TRIUMPH TRAILS

From Your President:

Well COVTR members, as you probably know, this is my first attempt at writing a newsletter article as the new club president. It will be hard filling the shoes of our outgoing president, Mark Bilbrey, but I’ll give it the old college try. Actually, I am at a severe disadvantage already. I don’t know a single Yogi Berra “pearl of wisdom” quote. I will say this however, I was in Borders bookstore a few weeks ago and lying there on the sale table was a Yogi Berra quote book. I thought of Mark and almost bought it!! Thanks Mark for being a wonderful and caring president, and a super dedicated club member. You will always be a leader for COVTR.

We had a great turnout for the Officers Installation Banquet on January the 8^th. Mark made a great choice in choosing “On the Border” for the occasion. It’s hard to beat Mexican food when friends get together. The new slate-of-officers are now in place and hopefully we can keep COVTR moving forward. We had a “great” 2007, let’s hope for the same in 2008.

On January the 22^nd, we also had a great turnout for the 2008 Planning Meeting. There are going to be many opportunities for everyone to get involved this year. There are about 20 events scheduled along with John & Jean Gauldin doing their June New Mexico trip plus both John and Lonny Wall planning a Eureka Springs Fall Foliage Tour in November. Please come and join in on as many events as you can. The more Triumphs on the road the better, and if your Triumph isn’t up-and-running, come anyway. Having you along for the event will make everyone’s day that much more enjoyable.

Speaking of SOB’s, our first one is February 16^thwhen Lonny and Kay Wall do their annual “Frostbite Run.” Destination is unknown at this time but I’m sure it will be worth every minute of the early morning drive. Whether it’s top-up or top-down, it’s always a great fun run. Last year it was top-up bone chilling cold. After all, it is wintertime in Oklahoma.

In closing, I would like to say, “thank you” again for your vote of confidence, and for having faith that I can keep our club moving forward. It is indeed a sincere honor and pleasure serving my fellow COVTR members. I’ll close with a Yogi Berra quote, and my last one ever…I could never top Mark; (I had to get it off the internet!!) “If fans don’t come out to the ball park, you can’t stop them.” So folks, please come out to the ball park and get involved in our club activities. If you don’t, I guarantee that you will be greatly missed. Everyone have a great January and please drive safely.

Jerry Stewart

From the Veep:

YELLOW BEAUTY

Among the wrecks discarded to the corrosion of time, there she glistened, Bright and yellow as the noontime sun. I couldn’t contain my glee as I shouted to John, “Look! You won’t believe it! Here’s a TR-7!” And being the doubter he is, John replied, “No, not here.” I took him by the elbow and pulled him about 20 feet to the back of the bright yellow TR-7, standing proud and proclaiming itself in the middle of a row of junk (er…treasures) at Pull-A-Part Salvage Yard.

John and I had come to Pull-A-Part (PAP) on this Saturday during the Christmas season with a shopping list, a bag of tools and a 5-gallon, white, plastic bucket. Our shopping list included an electric antenna for our son-in-law’s Honda Accord, a driver-side mirror for the Buick Roadmaster and a dipstick for the Toyota Tercel. We searched for the antenna first. We almost had to wrestle two other shoppers for it, as they were performing a surgical removal from the front of the vehicle. But we were too fast for them -- removed the antenna (shaft and motor) and were on our way before they could draw their screwdriver from its quiver.

Then just a couple of rows down in the Import section of PAP we found a 1987 Toyota Tercel, identical motor to the one we have and with a perfect dipstick intact, ready for the plucking. So we plucked. Ah, two items off our list and into the plastic bucket, which served as a shopping cart. It was then as we moved in opposite directions toward the end of the Import area and in the direction of the Buicks that I saw her. A chill went up my spine and I ran my hand over her boot. Yes, it was a bright yellow TR-7.

After John regained his composure and closed his mouth we began to inspect the treasure. “No motor,” I said. John said, “But, the body’s straight.” “The top is trash,” I observed. “It still has the 5-speed transmission. That’s worth a lot of money.” John exclaimed. I knew then that John was lost in visions of Triumph-dom. “I know guys in the club that would just love to know about this,” he declared.

We spent about 20 minutes circling this yellow beauty as John inspected the “find.” We took our “shopping cart” and items for purchase to the check out, paid our bill and left.

I don’t know exactly how long it takes to dial a cell phone, but I believe I witnessed the fastest dialer in the universe and John began to call everyone he could think of who would listen to his excitement about the TR-7 found at PAP.

Flash forward: I have since learned that Nancy and Howard Wise and Jack Beckham both came to PAP to feast on this beauty. I don’t know all that the TR-7 gave up, but I know the donations will find their way into new homes in other places in Oklahoma.

Thank you, yellow beauty, for such excitement and for giving such pleasure to so many.

- Jean Scott Gauldin

Activities Report

Sunday, January 27, 2008

It’s down to the wire, I promised John to get my article to him today!

This is my first as your Activities Chairperson; I’ll do my best to keep you abreast of this year’s events. Please feel free to contact me with suggestions, news and additions –or – just to chat!

A number of us met at the Stewart’s home on the 22^nd. We worked through the months one by one assigning available dates with willing hosts. Many dates were dictated by set events that we worked gracefully around like pros on a dance floor. What a Team!

We have Mystery, Romance, Uncharted Trails…All interspersed with some possible returns from bygone years? Plan to attend as many as you can. I think 2008 is going to be great!

Cheers, Anne Gingerich

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Membership Meeting Minutes

The meeting at On the Border was called to order by President Mark Bilbrey. The proposed slate of Officers was read. Motion to accept was made by Lonny Wall and seconded by Howard Wise. The slate of Officers was passed:

President:               Jerry Stewart
Vice-President:        Jean Scott Gauldin
Treasurer:               Bill Gingrich
Secretary:                 Nancy Wise
Member-At-Large:     Dennis Eckhout

Mark presented the presidential gifts and the official gavel to the new President, Jerry Stewart.

Jerry presented a gift from the club to Mark for serving as President, a beautiful replica of his TR-6, Victor, which he said will be proudly displayed in his office.

Jerry then presided over the balance of the meeting and thanked everyone for their confidence in him and having him as President.

New members Howard and Lois Holdsclaw were introduced. They are on their third Triumph and now own a TR6. They are both retired from the U.S. Air Force. We welcome them to our club!

Motion was made by Mark Bilbrey and seconded by Elaine Lains to accept the minutes as written in the newsletter. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Bonnie Billotte

Motion was made by Mark Bilbrey and seconded by Jerry Wall to accept the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried.

No Activities report.

No Newsletter report.

Old Business:

Mark Bilbrey discussed the Christmas toy donation to the Children’s Center and stated we still need to set up the tour since they did not have time to have us go in December. It is a very touching tour. The Center was extremely appreciative of our donation and most importantly, the children were most appreciative.

Mike Billotte discussed the club shirts. They are still working on getting those completed and will get us more information soon.

Mark Bilbrey reminded everyone the history books were at the meeting and thanked Mike Billotte for all his hard work and this wonderful book.

New Business:

Jerry set up an Activities meeting at his house for January 22, 2007 at his home with more details to follow.

Anne Gingrich agreed to be Activities chairperson.

B&B: Howard Wise proudly (and deservedly) bragged about his TR jacket Nancy made for him.

Motion was made by Lonny Wall and seconded by Jerry Wall to adjourn. Motion carried.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Classifieds:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Triumphs For Sale:

1963 Herald 1200 Convertible

Body straight with some rust in floorboards

Engine starts and runs – sounds good!

Needs new top – drive train seem good.

Owner’s manual and clear OK title.

Asking $1400, OBO Project Car.

Contact: Bob Williams 405-598-2848

Located near Highway 9 & Highway 102 in Pink

This year the RRTC is hosting the annual Vintage Triumph Registry (VTR) South Central Regional Triumph Meet. Since your club resides within the region (Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana), we would be pleased if you would add this event to your events calendar and encourage your membership to attend. We’d like to make this one of the most attended and most successful events in years.

This event will be held in Tyler TX at the height of the flower season for east Texas. We plan to have the usual events: Autocross, Fun or Gimmick Rally, Funkana, Breakfast and dinner runs and a Concours d'Elegance car show. Fun drives in the local area, a tour of the Jerry Ball Car Museum and an awards banquet are also on the 4 day schedule.

All Triumph models from the 1930s to the 1980s are expected. All British marques welcome. See website (redrivertriumphclub.org) for details.

Some particulars about our event:

Title: 2008 VTR South Central Regional Triumph Meet

Dates: 16 to 19 April 2008

Location: Holiday Inn Select, 5701 South Broadway, Tyler TX (100 miles east of Dallas)

Hotel Rate: $79 per night.

Host: Red River Triumph Club

URL: http://www.redrivertriumphclub.org/regional2008_index.html

Contacts: Jim Thompson - JimT@ieee.org and Paul Higley - SDIPDH@aol.com

Registration fees: $70 to enter a car. This includes entry in all driving events and two tickets to the welcome party. Additional cars will be $25 per vehicle. The awards banquet will be about $27. Ball caps and T shirts will be offered for a reasonable charge.

Please be patient for a few days as our registration website is still under construction.

Proposed COVTR Activities for 2008

Date Activity Notes POC

2/16 Frostbite Rally Someplace Special L&K Wall

2/22-23 Leake Auction Let’s Make Some $$ - No Pushing! J Stewart & M Billotte 3/15 White Lion Eat Lunch in Tulsa D Eckhout

4/5-6 Vintage Racing Watch Fuqua Race At Hallett TBD

4/16-19 VTR Regionals Triumphs & Roses in Tyler TX TBD

4/27 Winery Tour Let There Be Wine J&J Wall

5/17 Mt Scott/Meers OK Drive a Mountain H&N Wise

5/31–6/8 British Car Week Drive Your LBC, A Lot!

6/6-9 New Mexico Tour Gotta Love It! J&J Gauldin

6/11-15 TRA Nationals Huron OH

6/21 Rock Café Eat in Stroud OK Old Route 66 J&S Stewart

7/20 Baseball & BassPro Redhawks Game in Bricktown B&A Gingerich

7/26 Wedding Bells LuAnne & Dennis Get Married

8/4-8 VTR Nationals Ypsilanti,, MI www.natc2008.com

8/23 Drive-In Movie Guthrie OK, Movie TBA J&S Stewart

9/6 Mystery Breakfast Come Along, It Will Be Good! M&B Billotte

9/20 Progressive Dinner Fine Dining in Edmond K Wall & L Speegle

10/3-5 Vintage Racing Hallett Motor Racing

10/24-26 Red River Shootout No More Red Shorts! H&N Wise

11/7-9 Fall Foliage Tour Eureka Springs AK WHEEEE! J&J Gauldin / L Wall

12/6 Tour-O-Lights ~*Twinkle*~*Twinkle*~*Twinkle* M&B Billotte

12/14 Christmas Party Dinner & Dirty Santa H&N Wise

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

COVTR

PO BOX 12272

OKLAHOMA CITY OK 73157-2272