British motoring....it's not just a job, it's an ADVENTURE!
Steve Byers
Havelock, NC
'73 Midget GAN5UD126009G "OO NINE"
'66 BJ8 HBJ8L/36666 "TARHEELY"
'63 BJ7 HBJ7L/20111 ("Resting" the last 10 years)
"It is better to remain silent, and be thought a fool,
than to speak, and remove all doubt." -- Mark Twain
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> From: Larry Macy <macy@bblmail.psycha.upenn.edu>
> To: MG List <mgs@autox.team.net>
> Subject: Midget on Skyline Dr. [Longish]
> Date: Tuesday, August 05, 1997 2:40 PM
>
> I am starting to get caught up with work after vacation so here is a
> little bit about our experiences in the Midget.
>
> First of all we (SO and Me) were traveling with our youngest
> daughter (13) and a friend on his Yamaha FJ1200. We left Lansdale about
> 7AM on Sat the 19th. Headed for Harrisburg on I-76. About 60 miles into
> the trip I noticed that the tach, temp, and fuel gauge were starting to
> drift towards zero. A couple of days prior I had a similar thing occur
> when the fuse had worked loose. We stopped and I checked the fuse but it
> seemed OK. When I got back in the car it wouldn't start. I had left the
> lights on so we gave it a shove and off we went. As we got closer to
> Harrisburg I figured out the problem, my BRAND FU**ING NEW battery was
> shorted out. As we were running on the high way and not using any
> peripherals (lights CB etc) we decided to go for Front Royal, VA. Made it
> w/ no further problems. The cruise from Harrisburg to Gettysburg is
> almost as boring as Interstate, but from there south to Front Royal
> through Harpers Ferry was pretty cool especially crossing the Potomoc.
> The next day we debated about a new battery or to take a short cruise up
> to Skyline and Luray Cavern. About 10 miles into the drive I started to
> get nervous and turned around to get a battery. $65 in Front Royal. Just
> to be safe we stopped at a service place to check the alternator. -1
> amps. @$#^%#$^&@%#$&$&@#%^#$^@#*#$^& Pep Boys.
> I went to the campsite and called them, They don't deliver, If I
> wanted to get a new Alternator from them I had to go to their nearest
> store in Manassas about 70 miles. Sighing softly I called VB as their
> alternators are cheaper than Moss. Tough, 2 week backorder. Called Moss,
> Overnighted to Charlottesville VA (our next campsite for the measly price
> of $190.00. (I paid 74 for the rebuild from Pep Boys). Well with a good
> battery (and a new battery charger and 50' extension cord added to the
> trunk) off we went down Skyline Drive on Monday morning. If you ever get
> a chance DO THIS DRIVE!!!. Although the speed limit is officially 35 we
> mostly went 40-45, Beautiful overlooks especially off to the east as the
> Shenandoah Valley is pretty well developed. Got some great pictures that
> when I get them developed I will send them to Adrian (I promise) along
> with shots of the Midget. We camped out in Charlottesville on Monday
> night and went to Monticello on Tuesday. Got back to the campsite and the
> Alternator was there as ordered. But it was Pouring.
>
> There is more to tell but I must get back to work I'll follow up
tomorrow.
>
> Larry Macy
> 78 Midget (fresh from a 1960 mi cruise)
>
> Oh Yea the only LBC's we saw on our entire trip were four in Front Royal
> a little blue AH Sprite whom stopped to chat and three Bs, 2 rubber and
> one chrome bumper.
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