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Is anyone planning to go to Monterey this year? The Historics are from = 8/14 thru 8/16 at Laguna Seca, and the Concours is on Sunday 8/16. Does = anyone know if any Rootesmobiles will be competing? I will be staying = at the track campground, so stop by and say hi if you're in the area. = Look for a red S II Alpine and a gold Excalibur (my Brother's).
The trip is about 500 miles for me down the coast highway (tough duty, = but someone's got to do it), and a good shakedown for SUNI III. I'm = planning to photograph my car in front of every highway touri7bit X-Priority: 3 X-Msmail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.5 X-Mimeole: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3 Sender: owner-alpines(at)autox.team.net Precedence: bulk Reply-To: "Rex Funk" <rexfunk(at)magick.net>
Russell Maddock wrote:
>I understand that owners of, what in "British" terminology we call veteran
>and vintage cars i.e. made before 1930, are already very worried about
this.
>I'm the only under 30 I know who aspires to own a car more than 70 years
>old.
Good on ya, Russ. One of the blessings of technology is that we can carry on conversations with our fellow enthusiasts half-way around the world. Unfortunately, this same technology consumes its past. I applaud younger people like Russell and Patrick who discovered the beauty and utility of classic Sunbeams, even though they weren't raised with them. I can also see why others are more intrigued by cars of their own youth. We are still in the re-run stage with '50s,-70s LBCs. Some of them still look good going down the road, and make decent daily drivers that are not too exotic or expensive to maintain. There is still an after-market parts industry for these orphans. Most of us have owned "parts cars" which kept our first-line cars alive and might have been restored, had the demand for the marque been there. Each year, fewer and fewer of the old classics remain. The machine demands to be fed, and the metal and the space it takes up can be used for future classics.
It takes emotional attachment, commitment, and lots of energy to keep these cars on the road. We support each other in doing so, but each of us has to make the effort. I've often thought about owning a stable of classics that includes some of the pre-Rootes Sunbeams. I can easily get lost in dreams of a large temperature controlled barn, workshop, and storage space where these prized cars would be kept. Then I wake up. Where would I get wheel bearings, oil filters, engine gaskets and other parts for these beauties? Besides the money, there is a major commitment in time looking for NOS, repro, or used parts. I suspect that I will have to be content to see the old-timers in museums and concurs events. . . but wouldn't it be great to own one? Someone will be saying the same thing about Alpines someday.
There is a way to slow down this downward spiral and stretch out the re-run phase. We can look for good homes for orphan cars, and help newly smitten younger owners have positive and rewarding experiences with them. The mailing list, SUNI, clubs and their events, tech tips, survivor manuals, and newsletters all help to make owners feel they are a part of something special. Their cars have a following, and are the embodiment of a heritage (not just a novel way to cover the garage floor with oil puddles). We need to applaud cars at all stages of restoration, and encourage improvement. We can all talk up the marque and make it more desirable to enthusiasts. Hair dressers are buying Miatas and Neons today, not Alpines. Besides, they bought as many MGBs and Spridgets, largely because the Alpine set a trend toward more refinement and comfort that persists today. We can also lobby for sane laws that keep our hobby alive.
There are probably other marque clubs that have been successful at maintaining the appeal of their cars to all generations. We could learn much from them.
Regards,
Rex Funk
st mecca = from "Trees of Mystery" to the "17 Mi. Drive". I'll send T.J. some = JPEGs for the web page.=20
Preparations have included new wheel bearings & seals all around, new = rear brake shoes, new tonneau cover, oil pump rebuild (to reduce = end-play), lube, oil change, speedometer cable, new heater hoses, new = hayden fan & belt, new front shocks, new muffler, new pinion & rear = trans seals, and numerous repairs, refurbishments, and tweeks. Preping = for a long trip is a good way to improve your runner and use up a lot of = spare time and cash.
Rex Funk
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Bob Flak wrote:
>The symptom I am experiencing is lack of cranking power after the =
engine
>has been running (hot) and is shut down. The engine hardly turns
over....and I
>often have to wait 3-10 minutes before I can get the car started again
Try bypassing the starter solenoid with jumper cables. Check all = wiring, including ground strap to the engine. Are you using an alternator or generator? Make sure it is charging your system adequately. I once = came home from a long night trip, stopped the car in the driveway to open the garage, and couldn't restart. The generator had not been keeping up = with the lights, heater, radio, etc., and the battery ran down. An = alternator is a wise mod. 'Haven't had that problem since (I have other problems). = If you're unsure about the starters, you could have them bench tested at a starter shop.
Have you checked your ignition switch? Sometimes these will heat up = under load due to poor contacts. Try bypassing it to see if you can start the = car when hot (just jump from the main hot wire to the ignition switch wire = at the solenoid). If so, replace the switch (those "inferior" British electricals don't last more than 25 or 30 yrs.).
Starters draw many amps. Make sure the cables leading to the starter, solenoid, and battery are sound, and capable of delivering lots of = current. Look for corrosion and poor connections. Replace them if there is any doubt.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
Rex Funk