Hudson British Car Show

Hudson Antique Car Klub (HACK) put on its bi-annual British Car Show. Over 3,000 people and 350 cars! The Singer crew was out in form with Len Percey, Robert Moreau, Bary Stephens and Larry Doyon joining Phillip and myself.

Robert drove down in his recently restored... wait for it... Triumph Bonneville motorcycle. A beaut! His Roadster is progressing well with the current task finishing up the electricals. He is confident that he will drive (yes drive) his Roadster to Stowe, and back of course.

Phillip brought out Baby Blue and I had the unusual pleasure of bringing my two Singers to the show. The Super Ten that arrived in Montreal only 2 weeks ago was trailered by my brave wife Helene, while I led the way in the Roadster.

The sun was out in all its glory with the temperature going up to 25 C (pretty darn hot for this time of the year). We were in our "usual" spot in the shade for the most part of the day. A prime place on such a hot day, and did it ever ring in the crowds! That combined with our "new" Singer Display. With the Singer gang winning the Tailgate Picnic in 2004, we were challenged by the Jaguar to be ready for some stiff competition!

We were up for the challenge and created our Gastronomical Garage! This also provided an opportunity to debut the Ten. We constructed a garage facade and gave it a well worn patina to match the Ten. Combined with a "lunch" of connecting rods, BSF nuts, spark plugs and ignition wire we were sure to make a good show. We drew quite a crowd with as many people taking photos of the cars as of the "food".

Sadly, the judging did not go our way, and although we did make a good impression, our lack of "lubricant" for the judges was mentioned in his deliberation. Seems that the Jag group's British Pub was complete, if not licensed.

By far the show was a big success for HACK, the show and for Singers, and as always, events are an opportunity to let people know about Singers, and a place for fellow Singerites to share ideas and experiences.


To Stowe!

A pleasure to deal with

For a car that has will soon celebrate 60 years, it shows signs of a "younger" car. Last night I tackled the front right brakes. With the exception of worn out brake lineings, everything else looked to be in remarkable shape! I disassembled the master cylinder and all the copper lines for the front brakes. At the same time, I took apart the front right brake components (shoes, cylinder, hose, unions, etc). With the exception of a slightly stuck brake piston, everything went apart rather easilly. A quick glass blasting in the cabinet and clean gleeming metal was everywhere!

The cylinder will need a light honing, but I think that it will certainly do. A couple of rebuild kits for the wheel and master cylinders and that should be it!

From the paperwork that was found in the glovebox/shelf under the dash, you could see that previous owners took care of this car, and I thank them as well as Jim for being able to store the car under cover and his surgeon-like ability to remove the parts he required while leaving the rest intact.

I adjusted the parking brake enough so that the car can be left on its own without fear of rolling away!

Got into it!

What is this??? I know, do you?

With the Hudson show happening this weekend (May 28), I did not want to get too much into removing big items. Ok, I went ahead and removed the bonnet and grille BUT that was so that I could remove the spare engine! All will be returned to its proper place for the show.

I did get into some of the hydraulic brake system. I am amazed that for a car of this vintage, that the nuts and bolts (and brake unions) that I have dealt with so far have been easy to deal with. Sure signs that the car was A) well maintained and looked after, and B) stored well!

The master cylinder did give show some signs of stubbornness. A little heat and releasing agent took care of this... well I had to get a rebuild kit anyway!

My time right now is in getting my part of the Hudson Display (yes a display) ready. No hints on what it will be, but the other clubs entering the Tailgate Picnic are on notice to put on something good!

By the way, the photo is the hole for the front bonnet hinge which is also part of the "mascot". It is seen from the back. Kudos for those who guessed!

Getting into it!

Montreal has seen 11 straight days of rain! During a break in the downpour, I took the opportunity to get the Super Ten into the garage and dry things out. With the help of my son Alex and buddy Phillip, we managed to push the car up the sheer cliff of my driveway. The car fits nicely, but I would prefer to have another 5 feet or so on each side. No such luck. Next house.

We put the car up on jack stands and removed one of the front wheels. I wanted to see if the wheel rims from the Roadster would fit. This would be beneficial as the tires currently on the car would not pass inspection, but the Roadster tires are fairly new. So to save some $$ and time, I was going to swap them for the inspection process. Good luck continues as the Roadster rims fit like a glove!

Master cylinder. Looks in pretty good shape - just needs a rebuild kit.

Brakes will be the next item of interest. The car has been standing since 1973 so a full brake job may be in the works. To start, I want to get the parking brake working so that if I do have to push it out of the garage, then I can use the car's own braking system to keep it in place.

A loook aft. the rear seat pan can be seen.

I took a peek under the car and all looks pretty good! I do think that the previous owners who drove the car did take care of it, and it shows.

Mostly surface rust and some of the paint can still be seen! There are a few places where there has been rust through. Most have been well looked after by, I would guess, a local bodyman. Done before pop-rivits, the hint of slotted screws can be seen through the paint.

Before - After

Another thing to do is to remove the engine "stored" under the bonet. I purchased a 9 HP engine from Bill in the UK. The idea was to find and rebuild a 9 HP engine for the Roadster. Then the 10 HP engine currently in the Roadster could be transferred to the Super Ten and each would be as they once were. I removed the bonnet and grille from the Ten and lifted out the engine from the front. A heavy bugger! So before I took the plunge I removed the head to reduce the weight.

Next steps

Now that I have "recovered" from my trip out east, I have to get thinking as to the next steps. the first is to clean out enough space in the garage to accept the new member of the family. This is no easy feat as I have inherited my Mother's "hoarding" gene. The one that does not allow you to toss out any junk that is cluttering your garage, office, car, bedroom, shed, well you get the picture.

A good start was to move the ATV out to a better parking space in the back yard. Luckilly the tires are equipped with ice spikes and provide excellent airation for the lawn... well that is how I explained the tears in the lawn to the little missus.

I'm baaaaack!

BEFORE - Van + trailer portrait

A whirlwind tour of the Halifax docks!

I left Sunday evening at 1930 and arrived just over an hour ago at 0845... Tuesday morning!! That is a total away time of 36h 45m and of that 28 was spent driving to and from. The other 7 or so hours went mostly to sleep on the return (stopped twice).

The overall paperwork experience went very well. I arrived at the shipper's office at 0930 Monday morning. I was the first one there and after presenting my huge pile of papers (including a cheque), and some chit-chat about the car, I was given more papers and was now ready to go to Canada Customs. Good thing that it went fast because I was parked in a no parking with tow-away zone with the trailer attached to the van!!!

Customs was a short drive away. In my drowsy stupor, I got hopelessly lost. Good thing I printed a mini-map of the downtown area. Soon I was in front of the customs house. Illegal parking here was NOT advised. I had no idea how long this would take. "Parking meter" parking only was available, but not to allow doubt to get a grip, I went bravely forward. Luckily not too far forward! I found two parking spaces a block from customs. Doubly lucky that they were one in front of the other (remember van + trailer). I fed both meters just in case they towed/ticketed either one. A twooney (pronounced tooney, aka a $2 coin) allowed me two hours of customs business.

Surprise of surprises greeted me in customs. A rather small reception area, perhaps appearing smaller because I was the only one there! A friendly customs officer assisted me with the necessary paperwork (pile now increased by 37%), and after the required 164 slams of his stamp, I was off to collect the car! A further treat was that he offered to return all the original papers for the car (after copying them). BONUS!

A harrowing drive through the small streets of Yarmouth (a town on the north side of Halifax, essentially on the other side of the harbour). An older Canadian city, it shows its lineage to the mother country in the narrowness of its streets! A fun drive with a long wheelbase van, stretch trailer which is a bit wide in the hips. All this was soon forgotten as a similar greeting (line up wise) was granted me upon arrival at the auto-dock office.

Once there, I pulled out my ever increasing pile of papers. The rep sifted through everything, taking out only the ones that she needed. A few calls and stamps later I was informed that a dock worker would escort me to the car, and that this charge was over and above the shipping costs. Oh oh, this is sounding expensive. Also, since the car was on a pallet owing to the fact that it was not drivable (lack of working engine, brakes, and a complete gearbox!) another dock worker would have to release the straps that held the car in place. "Why could the first guy not take off the straps?" I asked in my near comatose state. Union scope clauses was the answer. The cost would depend on the amount of time spent to a) escort me to find the car in the jungle of arriving vehicles and b) the amount of time to undo all the straps.

I am no genius, but this is sounding awfully expensive.

Upon arrival at the dock, I was greeted by my escort. Forget everything that you hear or read in the papers about escorts. This one was in overalls, and as kinky as that sounds, the mustache ruined it. Once I identified myself as the owner of the little British car a fury of interest came over the place.


Super Ten on its "Bolster"
(the technical term for the big metal thingy)

He knew exactly where it was parked and on arrival I was met by an admiring crowd of about a dozen dock workers (of various scopes) and by a barrage of questions about the car. "What is a Singer?" "Is is made by the sewing machine company?" "Does it run?" "What are you going to do with it?" Each question was answered and a tour of the car was given to all interested.

I am constantly amazed at how a little bit of kindness and thanks reaps enormous returns. After almost an hour of polite chat, I was "rewarded" with 12 pair of hands pushing the car off the pallet and up onto the trailer! A few even stayed and helped with the strapping down process to ensure that the new acquisition was safe.

I enjoy going to Eastern Canada. The people there are warm, very easy going and down to earth. The cherry on the icing on the cake was that after being there for more than an hour AND having them perform more work than they are required (or supposed) to do, I was informed by the lot foreman that there would be no charge!!

Several handshakes and waves later I was off to enjoy a burger lunch at A&W. Great burgers and the very best Root Beer.

A quick check on the time showed me that it was just after noon. The entire process (made up of mostly chatting) took less than three hours! I was feeling great after my all-night drive and with the harbour wind in my sails (?) decided to cancel my hotel reservation and make my way home. There was no way that I could drive another 14 hours, and would take no chances. So I would drive as long as I felt comfortable and would either find a hotel on the way, or take some naps at the rest areas along the way.


Strangely, my return trip was continuously marred with this TAILGATER! (click photo to enlarge)
The return drive went well and I am glad to say that I have now found roads worse than those in Quebec. They are found in New Brunswick. Coupled with the near moon-like surface of the asphalt was the sparse signage and a detour of the Trans-Canada Highway set up more like a crewel riddle. None of which could dampen my good mood.

I stopped for gas (several times) and took two nap/food break of two hours each. I never felt that I was too tired, and when I did, I took the time needed to recharge my batteries. Do not ask me to dance or do and work around the house today however!

When I left Montreal it was raining. An hour out of the city the sky cleared and when I was in Halifax the sky was blue and the weather warm. An all-round beautiful day, one fitting the occasion! The weather cooperated all the way home too.

A great introduction to car importing, but the lesson here too is great people on the sending end and a paper trail that almost requires another trailer!


AFTER - Van + trailer & Super Ten portrait

3... 2... 1... BLASTOFF!

Today is Sunday May 14th and this is departure day for Halifax.

I have made long treks before. The last "big" one was to Georgia to pick up a rear clip for the Roadster. That was 16hrs a day for three days in a row!

This trip is different. I will be driving all night to get to Halifax, thus saving a night's hotel AND being home for Mother's Day and my wedding anniversary. The drive will probably be 13+ hours. I have mapped everything out, and will be sure to stop if I do not feel able to drive. No chances taken by this guy! I will take a nap this afternoon, well, now.

Cheers to all, I will write once I get back.

What is a Singer Super Ten? Just look above this text and you will see what I am talking about.

The Long and Winding Road

The Super Ten arrived in Halifax last Tuesday. After inspection by Agriculture Canada, it is now free to clear customs.

My best bet to reduce costs and minimize the time required to get there, I plan on leaving Montreal for Halifax on Sunday evening. The hope is that I will arrive on Monday morning. There I will pay the bill, clear tha car through customs, grab some rest at a hotel and return home on Tuesday.

That is the plan.