gloves, a heavy pair of work gloves, a flash light, an eye glass repair kit,
and an extra pair of reading glasses and/or a pair of dark glasses, and a
sun hat.

In a much larger bag, about 18 x 12 x 12 inches, I have my tools. They

consist of a small roll of yellow or orange electrical wire, heavier wire for
wiring up bits which have fallen off the car, a four-function screw driver
with 2 phillips and 2 slotted heads, a set of open/box wrenches from 7/16
up to 3/4 inches (or Whitworth or Metric, etc.), a small adjustable 4"
wrench, a large adjustable 12" wrench, a 3/8 " socket set from 1/4 up to
3/4" (as above), 3, six, and a10 inch extensions, an allen wrench set,
fuses (as needed), small light bulbs (brake and running) a fan belt or two,
a small screw driver for electrical work, needle-nose pliers, channel lock
pliers (large and small), a pair of larger pliers with wire cutting
capabilities, emery cloth, a small file, electrical tape, X-Treme Quick Fix
Tape (I hear it works, but I have not used it.), hose clamps of different
sizes (including one large enough to fix an exhaust pipe), feeler gauges,
cotter pins, and rags to wrap your tools and wipe them off when finished.
One also can purchase wrench rolls which work great, but cost money.
Also include a quart or two of oil in the boot.

Next is to determine to what extent can you do your own work, and/or
are you traveling with others who can help? In either case you may need
some specific items to make repairs on your car, or another car in your
group. Getting a generator or dynamo in the middle of nowhere is
getting very difficult these days. If there two or three of you traveling
together, one car can carry a generator and the other a regulator. A set
of points, condenser, and rotor would help, and if you have a pertronix
ignitor it may help to carry an extra. When a pertronix goes out - it's
gone. (John Twist said that a pertronix only costs about $200.00, and
you said, no only $100.00; he was talking about the extra one in the
boot.) Add windscreen wipers, an arm or two, a gas cap for some, and
any other parts specific to your car. For those unfortunate instances
where your car may become disabled, a magnetic-base amber strobe
light provides an added measure of safety.

This list can go on and on, but you know what is best for you and your
car. So make a list of your own, and most importantly drive your car, and
have fun doing it! See you out on the road once I have time to put my
car together.

- The Dogsbody

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
JUST FOR FUN
Recipe Swap
By: Shirley Brough

Here are two recipes shared by COMGO Members:

BEEFY WILD RICE SOUP

from Lynne Mendelsohn

• 1 lb. ground beef • 2 cubes beef bouillon

• 1 ½ tsp. Italian seasoning
• 6 c. water, divided
• 2 onions, chopped
• 3 celery ribs chopped
• 1 c. uncooked wild rice
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce
• 1 c. sliced mushrooms
• 3 (10 3/4 oz.) cans
condensed cream of
mushroom soup, undiluted

In large pan, brown beef with Italian seasoning. Drain very thoroughly.
Add 2 c. water, onions, celery, rice, pepper, pepper sauce, bouillon and
bring to a boil.
Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 40 min.
Stir in soup, mushrooms and remaining water.
Cover and simmer for 30 min.

FOIL BAKED CHUCK ROAST

from Joyce Watts

• 1 chuck roast (4 lbs. or less)

• 1 envelope Lipton Onion soup
• 1 box fresh mushrooms ( 6-8 oz.)
• 2 tbsp. butter or margarine

Dot a large piece of Heavy Duty Foil with half the butter.
Sprinkle 1/2 the soup and 1/2 the mushrooms on foil.
Put roast on top and repeat with rest of ingredients.
Wrap the roast tightly in foil.
Bake at 325* for 3 hours until tender.

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April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
CLASSIFIEDS
Ads may be submitted to the COMGO Secretary via e-mail.
Requests for ads received from COMGO members will be forwarded via e-mail to
members, and will be placed in the COMGO Gazette for two (2) consecutive issues, after
which the ad will be removed unless member takes the initiative to contact the editor to
continue the ad for another two issues.
Requests from non-members will only be forwarded via e-mail to members – but the ad
not placed in Gazette unless the person wishes to purchase a membership.

For Sale: 57 MGA with many

upgrades. Rebuilt 3 main bearing "B"
engine, MGB front end with disc
brakes, 5 speed Ford Sierra Trans.,
new wiring harness, 72 spoke rims
with Kuhmo tires, tube shocks on
rear, rebuilt carbs, door seals, fabric
show mats, vinyl top, side curtains,
etc. Total miles on everything is 715
miles. Car is in good condition, no rust and is ready to go to a new home
and be driven. Contact Don Ritchey 614- 571-8096. or e-mail:
66austinhealey@gmail.com [exp. 7/10]

For Sale: Early MGB Banjo Axle – complete drum to drum. Can use
either as a complete assembly, or just use the differential to get a 3.90
ratio in your MGA. ($100). Joe Mercer.
614-339-3491 or e-mail: mggarage@columbus.rr.com. [exp. 7/10]

For Sale: 4- Dunlop SP20 165 R 15 Tires (439 miles); 1 – Vredestein

Classic 165 R 15 Tire (new). $425. Just removed from my MGA. Tom
Bishop 614-890-7921, or e-mail: Tandtbishop@insight.rr.com. [exp.
7/10]

Wanted: I’m looking for the back seat (both pieces) from an MGB GT for
my trailer project. Color doesn’t matter, I just would like them to be
usable and not in need of recovering. Contact Troy Spang at
troyjenn1226@att.net or by cell phone 740-502-1094. [exp. 7/10]

For Sale: 1500 MGA block and crank for sale. Was running when
removed but no guarantees. Asking $150.00. I may also have the
pistons and rods, which would go with the deal if I can find them.
Contact Erick Zanner at ezanner@wowway.com or 614-937-7632.
[exp. 7/10]

Morris Gazette Page 34 of 36

April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
For Sale: 1965 Healey. The car is in
Millersburg, OH. Six cylinders, four
speed and an overdrive unit with 68,000
miles. Haven't decided what to ask, any
reasonable offer will be considered.
Contact Steve Miller at
millerlm@embarqmail.com [exp. 7/10]

CONTRIBUTORS
A special thanks to those who contributed articles and photos for
this issue of the Morris Gazette, including:

Shirley Brough Tony Burgess Jeff Fields

Bob Forsblom Mark Halm Ann King
Lynne Mendelsohn Joe Mercer Ken Pendleton
Lynne Pendleton Don Ritchey Jack Smittle
Bob Watts Joyce Watts

Morris Gazette Page 35 of 36

April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
Don’t Forget: COMGO Picnic/British Invasion – July 25

Mark your calendars for July 25!

If you have not attended the British Invasion picnic, please plan to do so.
It is a free concert put on by the Dublin Arts Council at Scioto Park. The
concert starts at 7:00 PM but plan to arrive about 5:30 PM and claim a
place on the grass at the top of the hill as we did last year.

In the last few years, folks have brought their own main course to eat
plus something to share – appetizer, salad, dessert, etc. Be alert for
future e-mails on details of what to bring. Don't forget your lawn chairs
and/or blankets.

Most of all, BRING your British car. The musicians usually have some
of us drive them up to the stage. This is a great opportunity to show off
that special car to the crowd.

A Look Ahead

In the next issue, keep an eye out for highlights of:

• British Car Day Results
• MG 2010
• Future Events:
o Summer in The City
o Fall Drive
o Fall Colours Tour
• Part 2 of “Two for the Road”

Note: Opinions expressed within this newsletter are not necessarily

those of the club, officers, directors, or newsletter staff. Technical
articles are provided solely to provide the reader with additional
information when making decisions regarding their car. Information is
believed accurate but the club, officers, directors and newsletter staff
are not responsible for the accuracy of such information and the
readers attempt repairs at their own risk. If in doubt, contact a
certified mechanic.

Morris Gazette Page 36 of 36

April 2010, Vol. 21, No. 2
 COMGO was founded in 1983 by a group of MG enthusiasts for the
benefit of all MG owners. The club encourages the preservation and
driving of MGs and the opportunity of enjoying the friendship of other
families involved in the hobby. Several events are held each year,
including tours, car shows, picnics and an annual Christmas party. The
Morris Gazette newsletter is published four times a year to keep
members informed of activities.

Dues are $20 per year.

2009-2010 Officers

President:
Mark Halm [614] 792-0641 halmmark@yahoo.com

Vice President:
Jim Nibert [614] 557-6397 nibertcolumbus@aol.com

Secretary/Treasurer:
Don Ritchey [614] 571-8096 66austinhealey@gmail.com

Directors:
Lyn Kinney [614] 901-9877 lynkinneyshay@gmail.com
Rob Meier [740] 966-5906 mgbgts@hotmail.com
Bob Watts [614] 279-8852 RWatts12@columbus.rr.com
Tim Wheeler [740] 453-7055 tim74mgb@yahoo.com

Newsletter Editor:
Joe Mercer [614] 339-3491 mggarage@columbus.rr.com

British Car Council Representative:

Tony Burgess [614] 899-2394 morrisminr@aol.com

Regalia Coordinator:
Debbie Hume [937] 642-8859 dkmkhume@gmail.com
Ann J. King [614] 571-5855 AnnJKing@gmail.com

Webmaster:
Ken Pendleton kcpmgb@insight.rr.com

Cover art by: Debby Ver Hulst

Printing by: Ken Davis, Minuteman Press, Dublin, OH