By Corky Guenther
MG2016 was supposed to be a walk in the park, literally on day one of the trip and figuratively for the balance. After all we’d driven the TC to MG2011 in Reno and after repairing a spun pinion bearing had covered some 4000 miles mostly solo without further incident, 6700 miles total. So, to Louisville, KY and back, no problem.
The destination for Day One was The Breaks in the Mountains Interstate Park. We met with Dick and Beth Lunney and several other MG and Austin Healey owners from the Charlotte area at 4-Brothers in Wilkesboro and headed to West Jefferson for lunch. Perfect. Then off toward “The Breaks” on, as we like to say, back roads. Really great LBC touring and scenery. We were playing follow the leader not really paying much attention to the route as we hadn’t planned it, just enjoying the ride. We got to Saltville and though following, we noticed that the road was becoming increasingly narrow and the pavement quality was diminishing along with the neighborhood. It then became apparent that we were heading back to Saltville completing a circle. We pulled into a bank drive through (not open) and reconnoitering took place at the head of the pack. Soon, we pulled out with Dave and Kathy in the lead (apparently theirs was the only GPS that hadn’t lost its bearings) and we were off over the hills and multiple switchbacks to the park. We were at the tail end of the train and working the TC pretty hard to keep up. Lots of gear 3 and some gear 2 as well (ran out of breath a couple of times but not out of gears). We eventually topped the mountain and eased down the other side before climbing again to the park. We were staying in a “Mountain Lodge” on the property where we had a view of the gorge carved by the Russell Fork River some 600 feet below.
After dinner and breakfast at the restaurant in the park (good food, substantial portions and reasonable prices), we headed for Lexington, KY again on “back roads” stopping first in Pikeville, KY a central location in the Hatfield/McCoy feud and Priscilla’s birthplace. We stopped for lunch at the “Red River Rock House” indicated as a 5 Star restaurant somewhere having to do with rock climbing, I think. Actually we enjoyed our meal. Then, on to Lexington. As we got near, we hopped on (sounds so much better than “got on”) I84. We were cruising along nicely when the TC sputtered and then quit, just done. We pulled off and called the Ahrendts to alert them. Then, tried the starter, Vroom-Vroom. OK then, back on the road – briefly. Same deal. Restarted and motored along the shoulder to the next exit where we popped the bonnet and fiddled to no good purpose. Dave and Kathy arrived and they figured that we weren’t that far from our hotel via non interstate so we pressed on. No problems encountered.
Dave and I, later joined by Dean, spent a couple of hours investigating carburetors and found that one float level was off significantly (no idea how that happened as - obviously faulty - memory says I did both at the same time with the same tools); lost a needle valve gasket in the process, Kathy “Eagle Eye” found it. We didn’t find any other issues and so went off to diner and retired, puzzled but “what the hay?”
In the morning, Dean, Dave, Kathy and we were off to Lexington via a couple of distilleries. Woodford Reserve Located in the Kentucky countryside on a picturesque 2- lane road through several horse farms made just getting there an unexpected pleasurable portion of the trip. Sacrifices must be made in deference to the schedule so we elected to forgo the distillery tour (here). We did have ice cream though – Bourbon & Honey. Next stop: Buffalo Trace which has the distinction of remaining in operation during prohibition as a producer of “Medicinal” spirits. We did take the tour here. We also relearned a lesson – if there is something you want, buy it when you see it. Available before the tour, gone after.
We proceeded to Louisville to check in to the hotel and register for the event. Churchill Downs was our evening’s event. We spent most of the evening in the museum which of course traces the history of the Derby and offers many exhibits related thereto. A highlight was an awesome audio-visual show on a racetrack shaped screen elevated above the space so all in the room have a clear view.
Space doesn’t allow a play by play of the week. There were several illuminating seminars, John Twist’s Rolling Tech Session, a tour of the Corvette Museum, a presentation of MG models throughout production narrated by the owners, a seminar on “Derby Pie”, how to construct a “Facinator”, there was something for everybody. The car show was Thursday at Waterfront Park alongside the Ohio River. Almost 800 cars from the 4 MG registers: North American Triple M Register, New England MG-T Register, North American MGA Register and North American MGB Register were on the field representing the entirety on MG production. The individual registers held pre-banquet awards meetings passing out all except 1st place medals which were awarded at the evening banquet. The featured speaker at the banquet was Dennis Gage the noted TV personality. In addition to the first place car show awards, each register presents a Chairman’s Award usually to a car they select. Hank Rippert of the New England MG-T Register has usually granted the Chairman’s Award to a person or persons and he did so again this year presenting the award to our own Kathy Ahrendt.
Friday Morning: Dean headed home; we and the Ahrendts started for Bowling Green to visit the Corvette Museum. There was a stop at yet another distillery (grin), Jim Beam; again, forgoing the tour. The TC decided to act up once more and this time we had a look at the plugs. They were all oil fouled. Probably explains the roughly 350 mile per quart consumption. Arriving at the Corvette Museum, we drooled over the Vettes awaiting factory delivery, commiserated over the history lost to the sink hole and admired the progression of the marque. We checked in to our motel. Priscilla and I crashed while Kathy and Dave had dinner with her cousin.
Saturday we started for home. The plan was to stop just short of the Cherohala Skyway for the night and then home via the Skyway. Didn’t work out that way. Twenty or so miles on the road, the cell phone rang. Kathy, saying something is amiss. We went back and listened. We heard a ticking – sort of – high in the engine, not deep like a rod bearing knock, emanating from the engine - consensus: day over. Called AAA, Kathy’s cousin offered storage, flatbed arrived, TC loaded, transported and unloaded. Meanwhile, Kathy’s cousin was trying to secure a one way car rental but Avis didn’t have one readily available. I suggested renting as a local since it’s only a daily charge plus gas. That’s what they did. We formed a recovery plan; drive home, exchange our TC for the Jeep, borrow David Poe’s trailer, return to pick up the Ahrendt’s TC and bring it home.
Sunday we started for home again. This time we took the direct route picking up I40 and pressing on. The TC cruises comfortably at 60-65 MPH, around 27-2800 RPM in 5th, so we made good time. The rest of the story is pretty boring. Picked up the trailer - 15 minutes to attach, an hour to get the lights functioning (a rewire is in the near future), back to Bowling Green, load TC, overnight and then back home.
So, the walk in the park ended as a drive on the interstate. But still, a memorable and mostly good time.
