More @ Mad Dogs

A few more photos from Dave Norton's get together and the Mad Dogs show. Enjoy!

Paul, Bil & Gene discuss a very shiny red car!

Paul & Bill getting a tour of John's Racing Roadster

ANSWER: 4: Gene, Bil, Dave, John

QUESTION: "How many Singer mechanics does it take to install a new grille and slats on a 4AD?)

Lots of cars and lots of interest!

Something for everyone to see.

A group of Singer owners. One guess to say what they are talking about!

Award winners Bob & Sherry from Manitoba (2nd) and Mark (1st Place)

No question what is in this trailer!

Mad Dogs & Englishmen

A whirlwind trip to Michigan... meeting and speaking to fellow club members... seeing cars that have not been seen before... PRICELESS!

Hats off to Dave and Ellen Norton for hosting such a fabulous event and opening up their home to a rag-tag group of weary travelers and making them feel at home.

A total of 10 cars equals the record set at Stowe in 2005, and as always, the Singer Spirit was high! Sure we were asked the same old questions about a relationship to a sewing machine company, but that is just part of the fun in spreading the word about our favourite marque.

The Saturday get-together was an opportunity to chat and ask questions. We shared stories of how we found our cars and what we had and/or will do to make them our own. We still meet members who have not seen other Singers than their own and having a few of the same model is helpful in comparing how things went together. We were all excited to see John Slusar and his 4AD Roadster Racing Special. His arrival was a well kept secret. Fortunate that he could share and ask questions on his car. He had a good chance to talk-technical with Phillip Avis, and gave some insight to Bill Howerth on the ins and outs of metal stitching. John's friend Julie was around, but moved too fast for anyone to take a photo. We tried to convince her to look at a Singer, but to date, she is still firmly on the side of Edsels. Perhaps one day.

Dave Norton, our host, also had the benefit of a few extra hands when fitting his freshly chromed grille and shell on his 4AD. There were probably 5 or 6 "helpers" at one time or another. The end result is quite striking.

Gene and Lynn made it safe and sound despite passing through a hail storm. Each had their own concern once they passed through - Gene for their new tow vehicle, Lynn for the Roadster! Sophie, their Italian Greyhound, was just concerned.

Sunday's event was full of surprises. With a space for about 6 or so cars and the display, all were pleasantly surprised to see 7, then 8, 9 and finally 10! Room was made for everyone and in the end things looked just like a little town garage doing a very hardy business! Mostly checking the air pressure, oil level and topping off the petrol since we all know that Singers are rock solid performers!

Despite the advice from several members and his personal physician, Paul dressed up in his Singer "Men in White" coveralls, shirt and tie. Got to look the part when standing by the Garage! Several bottles of water and the primo location under a large tree were instrumental in keeping the paramedics at bay. Our mechanic friend "George" made his appearance thanks again to Lynn Mulder and a wooden tibia. Paid by the hour, George spent all of his time under the Super Ten.

More "surprise" visitors included Charles Roberts from Illinois in his 4AD, Rick Potter from Michigan in a very original 4A and our friends from the west Bob and Sherry Ward from Manitoba!

While this was the 2nd Mid-America Singer meet, it was the 1st where Singer was the Jewel Marque as part of this show.

Here are a few photos from the event:
Photos by Alan Natali, Phillip Avis & Paul Bouchard

Picnic in the Park

With the cool breeze in the air and a pile of registration sheets in hand, all was set for the first "major" car show of the season here in La Belle Province otherwise known as Quebec.

While the show doors officially opened at 10:00, many eager beavers were on site at 9:00! No problem since this show is definately low key and more of a get-together than anything realy organized. My 1:00 PM there were over 150 cars in the field. More would have come if it were not for the RAIN THAT INSISTED ON COMING FOR AN EXTENDED VISIT. Well May is May and you must expect a shower or two. I must admit that the folks were quite steadfast and held out to the end. As it was, we packed up at around 2:30.

Besides Wallace (the Super Ten) we saw Phillip Avis and Baby Blue and Bob Taylor's '34 LM. Other NASOC members in attendance were Lori Sellor, Len Pearcey, Larry Doyon and Robert Moreau. While Robert did arrive in a Mazda Miata, he was quick to add that the luggage rack is from a MG.

One down, hopefully many more to go!

Sunbeam streaming on the British on the Green

With a weekend weather report at home filled with rain, what better way to spend it in the company of fellow Singerites in the warmth of Maryland and Virginia.

The show was Britain on the Green held at the Collingwood Library and Museum on the Potomac River. NASOC member Gene Abbondelo was attending with his ’49 1500 powered 4A and had invited Phillip Avis and myself to join him. While that alone was a good reason for the trip, Gene was also taking possession of a Sunbeam and would be trailering the car to another NASOC member Bil Haley for “temporary” storage. The chance to help out Gene and see the mystic Haley Acres was too good to turn down.

We arrived late Friday night and after a chance to chew the fat, we turned in for a 5:00 AM wake-up call which would came all too fast! Speaking of which, we were offered a police escort, however that was politely declined.

Once we arrived in Urbanna Virginia to collect the Sunbeam we met Bil who provided the trailer and was still sporting his winter beard. With the Sunbeam neatly packed up we were took the opportunity to talk shop with Ed, the Sunbeam’s seller. Ed is a very interesting fellow and welcomed us all to chat and tour his garage and home. He told us about a friend of his who just recently purchased a 4AD and was just a few houses down from where we were. Turns out that the 4AD owner was none other than fellow NASOC member Dave Laughton.

Dave was indeed a gracious host inviting us in to see the car and have a chat. We were apparently lucky to see him as apart from restoring cars he is quite the sailor! A few stories and photos later we were off to continue the adventure.

With Gene and Phillip in the Volvo chase vehicle, Bil and I manned Big Red (Bil’s pick-up tow vehicle). The drive went by all too quickly and there was no lack of references to Bil’s new facial hair during the trip.

Haley Acres is neatly tucked away amongst the trees in a very pretty part of Virginia. Before we got the official tour, I was taken aback by the first vehicle that I cut my teeth on. Do not get me wrong, a Singer heart beats in this chest, but the sight of a Massey Ferguson 30 Tractor brought back childhood memories from my years on the “farm”. That was only the start of the excitement as the garage entered our view. Certainly on its way to becoming Virginia’s Garage Mahal – Bil’s second home is spacious, nicely equipped and full of future projects. While we were eager to explore the garage and surrounding forest, we were driven to other, more Singer-like, interests. This was not because we were afraid of the bears that apparently passed by from time to time because we all know that when comes to bears it is not how fast you can run – only that you can run faster than the guy next to you! We were re-introduced to Scarlett, Bil’s ’35 Long tail. Bil was undertaking some work to the front of the engine so a chat with Phillip was a needed tonic.

With our work done and tummies grumbling, it was time for supper. Bil’s better half Toni joined us for supper and stories but it all ended too soon as we were due back at Gene’s.

Show days are always special. We gathered ourselves up and made our way to Gene’s 4A for the drive to the field. Something has to be said for a 1500 engine in a 4A since that car really moved! Part of the drive included a sprint on the highway and when we were not passing cars, they were slowing down to take a look at us. A carload of teenage girls on their way somewhere got out their camera-phones to take some shots so look out for Gene, Phillip and Paul on You-Tube! (Check out the good-looking guy in the back seat)

When we arrived at the field we were taken aback to hear that the show was full! Some quick thinking by our driver Gene solved that hiccup. He mentioned to the organizers that we had the NASOC NEWS staff on board all the way from Montreal and they were writing an expose on the show and… and… Well it worked and we were quickly on our way to the designated spot.

The nice thing about British on the Green is that the cars are parked in pockets around the museum’s grounds. The MGs were parked suitably away from the Singer so as not to suffer from lack of interest.

They did garner a choice location with a view of the Potomac River. Another pocket of cars featured a fair contingent of Bentleys and just to let you know how small our world really is one of the Bentley owners knew NASOC member Len Pearcey! Seems that Len had done some work on one of his cars and he was eager to share how pleased he was at the quality of Len’s work. Good show Len! Bil also showed up to lend his support, which with the amount of people gathered around the feisty 4A was definitely appreciated.

For those visiting the day of the show was also the day to go home. Getting together with Gene and Bil was great. To also have the chance to meet people like Ed and Dave, well that was the icing on the cake. Thanks to all and hope to see you again soon!

What's Cookin' Doc?!...

For some time an open invitation has been offered to the “Les Boys” Robert Moreau, Phillip Avis and myself, to head to Trois Rivieresto visit Larry Doyon and this was the best time to take up his offer.

Larry recently obtained a 1946 A Series Roadster and was in the process of restoring it. We were able to share information on the car but as we all know, there are always things that you forget to ask. We sent Larry information on the Roadster as well as photos of my A series to assist him in his task. Of main interest was my conversion made to my 1948 A Seriesto a 4-speed gearbox. Like my car, Larry’s had received a 4 speed gearbox transplant at one time in its life and the installation was, well, questionable. Three Rivers is only a couple of hours from Montreal and we did want to get an early start so as to have the maximum amount of time to visit Larry and see the car. As luck would have it the weather cooperated nicely. Clear skies, the hint of spring and a definite lack of singing from the back seat made the hour and a half ride a pleasant one.

We were greeted by Larry and his wife at their farmette just outside Trois-Rivieres. Larry, who runs a machine shop, is nicely equipped to do just about everything. The first stop a tour of his plating setup. Plating has always intrigued me and this was an opportunity to see the process in action. Preparation is definitely the name of the game. As Larry explained, to achieve a clean and shiny surface after plating you need a clean and shiny surface before plating. As a demonstration, Larry nickel plated a pair of dash lamp holders for Phillip as we enjoyed our lunch.

The plating was a success and a tour of the barn was next.

I was fascinated with the baler since part of my growing up was on a farm and baling hay was part of that. With winter upon us, riding trails were cleared with an authentic Bombardier snow clearing vehicle. These little “tanks” are famous here in Montreal, clearing our sidewalks and intriguing boys of all ages who all want to drive one!

While a half-dozen horses and a dog seem normal enough, we were surprised by a goat blocking the way up the stairs to the barn’s loft! More of a pet than farm animal, the friendly goat followed us wherever we went. I suspect that he especially liked Robert the most, but it was only as a friend since he was, well, castrated. The goat I mean. More on this at a much later time.

We could have easily spent the day touring the barn and basement workshop, but there was one other thing to check out before the day was out: Larry’s Roadster. The shop is a quick 20 minute drive into the heart of Trois Rivieres. We worked our way through the machinery to a corner of the shop where we found Roadster. Larry had done a great deal of work as part of his frame-up restoration of the A. With the car up on the lift, we were able to admire all the work that had been put into the car.We were even treated to the sound of the A’s engine as Larry started her up to show us. We could have stayed longer; however some of us had to get back to work the next day.

Thanks again to Larry, and his goat, for a great day out.

"Les Boys"