Social Scene Report - TR Action Issue 303
TR Action 303
Publication Date: 29th January 2018
Derbyshire Dales Social Scene Contribution
Alan Ford says:
Hi to everybody from all in the Derbyshire Dales Group, and a Happy New Year to all our friends and colleagues old and new within the TR Register and to everyone within the classic car fraternity. We hope that Father Christmas placed suitably delectable TR titbits inside your Christmas stocking. For a few, no doubt, this might have included another TR. For the rest of us, we must be on the 'naughty & not nice' list. Better luck to those of us for next year.
Meanwhile life is quietening down within the Derbyshire Dales. Our December Club Night meeting at The Amber, Oakerthorpe went off well, despite the early December snows. Most of us set off home through heavy snowfalls with snowflakes the size of half-crowns (ask your grandad) and Alan Jones had to walk the last half-mile home.
Meanwhile, a quiet time within the Derbyshire Dales does not necessarily mean idle times for all. At least four of our members are well on with major projects. Steve Buxton is at the closing stages of a nut-and-bolt two-year restoration of a TR250. At the time of writing this has passed its MOT and has undergone its first road trial. By the time of publication this will be completely finished and will be a certain concourse winner. Alan Hawley is well on with his TR4a with the chassis and tub being ready to come together for the first time, and the main mechanicals refurbed and prepped. This restoration has proved somewhat problematical in that the original tub proved to be beyond reasonable salvation and has been committed back to the swamp from whence it probably came. A replacement tub in good condition has been sourced and has restored Alan's project to viability. It remains to be seen as to whether Alan can get this together in time for the June TR Register International in Lincoln, but here is no doubt that whenever Alan's '4a' makes its debut, it will be worth waiting for. Jim Tully is well on with the two-year restoration of his TR6, having reached the stage where the tub has been successfully mounted on the chassis with most panel alignments looking very good. The mechanicals are still waiting for a full start, so Jim's project, which was started in October '16, still has a good year to go.
Meanwhile John Browett is well into a ground-floor-up restoration of an ex-USA Austin Healey 3000. Apparently this started out as a 'basket case' involving much cutting out and welding to both the chassis and bodywork, but he is now at the stage of having fully completed the chassis and of having the body and panels blasted and primed. Most of the mechanicals are pretty much ready to go apart from the engine which seems to have been fully stripped, prepared and refurbed by the previous owner, and now awaiting reassembly. Eighteen months should see John's car back on the road.
Hence busy times are still in prospect for these members, although these four are far from being the only ones with intimate knowledge of the insides of their garages.
So to finish in the way we started, we hope the New Year brings all that you would wish for; may the best of times lay ahead, and the worst of times be behind
Forthcoming Events for 2018
Saturday 3rd February
– Post-Christmas Bash at the White Hart Inn, Moorwood Moor.
Still time to book – just - but be quick as places are limited!
Wednesday 14th February
– Derbyshire Dales AGM.
If you have anything to contribute, now's as good a time as any. And what a more
romantic gesture on Valentine's Day than to bring your sweetheart to The Amber
Hotel, Oakerthorpe, nr Alfreton.
Sunday 18th March
-Pre-Season lunch - Date and details to be confirmed.
Fri 6th, Sat 7th & Sun 8th April
– National Spring Ball, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield – but if you have not already done so, please book soon as we are experiencing a high demand!
May, dates t.b.c.
– Run to Wisbech Brewery with overnight an stay at the Le Strange Arms, Hunstanton, to be organised by Maggie & Peter Sloss.