July Meeting Notes

St Johns Austin-Healey Club
Jacksonville, Florida

a chapter of the

Austin-Healey Club of America

Meeting Minutes for July 10, 2023

The July meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Bill Young. In addition to Bill and Char Maroney, who hosted the gathering at their Ponta Vedra home, those attending included Bill’s wife, Judy, Paul and Judy Sandefer, Dave and Angela Morton, Mike and Joan Foster, Rick and Marilynn Stevenson, Andy Sanfilippo, Bob Pippin, Tony Martini, and Ron Keysor.

The minutes of the June 17 Gala Spring Picnic meeting at the home of Janis Croft and Alan Winer were approved. High praise came from the 20 or so members present who shared in the barbecue, with both the food and the preparations Janis and Alan made for the event at their rural home described as remarkable. Yeah, particularly Alan’s garage full of Healeys, Porsche 356s and the more recently acquired and elusive XK140 Jags.

Treasurer Paul Sandefer reports the club’s bank balance at $$$$$, a reduction from the previous balance by a $25 renewal of SJAHC’s membership in the North Florida Car Council and $225 as the club’s portion of the barbecue costs.

The month-to-month commentary about the club’s financial dealings with the Austin Healey Club of America, our parent organization,
resumed last night. The club has for months held in escrow an unexplained $600 check from AHCA, recently joined by a $20 check for ???. Neither Paul nor Bill Maroney, our membership chair, have been able to get an explanation from AHCA about this money. And they have tried!

SJAHC continues to have 38 paid members, including 35 who also pay dues to AHCA, and three additional people who hold membership in only SJAHC, Bill Maroney reports. That number is unchanged.

Former club president Mike Foster, who did a major mechanical restoration of his Healey’s drive train several years ago, successfully swapping a Healey six cylinder engine into a car with an alien Ford V6 with the help of club members. A recent unexplained valve failure that cracked a cylinder in the engine block required sleeving that cylinder. The engine is now ready for installation, and that will take place from 8 a.m. onward this Friday at Mike’s home in Atlantic Beach. This will be a complete engine, clutch and transmission single unit installation
using an engine hoist. A number of club members have volunteered to help. Any members are welcome. Mike and Joan need to get the car completed as they prepare to move a few miles down the road to Fleet Landing.

President Young detailed a number of upcoming club activities, the most prominent being British Car Rendezvouz SJAHC is hosting this Saturday at the Spring Park Pavilion in Green Cove Springs from noon until 3 p.m. At least 30 Austin Healeys, MGs , Triumphs and Jaguars are expected to be on hand for what is basically a meet and greet gathering of British-inclined gear heads. There will be no judging competition. Participants will bring their own picnic fare.
The North Florida Jaguar Club has offered to pay a third of the $150 SJAHC is paying for use of the Green Cove Springs park, a site that has been used before to pretty uniform approval.

While our club members were asked to notify activities co-chair Tony Martini if they would participate, the event is open to anyone who can find a parking place.
The rendezvous prompted conversation about the significance of the British car clubs sharing in events, with Bill Young observing that the diminishing number and aging of these car owners suggesting a closer union and even a consolidation in the future.

Tony Martini has scheduled another Healey cruise, this a breakfast run to Ford’s Garage in St. Augustine, 9 to 11 a.m., Thursday, July 27. Ford’s Garage, not just a dealership, is a real restaurant and many members have dined there. An update alert will be emailed members closer to the date.

Also to be confirmed will be an ICE Cream Social, an annual daytime event,
anticipated on Aug. 13 at Five FX, a snacking place to be found in the vicinity of the intersection of Bay Meadows and Southside Blvd.

Former club president Rick Stevens needs some help removing a Healey’s differential gears, this to be done beginning “whenever” on Monday, July 24. A reminder email alert on this job at Rick’s garage in Mandarin will be sent out a few days ahead of this date confirming project and soliciting help.

SJAHC’s 49th Low Country Boil and club anniversary is Sept. 16 at Tom and Linda Carollo’s home in Deerwood. They have a really spacious and scenic property well suited for that happening. Details will be confirmed closer to that date.

Additionally, Bill mentioned that the annual Southeastern Classic, AHCA’s annual major even in this region, will be held in Asheville’s N.C., Sept. 21-24. Additional notice will be forthcoming.

Finally, the August member meeting will be held on the 7th of that month at Casa Amigos Mexican Bar and Grille on San Jose Blvd. south of the I295 interchange at 6:30 p.m. A prior notice will be sent members.

Adjournment came at 8:35 as members turned from business to chatting and the pretty appealing snacks and beverages set out by the Maroneys, who leave nothing to chance when they entertain.

R.Keysor, Sec