GBMorgans

Nearly four thousand people saw a thrilling hill climb contest Sunday by the Edmonton Motorcycle Club., a complete report of which will be featured on page 15. Winners of the tests show above, left to right are: F. Robertson, 45-61 class, who negotiated a difficult climb in 8.5 seconds. W. Marskell, 74 class whose time was 4.35 seconds, and George Sterne, who took the Alberta Championship, climbing 150 feet in 3.45 seconds.

AUTOCYCLISTS PUT ON THRILL

Members of Edmonton Motorcycle Club Hold Contests

All the thrills and spills that speedy sport can supply . were on the program Sunday when about '25 cyclists, the majority of the members of the Edmonton Motorcycle Club, staged a hill climbing contest for the benefit of several thousand' citizens Who visited the ski jump hill to witness the trials. For two hours . the young speedsters vied with one another for the Alberta championship honours, these being finally carried off by George Sterne who speeded up the150foot hill in the short time of 3 45 seconds. To him goes the trophy which is competed for annually, and cuss ,.also the honour of being Alberta champion in the hill climbing events.

Pits Are Drug

To provide more sport for both spectators and riders the hill was ploughed up and miniature pits dug. When the cyclists struck these depressions the machines spring into the air as if shot from a catapult. Several spills were received by the riders, but even this was a small thrill when compared to that of succeeding in making the top. Following were the results in the open, competition for the Alberta championship: 1. Geo. Sterne 150 feet in 3.45 seconds; 2. W. Marskell 150 feet in 4 second, 3. E. Shaver, 148 . feet.

The results in the other classes were as follows:. "74" class 1 George Sterne, 4 .15 seconds.. 2. W. Marskell 4.35 seconds 3, E. Shaver, 5.35 seconds. "48-61“..class, 1. F. Robertson 8.5 seconds; 2, J. Renaud, 147.5 feet 3, H. Ferrier 147 feet.

The championship trophy was donated by the Northern Utilities, The other prizes were donated by the foIlowing firms: Smith's Cycle Store, Jackson Bros., Kline, Henry Birks and Sons, S. R . Ash, jewellers: Dominion Tire Co., Goodyear Tire Co., Beatty Bros., Great West Garment Co., Acme Clothiers and Boys' Shop.

Tile executive, G. Sterne and E. B. Earl Shaver, announce that the prize awards will be made to the winners at Smith's Cycle Store at 8 p.m. Monday.

The Morgan TR 3 may not be quite the rig for taking rich Aunt Tessie to the opera, but for covering the miles with a maximum of scoot in a minimum of time, it's practically impossible to beat. Morgan's formula is about, as simple as it can get: into a vehicle weighing about the same as a Morris Minor, pack 100 horsepower. Add a dash of glue for road holding, and that's about it.
These English cars, just recently imported by George B. Sterne of Sidney, are in the classic sports car tradition, four wheels firmly on the road and no mistake.
It isn't fair to call the Morgan's ride harsh (although I was clear of the seat at least twice on 'severe bumps). Firm, solid or secure are better words.
On hard corners the Morgan is uncanny. I tried a few times to push it hard enough to make the back wheels slide. Hah
For the family man who wants more room, Morgan offers a four seater model which is neither a sedan sporting the same name nor a two-seater with a parody of a seat behind. It has two ample seats and behaves like the true .sports car it is.
At $2,395 and $2,495, either the two-seater or the four-seater offers more performance per dollar than any other car available. It would take some very costly machinery to approach them for acceleration (standing start to 60 miles an hour in about nine seconds) or handling (see above).
Morgans have some features that are unique and some that are merely rare. The front suspension under a Morgan will be found no where else on earth. It consists of vertical posts anchored firmly top and bottom, with the front wheels mounted on tubes that slide up and down. Coil springs provide what resiliency there is. Rear suspension is more conventional leaf springs. The engine in the hot Morgans is a Triumph TR 3 unit. Transmission is very fast and positive between third and fourth gears, with a little finesse needed for second. Other engines offered in the Morgan are the Ford Prefect unit with matching gearbox, and the Standard Vanguard version of the TR 3 power plant, which is much milder.
The TR 3 engine is set up to deliver its punch at high revs, and comes in with a boom at about 2800 rpm. Judging by its behaviour on full throttle, it's over carburetted below 3,500 rpm. Small wonder, with two 13/4 inch SU carburetors.
Except for the small problem of where to park the left foot, an issue best settled by the individual driver, the seating comfort is extraordinary. The seat back comes up almost to the nape of the neck, and the seats themselves are air inflated to individual preferences.
The seats, in fact are leather covered air cushions resting on wood platforms which a little semiskilled labour could soon modify for perfect height. length, angle and so forth. It sounds slightly peculiar, but looks like a logical and workable system. Steering is heavy at creeping speeds and just quick when the car gets moving. Although it takes only two turns of the steering wheel from lock to lock there's no over sensitivity on the highway.
I found the brakes call for rather a heavy foot, but they were admirably balanced, with not the slightest tendency to pull or grab. I am willing to take the experts word for their resistance to fade.
The two-seater has a sizable luggage space behind the seats, and both models have snug convertible tops.
If any more icing is need on the cake for sports car enthusiasts, this snarling beast gives about 35 miles to the gallon, even under fairly hard driving: i.e., anything but racing.
Finish throughout is fine hand craftsmanship, with the interior almost completely finished in real leather, including the transmission hump and drive shaft tunnel which in most sports cars have to settle for sturdy matting. Parts that don't much wear in normal use are finished in artificial leather that's almost impossible tell from the real thing.
For the man who loves the snort of a hot engine, running with the glad cries of a back seat full of children. I sincerely believe Morgan supplied the answer.

An article from the Victoria Times Oct.1956. The plate on the Morgan is D-117 British Columbia 1956. "D" denotes a Dealers plate.

A handsome couple . . . Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Moilliet, an outstanding sportscar . . . the Morgan TR 3 and perfect clothing for a Thanksgiving day jaunt to the country.

IN STEP WITH STYLE - By NONA DAMASKE

Jaunty Car Coats, Tail Pipe Pants First Choice of Sports Car Set

He may be concerned with the horses under the hood and the manoeuvrability on the open road but she disregards all things mechanical and concentrates on colour. British racing car green for the automobile and natural camel tone for the matching car coats are her choices. The Swedish coats are lined with blanket plaid and one of the lining colours is a perfect match for the dark green of the car . . . .This does not seem a matter of world-shaking importance to him, but if it keeps her happy he is willing to go along.
Car coats and tailpipe pants are worn by the sports car set for: a very good reason. Have you ever attempted to drive a low slung MG, an Austin Healey or a Morgan in a full-length coat under which you are wearing a full skirted dress? The brake nestles mysteriously under voluminous folds of i material, a gust of wind sends fabric clapping in front of your face. Believe me, the correct attire makes for longer life. I also have a sneaky hunch the reason they put wooden toggle buttons and strong loops on some car coats is to keep them from blowing off. Sports cars all have neat snug tops which, an unwritten law says, must remain neatly folded down.
On windy days you don an English Christy cap and perhaps a wool muffler that measures four or five feet in length and is allowed to blow behind as you whiz along country roads. If by chance it should rain, you must not be so gauche , as to raise the top of the car . . . just pull up the hood of your car coat and strap it firmly 4 under your chin.
Fleece or fur lined antello gloves keep your hands warm enough to handle all controls, and tailpipe pants, which as the name implies, are narrow, keep drafts away from your legs. The accoutrements of sports car travel are very important to those concerned, and I would! like to elaborate on the car coat as it is by far the most important item.
John Weltz, an American designer, calls his coats "Runabouts" and recommends them for campus as well as car. He fashions one in red wool with a quilted print lining and large antiqued, silver buttons.
"The Rambler," by White Stag of Toronto, is in black water repellent cotton with white knitted collar, white plastic buttons with pushbutton fastenings. Another style by this firm has gate hinge fastenings attached to pockets by metal chains. A third has ebony closures on tiny chains and a fourth has white plastic football buttons. Jacob Crowley of Winnipeg shows a pale green tweed lined in quilted yellow satin. A brown tweed has zip out lining of leather and checked wool. Plush lining is used in a navy gabardine double-breasted model.
This trend of fashion started because of the great popularity of the sleek sports car, is really quite useful for campus and outdoor life in general. A well cut 36 inch car coat looks well with a slim tweed skirt even if you do not own a car which will attain a speed of over a hundred miles an hour. I know of no roads where the law allowa of carrying on but maybe there is some satisfaction in knowing that the power is there.

(editors note - when I contacted Elinor Moilliet to ask her permission to post this article, she was astounded at the call. She said she was just looking at the photo last week. She tells me the Morgan was a beautiful British Racing Green and said "I wonder where it is today")

GB's first Morgan Racer - 1957 Morgan +4 4 place

STERNE, HAMILTON ,PACE LOCALS

Conference Titles At Stake Today

A pair of lead footed Westwood veterans head the list of B.C. drivers hoping to nail down International Conference driving championships today.
George Sterne, still winning at an age when most drivers have retired, and Tom Hamilton each lead two classes entering the season's second to last Conference event.
The 56 year old Sterne leads both "E" and "E" improved production in his trusty Morgan while Hamilton has his quick Brown Bros. Shelby Mustang in front of the "A" modified and "B" improved production sections.
Sterne, the Burnaby grandfather who, as the operator of Sterne Motors just happens to be a Morgan distributor, has won eight Northwest titles and placed second five times in the last 11 years.
Westwood's senior driver has his ninth title wrapped up in "E" production and has a seven point lead over Paul Woodroffe (Salem, Porsche) at 61 the Northwest's oldest active driver in "E" improved production.
If the performance of Sterne and Woodroffe is any indication, Hamilton is just getting started. The 40 year old Campbell River papermaker has "A" modified wrap-up and needs only to place in the top three of today's "B" improved production race 'to take the title in this class.
And with 21 victories this season, there's little doubt Hamilton will make it.
Bruce Berry of Vancouver in a Lotus Elan leads "C" improved production by five points but would have to win both remaining "D" modified races to deprive Vancouver's John Randall (Brabham) of a fourth straight title.
Other B.C. leaders are Randall, Dick Shead (Cloverdale-Mini) and Terry Fry (Vancouver-Lotus), tied for the "E" modified lead; Dave Ogilvy (New Westminster Lotus 35) in Formula B; Lew Neilson (Vernon-Cooper S) in "C" production sedan; Ray Jourdain (Burnaby-Javelin) in "A" improved sedan; Karen Hall (North Vancouver-Cortina) in "B" improved sedan and Jo Steinicke (Sidney-NSU) in "D" improved sedan.

Three 4-4s Bob Sterne says - This is a great shot of Dad, Stu Rulka, and Dave Collis, all in 4/4 1600 GT's, going through the "Circus" at Portland International Raceway. This would have been taken in 1973 or 1974, and they would have been racing in "E" Improved Production at the time, because I ran the car in Production and Sports Racing. This series of corners is at the end of the sweeping "back straight" (which is actually a big right-hand bend) and they lead into a tight right-hand corner which exits onto the main straight. Dad always said he wished there was another 100 yards between these "esses" and the sharp corner.... because you could put the Morgan through there so fast there was no way you could get stopped for the last right hander !!! I can remember gaining HUGE amounts on other cars there.... because the one thing a Morgan does better than ANYTHING else is go through corners that are like a slalom.... just think of how easy it is to change lanes with a flick of the wheel !!!

ahhhhhhhhhh memories.... *grin*....