A Job List, A Requiem and A Caution

Editor, Bob Shaw

It is summer. The temperature and the humidity have been more or less equal for the past week or so, since our return from Oregon, and so now that I have the time to do all of those tasks that I wanted to do it is too hot to do them. It will soon be time to do the roof repair (very likely about the time you are reading this); do the attic in the garage; rewire; insulate and sheet rock the walls in the garage; buy the same little electric heaters that John Ulrich installed in his garage; then prepare to begin work on the restoration of J's car, the refurbishing of Martha's GT, and the minor stuff on my A. I do not believe that I will be able to match Marvin's carpeted garage floor, and I will not have a heated office and bathroom, but it will be nice to have a comfortable place to work. Who knows? The old bionic board, AKA the Dumphy 18-foot Mahogany Runabout may once again become seaworthy.

One project will not come to fruition, however. After doing one thing and another while postponing work on the Sterling, I finally began to look into the cost of repairing the rust and interior for the old girl. The results were shocking. Bodywork between $4000 and $5000 for rear quarters and doors. Interior about $500 in leather and another $500 for the odd switch and trim piece. The cold numbers are more than the car is worth by a factor of almost three. So, I guess the old girl will become the sacrificial car for the next two winters, if she lasts that long. It is a bit hard to give up on an auto that has served one well for so long. But at almost 200,000 miles even a good British Car is getting a bit long of tooth. Maybe my brother, Dick, will want to use the wheels on his MGB. It would be nice to have even that small part of the old girl motoring on.

Speaking of motoring on, we had a grand chase June 16. That delightful young couple Ryan Reis and Renae Drewell made it official and legal. The ceremony was as beautiful as the bride (which rates right up there with Beethoven sonatas, British Roadsters and Nebraska sunsets, or maybe even a little prettier) and the music, helped by John Ulrich and his wife Bev Bohlke was wonderful. The wedding carăthe '69 Băwas classic. There appears to be something of a tradition with black Bs as wedding cars in the FWAHC/HMRNP. The reception/dance was a party worth remembering. Congratulations Ryan and Renae, and best wishes.

On a related matter, I was in the insurance office a few days ago paying the premium for the house and the Sterling when the young woman helping me stated that she had seen my little green car, Martha, and I on 'O' street a short time ago. It seems that they were on a leisurely drive when a wedding party in several little cars went flying by. They were talking about how they would like this car or that car when a particularly loud little beast overtook them. Her boyfriend said, "I get that one!" She replied that she knew those people. Her office insured that car. She then asked me if I should drive that fast on 'O' street. Watch what you do. Big brother (or little sister) is everywhere!

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