CPTC: Years 1 thru 5

  • July 17, 1989 - The first meeting: Twenty-two dedicated Triumph-lovers showed up at the very first CPTC meeting at Dick and Diane James' house.
  • August 1989 - The first issue: While the club only had 36 paid members, CPTC mailed out over 100 newsletters to Triumph owners in the Central PA region gathered from a list given to CPTC by The Roadster Factory.
  • August 26, 1989 - The first annual Summer Fun Rally and Picnic: With a total of 35 cars present - 29 of them participated in the rally - everyone thought the first picnic was a huge success. John and Kathy Swauger made a special appearance, driving all the way from Indiana, Pennsylvania, to join in on the fun.
  • August 26, 1989 - The second meeting: After the rally and picnic, members approved the official club logo, which was submitted by John Krause, and the club newsletter was officially titled "Central Pennsylvania Triumph News."
  • October 7, 1989 - The first tech-session: Jeb Boyd from J&L Autoworks hosted a tech session showing club members how to adjust valves, how to pull a transmission and clutch out of a GT6, how to test an alternator, how to get the brake light to go off by adjusting the equalizer valve, and they discussed TR7 heads.
  • January 1990 - T-shirt design is finalized: The club decided to hire a professional to do the artwork for a new logo for the TR-club t-shirts. Everyone decided that the design was a "WINNER."
  • June 1990 - CPTC participates in its first Carlisle show: In his President's Report, Dick James proclaims that the club recruited 14 new members during the Carlisle British Car Show weekend. "The banner [made by Joe Laurito] and our logo were the envy of some other Triumph Clubs," Dick boasted.
  • June 10, 1990 - First Autocross: In conjunction with the Appalachian Sports Car Club, the CPTC participated in their first Autocross and mini fun rally through Perry County. The rally ended at Camp Carson for a picnic.
  • October 21, 1990 - First Annual Club Picnic: Hosted at Allenberry picnic grounds, nearly 50 cars came to enjoy the shiny cars, pig roast, beer, and Chinese Auction.
  • April 7, 1991 - Welcome Spring Run: Nineteen Triumphs, one Jaguar, and one Corvette gathered for a ride through Adams County orchards. For the ride down, many of the trees had not yet bloomed, but on the return trip all the trees were in full bloom. They ended up at the Sunny Ray Restaurant in Gettysburg where they were able to drive through the battlefields.
  • May 4, 1991 - Spring Fun Run: The CPTC took a drive through Amish Country in upper Dauphin County.
  • May 17-19, 1991 - Carlisle Import Show: As one of the favorite events of the year, the CPTC had cars from eleven states and two countries. A TR8 was raffled off to Duane Foley, who when hearing that he had won announced, "It's for sale!" but later decided to keep it and take it on his honeymoon with his fiancé.
  • June 8, 1991 - Fun rally and picnic at the Naylor Wine Cellars: Twenty-six cars attended the rally where everyone enjoyed a tour of the facilities and wine tasting. Dick and Diane James were teased relentlessly when they received the slowest time of the day (2 hours 58 minutes) after getting lost.
  • September 7, 1991 - Lancaster County Covered Bridge Tour: Don and Peggy Souder hosted a two-hour tour that included crossing seven historic bridges. Everyone enjoyed Pennsylvania Dutch food at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Afterwards they ventured Strasburg to admire a collection of cars at the Gast Motor Car Exhibit.
  • September 14, 1991 - Dick James' TR3 started: After reading nine issues filled with reports of Dick's trials and tribulations associated with restoring his TR3, he finally got it to start.
  • 1992 - CPTC changes leadership: New officers are elected to fearlessly lead CPTC: President, John Krause; Vice President: Dick James; Treasurer, Keith White; Secretary, Don Souder; Newsletter Editor, Eric Fairchild.
  • January 26, 1992 - First Winter Allenberry Winter Wonderland dinner buffet: This winter get-together has become a favorite event for Triumph-lovers to get over cabin fever. Everyone enjoyed the cozy setting complete with a fire, wine, good food, door prizes, 54 TR groupies, and a fresh layer of snow outside. Unfortunately, the dinner fell on Super Bowl Sunday, and many members chose football over car talk.
  • May 1992 - Member Terry John encourages fellow members to strike: In April 1992's issue of the Central PA Triumph News, Keith White refused to award Terry with a CPTC refrigerator magnet after determining that the word "pee" does not have anything to do with Triumphs. (Terry argued that pee is "what we have to do in the middle of a road rally.") In response to losing the award, Terry submitted a letter of protest: "Don't take this lying down unless someone hands you a wrench!" In order to keep peace, Keith and the Board gave Terry the "most far fetched attempt to win a magnet" award.
  • May 15-17, 1992 - Carlisle Import Show: Despite the rain and gloomy weather, dedicated car enthusiasts were in Triumph heaven. CPTC was able to enlist 20 new members and sold almost $1,000 in merchandise.
  • July 19, 1992 - Dauphin County Tape Rally: This unusual rally proved to be a lot of fun for everyone as cars zig-zagged over country lanes. Dennis Ward received the "most creative excuse in not finishing the rally" award, complete with a coveted CPTC refrigerator magnet when his car broke down during the rally.
  • September 1992 - Terry John tries out a new profession: songwriter: FRONTWHEEL" (With apologies to Kenny Rogers and anyone else whose favorite song is "Lucille.") Verse two: I saw something fly, as it passed on my side The sound when it hit turned me pale. Slamming the gearbox and hearing the brakes lock, Watching the oncoming raile. When the wheel it did let, the road and I met, The disc firmly locked and crunched. The sparks and the clatter, I emptied my bladder, And I knew I'd be late for lunch. Chorus: I picked a fine time to lose the front wheel, Damn near killed a farmer who was plowin' his field. I've had some bad trips, even some sad trips, But this was the worst one I feel. It was a bad time to lose the front wheel.
  • April 3, 1993 - "Welcome Spring" run in the cold: Dick James led ten brave cars through the chilly weather (some even reported snow flurries) on his annual "Welcome Spring" run. This time they drove through PA Dutch country to the Family Time Restaurant in Ephrata. Of course everyone drove with their tops up - except for Jared Worman, who was known to drive his Spitfire top down year round. John Krause shared his suspicions that Jared also enjoys sleeping on a bed of nails.
  • June 6, 1993 - The Morison Rally: Jerry and Mardee Morison hosted a rally and picnic at their farm. The rally included a trip through the Gettysburg battlefields. Although the grill had some problems, a handful of Triumph mechanics were able to fix it and everyone enjoyed a great picnic. Karen Spicer was deemed as the drawer of The Best Pig.
  • July 25, 1993 - "Cloverleaf" Rally: Sponsored by TSD, CPTC members traveled in three loops through rolling hills and twisty roads. Drivers were slightly confused when two of the loops shared a road, and when cars pass each other in opposite directions; rallyist's typically assume that one of you is lost. This little tricked threw some drivers off, costing them a few precious miles and minutes.
  • August 29, 1993 - Covered Bridge Tour III: Don Souder promised CPTC members that this tour would include "more tour, less bridges," and everyone agreed that Don pulled through, once again. The caravan traveled over 100 miles, through five counties, and crossed two covered bridges. Adding to the excitement, Walter Hopkin's TR6 had an oil leak, but luckily enough members had tools with them, and they were able to correct the problem with calling a tow truck.
  • 1994 - CPTC elects a few good men as new officers: The following members were elected: President, Joe Laurito; Vice President, Dick James; Secretary, Ed Mohler; Treasurer, Keith White; Newsletter Editor, Dennis Ward; Program Director, George Karns.