I want to update ValveChatter readers regarding several “life changes” that have occurred which  will have an influence on this site and on future posts. 

My wife and I have relocated from Virginia to Florida. As most retirees do, we “downsized.” In our case it didn’t just mean fewer square feet in the living quarters, it also meant loss of garage/workshop space. Adjusting to the smaller garage/shop has been much more difficult than getting use to a smaller home! I still have a lift in garage so that I can stack two cars and also have a daily driver under shelter, but work space has been reduced considerably. The big air compressor, media blast box and lots of parts storage are all gone now.

The Bugeye which was a father/son project has departed the fold and is now full-time with my son in Fort Lauderdale. It was a very difficult decision, but I decided to sell the unfinished Jaguar MK2 project before we left Virginia. It was sold to Mike Gassman of Gassman Automotive in Waynesboro, VA. Mike will finish the car as he has time in his busy shop. If you have an interest I would recommend contacting Mike. He does great work and is a real professional. As readers of the site will remember, Mike and his team rebuilt the MK2 engine and also set up the rear differential. I had sold the 1969 MB 280 SL last summer so it had already departed the stable.

I am now left with my first love – The Bloody Beast – a 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 MKI, and the 1987 Alfa Romeo Spider that was passed down from my Dad to me. The Healey and the Alfa are in their new home with us. 

I removed ValveChatter references to the 2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S and the 1969 Mercedes Benz 280SL when I sold the car, but I am going to leave the Jaguar MK2 and the 1959 Bugeye material on the website. Last month the site went over 300,000 views and that statistic plus the number of you that I hear from suggests that quite a few people are using the site for reference material so I hate to take it down – at least for now.

So, that is the recent news as of August 2018. My attention now turns to the Healey. I hope that some of you who are interested will follow the “ten-year” renewal project with the Healey and I hope that you will contribute as well.

Cheers,

Lin