Pacific Tiger Club



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|Rootes of the Pacific Northwest |

In this issue:

President’s Corner ….....page 5

Calendar of Events……. page 8

PTC Meeting…………... page 9

Tech Tips………………..page 9

JUNE/JULY PROFILE

The Christensen Family: By Gary Christensen (edited by Carol Christensen)

This article was originally printed in the May 1995 issue. I found it, and since all the cars are still in my possession, thought I would retype and submit it. That begging got to me! No more poetry, please. Carol

THE CARS:

1967 ALPINE SERIES V

VIN B395007813 Color: BRG (86)

Acquired: 1980 – Oregonian ad.

1966 ALPINE SERIES V

VIN B39500032 Color: BRG (86)

Acquired: 1985 – Oregonian ad.

1965 TIGER MK 1

VIN B9470273 Color: Red (19)

Acquired: 1988 – Mike Hickey

1967 ALPINE SERIES V

VIN B395011146 Color: BRG (86)

Acquired: 1991 – Bob Crawford via Wendell Jensen

1966 TIGER MK1

VIN B9472046 Color: Red (39)

Acquired: 1992 – Bill Peel

Have also owned: ’65 Imp & ’70 Arrow

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THE STORY:

One Sunday in 1980 I was doing my usual browsing through the Sunday classifieds when I found an ad wanting to trade for a truck. I happened to have a big bad Ranchero that Carol hated. I hesitated because Carol seemed indifferent. She didn’t see the big attraction. We brought the car over to show her sister. They took off for a short test drive- and returned two hours later. Carol was a believer. (Never did tell him we drove the entire 2 hours with the emergency brake on.)

I drove this first Alpine to work every day for about two years until I made the fatal mistake of allowing Carol to drive it. After she managed to melt number 4 piston at 65 on the freeway, it was parked in the garage. (NOT my fault!) In those days we had more time than money and I began rebuilding it myself. Carol was amazed that I carefully labeled every part and placed them systematically on the workbench. Things were going along fine, until Carol brought home a new puppy. Lady Sash von Rootes greeted us one day with a big surprise. She managed to move every engine part, except the block and crankshaft, from the garage down to the laundry room, and replace it with the dirty laundry. She was so proud of herself. Can’t you just imagine the work it took her to get the carburetors rolled down the steps, along with every single nut, bolt and gasket (now with teeth marks)? Even harder to believe is that this is the same dog that is still with us on all or our trips. (She died the oldest of her breed on record).

Discouraged and out of time, the Alpine was parked in the garage where it sat for five years. In the meantime it was “donor car”- an A-arm went to Kevin Jewell when his broke at the British Field Meet, Dick Sanders used the brake shoes when his gave up in Portland, and assorted non-PTCers in emergencies. Eventually we built it it’s own personal shed in the backyard. Out of sight…. Out of mind.

One Sunday morning in 1985 I was doing my usual browsing through the Sunday Classifieds. Located between Subaru and Toyota was “Sunbeam.” The ad read: “1966 Sunbeam Alpine. One Owner.” While Carol mumbled something about getting around to fixing that thing in the shed, I phoned the gentleman. With Carol still mumbling beside me, I drove out to see it. Although it was very dirty and grimy, I fell in love with the wire wheels and original tool kit (which I still have), and had to have it in spite of the bullet hole which an irate neighbor had put in the front fender. We took it for a test drive. Carol mumbled something about the feel of the wind and handed me the checkbook. (One of three checks he wrote in 29 years).

We attended our first SBNW that year. Friday morning I drove Carol to the hospital to have the cast removed from her leg so she could fit in the car, and we drove to Bend. Our first impression of PTC was rounding the corner into the Inn and seeing Larry Atkisson’s car wrapped around the light pole. We had to leave right after the banquet, and I’ll always remember being haunted by the Price of Darkness on the way home. Part way over the mountain everything electrical suddenly died. In total darkness I managed to find the loose wire on the fuse box.

The following year we again squeezed into the car and drove to SBNW- this time in Silverdale. For ease of transport we drove with the hardtop on. 12 ½ feet of people in an Alpine buzzing the entire way is not fun, but memorable. This was the year Bev Hokanson talked Carol into autocrossing. She brought home a third place trophy and a new glitter in her eyes.

Carol was back in school working on her Masters (of Taxation- never claimed to not be boring) so I autocrossed the first season alone. The second season Carol tried to autocross between studying. By this time we were both hooked. We decided to try to be more competitive and removed the wire wheels and made suspension modifications. Santa brought Carol new dual side draft webers for Christmas, (yet, I still loved him) which I eventually installed with a homemade manifold.

In 1988 we met Mike Hickey autocrossing his Tiger. At the end of the season he came up and asked if I was interested in purchasing it. With Carol mumbling about the one disassembled car, the second Alpine, our two everyday cars and the single car garage, I bought the Tiger. In reality, I was the one that was hesitating until Carol went to the bank one day and brought home cash.

The car had a beautiful paint job and was in great working order. Over the years I have made cosmetic changes such as eliminating the white wheels, white trim on the seats, and the carpet glued inside the trunk lid. The most obvious changes were in the engine compartment. This is what Carol used to refer to as “the chrome Tiger.” I detailed out the engine, added some chrome, and keep my Q-tips and toothbrushes handy. A high point for me was being invited to exhibit the car at the Portland Roadster show in 1992. It took home second in class- behind a Cobra reproduction. This has also brought home many people’s choice awards from the Portland ABFM. It’s not concourse perfect, but it is frequently driven hard and fast.

We enjoyed this car but continued to autocross the Alpine. The Alpine was dependable beyond belief, so when it came time to choose a car to take to Snowmass (SUNI 1), the Alpine was the obvious choice. You just don’t bring along a flashy friend at the expense of your dependable, hard working best friend.

Getting both older and more sensible, we purchased a trailer and towed the car to Snowmass- and every meet since. It was a great trip, and the car did not let us down- we came home with first place woman’s autocross, second place Alpine Rodeo, and third place men’s autocross trophies along with many memories. The trailer has proved very helpful to other members whose cars have made emergency trips home on it.

In the meantime, we had become more active in the Portland ABFM and Portland Historic Races. Through these two events we met several more Sunbeam owners. One was Bill Peel who had installed hand controls in his Tiger. Several members had the opportunity to examine the apparatus when he proudly shoed it off at one of the Sunbeam picnics at our house. I was very surprised one day when I received a phone call from him wanting to sell his Tiger- minus the hand controls. It is a straight, solid, unmolested Tiger with a genuine 289 HiPo and a 3.73 rear end. Most of the original parts came with it including the original 260 (explains why I have more engines than cars), hub caps and trim rings, and even the original hose clamps. Carol had switched from mumbling to simply shaking her head, so my main problem was figuring out what to do with the car. This would make seven cars. Sold Carol’s 1966 mustang.

Not quite sure how or why we ended up with the third Alpine. By this time one more seemed irrelevant. Fellow PTC member Bob Crawford had started restoring it, having already rebuilt the engine, transmission and hydraulic systems. The body had been stripped to bare metal and is the straightest and most rust free of any Alpine or Tiger I have ever seen. It has simply sat under cover in my drive way and in boxes in the shed with Alpine #1. (It has spent the last 12 years in the back corner of one of our garages at the “new” house). The highlight of memories with this one was when we found a litter of kittens inside. Carol brought mother and all into our house and found them good homes.

We decided to play “follow the leader” and brought both the running Alpine and the chrome Tiger to SBNW in Chehalis. Carol took the opportunity to recruit more autocrossers. One of my favorite memories is of Carol taking some Canadians for spins on the autocross course, one literally. I don’t know who enjoyed it more - Carol or the three men, but one said it was the most fun he’d had with another women since he got married!

After several autocross seasons, and a few winters outside, we decided to treat Alpine #2 to a new paint job so it would look nice for SUNI II. Any long term readers know this story. Short version- it has now been 20 months since we brought the car in. The body work has been done, but no paint has been applied. (We got the car back last year- after 14 years, still with no paint on it!)

We attended SUNI II without a car. We flew out (no, Glen, that does not mean driving the Tiger at 100 MPH). We had met Keith and Jo Queen the summer before at SBNW. After Carol got up at the welcome picnic and begged for a car to autocross, assuring everyone that she was a timid driver, Keith offered his wife’s Tiger. I will never forget his face when Carol spun the car off the track, kicking mud all over the car. Jo said she found Carol encouraging, and with us pushing her she placed second, behind Carol.

Everyone talks about the wonderful people involved with Sunbeams. Our story is of getting a call one day from Steve and Janet Towle of New Hampshire, whom we had briefly met at SUNI II. They were on the Oregon coast and had to return home for an emergency. The next morning they pulled their motor home into our driveway, handed us the keys, said they would call, and flew off. Trust does still exist.

While not certain if our Sunbeams are a collection, addiction, or affliction, they are an enjoyable diversion from the real world. Our involvement in autocrossing taught me more about suspensions, brakes, handling and driving than I ever imagined. I used to think I almost knew it all, but found out I didn’t (I had told him that before, but that’s another story). To go into technical detail on changes and improvements on every car would take entirely too much space. It’s been a 15 year process.

I’ve enjoyed the people, the various events of PTC and other Sunbeam groups, but having Carol get involved so enthusiastically has been my greatest joy. She has gone from total automotive indifference to “I’m scared to death but I’ll run the autocross if it’ll make you happy” to being a very competitive autocrosser. She said the worst part of being thrown from the Tiger last year was having to miss the last open track day because she was still in a cast.

Someday soon we hope to build a large shop so I can sort out my 15 year accumulation of parts and finish our project Alpines.

We built that shop several years ago. Somehow we lost 10 years. We worked 60 – 80 hour weeks trying to keep our business going and quit living our lives. As most know Gary died November 18, 2007 without getting the parts sorted or the Alpines rebuilt. Thanks to a full day of assistance from Brian and Lisa Bogden, I do have one of the Tigers running (although I think I need to replace the starter). Just waiting for the sun to come out again so I can feel the wind in my hair and the rumble of the 289. First trip will be to Willamette National Cemetery for a loud revving near KK 192.

And, yes, I will let you know when I am ready to sell parts and bodies.

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President’s Corner

For the first time in many years the weather on the day of the ABFM at the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver, BC was actually hot!! Near 90 degrees and the humidity was on the high side too. The overall turnout was good. A number of Tigers that I had never seen before were present. The TAC team was able to certify 4 out of 5 of the “new” Tigers that owners wanted TAC’d. There were a large number of Hillmans, Rapiers, & other Sunbeams models that turned out for this event. All in all it was a good day. Due to the lack of E-board & general membership present, the E-board meeting was cancelled.

Max Pahmeier is working on a site for SUNI 5 in 2009. He’s currently considering Rapid City, S D or Park City, Utah. If you would like to voice your input e-mail Max @ phameirer@

The next meeting will be July 26th at the ABFM---Bellevue, WA at Bellevue Community College. For info: or call Arnie Taub 425-644-7874.

Thanks to Max and Kathryn Pahmeier for hosting the May meeting, a great time was had by all. No one stepped forward to host the June meeting---so there is no June meeting.

On another note ----nominations/elections for PTC officers is coming up. If you would like to try your hand at holding a PTC office, step forward and let your intentions be known. The secretary position is open as are any of the officer positions. If you would like information contact any of the current officers.

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WORD HAS IT---------

Bob & Nancy Bennion have a new motor in their Tiger and it is up & running well.

Paul & Lisa Jelinck have a dead cylinder in their MKII Tiger and are looking towards a possible crate motor???

Dave & Anita Dunn are rebuilding the seats in their Red MKI Tiger. Dave is also looking for a Blue MKII----contact Dave if you have a spare gathering dust in your garage.

Kathryn Fitzgerald & Mike Clark are anxiously waiting for the new Pro Prep interior for Kathryn’s MkI Tiger.

Earle & Marga Baird are still looking----for a Tiger. Earle, I hear Subway is giving away a Red MKI as a promotion for the new Get Smart movie release. Better get your entry in the box!

Roger & Anne Flescher will be hosting a BBQ on August 2. Details listed in newsletter.

Linda & I will be hosting a meeting September 6th at our home in Hansville.

Budd Bennion is taking care of the October Annual General Meeting (AGM). It will be at the 125th Street Grill in North Seattle. Details will be available in newsletter.

Well let’s hope the weather improves so we can actually get our cars out & drive them.

Larry

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VANDUSEN ABFM

The Canadians put on a great show. Organizers reported 586 British cars on display with dozens more lined up in the parking lot outside the gardens. I can't imagine a better setting for a car display - the lovely Vandusen Gardens were especially impressive this year with the Rhodies in full bloom - thanks to a late spring. The

forecast for nice weather brought out a record crowd. The temperature for the day also set a record.

Cars of the Rootes group came out in grand fashion as well. I counted 22 Rootes vehicles on display - mainly Series Alpines and Tigers but of the 4-seat variety there were 3 Hillmans, 2 Rapiers and a 1959 Humber Super Snipe. The Mark Hillmans were well represented with a Mark I saloon, a Mk VIII Californian and the

Mighty Minx - my Mk VIII Minx convertible. I was especially interested in seeing the Mk VIII Californian as it's such a rare bird. The owner, Dale said he acquired it from a fellow in New

Zealand via eBay fairly recently. He worked on the mechanicals to get it in top running condition.

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Visitors to the show really enjoy seeing the familiar family cars from the 50s and 60s. So many people have some kind of Hillman connection in their past and just driving the cars out and about brings back so many fond memories for people it makes it all worthwhile.

I'm sure Billy Rootes would have been proud to see such fine examples. I even talked with a chap at the field meet who said he knew Bill Rootes personally and in fact his mother and Mrs. Rootes are quite good friends - she's still alive. He said the account of things in the

Rootes Brothers book is pretty accurate. For the 150 mile journey home to Bellevue we decided to motor along the slower scenic route and teamed up with the Peter and Karen

Woodall and their lovely white 1953 early Alpine. It was quite a sight and I can tell you it turned quite a few heads as the two cars

motored along country back lanes. We got a great reception at the US border crossing. As we pulled up the inspector opened his arms and

exclaimed, "I had a Minx"!! Then he regained composure and asked us the routine questions before waving us off. I'd like to go through

his station every time.

The Vancouver ABFM is always held on the 3rd Saturday of May (Queen Victoria weekend). I highly recommend to plan ahead for the show next year. Hopefully the weather will be just as nice as in '08.

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Submitted by Craig Burlingame

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Would you prefer to receive your newsletter online? Email us @Tiger2@

Do you have an interesting article to share with the readers? We are always interested in any submissions.

2007-2008 Executive and Officers

President: Larry Atkisson

37624 Vista Key Drive NE

Hansville, Wa 98340

360-638-1998

catkisson@

VP/Newsletter Kathryn Fitzgerald/Mike Clark

4723 Woodside Place

West Vancouver, BC V7S 2X5

Tiger2@

Secretary: Linda Atkisson

37624 Vista Key Drive NE

Hansville, Wa 98340

360-638-1998

catkisson@

Treasurer: Bob Bennion

37904 Fawn Rd NE.

Hansville, WA 98340

360-638-1992

bobbennion@

Renewing your membership?

Members are asked to observe their renewal dates on each month’s address label. The date indicates when your dues are due to continue receiving the PTC Newsletter. Please send all membership correspondence to Budd at: 14720 30th NE, Seattle, WA. 98155 (206)364-8478 or via email: budd.bennion@.

Annual Membership fee $32.00 US/35.00 Foreign for foreign members.

Canadian Funds Payment to PTC

We ask each Canadian member to calculate the current exchange rate into US funds. Example: dues today $35.00USD=38.50 CAD (based on 10% exchange rate)

Make payment payable to Pacific Tiger Club and we will process via our bank. Exchange rates are constatntly changing. For assistance you may use the following website:

Want to avoid mail delays? Receive your next issue of the PTC Newsletter emailed to you on-line. Contact us at Tiger2@ with your email address

AUGUST ISSUE - Deadline July 25th, 2008

Chairpersons

Internet: Jim Leach

811 Highland Drive

Seattle, Wa 98119

206-283-0510

tigerootes@

Activities: Larry & Eileen Ingersoll

29206 61st Ave S

Auburn, Wa 98001

253-946-0762

Laingersol@

Membership: Budd Bennion

14720 30th NE

Seattle, WA 98155

206-364-8478

budd.bennion@

Historian: Brett Simpson

10005 SE 267th St.

Kent, WA 98031

253-859-5096

brsjal1@

Are you buying, selling or trading? Email us at Tiger2@

We want to hear your great stories! Do you have a great story to share? Send us the details with your photos. Let us know!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 2008

Sun

1 |Mon

2 |Tues

3 |Wed

4 |Thurs

5 |Fri

6 |Sat

7 | |8 |9 |10 | 11 |12 |13 |14

Mary Hill Climb | |15 |16 | 17 |18 |19 |20 |21 | |22 |23 |24 |25 |26 |27 |28 | |29 |30 | | | | | | |July 2008

Sun

|Mon

|Tues

1 |Wed

2 |Thurs

3 |Fri

4 |Sat

5 | |6 |7 |8 |9 |10 |11 |12 | |13 |14 | 15 |16 |17 |18 |19 | |20 |21 |22 |23 |24 |25 |26

ABRM Bellevue | |27 |28 |29 |30 |31 | | | |August 2008

Sun

|Mon

|Tues

|Wed

|Thurs

|Fri

1 |Sat

2

BBQ @ Roger Fletcher’s | |3 |4 |5 |6 |7

Rootes Rendezvous | 8 |9 | | 10 |11 | 12 |13 |14 |15 |16 | |17 |18 |19 |20 |21 |22 |23

| |24 |25 |26 |27 |28 |29 |30 | |31 | | | | | | | |

For British Cars - 2008

PTC 2008 Meeting Schedule

Jul 26 – ABFM Bellevue, WA

Sep 06 – Larry & Linda’s home in Hansville

Oct 11 – A.G.M. - Rob’s 125 St. Grill

Other 2008 Sunbeam Events

July 25-27 Hillman Gathering Bellevue & Snohomish, WA Contact Craig Burlingame to Register.

July 26 – ABFM Bellevue, WA

Aug 2 - BBQ @ Roger & Anne Fletcher’s any time after 12:00pm to around 3:00pm 

Potluck - bring your favorite dish.

Questions: Roger or Anne @

360-671-9345

Aug 7-10 - Rootes Rendezvous, Victoria Canada. For more information:

We need your help! If you know of any Sunbeam Events, please contact your Activities Co-coordinator and we’ll get it in the newsletter.

Want to avoid mail delays? Receive your next issue of the PTC Newsletter emailed to you on-line. Contact us at Tiger2@ with your email address

We want to hear your great stories! Do you have a great story to share? Send us the details with your photos. Let us know!

DO WE HAVE YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS AND EMAIL? HELP US KEEP OUR RECORDS UP TO DATE AND SEND YOUR CHANGES TO BUDD OR THE EDITOR.

Profile your car!

We would like to have a profile of your car, even if everyone knows who you are. Please email your profile to Mike & Kathryn. New to the PTC? Let us know the details, as we would like to do a feature article on your car!

Vintage Racing

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All vintage events sponsored by SOVREN. More info for these and other NW vintage events can be found at:

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The July Meeting:

Will be held at the Bellevue All British Field Meet July 26, 2008

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TECH TIP

HOW DOES LOCTITE THREAD LOCKER WORK?

Anaerobic adhesives

In the early 1950s, professor Vernon Krieble. founder of American Sealants Co., now Loctite Corp., developed an adhesive that would remain a liquid as long as it was exposed to air (oxygen), but would solidify in the absence of air.

Because they act differently than traditional bonding agents, anaerobics are probably the most underutilized and misunderstood of all adhesives. One of the most notable attributes of anaerobic adhesives - strength -has also suppressed its popularity among maintenance technicians. Some maintenance departments mistakenly view anaerobics as a "permanent" adhesive only to be used to lock metal pieces together forever. Some have even restricted or banned the use of anaerobic adhesives altogether in fear of accidental bonding.

In fact, while high-strength anaerobic adhesives have a strong bonding ability, parts assembled with them can be removed by applying heat. Lower-strength grades can usually be removed with a wrench.

The fear of accidental bonding is unfounded as well. Anaerobics only cure upon contact with metal in the absence of air. This allows the adhesive to flow and evenly settle in gaps before curing. Should any of the adhesive spill or overflow during application, it will remain liquid and won't cure unless it becomes pressed between two metal surfaces.

Thanks to Bob Bennion

Do you have an interesting tech tip to share with the readers? We are always interested in any submissions.

We want to hear from you! Share your stories with the PTC members. We are always interested in any submissions.

Want to avoid mail delays? Receive your next issue of the PTC Newsletter emailed to you on-line. Contact us at Tiger2@ with your email address

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I can't believe it's been almost 10 years since our first North American Hillman Gathering here in the Pacific Northwest back in 1998. I'm pleased to announce that Pacific Tiger Club will host a Hillman gathering here in the Seattle area on Sunday July 27th. In fact it's being planned for the same location as the 1998 event, at Machias Park near Snohomish, Washington -approx. 25 miles northeast of Seattle.

It's being planned to coincide with the Western Washington All British Field Meet held here in Bellevue on Sat. July 26. This annual show usually attracts a field of 500+ cars. So here's a chance for Hillman owners in US and Canada to bring their Hillmans out for a fun weekend of activities. Let's see if we can break our old record of most Hillmans gathered in North America since the demise of Rootes Group.

In 1998 we had 10 Hillmans and one Sunbeam saloon. Two or three of them came from nearby British Columbia and we hope many of our Canadian friends come down for the weekend again. If you're looking for inspiration to get your Hillman back on the road this is it (Jim).

Immediately following the ABFM on Saturday we'll go on a little motoring excursion and end up at the famous Triple X Root Beer Drive-

in and we'll down Root Beer floats and watch a slide show of photos I took at this past summer's Hillman Centenary in Coventry, England.

On Sunday the 27th we'll motor out from Bellevue up to the town of Snohomish for a day of Hillmans on display in the park. We'll share

Hillman stories and have a place to show Hillman memorabilia, including models and marketing materials. Should be a fun weekend

for anyone who can make it.

Plan to drive, drag or tow your favorite Hillman to this event. Even if you can't bring your Hillman I hope you can plan on attending.

Craig and Nancy Burlingame

and the Mighty Minx

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Expressed in the modern vernacular – what we have all been thinking.

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Next Meeting: JULY 26, 2008

Pacific Tiger Club

37624 Vista Key Drive NE

Hansville, WA 98340

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CHECK OUT the PTC WEBSITE at

Want Ad Policy:

Free ads for Rootes Group and related parts, cars etc for all PTC members. Ads will run for two issues. Depending on available space, the ads can run longer if necessary.

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