February 2011 meeting @ Group 2

[minied]

Back by popular demand! our annual trip to Group 2 Motorsports, THE place to go for Mini wheel/tire and suspension work.

Saturday, February 26, 10am.

Monthly meeting
Tour of facilities
Tour of three neighboring car collections
Lunch provided

To get there:

From 15th Ave W in Seattle, at the south end of the Ballard Bridge, turn onto W Emerson St . Go west on Emerson past Chinooks and turn right onto 21st Ave W. 21st changes to W Commodore Way. Continue on Commodore and turn left onto 27th Ave W. Group 2 will be on the left in a little more than a block.

Group 2 Motorsports
4442 27th Ave W #B
Seattle, WA 98199
(206) 378-0900
group2inc.com

[minied]

ttt

[James T]

For all who pre-ordered GS Cookies ...They are in I will be bringing them to G2 so be prepaired for yummyness.

[minied]

Sorry if this is a bit of a downer but for those who have not heard, and if you're on the fence about coming to the meeting/tour this weekend, keep in mind that the future of Ken McBride's auto collection is in question. Ken passed away last year and his family hasn't decided what to do with this pretty amazing bit of automotive history. So if you want to see it, best see it now as it may not be possible when SAMOA meets in February next year.

On a lighter note, it was the McBride family that approached SAMOA a few months ago asking if we would like to see the collection again and have our meeting this year in their facility. Pretty cool.

[minied]

FEBRUARY MEETING AT GROUP 2 POSTPONED DUE TO SNOW.

Because of snow, ice and brine on the roads, the meeting planned for this Saturday, the 26th has been postponed until March 5. Sorry for the last minute change but who'd a thunk we'd be in this deep freeze the end of February?

This is always such a fun event that we would hate to see someone miss it or have to leave their Mini home because of this crazy weather we've had over the past couple of days. Temperatures are forecast to stay below freezing until Saturday so we thought it best to wait a week and give the weather a chance to get back to normal - warm and wet.

I hope this doesn't upset your plans and I really hope to see you all at 10am on March 5!

thank you much,

[skip]

Sorry My foot! That's good news, we were going to have to miss it for a memorial service that we couldn't get out of. Now we can go!! Yipee! My son Scott and I will see you there!

[Mark]

Excellent, now I can attend also. (As he jumped on Skip's My Foot Bandwagon! )
Best regards,
MSH

[BIGSHOT]

I'm always amazed and delighted by the machinery we find at Joe English's place. We might consider meeting there every month.


This KTM X-Bow had me (and a number of other people) riveted. Turbocharged 240-horsepower Audi 2-liter in a 1,700-pound carbon-fiber spaceship. Whew!


Then the 500 showed up. Except for the upright interior that bugged me a little, I thought it was everything the Bini should have been. It'll be interesting to see what the Group 2 crew can make out of it.


I'm not usually a fan of this orange, but I definitely wouldn't kick it out of my garage.


I was impressed.

Dan

[BIGSHOT]

I understand the X-Bow is imported as a kit car. You bring it in from Austria without the engine and transaxle and complete it with the federalized motor here. I'm just guessing, but you may not be able to license it everywhere. That's probably the reason for the Montana plate.


Anyway, it was great having two "Stars of the Show." Thanks to Ed Sauer for the timing of the meeting.




Of course, we were there to see other amazing iron, too. The eclectic McBride Collection is always a treat.

Dan

[BIGSHOT]

You're all familiar with French's Mustard, right? I'd call this "English's Mustard."


We all got our Corvette/Ferrari fix at the Goodman Collection. These guys are debating the merits of the long center branch. A lot of Goodman's cars were being worked on -- getting ready for the upcoming vintage racing season, no doubt. Those of us who participate in the car corral at this year's NW Historics or attend the Portland ABFM will get up-close and personal with more of the racecars.


This looks like the inspiration for the KTM X-Bow.


And speaking of the X-Bow (I can't seem to stop doing that), Automobile magazine says its price starts at $88,500. The Superlight comes in at $137,500. Remember, too, these prices are sans engine/transaxle. Add another eight grand or so for the powerplant. There's still time to get your order in for Christmas delivery.

Dan

[Cheleker]

I kept expecting the X-Bow to rock back onto its back wheels and sprout mechanical legs, arms and a head...and stomp on the Fiat.

[Canine]

I call this one "Italian cars have lots of nipples"

[Canine]

More group two photos.



Then there was this bad omen as I was driving toward green lake.



Good think no one was hurt.

[Nimbits]

Been there done that!

Tim

[Mark]

KTM X - Bow !!

Truly phenominal. And, as many austrian creations in auto and M/C world, a bit of genius. Using the highly modifiable/upgradable 2 litre Turbo with Direct injection and many other "tasty bits" just makes this package that much more appealling.
Imagine the open road out in Montana ( Wee don need no steeenkeeeng speed limits! )

Thanks for the fast post up with the excellent photos, Dan. As always, very well done.

Too bad about the car accident viewing on the way home. Giving our president some flash backs no doubt.

Best regards,
MSH