BR Ice Cream Social

Posted on September 10, 2023December 12, 2023 by Bobby Spann

Meanwhile in Baton Rouge:

On Saturday Sept. 9th THE social event of the season happened at Danny and Dana Varnado’s in Watson, La. About 30 BMCNO members with 12 LBC attended an Ice Cream Social tech session to get our cars ready for the upcoming fall British car shows at Natchez (9-16-23 and Fairhope 10-21-23).

We worked on cars, swam in the pool and tried out our new Valve Cover Raceway! Then Dana brought out some of her famous homemade ice cream in chocolate, vanilla and creme soda!

What a day! Thanks to the Varnado’s for hosting.

Cars at the Baton Rouge Ice Cream Social

BR Breakfast Dec 12, 2020

Posted on December 12, 2020December 12, 2023 by Cathy Greensfelder

The Renegade Breakfast Group of Baton Rouge had a small group of 4 at the Dec 12 limited breakfast meeting, which was an equal split between LBC’s and two GCC vehicles.

Good food, fast service, a low ambient background noise and interesting back-story tales made for an enjoyable event.

There was Impromptu Tech Session immediately after with a windshield valet demonstration necessitated by a major condensation issue on both sides of the glass due to the inclement weather conditions, which then led to an extended discussions on MGB wipers i.e. “are all three identical or should the RH one be different?” (Meanwhile, Randy pointed out that the German engineers had solved this issue on his vehicle by using just a single wiper arm and blade)

Meanwhile, the TR was undergoing carburetion adjustments so it could safely leave the parking lot. “How to use the TR hand-crank mechanism with a minimum loss of coolant” was postponed due to the late hour.

Please remember that the last 2020 BR Group meeting is this Wednesday (Dec 9, 2020) – if you haven’t done so yet, please let myself or Bobby know if you plan to attend or not. As it stands right now, it is forecast to be a cool but rainless evening and so absolutely perfect for us all to enjoy the dark and put our Lucas electrical systems to the test, plus a great opportunity to be an entrant to be the final “Loo Seat” winner of 2020.

Cheers!

Robb C

subbing for the Roving Reporter!

BR Breakfast Dec 12, 2020 mini tech session

BR Cruise Dec 12, 2020

Posted on December 12, 2020December 12, 2023 by Cathy Greensfelder

Hey, nice BMCNO club meeting this week! We had 10 members attend at Cafe’ American in the back room and we weren’t crowded at all. I tried to run the meeting for Rick, but we missed his organization skills! John and Mary brought 3 door prizes that were pretty cool. Well, 2 cool door prizes and a Booby Prize – Bill Avery’s old air compressor. He plugged it in and the waitress came running to see what we had blown up! I guess with some fittings you might be able to air up a bicycle tire with it…

Cathy Greenfelder sent us 4 more masks she made for the BR group and we passed them out. She is so talented!

This morning 4 of the usual suspects gathered at The Warehouse Restaurant for some British bench racing and good food. If the weather doesn’t get better we may morph into the German Motoring Club! (see picture) We talked about the James Bond movie franchise, members who weren’t present (excluding Danny Bergeron who at least had the decency to call us on the phone) and how Jerry’s brother in law is doing. I told the group I may have a line on 4 MGB parts cars for $1,800. Waiting for contact info now.

John Paul at the Cushman table was telling me Robert Parent’s family may be clearing out his garage soon. So I checked with Robert’s daughter and they are NOT selling anything just yet. When I hear otherwise, I’ll let you know. There is a treasure trove of old hot rods and parts, early Corvettes and more tools that all of us have put together, including maybe a lathe and milling machine.

Randy is 99% done with the harmonic balancer bolt repair on his Mini, so I expect to see more British cars as the weather dries out.

Cruise Safe,

Roving Reporter

BR Breakfast Cruise 11/21/2020

Posted on November 21, 2020December 12, 2023 by Bobby Spann

I’ve been waiting to write this note as the substitute Roving Reporter about our drive on Saturday, but my heavy heart after going to Reg Dunbar’s service on Friday has had me searching for what to say. I don’t know what else to say except that it sure does hurt to lose people you’re friends with and care about and share a common passion with our little British cars. I’m afraid our suffering is not over, as Bob Gullic is hanging on to a thread after three weeks in the hospital with the virus. Also, I talked to Jim Smith this morning after he missed the Saturday drive, and he and his wife Honie both have Covid, although, thankfully, at this point it sounds like they both have “light” cases.

So, yes, we soldiered on, social distanced, and had our drive on Saturday morning. I think Reg would have wanted us to. One of his daughters told me that they were burying him with his BMCNO name tag, she said our club was one of the highlights of his life. Barbara wasn’t there, she’s still fighting her battle with Covid. Maxine told Bob we were out driving again on Saturday, and he was happy for us, wished he could be with us again. Jim would have been there if he was well.

It was another beautiful day. Six cars and nine people participated. I was asking why there weren’t more cars/people, and Betsy Harper said probably because the LSU game was on at 11. I just figured they’d be playing in the afternoon or evening, so missed that one. We had two E-Types, an MGA, B, and C, and a TR3. Here’s a link to a couple before pictures and a couple after pictures. Mary Lynne and I led, followed by Hank & Betsy Harper in their MGC, Robb in his MGB, new member Will Jones in his TR3, Milton and Randy in Milton’s E-Type, and Marc Zebouni in his MGA. The drive was close to a repeat of our April drive, starting out from Alex Box Stadium at LSU and hopping on River Road just south of Baton Rouge. This time we went all the way through St Gabriel, around a few plants, and then back to Bluff Road via LA3115 and LA74. Bluff Road ends at LA427, the Perkins Rd extension, which we took up to the Home Depot parking lot for a little show and tell session (masks on, social distanced).

So a nice drive together, but hard not to think of the people we’re losing to the virus. Please keep praying for those suffering and dying from this or any illness and their families and friends.

We still have very much to be thankful for on Thursday. Wishing you a Thankful Thanksgiving.

Rick H

Substitute Roving Reporter

BR Cruise 11-14-2020

Posted on November 14, 2020December 12, 2023 by Cathy Greensfelder

Hello Everybody,

Well, we sure had a great time this morning at breakfast and on our drive. The weather was fabulous – high 50s to start, about 70 when we finished, and we had 8 vehicles/11 people on the drive. Danny (and his friend Danny Bergeron), Bobby, Jerry, Randy, Milton, and I met at the Warehouse at 7, had a nice breakfast, talked about the upcoming Baton Rouge Cruise at the end of January, and made some plans for it.

We left there just after 8 for the 15 minute drive up to Zoar Baptist Church where Annette Franklin, Robb Cowzer, Jerold and Molly Lebold, Butch Ammons, and Mike Jastram joined us for the drive. Bobby left us to head back home – he’s taking care of Connie after her neck surgery 2 weeks ago. So that’s why I’m the Roving Reporter today.

Jerold and Molly arrived in their bright red, looks like new, 1965 Sunbeam Tiger that has been in the family since 1970. 20,000 miles, painted once but never restored, I’m telling you it looked like new – perfect chrome, paint, interior, convertible top (replaced once). What a treat for us all to see that car this morning. You just never know what’s going to show up for a drive. So we had an E-Type Coupe, two TR6s, a Tiger, an E-Type Convertible, an MGB, an MGB GT, and a bright yellow modern Honda 3 wheeler. We sure got lots of honks from people we passed along the way.

The winding roads in northeastern EBR and southeastern East Feliciana parish were just lovely – lots of trees, shade, some pretty and falling leaves. We left Zoar, went up Joor then N. Joor Rd. Took a right on Peairs Rd, made a left on Hwy 409, Liberty Rd and took it all the way up into East Feliciana Parish where we turned right onto Hwy 969, Bob Jones Rd. Then it was right on Hwy 63 back down to Hwy 37, Greenwell Springs Rd. After a long drive along the west side of the Amite River, we turned right again to head west onto Stony Point Burch Rd until we got back to Hwy 409, Liberty Rd, where we turned left and followed it back the other way to the South. We turned right on Hwy 64 to head further west, crossed over Joor Rd and then turned left on Hwy 410, Blackwater Rd which took us back to Hooper Rd where we turned left and headed back to Zoar. Wow, that was fun – about an hour and 20 minutes of fun on the back roads. Thanks to Milton and Annette for leading, we really had a good time. We ended up back at Zoar Baptist Church, and parked our cars out in front for a photo shoot (those are the pictures I posted above).

That was so much fun I think we’ll organize another one for next Saturday, if the weather is nice.

Cheers,

Rick

Baton Rouge Cruise 11-14-2020

BR Breakfast Cruise, Sept 12, 2020

Posted on September 14, 2020September 14, 2020 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 September 11, 2020October 11, 2020 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!

BR Cruise Aug 22, 2020

Posted on August 22, 2020September 14, 2020 by Cathy Greensfelder

It was a pretty nice trip to Cracker Barrel on Saturday, August 22, 2020. We finally got 2 attentive waitresses. Between us and the Hot Rod guys, we had 19 total at 3 long tables. There were 7 of us at the British table and Rick Huber’s Lotus was getting a lot of attention out in the parking lot – because he was running it without a hood. Real hot rod stuff! Nice to be able to kinda see the cars from where we sit.

Today’s crew included Jerry, Randy, Danny, Rob, John Pearson, Rick and myself.

Danny tried to get a taste of Randy’s blueberry pancakes with a Harbor Freight telescoping fork… and Tiffany got my order wrong. (second time this happened) I wanted the country ham & biscuit like last week, which I think is around $4. Plus fried apples and tea… She brought me 2 huge slices of ham, and when I said I wanted the ham & biscuit she said “Oh, biscuits are on the table!” AHHH!

The ham alone was over $7.00! Danny (aka Colonel Mustard) says you have to open the menu and Point at what you want. Lesson learned.

Cruise Safe and good luck with the hurricanes,

Roving Reporter

Bobby Spann

BMCNO cars at breakfast

Rick was running with no bonnet – that’s hood to you Yanks

BMCNO and the Hot Rod guys

Coln Mustard and his telescoping fork!

Dear Roving Reporter,

The vintage telescoping fork demonstrated at the Cracker Barrel is definitely NOT a Harbor Freight item. It happens to be a slightly modified Triumph Fork, similar to the one that recently sold for $320.00 USD at Sotheby’s Auction House…

Best Regards,

Colonel Mustard

And if you believe that one, there is this bridge for sale!!!

Continue reading “BR Cruise Aug 22, 2020” →

BR Breakfast Cruise Aug 8, 2020

Posted on August 8, 2020August 19, 2020 by Cathy Greensfelder

On Saturday, August 8, 2020, six of us tried out the Cracker Barrel restaurant on Airline Hwy @ I-12 in Baton Rouge along with a half dozen hot rod guys. We got there a little before 7:00 am to visit in the parking lot before they opened. Then immediately both groups got a table.

The Manager forgot we were coming so it took almost an hour to get our food, but that was no problem because we had plenty of hot coffee, cold drinks and warm biscuits… and great conversation. Free coffee starts next week.

Added bonus: The location is highly visible! We had several people stop by when they saw the British cars – one had a relative with an MGB in a barn..!

Roving Reporter,

Bobby Spann

BR Saturday Cruise July 18, 2020

Posted on July 18, 2020September 14, 2020 by Cathy Greensfelder

What a great morning in the Central / Baton Rouge area!

At 8:00 a.m., me-MGB, Milton-TR4, Jerry-Mustang, Randy-Mini Panel and Danny-TR6 (plus Danny B in a vintage Ford XL pickup) showed up at MePa’s in Central, but they were closed due to air conditioning problems. So we quickly decided to cruise over to the Warehouse on South Choctaw in Baton Rouge. Milton pulled up smoking and Danny diagnosed it as his left front brake caliper locking up. He said he’d gingerly drive home using the hand brake…

Not too crowded at the Warehouse and we got the big table in the main room. Good food and perky waitresses too! Had a nice discussion on LBC’s, Milton’s 10 Minute Vacation Location, camper trailers, and NASCAR & “flags of the South.” And we hit on subjects like why Carol is selling her Jaguar…

If you live in the area – come on out one Saturday morning! If you show up and nobody is there – give me a call on my cell at 975-1928. If you live in the Gonzales area I believe there is a car group that meets at Frank’s on Airline…

Afterward I told the group about my problem – couldn’t get my center cap off the steering wheel. Well, just so happens Danny is ‘the Norwegian Thumb Wrestling Champion’ and in short order he got it off! FYI for all you 1970 MGB owners – on the early cars at least – this is how the button looks. Hopefully the bitchin’ wooden wheel Rob gave me will go on without any problems.

NOTE:
Next Saturday Fr. Ralph Howe of St. James Episcopal Church downtown is retiring and there will be a little parade for him at 10:00 down 4th street. Since I am a 3rd generation at St. James, I plan on being there – might be fun to cruise over after breakfast in our Little British Cars and show off! I’ll send more details later in the week.

Cruise safe,

Roving Reporter

Bobby Spann