Octagon November, 2017

spot for friends old and new to swap T-Type
experiences and knowledge.
The bakery offered all the temptations it is
well known for, along with a display of its
local history. We are pleased to report that
all vehicles behaved beautifully (while on the
run) and all participants arrived happy and
still enthusiastic too. Further T-Type runs will
be organized with an endeavour to include
as many participants as possible bearing in
mind the “tyranny of distance”. We would
like to thank everyone for making this “T” run
a success and we hope to see you all again
next time.
Participants:
Terry & Lynn Jones
Don & Ann Webster
Bernie Pereira
TC
TD
TD
Ross & Shez Letten TD
Helen & Noah Goodfellow TF
Brian Phillips
TF1500
Barry & Lorraine Bauman TD
Ross Kelly
J3
Vern & Elaine Hamilton MGB GT-type
Ian & Kay Wells
Jensen Healey
Roadside Meetings by Ross Kelly
I have always thought driving a pre-war MG
MMM car was an acquired taste; I note that,
after fifteen years of ownership of the J3, I
have not yet acquired the taste.
On the upside I certainly have met many
interesting people whilst sitting beside the
road and wondering what went wrong this
time. It was fortunate that I was a better
landscape estimator than motor mechanic.
My mentor, Norm Goodall, has just approved
my elevation to second year apprentice after
serving fifteen years on level one.
It must have been something to do with my
grasping the nature of the working of the
internal combustion engine – suck, push,
bang, blow. Therefore, if the car stopped,
first check petrol and spark before using the
vintage driver’s best companion, the mobile
phone, to contact the RACQ.
Such was the case after the T series run
to Fernvale recently. After morning tea, it
was back into the J3 for the return journey.
The car was rocketing along till disaster
struck just before Moggill Road at Anstead.
I stopped for a break to clean the radiator
fluid off the aero screens and let the car cool
down a little before the last leg home.
Bill Hutchinson with the J3
“Failed to Proceed” is the best way to
describe the next move -- starter engaged
but no further noise of the J3 bursting
into life. A quick diagnosis by 2nd year
apprentice was that engine or supercharger
had seized.
From experience, any issues with the J3
have always been centred around the
supercharger, from losing its balls (ball
bearings that is) in Italy, breaking the drive
The Octagon - November 2017 19