At the risk of always (or only) talking about the weather, here’s the weather: Wednesday, July 2nd was a simply magnificent day. Not a cloud in the sky, the wind was calm, humidity mild. In short, this kind of weather is one of the prime reasons we all live in Southern California. I hasten to add that no, I’m not a meteorologist—in a past life I was a failed musician.
This was to be the Hirst time out, after a year or so of (proud) ownership of my Austin Healey 3000 MK II, with the hard top removed, converting it into a true convertible. And motoring along PCH (especially through the 3 or 4 miles of Bolsa Chica State Park) became a distinctly different experience. I can’t say it’s akin to a new car—it’s more like the experience I had when returning from a long business trip to discover my wife had dyed her hair bright red.
Phil and I engaged in a spirited debate on who should submit anything to our newsletter, and as before, we flipped a coin for it. When am I ever going to learn to not gamble with “the Paisan”! Once when waiting to board a flight, I was surrounded by a group of Baptists chatting away at warp speed. I couldn’t help but overhear at one point one of their members suggested they have a group prayer to ensure a safe journey.
This didn’t happen, and as it turned out, I ended up sitting in their midst. During the flight another person commented that they were so busy “fellowshipping” they neglected the prayer. Well, Grandma would have not described it as anything but gossiping, and that’s what Wednesday evening was at Belmont Shores. We were all so busy visiting and talking with each other! Personally, I learned a lot Wednesday evening. One fellow had a 1952 MG TD (as do I) and he showed me all the correct items on his (that are all wrong on mine...). John Hummer gave me an advanced seminar on the correct procedure for the stays and support rod for my tonneau cover (recently installed in conjunction with removing the hard top), and I also learned that my baby has an alternator in lieu of the original (more correct) generator. These are just a few of the many good lessons learned at this event.
In attendance were eight or nine Austin Healeys, and I think two Jensen Healeys, as well as a good variety of other British motorcars. As I said above, I was so busy “fellowshipping” I didn’t take down as many details as I usually do (or should). Instead, I offer the following breakdown of attendance: Present were four red cars and four black cars, one gray car, one yellow car, one white car, one green car, one car with paint so worn it couldn’t be quantified, one green and white car and one silver and white car. With apologies, I’m sure I missed a color or two. Final analysis: there was a tie between BLACK cars and RED cars! At one point I counted 22 cars, making this the most attended Belmont Shores show so far in 2025.
August and September typically experience great weather, so I’m hoping that even more show up for these. Especially BLACK cars—we have to outnumber the RED ones! Club attendees: Jim Bennett, Phil Caliva, John Hummer and Alice Johnson, Chuck Lakowski, George McHarris, and a potential new member, Deke Thomas.