Smoke in the Wires February 2017

February 2016 Volume 5 #1

Front Cover: Land Rover Defender 110 by Marc Cherry 

Flyleaf: Lotus Exige at Pensacola Cars and Coffee by Marc Cherry 

Back Cover: PBCA Spinner by Marc Cherry 

Smoke in the Wires is a publication of the Panhandle British Car Association 

Contact Marc Cherry redshirt98@att.net for questions or submissions 

Contents 

From the Editor 3 

Letter to the Editor 4 

Upcoming Events 5 

Greetings From the New President 6 

Missing the Marque 7 

Atmore Rally 8 

Trophy Project 10 

Brits on the Bay Volunteer List 15 

Feature Car 18 

Tool of the Month 21 

Mod Twist to the Old Fashioned 24 

Brits on the Bay Registration Form 25 

Brits on the Bay Sponsorship Form 26 

PBCA Facebook 27 

Smoke in the Wires February 2017 Page 2

Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire! 

Marc Cherry 

Editor 

Yes, the Smoke is back. It turns out the fire wasn’t completely out on our newsletter. Clearly we’ve had 

a busy year in our club. We officially brought 2016 to a close at our Christmas party and moved on to 

next year with the installation of new officers. Now things are about to get even busier as we head in 

to the new year and our 25 th anniversary car show. 

Before we surge ahead to the future and our show, it’s important to first look back and hit a couple of 

highlights. Thank you to Taber Tomkins for his service as our president for the past two years. He’s 

done a tremendous service for us and has left office with the club fully poised to host a brilliant 

anniversary show. He has overseen a challenging effort to update our longstanding bylaws and 

overseen major changes in our event venues and activities. Paul Salm now moves up to the presidency. 

Paul has done a lot of behind the scenes work and is probably the sole reason the Pensacola Euro Show 

came off this past year, as he worked hard to preserve the advances we made hosting the show in 

2015 before handing it off to a young and very informally-organized host club for 2016. We’re joined 

on the executive committee by Tim Maynard for 2017. Tim has been a regular volunteer for many of 

our events. We are extremely pleased to add a fresh face to the executive committee. 

For those who missed our Christmas party at the Seville Quarter, it was a fabulous time and turned out 

to be a great venue for our club. We had plenty of space, good food and were extremely well cared for 

by the host staff. Thank you to Bob Manske, Liz Maynard, Tim Maynard and Paul Salm for organizing 

the party. Bob asked for a special thanks to Liz, who prepared all the worksheets on budget items, 

made all the centerpieces for the tables, and took on the building of options and tracking of expenses. 

We are already set to return next year with several improvements already in the works. 

Now looking toward our 25 th anniversary show in April, we have a lot of changes from previous shows 

that we need to plan out. Our venue has changed to an outstanding, well-appointed new location. We 

have also improved our goodie bags by several orders of magnitude. Finally, our trophies will be 

entirely new and unique to PBCA and our 25 th anniversary. What hasn’t changed? Our volunteerism, 

that’s what. We’ve already reconfirmed the vast majority of our volunteer army from last year. We’re 

counting on the expertise of our volunteers to carry the day despite a sea of changes. The most current 

volunteer list is on page 15. Please let me know if you cannot do the same job you had last year. I’ll be 

talking to everyone to confirm your spot or to help you out if you’d like to do something different this 

year. 

This show is larger than any event we’ve held. We need your help in planning through members 

registering their cars as early as possible. The more cars we know are attending in advance, the better 

we will be able to accommodate them. We also need sponsorship to put on an event of this size. Talk 

to your friends and local businesses and ask for the $40 donations that promote this show. Look at the 

back of this issue for the entry and sponsor forms. 

Probably the single biggest change is the venue. This year we will be in Seville Square in downtown 

Pensacola. It is a great location and closer to the Commerce Museum where we hold our Friday red 

beans and rice welcome party. While the Seville Square location has a lot more amenities, it also has a 


couple of issues we’ll need to plan for. This is a tight venue for us, so check-in, photos, driving corridors 

and parking will need to be well-planned to make efficient, enjoyable, and safe use of the space. A 

carefully-planned parking plan, executed by a motivated parking crew, will transform this into an 

outstanding event. We’ll be doing our major site planning in March that will likely end in a simulated 

war game where we move pieces around a table to test our plan. Professionals will recognize this as 

military-style war gaming. Our wives and casual observers will only see grown men playing with Hot 

Wheels cars. 

Letters to the Editor: 

Editor, 

I think you should consider adding a brief article about our seriously crazy club member, Henry Hensel. 

This is the car we winched into my trailer and hauled to his house on Turkey Road in Pensacola. It is 

the pitiful remains of a 1952 MG TD roadster. 

I thought Franz had me tow some nasty cars, but Hensel win the prize. Most of the car fell apart and 

was placed in the trailer by hand. 

He may be able to explain just what he was thinking when he decided to get this car. He told me that 

he had tried to buy it 20 years ago but the owner wouldn’t sell. 

Now the owner gave it to him for free!! I have two more pictures of the car, but this one is best. 

Bob Manske 


PBCA UPCOMING EVENTS SCHEDULE 

March and April 

All PBCA Monthly Meetings will be 6:00 pm Dinner/7:00 pm Meeting at Sonny’s Bar-B-Que, Navy 

Blvd at US Hwy 98, Pensacola and will feature a Program, Door Prizes, 50/50 drawing until further 

notice by email, website and Telephone Tree. 

*All Executive and Show Committee Lunch Meetings are always open to the entire membership and 

participation is encouraged. For new members it is a good way to meet active members and get 

involved in either a small or larger way. Be a part of the club. You will be enthusiastically welcomed. 

Event details will be emailed and posted on the PBCA Website: www.pbca1.com 

(PBCA Sponsored Events, Club Activities and Meetings in Bold type) 

MARCH 

Sat 4 

Tues 7 

Wed 15 

Sat 18 

Mon 20 

Sat 25 

Fri 31 

Panama City British Car Show, Panama City, FL Details TBA 

First Tuesday Breakfast, Grand Hotel, 10:00 am 

PBCA Exec Comm Mtg 12:00 Noon, Grand Hotel 

Fairhope Arts and Crafts Festival, Time TBA 

PBCA Monthly Meeting Sonny's BBQ, 6/7 pm 

New Orleans British Car Show 

Fancy Friday Dinner On the Town, Location TBA 

APRIL 

Tues 4 First Tuesday Breakfast, Grand Hotel, 10:00 am 

Tues 4 Brits on the Bay Show Comm Mtg, 11:00 am, Grand Hotel 

Sat 8 Trophy Assembly Party, Marc Cherry residence, details TBA 

Sun 9 Picnic, Lunch, Spit and Shine Show Detailing, 11:00 am until ? 

Wed 12 PBCA Exec Comm Mtg 12:00 Noon, Grand Hotel 

Mon 17 PBCA Mtg., Show Goody Bag Stuffing, 6/7 pm Sonny's BBQ 

Fri 21 Brits on the Bay Welcome Party, 5:00 pm, Museum of Commerce 

Sat 22 Brits on the Bay Car Show, Seville Square, 9 am to 4 pm 

Sat 29 Brits on the Bay Wrap Up Mtg, Show Comm and other Principals 


Greetings from your “new” President: 

I must begin by saying that I had (in my mind at least) entertained the ambitious idea of calling each of you 

before the end of the year to introduce myself and ask what I can do to spur a renewed interest and 

participation in club activities. As is obvious, we are already into the new year, no calls were made, and I 

have accepted the bitter consequence of attempting this task with pen (or more accurately, laptop) at 

hand. While this letter will go out to every PBCA member, I would prefer and will make every effort to 

personally meet each of you before the end of my first year. Our monthly meetings would be a good 

starting point. Failing that, at any club event, you would have no problem recognizing me, as I would be the 

one with no LBC by his side. Contrary to some rumblings, I do actually own one. 

As your new president, I am excited, humbled, and especially honored to be at the 'helm' (darn, how I hate 

nautical terms) for the next two years. I continue to be impressed by the support, cooperation and genuine 

friendship shared by the members of the PBCA and all who love British cars. After all, isn't ownership of a 

British automobile a constant test of one's faith and inner strength? 

Moving on to more important concerns, my new position gives me the added privilege of presiding over a 

significant event in our club's history. This year, "Brits on the Bay" celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Under 

the leadership of Tom Schmitz, we are expending enormous effort to make it as memorable and successful 

as befits the milestone that it is. With this in mind, I am asking for every member's personal support to 

help meet the added 25th Anniversary costs associated with the event. 

A considerable portion of the show expense is covered by selling sponsorships. These can be in the form of 

a standard $40 Class Sponsor or a "Major" sponsorship, starting at $100 and above. While we'd love to 

have everyone sell a major, we also recognize that many of our patrons are not able to afford that amount, 

nor would we expect everyone to push for that level. In my own case, I have sold to those businesses with 

whom I have dealt for routine services over the years. They include vets, tire stores, and even some 

doctors and dentists. So, for each of you, if you have become a 'regular' customer over the years, why not 

make a casual pitch for the show? Who knows, you may get one or two with little or no effort. If you are 

not comfortable doing this, which is understandable you might consider becoming a sponsor. Just one class 

sponsor per member would contribute greatly to its success. 

For the record, and in the off chance that not all members are aware of this, all proceeds from the show, 

after expenses, enable your PBCA to provide the year's calendar of events, with very few exceptions, at no 

cost to you. All the more reason to become a sponsor. In any case, as a volunteer, you can take pride in 

the fruits of your labor, enjoy the festivities at the show, buy some raffle tickets on the always unique and 

often 'gotta have' items donated by our talented members, and give me a chance to meet you personally. 

I look forward to your support. 

Regards, 

Paul 


March The British Line submission for The Marque by Richard Lewis 

…and to the Point All meetings are closer 

than they appear in the rear view mirror, and 

the gala event of the car show season, the 

April 21-22 “Brits on the Bay” Welcoming 

Party and Car Show, is rapidly wending its 

way, soon to be upon us, and will strike like 

viper if we are not all ready and, most 

importantly, if you are not there. 

This is the 25th Anniversary Show, and PBCA 

is making every effort to make it an 

immemorial show that you can tell your 

grandchildren about. 

We, the Show Committee and many others, 

started work about October, and have been 

working assiduously, with a minimum of 

monthly meetings and several call meetings. 

Those of you who have been part of putting on 

a car show know the multiple tasks, small and 

large, that must be attended to. We faced an 

especially challenging one when the near-bay 

front site we have used for several years, free 

of charge due to the generosity and courtesy of 

the Mouton family, became unavailable. 

Regrettably for us and wonderful for them, 

they recently sold this beautiful several-acres, 

old oak tree-adorned wonderland, so we 

became vagabonds, searching for a place to 

put down our roots. Fortunately, through help 

from many, especially PBCA member Bill 

Weeks, we were able to rent the city-owned 

Seville Square, an equally tree-lined venue. 

The expense was considerable, but it neatly 

meets our needs, albeit a smaller site. This 

reduction of size called for some skillful and 

successful planning, led by member Marc 

Cherry. Members who are interested in 

volunteering for the show date are encouraged 

to contact Marc at redshirt98@att.net. 

The festivities start with the Welcoming Party, 

beginning at 6 p.m. at the Museum of 

Commerce, 201 E. Zaragoza Street in 

Pensacola. Many hands are working on this 

event, led ably by Bob Manske and Liz 

Maynard. The food and drink will be 

voluminous, the friendship warm, and the 

entertainment marginal. All our friends from 

nearby clubs, out of town visitors, sponsors 

are welcome with open arms. 

The “Brits on the Bay” Show registration 

opens at 8:30 a.m. at Seville Square and for 

the public at 10 a.m. While one can never be 

sure of attendance, over the past few years we 

have averaged about 130-150 cars and a large 

crowd of visitors. We hope to exceed that in 

2017. One can pre-register (forms available at 

website www.pbca1.com) or on site. The web 

site also has information on hotel registration 

as well. We have planned our early morning 

car wash at all the hotel sites listed, our 

special goody bags for the event and have 

included our mainstays, the “Not Quite Fab” 

Beatles homage band, our terrific silent 

auction and 50/50 and an array of beautiful 

British cars that we all take such pride in. 

Due to city regulations, we will not be selling 

our great food from the PBCA Café, but are 

fortunate to have several restaurants available 

across from Seville Square. 

But all this comes to naught if you are not 

there, so please mark your calendar with 

those dates, April 21-22, and don’t be among 

the missing come Friday and Saturday. See 

you there. 

Until next time, it’s not a good idea to mix 

starter fluid and a cigarette. 


Twelfth Annual Pensacola-Atmore 

Road Rally 

Saturday Feb. 4, 2017 

By Bill Moseley 

On a beautiful day, the rally course ran 49 miles from North Pensacola over nicely paved 

two-lane “Roads Seldom Travelled” and ended at David’s Catfish House in Atmore, 

Alabama. Many people saw some of the roads for the first time. The Rally day was simple: 

You registered, got a rally course sheet, and left at your convenience. There is never an entry 

fee to participate. 

The rally is sponsored by Panhandle Cruisers, Warren Peacock, President and Pensacola 

Austin-Healey Club, Bill Moseley, Rallymaster 

Over 130 cars and members of 18-plus clubs participated. They capped off the rally with a 

fine meal at David’s Catfish House. David’s was reserved for us and the whole David’s crew 

turned out. Rob Faircloth, owner, wrote that this was their single biggest day, ever!! 

The main objective of the rally is to have a driving event for people from all car clubs of all 

makes to drive in and socialize together. As you can see in the pictures, everybody walked 

around, saw the very diverse cars and had good conversations about them. 

Most of the “no club” participants joined a club. This event showed that car clubs are for 

cars and the people who love to drive them. 



Brits on the Bay Trophies 

By Marc Cherry 

For our upcoming 25 th anniversary car show, everyone on the show committee 

wanted to see us upgrade the trophies that we present to the winners. We 

were inspired by the glorious plates, sculptures and crystal vases presented at 

the major concours events. We had champagne dreams and a Budweiser 

budget; still, they had to look good and be distinctly PBCA. 

I thought we could deliver something in metal, at least for our top trophies 

covering the major awards. Silver and black are a classic combination and 

exactly right for a silver anniversary. Nothing is more classically British than the 

two-eared spinners that adorn so many of our cars regardless of marque. We 

decided to roll all of those elements up into one for our trophy theme—silver 

spinners on a piano-black plinth. I did the work mainly using my computernumerically-controlled 

(CNC) mill and design software. I cut out replicas of the 

large-style spinners found on ‘big’ British cars, into which I then detailed our 


PBCA logo. As we needed five metal spinners for our top trophies as well as 

similar trophies for the classes, we unfortunately couldn’t afford the time, metal 

or labor to do the class 

trophies in the same 

manner. So the rest of the 

trophies have been cast 

from resin. 

The final plan required five 

aluminum spinners 

machined from billet with 

one that was used to make 

The original wooden test piece 

a mold for resin casting all of 

the other first-in-class awards. For the second and third place trophies, I cut 

our logo into the tops of worn original spinners and used those to make molds 

for casting. 

The first aluminum piece comes off of the mill 


To do this all in my garage, I first designed a full-sized, two-eared spinner using 

my computer assisted design (CAD) software. I converted this into a 3D model 

and exported it into my computer Aided Machining (CAM) software. Here, the 

real work began as I developed a cutting plan. I converted artwork from our 

First and second place trophies ready for pouring the rubber molds 

club logo into an engraving 

machining operation. This cutting 

plan was transferred to the mill 

control software and metal began to 

fly. I cut out five aluminum spinners 

from chunks of billet aluminum 

donated by Al DeWeese. I used a 

different attachment to engrave the 

club logo into the face of the spinner 

replicas. Each spinner required 

between seven and nine hours of 

machining time to complete. From 

there, Taber Tomkins and Paul Salm 

Third place trophy ready to be molded 


sanded and polished them to gleaming perfection. Similarly, for the second and 

third place trophies, I cut our logo into the tops of smaller, two-eared and 

earless spinners donated by Franz Bachmann and Bill Weeks. 

Weighing catalyst and mixing the mold rubber 

Next I purchased a gallon of specialty silicone rubber called Smooth-On 25 to 

make the molds. The trophy masters were placed in water-tight containers for 

this process. As the Smooth-On is rather expensive, I filled each mold with 

water first and measured exactly how much rubber I would need. The molds 

need to be at least 3/8 inch thick in all dimensions, so it did take some careful 

planning to set up. Smooth-On is very particular about how it is catalyzed— 

strictly by weight. Fortunately, I had a postal scale available. The catalyst was 

stirred in slowly to avoid introducing bubbles. Once mixed, the silicone was 

poured over the masters. The rubber-covered surfaces of the masters were 

brushed to release any air bubbles that may be stuck to the surface. Twentyfour 

hours later, the molds were ready. 


All molds poured and ready to remove and begin casting the class trophies 

It turns out that casting resin is also expensive, so I made my own using less 

expensive fiberglass resin and glass micro-balloons. The micro-balloons 

thicken the resin and add volume on a 1:1 basis. I prefer to mix in about 40% 

micro-balloons by volume, stir, and then add the catalyst. Getting the right 

amount without wasting or falling short of enough material was important. It 

turned out that a microwave Chinese noodle dish holds exactly the volume 

needed for a set of first, second and third place casts. Once catalyzed, I 

poured it into the mold, brushed the surfaces to remove air bubbles and waited 

four to eight hours for the casts to be ready, depending on the temperature and 

amount of catalyst used. 

Now that all of the casts are built, I have to clean them up for painting. You’ll 

have to wait for the April Smoke to see them come together. 


Brits on the Bay Volunteer List 

April 21-22, 2017 

Thanks to everyone who has already confirmed their volunteer slot for the 2017 Brits on the Bay. 

We are way ahead of the game this year on volunteers. I already have 101 out of 122 spots 

confirmed. As you look through this list, I have highlighted the few people I still need to hear from. 

Please send me an e-mail at redshirt98@att.com to confirm. We really appreciate your enthusiastic 

participation and look forward to an outstanding 25 th anniversary show! 

Chair: Tom Schmitz 

Tom Matsoukas, Marc Cherry 

Site Preparation: Friday-Saturday 

Bill Weeks, chair, Paul Salm, Tom Matsoukas, Marc Cherry 

Porta-Potty Rental: Bob Henson , chair 

Parking: 

Marc Cherry, chair, Bill Weeks, Richard Lewis, Rich Willows, Al Deweese, Gus Fell, Tim Maynard, 

Tabor Tompkins, Jack Rowles, Jason Court, Paul Salm, Joe Stephens 

Reception/Registration Area: 

Tom Schmitz, chair, Midge Derby, Curt Derby, Risa Manske, Tom Matsoukas, Rich Willows, 

Darla Willows, Al Deweese, , Karlyn Cherry, Risa Manske, One Volunteer Needed 

Balloting: 

Tom Schmitz, Chair, Gail Sanders, Donna Weeks, Rise Manske, Liz Maynard, Midge Derby, Karlyn 

Cherry 

Awards/Trophies: 

Tom Schmitz, chair, Marc Cherry 

Specialty Awards: 

Rolling Sculpture Award--Bill Silhan 

Special Category Trophies--Marc Cherry 

Best in Show-judges--Mike Darby with Larry Norton and Bill Gillson of Peachtree MG 


Registry 

T Shirts 

Artwork: Curt Derby, Rich Willows 

Production: Tom Schmitz, Curt Derby 

Show Sales: Mickey Kay, chair, Kay Kay, Ann Fell, John Malone One Volunteer Needed 

Printing 

Curt Derby, chair 

Goody Bags 

Tom Schmitz, chair, Darla Willows, Rich Willows, Al Deweese 

Sound System: 

Bob Manske, chair, Bill Weeks, Tom Matsoukas, Keith Sanders, Marc Cherry 

Show Promotions: 

Bill Weeks, chair, Keith Sanders, Curt Derby, Tom Schmitz, Bob Manske 

Awards Presentation: 

Tom Schmitz, chair, Marc Cherry, Tim Maynard, Paul Salm 

Photography: 

Mike Japp, chair and web site manager, Bill Moseley, Cam Leonard & Richard Lewis 

Motor Homes: 

Gus Fell, Bill Weeks 

Friday Day Activities: 

Tom Matsoukas, chair, Henry Hensel, Ingrid Candelaria, Richard Lewis 

Friday Night Reception: 

Bob Manske, chair 


Set Up: Marc Cherry, Tom Matsoukas, Liza Maynard, Tim Maynard, Monica Bachmann, 

Franz Bachmann, Marie Olive, Jeff Olive, Jack Rowles, Jerry Rowles, Jason Court, Stacie 

Court 

Food Arrangement and Serving: Jeff Olive, Marie Olive 

Guest Welcome: Marc Cherry, Melissa Silhan, Bill Silhan 

Post Event Clean Up (10-11:30 pm): Monica Bachmann, Franz Bachmann, Jack Rowles, Jerry 

Rowles, Jeff Olive, Marie Olive 

Major Prize Raffle: 

Jeff Olive, Judy Huber, Paul Salm, Jerry Rowles 

Car Wash: 

Franz Bachmann, chair 

50/50: 

Ted Oster 

Major Prize Donations 

Richard Lewis (basket), chair, Joan Clemons (quilt), Jerry Rowles (basket), Carol Stewart (basket), 

Jeff Olive (wood bowl), Tom Matsoukas (tools), Rich Willows (painting and framed print), 

Curt Derby (2 paintings), Dom Hambrick (Enamel Badge), United Bank (silver necklace) 


Featured Car 

1991 Land Rover Defender 110 

Grant Bucks 

Words and Photos by Marc Cherry 

As we contemplate the 25 th anniversary of the Brits on the Bay car show, I thought we might feature a car 

that is also 25 years old. This month’s feature car is a truck. Our featured 1991 Land Rover Defender 110 is 

not only new to this area, it is new to this continent. Lt Col Grant Bucks was lucky enough to be stationed in 

the United Kingdom for the past few years. While living there, he got bit by the British car bug and decided 

he had to have an old Land Rover to bring back to the States. 

Knowing that the vehicle had to be at least 25 years old to come into the US legally, he sought out an old 

Land Rover Defender 110. After a lengthy search, he secured what he thought was the perfect 1991 vintage 

vehicle and began to upgrade it and prepare it for the trip across the Atlantic. The biggest issue was the 

engine. A previous owner had swapped it for an engine from a different Landie. Our DOT requires that an 

import vehicle be equipped with its original type engine. With some difficulty, Grant sourced a running 

engine, serviced it and restored the Defender to its original mechanical specifications. 


He also set out to modernize the 

vehicle by replacing most of the 

interior with newer components. The 

vehicle ended up safer, too. Out went 

the shorty rear seats and tired cloth 

front seats in favor of newer, heated 

leather seating, three-point harnesses, 

modern instrumentation and a stereo/CD 

with USB inputs. Uprated LED fixtures 

replaced almost all of the interior and 

exterior lighting. 

Just as Grant had most of the work finished, 

the unthinkable happened. Thieves broke 

into the Defender, popped it into neutral 

and loaded it onto a flatbed. England might 

be famous for Scotland Yard, but none of 

those skills or ambition seemed at work 

amongst the Ipswich constabulary. Upon 

Grant reporting the crime, the police 

promised to send a car. After a couple hours, 

he called again. After learning that the 

stolen vehicle was a classic Land Rover, they 

informed him that “You’ll never see that 

thing again.” In fact, they wouldn’t bother to 

send a car as the Land Rover was likely 

already parted out or in another country. 

A couple of weeks passed until the owner of 

a nearby Christmas tree farm saw a glint of 


ed from the back of his farm. The thieves, expecting no traffic through a tree farm immediately after 

Christmas, had stashed it until they could dispose of it. Incredibly, the vehicle was almost completely 

undamaged. Everything was still in the car from the night it was stolen. 

Although the Defender was returned, Grant’s struggle to get it to the United States was not over. With a 

planned return to the US in the early summer of 2016, Grant duly 

tried to ship his vehicle over. In doing so, he learned that the restriction was not by model year, but by 

assembly date. With an October 1991 build date, the Defender wouldn’t be travelling to the US with Grant 

and his family. In fact, it couldn’t even leave the UK port until past the 25 th anniversary of its build date. He 

left it with a friend to be shipped in the fall. 

Fast forward through a long wait to start the shipment, a long ocean crossing and a long customs process 

before the Land Rover finally arrived at the Atlanta debarkation yard in late January 2017. The family made 

a two day outing to go retrieve their long-awaited Land Rover. It was a lengthy journey, but certainly worth 

the wait. 


Rarely has there been this kind of opportunity to perform hobby work and look so focused and 

professional while you are at it. No one will mess with you while you are geared up and hard at work with 

this month’s feature tool, the UV Leak Detection Kit. Anyone who walks into your garage will instantly 

know that serious science is underway and you are not to be bothered by trivial matters. 


I have to confess, I’ve always wanted one of 

these. The full kit has options to test any system 

based on oil, water or refrigerant. Anyone who 

has spent hours trying to chase a slow leak 

around a dirty engine probably could have 

justified this kit on hours saved alone. I have lost 

sleep wondering whether my fresh E-Type engine 

had a leaky rear main seal demanding a 

heartbreaking engine removal and disassembly or 

merely a weepy banjo bolt to the cam that could 

be cinched up without even having to set down 

your freshly-mixed old fashioned. Good news, it 

was the banjo, in the garage with the old 

fashioned! While I won’t share my UV Leak 

Detection Kit because it was pretty spendy at 

$104, you can find my old fashioned recipe at the 

end of this article. 

The tools you use say a lot about you. Walking 

around with a Mighty-Vac brake bleed kit just tells 

the world that you have no friends (to help you 

bleed brakes) and that you are easily duped into 

buying under-performing tools. Showing up with a 

complete UV test kit (all three options, naturally) 

instantly makes you the most interesting man in the 

garage. I’m not really a $125 an hour mechanic 

(that’s what the BMW shop wanted last week!), but 

I could play one on TV. The stylish and glossy amber 

goggles that come with the kit instantly convey a 


sense of detached professionalism. My car may be mid-century modern, but my diagnostic gear is allbusiness, 

21 st century business at that. 

So what do you get in this kit besides the stylish goggles? While the original elements were earth wind 

and fire, in the automotive world they are oil water and refrigerant. The complete kit comes with three 

containers of marker dye for petroleum-based liquids, water-based liquids and refrigerant dye. With the 

oil dye, you can test gas and diesel fuel systems, oil 

systems, brake circuits, transmissions and power 

steering systems for leaks. The water dye lets you test 

cooling systems and even windshield washer systems. 

Finally, the refrigerant dye helps determine whether it 

will take hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix the air 

conditioner. NAPA’s scientists have not left British cars 

out in the cold with respect to their unique leaks. Their 

new liquid smoke dye is almost consumer ready and 

will surely help us quickly isolate where the smoke is 

escaping from the wires. In addition to these items, a 

super-cool anodized aluminum UV flashlight is the 

central tool to actually finding the leak. 

How does it work? Just select the bottle with the dye 

for the type of fluid you are testing and pour it into the 

system. Start the vehicle and run it up to temperature 

or even drive it for a couple of days if you are chasing a 

really slow leak. When you are ready for the 

examination, find some shade, don your goggles and 

start shining the UV flashlight around the engine bay. 

You’ll know when you find the leak, the leak will light 

up the color of a yellow highlighter marker. The dye 

lasts for months, so it will help find subsequent leaks 

as well. Once applied, you don’t need to remove the dye from your system; just change your oil, coolant 

or whatever fluid on its regular maintenance cycle. 

There are noteworthy alternative uses for elements of this kit. The UV flashlight is useful for hunting 

scorpions as they also glow in UV light. Similarly, most body fluids fluoresce as well, so the flashlight can 

track down a misbehaving pet’s dirty deeds. For your sanity, I don’t recommend using the light in the next 

hotel room you stay in. Some things are better unknown. The dye itself can be used in testing drain 

systems or for pranks. I won’t say how I know this, but a tiny bit spilled in a shoe will create a lasting 

green foot. Telephone earpieces and eyeglass nosepieces are also good candidates, as well. The 

possibilities are endless! Or, you could stick with auto repair. 


Divertissements: Mod Twist to the Old Fashioned 

Old Fashioned but never out of style. This is my take on a venerable classic that 

began as a rye drink between the wars and evolved into a bourbon drink by the 

atomic age. Yes, Old and Mod Fashioneds use maraschino cherries. The trick is 

to find the good ones without syrups and dyes to avoid turning a serious cocktail 

into a boat drink. Tonight's mix features a single cask Kentucky Bourbon from 

the 1792 Distillery. Start with a few small bits of orange or clementine peel in 

the bottom of a glass. Add a wedge of the same orange or clementine, a dash of 

lemon juice, 1 tbsp of brown sugar and 3 dashes of bitters. Muddle the whole 

thing well. Add ice, a maraschino cherry, 1 oz of bourbon and a half oz of sweet 

vermouth. Top up with sparkling water and stir gently but thoroughly to avoid 

flattening the water. Enjoy! 



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Smoke in the Wires February 2017

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