Shenandoah Valley British Car Club - Founded 1981 Page 1 ...Webmaster: Michael FitzGeorge News...

Shenandoah Valley British Car Club - Founded 1981

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2020 SVBCC Officers

President: Wes Maupin

V. President: Sam Koogler

Secretary: Mary Ann Harris

Treasurer: Bill Krzastek

Membership: Michael Brittingham

Webmaster: Michael FitzGeorge

News Editor: Ev Gorman

Historian: Bob Vitrikas

Car Show: Ev Gorman

In This Issue of "On Your Marque"

SVBCC—People Page

Newsletter Index and Information 1

President’s Message 2

Member Spotlight 3

2020 Membership RENEWAL Info 4

Where We're Going

SVBCC Calendar of Events 2020 5

Other Events of Interest 5

SVBCC Annual Biz Meeting & Pizza Party

6

First Aid for COVID Cabin Fever 7

Where We've Been

Historian’s Viewpoint: Don Hayter, MG’s Last Chief Engineer, Passes Into History

10

Information for Members

The Simple Stuff: Shedding Light on a Dark Subject 12

Advertisement Info - 4 SALE: Riley Saloon RMB 14

Back Editor Page and Mailing Address 15

The Shenandoah Valley British Car Club Ltd. (SVBCC) is dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of British automobiles.

ON YOUR MARQUE

NOVEMBER 2020 Website: www.SVBCC.net

REMINDER—For one reason or another, many of us change our email address, and email is our primary method of keeping you informed of events and what is going on with SVBCC. If you change your email address, please let us know so you will not miss out on any important events. Update your Contact Information by emailing [email protected].

Volume 33, Issue 11

SVBCC BUSINESS MEETING

& PIZZA PARTY

SATURDAY, NOV. 7th 1:00 PM

Meet at the Stonewall Ruritan Building,

McDowell, Virginia

RSVP to [email protected]

HAPPY

THANKGIVING!

mailto:mailto:[email protected]


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: MAY, 2020

Dear SVBCC members, Until we meet again, Cheers! ~Wes Maupin

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: NOVEMBER, 2020

Dear Fellow SVBCC Members, Another month has come and gone.....uneventful month at that. Not unlike the previous month… and the month prior to that,... and the month that preceded that one,… and so on and so on. We have missed our drives and social get togethers as a car club, but take heart! On November 7, 2020, we have our SVBCC Annual Business Meeting scheduled at 1:00PM, to which ten (so far!...?) have indicated a willingness to attend our one and only business meeting for the car club (details on pg. 6). This is the pizza gathering/ financial review/ suggestion time to the board of club offices/ election and acceptance of 2021 club officers typically held in Crozet. Given the small size of the Crozet dining space, this year I moved it to the Stonewall Ruritan Building in McDowell, VA since it has a very large space and tables can be arranged far above CDC guidelines/practices. I need to know if you are planning to make the beautiful drive to Highland County so I can get the pizzas ordered from our nearby establishment. Please RSVP to me at [email protected].

ALL ARE WELCOME! BRING A MASK, and GET SOCIAL (distantly). We also have our Annual Planning Meeting in December when we set the calendar of events for the upcoming year. Most likely, I will just put out an email call for volunteers to host/lead a variety of monthly 2021 events. No need to bring everyone together to just brainstorm event ideas, although this has always been a fun creative time in the past. So, please send along your event thoughts and of course, your willingness to fearlessly sponsor an event. Details and deadline to come!

For now, I would like to use this space to wish each and all a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Hopefully by Spring, we, as a nation, can see some end to this pandemic, and we, SVBCC, can get back to our former club self. Blessings to all! Cheers! ~ Wes Maupin



MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT


MEMBERSHIP

Time to RENEW your membership! Your membership expires on December 31. Why not get a head start and take care of it now? I know there have not been a whole lot of fun things to do these last few months, but that’s the way Pandemics go. For a measly $20, why wouldn’t you keep in touch with fellow enthusiasts, get our monthly newsletter, and dive into conversations on our Facebook page? It’s easy to renew. Simply go to http://www.svbcc.net/membership.htm, update your information, and use PayPal, Visa, or Mastercard to cover the cost. Make life easy, just do it now.

~ Michael Brittingham, Membership Chairperson

MEMBERSHIP IN SVBCC

W E W E L C O M E N E W M E M B E R S !

PLEASE SHARE our sign-up info below with interested potential members!

And RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

To join the Shenandoah Valley British Car Club, membership application is available online:

To join online, go to http://www.svbcc.net/membership.htm and click the “Join/Renew Online” tab, which will take you to Eventbrite where you will be able to join and pay dues using PayPal, MasterCard, or Visa.

http://www.svbcc.net/membership.htm

http://www.svbcc.net/membership.htm


SVBCC CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2020

November 7 Annual Business Meeting & Pizza Party Sponsor: Wes Maupin

November 30 Staunton Christmas Parade CANCELLED Sponsor: Wes Maupin

December 5 Planning Meeting By Email Sponsor: Incoming 2021 President

OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST

We list here a number of other events that may be of interest to our members or that other clubs have asked us to publicize:

REMEMBER WHEN…

ONGOING MEETINGS

1st & 3rd Sat. Mornings CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Charlottesville Cars & Coffee Barracks Road Shopping Center

https://www.facebook.com/groups/455829684443357/about/


SVBCC ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING [AND PIZZA PARTY!]

SPONSORED BY WES MAUPIN

This year, I have scheduled our SVBCC Annual Business Meeting to be held on November 7th in the historic village of McDowell. We'll gather there and consume ample pizza starting at 1:00 PM! Hopefully, the weather will be perfect, and everyone will want to get their LBCs out for a beautiful run to the Highlands. We will meet at the Stonewall Ruritan Building, immediately to the left as you cross the Bull Pasture River bridge on Route 250 West. It's an old school house and the Ruritans use the gym area for their meetings, which will provide more than adequate space to socially distance tables necessary to comfort those attending. The Club will provide lots of pizza as always. Those wanting more than soft drinks to go with your pizza should bring their own beverage of choice. I know I will! ~ Wes

Try to RSVP to [email protected] for pizza count, but even if you do not,

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!



FIRST AID FOR COVID CABIN FEVER By Bob Vitrikas

By the time you read this, the fall foliage season will have peaked, but if you are like Chris and me and suffering from “COVID Cabin Fever” getting out of the house and taking a leisurely drive in the country is good medicine. Below are some simple tours I took from the Virginia Department of Forestry https://www.dof.virginia.gov/fall/ website. Enjoy the ride! Greene County In Greene County, begin at the intersection of Route 33 and Route 230 at Stanardsville.

Follow Route 230 north. At Route 29, turn left. Follow Route 29/231 and signs to Madison, exiting Route 29 along Route

231 at Madison. Follow Main Street in Madison. At the Blue Ridge Turnpike (Route 231), turn left. Take Route 231 to Sperryville, Route 522.

Rockingham County From I-81, Exit 247 (Route 33) Follow Rt. 33 West:

Follow Rt. 33 West to Brandywine Lake, which has restrooms, camping, fishing and RV parking available. Returning on Rt. 33 East, turn right onto Rt. 613 and travel approximately 5 miles to visit Paul State Forest at the intersection of Rt. 613 and Rt. 257. The Paul is predominantly white oak. Follow Rt. 257 West to Hone Quarry, which has restrooms, camping, and RV parking available. Follow Rt. 257 East to Rt. 42; take Rt. 42 North to return to Rt. 33, or see Rt. 42 Fall Driving Route below.

After leaving Exit 247on I-81, follow Rt. 33 to its intersection with Rt. 42 South in Harrisonburg. Turn left and follow Rt. 42 to Natural Chimneys, which has camping facilities and RV parking on the North Fork. Continue on Rt. 42 South from Mount Solon to Goshen.

Follow Rt. 33 East: Stay on Rt. 33 to Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Travel 12 miles to Rt. 644 and follow signs to the Massanutten Resort. The resort offers chair

lifts to the top of the mountain to observe the leaves, and have bands, arts and crafts. Follow Rt. 602 to Rt. 636 West (Left Turn) to Cub Run Road, a distance of about 11 miles. You'll

find Catherine Furnace, a well-preserved Civil War pig iron forge. As you leave on Rt. 602, find Rt. 636 East and follow it to Rt. 340. Take Rt. 340 from the Town of Shenandoah in Page County to Port Republic. Portable toilets, provide by the Shenandoah Blueway Committee and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, are available at the pubic boat ramps at Island Ford, Lynnville, Port Republic and Town of Shenandoah. The Shenandoah River Blueway is an excellent way to see the valley and its trees.

https://www.dof.virginia.gov/fall/


COVID CABIN FEVER… cont.

Warren County The Warren County Driving Tour begins from Interstate 66 at Exit 6 to Front Royal/Winchester. Driving time: approximately 1 - 1.5 hours, depending on speed and traffic.

Begin from Interstate 66 and take Exit 6 to Front Royal/Winchester. Turn onto Rt. 340/522 south towards Front Royal. As you enter Front Royal, you will be able to

see a vista of the Blue Ridge Mountains and cross over two bridges– first over the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, then the South Fork.

After the second bridge, use the middle lane at the traffic light to turn left onto 14th Street and continue following Rt. 340 south.

Passing through Front Royal, there are many opportunities for fuel, drinks/food and sightseeing as well as the Front Royal/Warren County Visitors Center at 414 East Main Street.

Once you have gone past the entrance to Shenandoah National Park, turn left at the traffic light onto Browntown Road. This winding, forested road will take you along the base of Skyline Drive and will offer opportunities to see the mountains from within the valley as you make your way to the area of Browntown.

After 7.5 miles, you will enter what is known as Browntown, with Gooney Run flowing adjacent to the road. This tucked-away community of Warren County has small churches, a community center and the O.J. Rudacille General Store, which has been serving the community since 1884.

Turn right onto Bentonville Road, crossing over a one-lane bridge, and the general store will be on your left. Follow Bentonville Road for 6 miles until you reach Rt. 340 in Bentonville.

Once you turn right onto Rt. 340 north to head back into Front Royal, there are options for fuel, drinks and food.

After 1 mile, Shenandoah River State Park will be on your left. The park has a short 1.5-mile drive down to the Shenandoah River and has an overlook along the way featuring a view the Shenandoah River and the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is an entrance fee.

Continuing north on Rt. 340, you will gain access to Interstate 66.

Highland County The Highland County Driving Tour starts in Staunton. At Exit 222 on Interstate 81 near Staunton, follow Route 250 to Monterey. This tour begins as you cross the Highland County line.

At Monterey, travel west on Rt. 250 to Hightown. Travel west on Rt. 250 to the West Virginia State Line. Turn around and head back to Hightown. Travel west on Rt. 250 to the West Virginia State Line, and travel into West Virginia to Rt. 92.

Follow Rt. 92 South to Rt. 84 to return to Virginia. Rt. 84 North will take you back to Hightown. (This tour is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.)

Follow Rt. 640 North from Hightown to Rt. 637, and follow Rt. 637 South to return to Hightown. (This tour is approximately thirty minutes.)

Highland County to Bath County: At Hightown, follow Rt. 640 to Rt. 84 to Rt. 600 and travel into Bath County. Follow Rt. 600 to Lake Moomaw; Follow Rt. 603 (a gravel road) through Bacova to Rt. 39. Take Rt. 39 to Warm Springs

Take Rt. 39 East to Lexington, OR Follow Rt. 220 North to Monterey.


COVID CABIN FEVER… cont.

Bath County The Bath County Driving Tour begins in Lexington. At Exit 191 on Interstate 81 near Lexington, follow Interstate 64 to Route 39. This tour begins as you enter Rt. 39.

Follow Rt. 39 through Millboro Springs. At Rt. 629, stay on Rt. 39 to Warm Springs or follow Clifton Forge tour below. To go Clifton Forge:

Turn left onto Rt. 629 and travel to Clifton Forge. At Clifton Forge, follow Rt. 220 South to Roanoke to complete this tour.

Approaching Warm Springs, two scenic tours are available: Follow Rt. 39 to Rt. 603 (a gravel road), and take Rt. 603 to Lake Moomaw. Rt. 603 becomes Rt.

600 (paved). Take Rt. 600 to Rt. 39, and turn right to return to Warm Springs. (If you stay on Rt. 600, you can follow Rt. 84 and then Rt. 640 to Hightown in Highland County, and take their driving tour).

Take Rt. 220 North to Monterey in Highland County.

Bedford County From Rt. 460 in Bedford, take Rt. 122 South to Moneta to begin the tour.

Roundtrip from Moneta, this scenic tour covers approximately 35 miles. In Moneta on Route 122, travel east on Rt. 608 about 10 miles to the Bourassa State Forest. Travel back to White House intersection on Rt. 608 and turn south on Rt. 626. Go about 2.1 miles to Smith Mountain Lake State Park entrance. Continue another 3 miles on Rt. 626. Side routes: From Moneta, travel south on Rt. 122 about 4 miles to Halesford Bridge. Cross the lake for food and gifts. From Moneta, travel north on Rt. 122 about 15 miles to visit the Visitors’ Center and D-Day

Memorial in Bedford.

Dreams come true…

And no Flying Monkeys!


HISTORIAN’S VIEWPOINT: Don Hayter, MG’s last Chief Engineer

Passes into History January 22, 1926 - October 9, 2020

By Bob Vitrikas

Another member of the MG “Old Guard” has passed into history. Don Hayter, third and last MG Chief Engineer, died on Friday morning, 9 October. During his time at MG from 1956-1980, he was involved in the development of the MGA Twin Cam and most notably, being responsible for the design and development of the MGB, the best selling MG sports car of all time.

In an effort to provide some insight into the warm, kind, and thoughtful person he was, please allow me to relate my personal experience with Don. In October 1979, while researching my book on the MGA, I had the opportunity to spend four days in the MG design department. I arrived at the MG factory in Abingdon just days after the shocking announcement by British Leyland that the MG factory would be closed in one year’s time. In an act of unspeakably crass timing, the announcement came on the Monday following a week long celebration in Abingdon commemorating the 50th anniversary of MG’s factory being based in Abingdon, coincidentally Don’s home town. Needless to say, the announcement stunned the MG work force and the townspeople who were emotionally and financially invested in MG.

Perhaps you met Don Hayter at the U.S. 2006 MG International Convention in Gatlinburg, Tennessee? Photo by Mark McCourt


HISTORIAN’S VIEWPOINT:… Hayter cont.

Despite the gloomy atmosphere and uncertainty about the future, Don was a gracious host and very generous with his time. The insights he shared from working on MG design since 1956 and the introductions he provided to key MG personalities were invaluable to my research. At the end of my time at MG, Don quietly approached me to say goodbye. He handed me a large shipping tube that contained full size copies of every MGA body, chassis, and accessory drawing. He said he wanted me to have these drawings to preserve that part of the history of the MGA. I was deeply touched by his generosity and confidence in me. I still have those drawings, carefully stored in my home office about 15 feet from where I am writing this, and have provided digital copies to the MG Car Club in Abingdon to ensure they continue to be available into the future. Fittingly and coming full circle, Don was made Honorary Vice-President of the MG Car Club in 2001.

A humble and compassionate man, after leaving MG, he continued to apply his engineering expertise by designing medical equipment to aid the mobility of victims of cerebral palsy, motor neuron disease, and other injuries and handicaps. An excellent Hemmings Motor News article, written by Mark J. McCourt, “Humanitarian on Four Wheels: he made a life’s work of bringing people mobility and enjoyment.” is a great read on Don’s amazing life. https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/humanitarian-on-four-wheels

Don has written an excellent book on the MGB’s design and development, Don Hayter’s MGB Story. The book is filled with his unique personal insights and photographs that not only recount the engineering development of MGs, but equally important, the personalities that were MG. (Don Hayter’s MGB Story is available from Moss Motors.). I’ll let Don have the last word from the Acknowledgements section of his book. Thanks for the memories, Don!

“I would like to record my thanks to all the MG workers from Abingdon and around the ‘family’ factory for their willing friendship and help. Also to colleagues from all parts of the Austin-Rover, Leyland and Triumph group, who provided expertise and design ability over many years.”

The last MGB body off the trim line at Cowley. (Not the last car to be built)

.%20%20https:/www.hemmings.com/stories/article/humanitarian-on-four-wheels

.%20%20https:/www.hemmings.com/stories/article/humanitarian-on-four-wheels


THE SIMPLE STUFF: Shedding Light on a Dark Subject

by Bob Vitrikas

If you own a modern car, you probably have a sensor that automatically turns the headlights on when it gets dark outside and turns them off when it brightens. A great idea, makes driving safer, and takes away one task from the driver. So far, so good, right? Well, mostly good.

In Virginia, having your headlights and other “illuminating devices” turned on under low visibility conditions is the law.

§ 46.2-1030. When lights to be lighted; number of lights to be lighted at any time; use of warning lights.

A. Every vehicle in operation on a highway in the Commonwealth shall display lighted headlights and illuminating devices as required by this article (i) from sunset to sunrise; (ii) during any other time when, because of rain, smoke, fog, snow, sleet, insufficient light, or other unfavorable atmos- pheric conditions, visibility is reduced to a degree whereby persons or vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet; and (iii) whenever windshield wipers are in use as a result of fog, rain, sleet, or snow. The provisions of this subsection, however, shall not apply to instances when windshield wipers are used intermittently in misting rain, sleet, or snow.

Sunset to sunrise isn’t a problem with automatic headlights, but the reduced visibility in rain, smoke, fog, snow, and sleet can cause a problem. I’ve found that often it isn’t dark enough to automatically turn on the headlights, so in these instances, I have to think about what I’m doing and turn on the headlights manually. This is a habit that I’m still working on and often forget to turn on the headlights. Ah—but what if my car has Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)? Don’t these satisfy the requirement? I don’t believe they do. I’m not a lawyer, but the law clearly states “headlights (not DRLs) and (my emphasis) illuminating devices”. I believe “illuminating devices” refer to parking lights, side marker lights, DRLs, etc. DRLs alone are not sufficient, and if the headlights are not turned on, the “illuminating devices” are not lit. The intent of the law is to make your vehicle more visible in limited visibility conditions from every aspect; front, rear and side. DRLs only enhance visibility from head on.

How much trouble will I be in if I forget to turn on my headlights when my windshield wipers are operating (but not when used intermittently)? Turns out you are off the hook unless you are stopped by an officer of the law for another offense.

D. The failure to display lighted headlights and illuminating devices under the conditions set forth in clause (iii) of subsection A shall not constitute negligence per se, nor shall violation of clause (iii) of subsection A constitute a defense to any claim for personal injury or recovery of medical

expenses for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.


THE SIMPLE STUFF:… Shedding Light cont.

E. No demerit points shall be assessed for failure to display lighted headlights and illuminating devices during periods of fog, rain, sleet, or snow in violation of clause (iii) of subsection A.

F. No citation for a violation of clause (iii) of subsection A shall be issued unless the officer issuing such citation has cause to stop or arrest the driver of such motor vehicle for the violation of some other provision of this Code or local ordinance relating to the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor vehicle or any criminal statute.

Bottom line, when driving with your wipers on or under limited visibility conditions, manually turn on your headlights! It’s simply common sense, eh?

HAPPY

The Get-Away… Safety FAST!


Classifieds On Line: The Webmaster created a classified section on our club website:http://svbcc.net/Classifieds.htm Individual members of the club may post Wanted or For Sale items at no charge. The posting will be in place for 60 days unless canceled or renewed. Send ad and pictures to the Webmaster at [email protected]

Members Buying and Selling in Print: Individual members may submit ads that will run in the SVBCC Newsletters for 2 months unless an extension is requested. Pictures are welcome! Please send ads to [email protected]

FOR SALE: RILEY SALOON RMB

Riley four door Saloon 2 1/2 liter RMB, owned since 1968, sent back from England in 1970. Car restored in 1975. This car is in good running condition, and garage kept all these years. After 51 years ownership, it is time to sell. Asking price is $23,500. This sale comes with a few extra parts, owners manual, and shop manuals. Any questions, call Richard Saupe at 716-467-0086. The car resides in Wellsville NY.

GOT SOMETHING FOR SALE?

PUT IT HERE!

http://svbcc.net/Classifieds.htm

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:mailto:%[email protected]


On Your Marque is the official publication of the Shenandoah Valley British Car Club, Ltd. Any and all

opinions expressed herein are those of contributing author's and not necessarily those of the SVBCC, its

individual members, or the leaders of the Club. Contributions and comments are enthusiastically

encouraged. We are always looking for interesting articles and stories about owning a Classic British

Sports Car. Send your letters, pictures, and articles of interest to: [email protected] or On Your

Marque Newsletter Editor, 1088 Campbell Road, Keswick, VA 22947.

Shenandoah Valley British Car Club, Ltd.

P.O. Box 323

Waynesboro, Virginia 22980

Shenandoah Valley British Car Club - Founded 1981 Page 1 ...Webmaster: Michael FitzGeorge News...

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