Saint Johns Austin Healey Club Minutes for May 5, 2025

Club President Mike Foster called the evening’s meeting to order at about 7:45 p.m. at the home of Bill and Char
Maroney, who again hosted our meeting at their Ponta Vedra Beach home. Those attending also included Bill and Judy
Young, Erling and Sandy Onsager, Dave and Angela Morton, Rick and Marilynn Stevenson, Ben Procter, Tony Martini,
Jim Gaff, and Ron Keysor.

The minutes of the March 31 (but for April) member meeting were approved. Treasurer Paul Sandefer, unable to
attend, had as usual shared his monthly report with members via email. There were no financial transactions in April,
with the club balance remaining at $$$$$$$. Membership chair Bill Maroney again reported our membership at 33
persons, mentioning an ongoing question of whether a former member will renew her membership.

In old business, the tech session hosted by Bob Pippin at his Mandarin home April 24 was mentioned. Events Co-Chair
Tony Martini said about a half dozen Healeys were on hand. In addition to the host, showing up were Rick Stevenson,
Bill Young, Mike Foster, Paul Sandefer and Ron Keysor. Bill Young took a crack at improving the choke function on
Ron’s ’60 BN7 (it seems improved), Tony disassembled the horn button on one of his BJ8s only to find a broken piece.
He said Rick, who may compete with Bill Young for having the largest collection of def Healey parts, new and used,
came up with a brand new piece in factory packaging. Tony’s horn is now working. Final word from Tony was that you
never know how much you need a working horn until it doesn’t. Tony added that he is testing his drivable Healey (the
second one seemingly existing on pause) by taking short trips.

The ice cream furnished for the club event logically called the “ice cream social” was terrific, said a couple of
participants who were at last night’s meeting. They paid tribute to the provider, Twisted Turtle, located hard by World
Golf Village.

In new business, Tony proposed a cruise to Corky Bells, a well known and often crowded eatery along the St. Johns
River in East Palatka, tentatively scheduled for the lunch hour on Wednesday, May 14. Members will get an email
update closer to the occasion. This venture will offer a substantial drive on some nice country roads that will feature
magnolia tree foliage for the visual flavor.

As this discussion expired, the Oct. 18 British Car Classic, an event last and frequently held at the English Pub on U.S.
1, will be held this year at Fionn MacCools’ts Irish Pub and Restaurant, this also on U.S. 1. The area Triumph club will
be the host, anticipating 60 to 70 British cars, a number that may tax the available parking. Bill Young is keeping track
of this event that is alway a part of SJAHC membership participation.

Bill Young will also host a “garage social,” his definition, at his Switzerland home on Tuesday, May 20. His lift will be
tied up as he installs a power steering upgrade in the Jaguar X150 he acquired a year or so ago, and a beauty that car is.
Expect a confirming email a few days in advance of that shop session.

The location of the club’s June member meeting is undecided, with Fionn MacCool’s, mentioned earlier and a regular
site, or Bella Vista on U.S. 13 near Race Track Road, as another candidate. Expect an email update.

Finally, Mike Foster’s re-, re-engined Healey was the topic of the evening’s member car story. We say re-re-engined
because it had an American V8 engine and transmission when he bought it, probably during his precious reign as club
president, and now has a rebuilt Healey power plant. Mike said he has experienced some erratic engine performance
and supplied on-line photos of the spark plugs pulled from the engines. Heavy carbon fouling was noted on several
plugs 4, 5 and 6, according to the secretary’s always suspect notes. Both Erling and Bill Young offered some thoughts
on the cause of the fouling. One tidbit emerged when the brake booster system, which has been known to leak and
cause plug fouling, was suggested as the cause. Unlikely, Bill said, as the replacement boosters now being offered have
a superior rubber seal that he feels likely eliminates that source of fouling.

The recollection is that Mike’s car probably has the newer booster version, its purchase receipt likely to be found in the
pile of bills he paid to restore that car. And, almost forgotten (by the secretary), those attending last night were posed
for a video capture singing Happy Birthday, to Mike’s wife, Joan, who was unable to attend. The evening finished up
with most of us sharing in the birthday cake with a dip of ice cream provided by the Maroneys in their usual gracious
manner.

R.Keysor, Sec.

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