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MG TD TF 1500 - GOF 2012 The final leg home

One more glitch on the TF while at the GOF. Cranked her up the morning after arrival and drove around the grounds to Dan's trailer. Little belt noise. Further investigation revealed a number of teeth missing on the blower belt. Had the number of the belt and called NAPA for a replacement. Said they would have one by noon. Dan and Sharon once again came to the rescue and took me to the NAPA store. Whoop...wrong one. Then on to the one I had called. Customer service was a little lacking but eventually they found the belt after some severe prodding by me. Got the belt off and it was in pretty sorry shape. I'm guessing the Madison heat helped along an already worn belt. Any way I got the Mrs off in a limo to the airport using airport transfers tunbridge wells at 6 am for her 9 o'clock flight home and Dan, Gene and the girls and I headed south. Tom doing some study before leaving. I think he's saying " there is no way you drive through Olympia Washington from Colorado to get to St. Charles.


LaVerne

First hour or so was two lane roads and traffic lights and the occasional rain shower. I looked at this for most of the trip to Dan and Sharon's house in Springfield, Missouri where they offered to put me up for the night.


LaVerne

Once we got on the freeway and got up to speed the Green Hornet shut down. I pulled over but the engine was still running. Gene and Ann trailing pulled over behind me but I gave it another go and she ran for a bit and then the same thing. Tried one more time and after the same result we pulled off at a lonely fuel stop and tried to diagnose the issue. Had a look under the bonnet and poked and prodded for a bit but found nothing of relevance. I decide to take off down the side road to see if I could gather any important info. My original thought was fuel problem. But after a few runs of a couple of miles down the road I talked myself out of that as when the engine shut down I would kill the switch and coast to a stop. Turn the key on and no clicking of the fuel pump but she would fire right up. So we took a chance it was the pertronix going to crap and replaced it with a set of points I had swapped out of John's car in Olympia. It's a pain to do on a positive ground car as the timing is way off because of the oddball wiring on a positive ground Pertronix. So once in It ran just about like your car wouldn't John. It was a brand new unit John had but obviuosly defective. So in with another used set I was packing and another road test or two. Same result only this time no restart. Crawled under the TF and tapped the fuel pump and she clicked to life. Crap..it's the fuel pump after all.

So with that info in hand I headed back to the fuel station and Gene suggested I back it under the picnic cover and go to work. My original thought was to just find a Facet style pump at a parts house and put it in line. Dan offered up one off his MKII so thats what we replaced mine with instead. Was nice to have Dan's and Gene's tools and assistance. And the ladies patience.


LaVerne

Was only behind Gene briefly as he was my safety net.


LaVerne

We were passed by someone returning from the GOF and they turned off before St Louis. Did I mention the heat. Starting to get way above hot riding in the Green Hornet although the engine was handing it just fine.


LaVerne

After arriving at Dan and Sharon's much later than expected I got a well needed shower and a cold one mmmm. Sharon's ride. Anybody want to venture a guess?


LaVerne

After a good nights sleep ( I highly recommend Dan and Sharon's B & B) Dan insisted I clean up the Hornet a little. A little look reveals why everything rusts to crap near Chicago. The car was covered in white lines of dried salt splashed up on the car from driving in the rain. I think somebody needs to get a handle on the amount they lay down in the winter.

So with the cars all pretty we headed to Carthage, Missouri about 80 miles away for Dan's local British car clubs yearly show.
Sharon stayed behind to enjoy a brief visit with her grand daughter, son and his wife.
LaVerne

Once there Dan directed us to the staging area where we were welcomed by smiling faces and cold drinks. The show venue pretty neat. A square block in which the old stone court house sets. I'd highly recommend the show for anyone.

The T series was well represented. Thanks to Gene for this shot.


LaVerne

A few Healeys and a Morgan


LaVerne

Voted best of show. I had never seen one with a Coventry Climax single carburated engine before.


LaVerne

That is...highly recommend it AFTER they change the time of year it's held. 103 degrees is a bit warm for a British car show.
Gene Gillam

Our friends from San Diego also made in down from the GOF.


LaVerne

There was a good turnout of MG's


LaVerne

Also a good turn out of Triumphs as well but you didn't come here to see those.


LaVerne

I think I may have seen this ride before.


LaVerne

Many more car photos but I wandered off looking for something my Doc says I can eat. Found it here. After a bit Dan called and asked where I was? Turned out he was standing in line at this counter. Was a "ya had to hear the conversation" moment.


LaVerne

Pretty cool decor inside.


LaVerne

I wore those for decades.


LaVerne

There were a couple of large antique stores I wandered into. Mainly to cool off. Did I mention the heat??? Found myself buying a few things my wife likes to collect while I was there.


LaVerne

After the car show we made our way to the hotel and some air conditioning. Yea!!! The club banquet was later in the evening. I knew that from Dan's emails in the past that the banquet has a theme so I enquired as to what this years would be before I left home. Halloween in July. Hmmmmm. I had just the ticket.

When I attended the GOF in Sheboygan in 2009 I was told that the banquet would have a nautical theme. So I purchased what I thought would be appropriate for the evening at a local wal-mart I think. Fortuneatly Dan called me from the banquet and told me that while it was nautical decor it certainly was not attire. So having been saved the embarassment my attire went into hiding unopened in my closet. But now it had purpose.

By the way...I don't think Wisconsin is over the hat hair yet.

So I present the two chicken masters.


LaVerne

Dan provided me with the privilage of serving dinner to the guests. It was great fun. We both wore signs with arrows pointing down to the plates that said "Not mine". I spent the evening telling people the Cornell's Secret Recipie......Spinach.


LaVerne

A good number in costume.


LaVerne

I have no idea.


LaVerne

Good witch of the south?


LaVerne

Well attended


LaVerne

?


LaVerne

I heard if a prince kisses a witch she will turn into a princess. Apparently I'm no prince.


LaVerne

Group photo


LaVerne

With the festivities over it was time to head back to the rooms. The Green Hornet still looking good in the fading light. Had a beer with Gene, Ann, Dan and another couple and then it was off early the next morning towards home.


LaVerne

Leaving fairly early I took the back roads to Witchita and then headed north to I-70. Car ran perfect until slightly after getting on I-70. Found that I could keep her going if I held the RPM to 3000 or under but anything much over that and she would starve for fuel. After many miles that dropped to 2500 RPM. Limped into Hays, KS and got a room. The heat was rediculous now. 107. Found a parts store and bought a facet pump and some hardware and went back to the hotel and parked it and went and had lunch. After lunch I jacked her up ( could have used Dan's set up) and stuck the pump in line. Made a few test runs and went to bed. New plan was to leave before sunrise and try and beat some heat. Car temp was running just fine..even at 107.


LaVerne

Set the alarm for 4 but didn't get up till 5 and hit the road. Nice and cool. Even thought about stopping and digging out my jacket a few times. First sign of light later was actually to the north over some high clouds.


LaVerne

Crossing the eastern plains I now have some familiar things in site.


LaVerne

Stopped for brunch at the west edge of Denver and then it would be another 4 hrs to home. Traffic was brutal for a Monday Clear to the tunnel where they had funneled it to one lane. If you have never been through the tunnel then here's what you missed. Heck of a grade to the entrance and the a slight down hill until you exit and then another severe downhill grade for many miles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlvWm_cZPqg&feature=g-upl
LaVerne

Getting closer Glenwood Canyon now. That's our punney Colorado River on the left. Once a two lane road with mostly 25 and 35 corners and scenes of many accidents, including my own Green Hornet I was told by the previous owner. Seems it went off the road and into a rock in the river which would explain the front end damage I found when restoring it. One of the last sections of the interstate highway system to be completed. Years of arguments about the route and destroying the beauty of the canyon. One of the most expensive also. The cantilevered sections were of French equipment construction... gives you a little quesy feeling doesn't it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woJWX2BDKQw&feature=g-upl
LaVerne

And finally the comfort of home around 2:30. I haven't added the milage but I'm guessing around 4500. Crazy??? Maybe but The TF and I seem to have a calling to be on the road. Not because of some book I read. We are a lot a like. Not perfect, lots of flaws and occasionally we break down sometimes but we get back and motor on down the road. I hope you all enjoyed my trip.


LaVerne

LaVerne...excellent! Enjoyed your photos, videos and most of all your company. Thanks!
Gene Gillam

And the caption to the last is: "you didn't take me, you turkey!"

Splendid, LaVerne.
The view from Kansas to Pikes Peak is one of my favourites, always feel I'm finally gettin' somewhere, and the build up across Kansas is lovely. Glenwood canyon road also splendid.
Really good courthouse back yonder as well.

Congrats and thanks for the trip!

FRM
FR Millmore

The jealousy we all feel for your exploits are wonderful.
Thanks LaVerne.
Mort (50 TD "Mobius")

great trip and travelogue. Congratulations.

Warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Paul.
P.W. Lester

Wadda ride, Bubba. So glad that you and the Gillams got to attend the GOBMC show at Carthage. Exceptional heat this year made for tough conditions - at least I had a white suit to wear. Found a pic that showed my view behind the Hornet going to Reno....black dot 10 miles ahead on a damn lonely road.
Costumes for the banquet are a fun element. The ride from the hotel to the Hall can definatly turn heads. Guests don't normally serve dinner but with fried chicken on the plates it just seemed like the thing to do. Didn't dump food on anyone did you?
Love that drive by the river. Been too long away from the mountains. Glad you worked thru the fuel issue well enough to get ya home. Think we oughta go to Gene's next year? Rest up--Dan
Dan Craig

Dan, LaVerne...absolutely come to our house next year...or this...for Cruising the Coast (1st week in October). Bed will be waiting.
Gene Gillam

What a ride, I am glad you got home safe and sound. It was a real pleasure seeing you, Dan and Gene at the GOF. I told Gene I would try and visit him in March next year if all goes well. Great Pics. I never think about the camera.
Tom Maine (TD8105)

Another great travel log. I'm glad to have been able to visit with you in Olympia while you were here. I always enjoy your company.

Alex
Alex Waugh

This thread was discussed between 02/08/2012 and 07/08/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

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