Keith's Corner: May 10th

SCM staffers Chad Tyson and Tony Piff have been running a non-stop MGB shuttle program, running the three cars between the SCM Garage,  Guy’s Interior Restorations (for new seat cushions, new dash pads), and Harold’s Auto Service (new ignition switch for the MGB-GT, tracking down why the burgundy roadster smells like a fuel refinery after a sharp turn, etc.). The Road to Reno, now in the company of at least 30 other MGs, starts here in Portland at 8 am, June 12. We’ll forgive you if you’re not there for the kickoff party – watch this space for parts depot addresses where you can send “mercy packs” of points, condensers, and wheel bearings.

But the next adventure is going to be the Pacific Coast Rover Club Memorial Day off-road trek, happening outside Redmond, Oregon. Ship’s Mechanical tells me the 1989 Range Rover (the “Rangie”) is ready to go, with various water leaks cured by tightening hose clamps and the rock-sliders bent back into place. “Use the rock siders as side protectors,” said LR guru Doug Shipman. “Don’t just use them to try to bounce across boulders.” Got it.

The 1984 D90 Turbo Diesel goes out to Ship’s today; the list is short, but foremost is curing the problem of diesel fumes coming into the cab. A loose center console appears to be the most likely culprit. Alex and her step-brother Tyler (Wendie’s oldest son) will be driving the rig from Oregon State, in Corvallis, to Wendie, Bradley, and me in Redmond – we’ll be driving there in the Rangie. If only we were towing the ski boat and dirt bikes, I’d feel like we were consuming at the correct Memorial Day level.

The other event coming up quickly is the Oregon Region Porsche Club Northwest Passage, which starts on June 2 in Eugene, Oregon, and meanders on blue roads down to Ashland and back. SCM will be fielding five teams on the event, out of 34 total, so even though there is nothing to win, we’re poised to take top honors in something! We’ll be running this event in the SCM Lotus Elise, which has just finished having a new battery installed by Ron Tonkin Grand Turismo, and a new set of OEM-style tires installed. Watch out, late-model 911s!

Finally, I’m off tomorrow for five days in lovely Ft. Wayne, Indiana, to shoot four more episodes of What’s My Car Worth. Initial reaction and audience response has been good, and I’ll be teamed up with Peter Klute of Legendary Motor Car. My biggest challenge will be to not buy anything from Peter’s delicious inventory while I am there.

If you’re going to the Auctions America by RM Spring Auburn event, stop by and say hello. The best part of shooting these episodes around the nation is meeting SCMers and CMers; you all share enthusiasm for old cars, and the I enjoy learning about your cars and your philosophies of collecting.