Almost at the end of winter

The first rains are not far away and farming will soon be starting in all earnest. Tractors are being prepared for serious work and lands are being prepared and ploughed, ready for this season's crops. Those of you who are farmers, may this be a bumper year!

I'm sure all you car enthusiasts have been busy and resourceful in the detail and attention given to your beloved classics over the winter months, and are ready and raring for the coming summer months outings.

Many years ago, in the 1970's, I was at an Austin Healey show day at Patterson Park in Norwood and was impressed with a red Healey 3000 tri-carb on exhibit. My heart raced with excitement and I swore that one day I would own one of those, come what may!

1962 Austin Healey 3000 MKII

A couple of years ago I heard of one of these beauties for sale in Cape Town and without seeing it, bought it over the phone and had it sent up to Jo'burg on a roll-back. You can imagine my anticipation when it arrived a couple of days later - British Racing Green with black Leather and white piping interior - immaculate condition - an ABSOLUTE dream! 

72-spoke chrome wires, detailed engine bay and even a leather Tourneau! Magnificent! Had been a no-expense-spared rebuild back to standard in the U.K. and shipped to Cape Town by the previous owner.

As it came of the roll-back, I fired the motor and boy oh boy! talk about 3 SU growl - the sound is incomparable!

You can imagine that, in 1962, nobody could tune the 3 carbs, so Austin Healey went back to 2 carbs - the E-type proved the rest about 3 carbs.

In my mind, Austin Healey was one of the greatest sports cars ever produced.

Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete.
If you're alive, it isn't.
- Richard Bach

Featured Short Story - (author unknown)

 
The inventor Arthur Davidson, of the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Corporation, died and went to heaven. At the gates, St. Peter told Arthur, "Since you've been such a good man and your motorcycles have changed the world, your reward is that you can hang out with anyone you want in Heaven."

Arthur thought about it for a minute and then said, "I want to hang out with God."

St. Peter took Arthur to the Throne Room, and introduced him to God. Arthur then asked God, "Hey, aren't you the inventor of woman? God said, "Ah, yes…"

"Well, " said Arthur, "professional to professional, you have some major design flaws in your invention :

1) There's too much inconsistency in the front-end protrusion.
2) It chatters constantly at high speeds.
3) Most of the rear ends are too soft and wobble too much.
4) The intake is placed way to close to the exhaust and
5) The maintenance costs are outrageous!"

"Hmmmm, you may have some good points there," replied, God, "hold on."God went to his Celestial super computer, typed in a few words and waited for the results. The computer printed out a small slip of paper and God read it.

"Well, it may be true that my invention is flawed," God said to Arthur, "but according to these numbers, more men are riding my invention than yours!"

The less said about that the better. (Extract from 'The World Encyclopedia of Cars')

Go well everybody and happy motoring!

Till next time, Dave

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