Picnic at Fontainebleau

Posted on by Cathy Greensfelder

It was a great evening in Fontainebleau State Park, even though the size of the crowd at the park gave us some concern when we drove in at 4:35 and had to wait in line at the entrance. I have never seen so many people enjoying the park before. I thought the crowd was for some kind of special event, but the ranger said that size crowd was normal for a Saturday.

We found a pavilion that is never available by reservation with 17 tables right on the lake, and it was EMPTY!! We settled in with our picnic suppers and enjoyed the sunset as much as the company: Colin & Celia, Hans & Sue, Benny & Lilly, Carol & Wayne, Cliff & Linda, Hugh C., Allan M., and our intrepid members who joined us from the Southshore: Ed Vail & guest and Ronnie P. and Karen M.

Thank you to everybody who made this a success.

Colin McCormick
Mandeville, LA
Keep Healthy, Keep Calm and Drive On

NS Cars & Coffee 10/10/2020

Posted on by Cathy Greensfelder

Cars & Coffee 10-10-2020

The Northshore Cars & Coffee on Oct 10 at Daisy Dukes-Mandeville was well attended by hardy, hurricane-proof members Dean D., Hans H., Cliff H., Robert H., David J., Allan M., Colin Mc., Robert R., and Benny S. who did their duty to support the local food service economy.

Robert M and his son Christian joined us for the drive.

After breakfast five of us did a 66 mile loop around northern St Tammany parish ending at the Covington trailhead of the Tammany Trace bicycle path. 

A splendid time was had by all.

Keep Healthy Keep Calm and Drive On
Colin McCormick

Mandeville, LA

NS Cars & Coffee 10/3/2020

Posted on by Cathy Greensfelder

Saturday Oct 3rd at Cars & Coffee we picked up a new member Kathleen Young and Arthur Swanson who drive a white 2004 Jaguar XK8.

Other attendees were: Hugh Coleman, Dean Duplantier, Wally Gettys, Hans Hassinger with a guest, Bob Hurst, BIll Jackson, Allan Maxwell, Colin McCormick, Robert Rougelot, Benny Stiegler, and Debbie and Jimmie Watts. 

Brian, the manager at Daisy Dukes, invited us to participate in Trick or Trunk in the parking lot on Friday October 30th. He will be showing “The Munsters” movie outside as a drive in movie. 

After breakfast seven of us drove to Debbie & Jimmie’s who graciously offered the use of their lift for our tech session. Colin, Benny, Hugh and Robert put their cars on the lift for small adjustments and corrections. 

A splendid time was had by all!

Colin McCormick

Mandeville, LA

NS Cars & Coffee, 12/3/2020

Colin McC’s 1967 Sunbeam Alpine V

Debbie and Jimmy’s garage 10-3-2020

Colin’s Alpine on the lift. 10-3-2020

Colin working on the Alpine 10-3-2020

Debbie & Jimmie’s garage 10-3-2020

NS Cars & Coffee 9/26/2020

Posted on by Cathy Greensfelder

The Northshore group had Cars & Coffee at our usual spot, Daisy Dukes on West Causeway Approach. 

In attendance were: High Coleman, Dean Duplantier, Wally Gettys, Paul Guichard, Hans Hassinger, Cliff Hughes, Bob Hurst, David Jones, Allan Maxwell, Colin McCormick, Bob and Christian Muller, Benny Stiegler.

We discussed last weekend’s Brits on the Bluff car show.

Last week Colin put out a call for possible tech sessions suggested at our last meeting; a detailer to do one of our cars and explain what products they use and why and/or a person with access to a lift so we can get under our cars to tighten where the drips are and to inspect for other things that need attention. 

We now have a volunteer with a lift, and we are working out the details for the session.

After breakfast a few of us drove to Ponchatoula for a small car show we learned of at the last minute. 

Colin McCormick

Mandeville, LA

Brits on the Bluff – Natchez Show 2020

Posted on by Cathy Greensfelder

Fri Sept 18 – Sat Sept 19, 2020 Natchez, MS

The North and South Shore met on Friday, September 18 in Ponchatoula and drove the back roads to Gloster, MS to meet the Baton Rouge convoy. It was mostly overcast so the temperature was just perfect with the top down, but the sun peaked through enough to not be gloomy.

The route Colin McCormick mapped out was tree-shaded with gently rolling hills and a few turns that actually deserved their reduced speed signs. Colin led in his 67 Sunbeam Alpine, followed by Cliff Hughes’ MGA, Benny Stielger’s 76 Spitfire (with his video camera riding shotgun), Allen & Susan Bradley in their MG Magnette, and then the “designated Japanese chase cars”. Linda H, Claudia M and Lilly S were in Lilly’s Kia Soul and Mark and Cathy Greensfelder in his Ford Escape

Cathy had planned to drive her ‘01 Jaguar XK8 but it had developed a “case of the vapors” the day before (“Reduced Performance” warning on the dash and codes for Air Temp sensor and Knock sensor). They ended up driving Mark’s Ford Escape. The route got far enough off the beaten path that Mark lost cell service and had to give up streaming his news show. But they had the SUV’s sunroof and windows open to keep in the spirit of the event!

In Gloster, MS the group joined up with the Baton Rouge convoy led by Danny Varnado (aka Colonel Mustard) in his 70 TR6. Jerry Willson drove his 73 TR6 and Randy Flemming was in his 81 Mini Cooper. From Gloster, Danny led the way to Natchez through the Homochitto National Forest via more 2 lane, tree-lined roads.

More BMCNO members arrived independently. Hugh Coleman brought his MGB, Rick and Mary Lynne Huber entered his Austin Healey. Hank and Betsy Harper were there with his MGC and Wally and Linda Wagguespack came in their Jaguar XK8.

Danny and Carol Meyer, their daughter, son-in-law Daren Forte and grandchild; Jim and Honie Smith and Rob Crowzer all came in their non-British cars just to enjoy the show. (Hey, if the MG won’t run, drive the GM!!) The club ended up with 27 people attending.

Saturday was great with temperatures in the upper 70s, a slight overcast (no sunburns!) and breezy.  Almost perfect for a British Car Show!. The site on the top of the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River was big enough that everyone could spread out. The participants were good about social distancing and wearing masks when they had to be up close. Cathy Greensfelder passed out cloth masks she made – she’s been sewing while staying home!  

It was a small show – only 39 cars, 11 of them from BMCNO – so there was a high percentage of small classes. Wally Waguespack’s Jaguar was the only car that didn’t place but there were 6 cars in the Jaguar class. (It would have been 7, if Cathy’s Jag had made it!)

BMCNO member Danny Varnado won the Best in Show trophy with his glossy black 1970 Triumph TR6. Danny has put a lot of work into the car. He replaced the (dim and unreadable) stock gauges on the dash with gorgeous backlit gauges that glow red at night. After the Friday reception he had turned the car on to show the gauges in the dark. They were bright enough you could read them from the back bumper but in a nice red that would preserve your night vision!! He had a lot of fun during the show putting the gauges in demonstration mode so they cycled up and down!

 

  • Allen & Susan Bradley ⇒ 1957 MG Magnette, 1st Place
  • Hugh Coleman Jr ⇒ 1978 MGB, 1st Place
  • Randy Flemming ⇒ 1981 Mini Cooper Estate Van, 1st Place
  • Hank & Betsy Harper ⇒ 1969 MGC, 1st Place
  • Rick & Mary Lynn Huber ⇒ 1964 Austin Healey 3000, 1st Place
  • Cliff & Linda Hughes ⇒ 1960 MGA, 1st Place
  • Colin & Celia McCormick ⇒ 1967 Sunbeam Alpine, 1st Place
  • Benny & Lilly Stiegler ⇒ 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500, 1st Place
  • Danny Varnado ⇒ 1970 Triumph TR6, 1st Place, Best in Show!!
  • Wally Waguespack ⇒ 2004 Jaguar XK8
  • Jerry Willson  ⇒1973 Triumph TR6, 2nd Place

Convoy to Natchez

Convoy to Natchez stops in Glover, MS

Natchez Convoy, Benny Stiegler

Benny Stiegler checking his Old School dash cam

Cliff Hughes, 1st Place, 1960 MGA

Cliff Hughes, 1st Place, 1960 MGA

Colin McCormick, 1st Place 1967 Sunbeam Alpine

Colin McCormick, 1st Place 1967 Sunbeam Alpine

Randy Flemming1981 Mini Estate

Randy Flemming, 1st Place, 1981 Mini Cooper Estate Van

Benny Steigler, 1st Place, 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500

Natchez Show MGB Class

Natchez Show MGB Class

Allen Bradley 1957 MG Magnette

Allen Bradley, 1st Place, 1957 MG Magnette

Natchez TR6 Class

Natchez TR6 Class

BMCNO Members at Natchez Show

BMCNO guys hanging out at the Natchez Show

Natchez Awards, Danny Varnado

Danny Varnado, Best in Show, 1970 Triumph TR6, also 1st in Class

Natchez Awards, Colin McCormick

Colin McCormick, 1st Place 1967 Sunbeam Alpine

Natchez Awards, Allen Bradley

Allen Bradley, 1st Place, 1957 MG Magnette

Natchez Awards, Jerry Willson

Jerry Willson, 2nd Place, 1973 Triumph TR6

Natchez Awards, Benny Steigler

Benny Steigler, 1st Place, 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500

Natchez Awards, Danny Varnado

Danny Varnado, 1st Place, 1970 Triumph TR6, also Best in Show

Natchez Awards Jerry Willson

Jerry Willson, 2nd Place, 1973 Triumph TR6

Natchez Awards, Rick Huber

Rick Huber, 1st in Place, 1964 Austin Healey 3000

BR Breakfast Cruise, Sept 12, 2020

Posted on by Cathy Greensfelder

Wow, the weather this morning in the capitol city was incredible! Six BMCNO members showed up at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant before 7:00 in 4 LBC, and enjoyed brisk conversation with good friends. We learned about Rick’s Jaguar flywheel / starter replacement, car trailer incidents, and how much the new Jaguar 6-cylinder blocks cost – $18,000! Since Danny wasn’t there no mention of movies or TV shows were made.

Danny sent us pictures of himself and Dana camping and some of the hot rod guys were out of town for a car show, so it wasn’t a big crowd. But did I mention that cruising around town after breakfast, the weather was incredible! Nice and cool and overcast… Hope it’s a sign of things to come this fall.

On a side note the ‘unofficial BMCNO-BR board of directors’ (the usual breakfast crowd) disqualified me from getting the “Loo Lid Award” just because my alternator light came on. Bummer. 🙂

But that sparked a conversation about jump boxes and LBC charging system problems. Rick said he replaced the battery in his Lotus, and the alternator checks at 30 amps on the bench, but when everything is in the car there is only 12v across the battery terminals?! Might be the ‘exciter’ wire going to the alternator…

Cruise Safe,

Roving Reporter

Bobby Spann

Breakfast with the BR guys

Today’s participant cars

Our Roving Reporter, Bobby!

BR Meeting, Sept 9, 2020

Posted on by Bobby Spann

September 9, 2020, Café American, Baton Rouge

We had 10 members attend our September meeting last night at Cafe’ American in the big room, so we were able to spread out some.  

We talked about the upcoming Natchez British Car Show, Cruisin’ the Coast, The Euro Fest in MS, and Fairhope.

The Saturday morning cruise breakfasts at Cracker Barrel have been well attended by the ‘British’ segment, although we do sit kinda close to each other.  Most Saturday at 7:00am at the Cracker Barrel on Airline at I-12 in Baton Rouge (by Celebration Station).  Rick will plan a drive from there one morning when the weather looks nice.  Probably leave around 8:30 and travel roads North, but he will let everyone know.

Talked about projects – Bobby’s rattle, Rick’s Lotus’ wiring and tires, and Jaguar carburetor problems…  And starter problems.

Randy Fleming was presented a wall plaque with his “MGM garage alternator adjustment tool” from the Natchez car show a year or two ago.  It was a stick on a string, designed (in theory) that if your belt loosened on the road just pull the string and the stick would wedge the alternator tighter.  Didn’t work in practical application, but it was a good reminder that we got him going that weekend and he was able to limp home in the Mini.

The “Loo Lid” Award – lovely Union Jack toilet seat – was created to “honor” those club members who drive their LBC to club events.  If you break down and can’t fix your car with parts you have with you… you get to take the seat and carry it until the next person breaks down!  Fun! 

This month Reg Dunbar gave up the seat to Bobby Spann, for having alternator/battery problems that turned him around from driving to breakfast a couple of weeks ago.   *note: Rick and I were holding our breaths and then washed our hands.

Then we drew numbers to see who got to pick first from the AWESOME face masks Cathy Greenfelder made!!!  Everyone loved them!

Cruise Safe,

Roving Reporter

Bobby Spann

Rick Huber presides over the meeting

Bobby Spann receives the Loo Lid Award!

General Meeting Sept 25, 2020

Posted on by Cathy Greensfelder

For the second month in a row, the General Meeting in New Orleans, scheduled for August 25, 2020, was cancelled due to weather. With Hurricanes Laura and Marco bearing down on the Louisiana coast (and New Orleans in both cones of uncertainty) the board voted to cancel the meeting.   

As it turned out, Marco degraded to a minimal tropical storm for New Orleans.  However, Laura continued to strengthen, eventually making landfall as a category 4 storm near Lake Charles on Thursday August 27.

Cathy Greensfelder, Secretary