It's 1981, the Dow Jones is at 875, interest rates are 15.75% gasoline is $1.25 per gallon and a 19 inch TV costs $399.95 Lady Diana marries Charles Prince of Wales, IBM launches it's first PC using Microsoft MS DOS and the term 'Internet' is mentioned for the first time. Raiders of the Lost Ark is playing at the movie theater, and Chrysler with the help of federal loan garrentees was attempting to avoid backrupty.

In Texas the Morgan Motorcar Club, having servived it's birthing pains eight years earlier was growing stronger. Until 1981 MMCC was lucky to have 2 or three Morgans show up at an event. But now several cars which had been under restoration were completed and several new members had moved into the area with working Morgans. Among the new members were Ann and Harry Walters who had moved to Houston from Canada. Ann joined MMCC upon arriving and contacted several of the MMCC members in Houston to set up a Houston Center of MMCC.

With running cars and two centers it was decided that a meet should be held where all could come together. Waco was chosen as the site being accessible to all.

For MMCC this was a massive undertaking, until now no event had ever been held outside of the county and certainly no MMCC members had driven a Morgan to an event so far away.

For a month preparations were made, cars checked over, then checked again. Spare parts were loaned to the traveling group to take along in case they were needed. Joel volumteered to take his van, loaded down with the spares and tools. On the Saturday morning the cars met up and started on the days jouney from Dallas to Waco, all 90 miles of it.

What follows is the report of the first TEXMOG meeting as reported in the December 1981 issue of the Mog Log.

THE HOUSTON REPORT

BY Ann Walters

(MS. Walters is a free lance writer living in Harris County)

Well, finally the big day arrived. November the 14th and off we were to have a joint meeting in Waco hosted by the Dallas Centre. Due to the opening of deer hunting season and other unforseen problems, we had a mere convoy of four one (grimace shame facedly) ours was the only MORGAN in the convoy. Angel Ward, living under the influence of law and order in Harris County, was reluctant to motor up in her Moggie without her inspection sticker and Ron and Suzie Gillitte were relunctant to drive theirs prior to total restoration and Barry Chandler of course is looking for another.

Undaunted, our small but rowdy band set out for Waco via College Station. The traffic was unbearable with a couple of thousand Aggie cars (Aggie girls, Aggie’s moms, Aggie’s uncles, Aggie’s dads ad nauseum)en route to the Arkansas/MM game. After we passed College Station, the traffic thinned out somewhat though, as we only had about 400 Aggie cars left to contend with for the remainder of the journey. We arrived at The Texas Ranger Museum as planned, and upon seeing our small convoy of MORGAN(s), Jeff Podmers, the Dallas Centre Prez, insisted on going out to look for the rest of our group, fearing they had been shanghied by the Aggie cars enroute.

While waiting for Jeff to return empty handed, Barry hosted a Lone Star party by the banks of the Brazos River, which gave everyone an opportunity to get acquainted and talk about their respective MORGANS. We then repaired to the hospitality suite,courtesy of the Dallas Centre, prior to dining at the Brazos Landing. .

After dinner,our hosts had plenty of regalia for

sale — Tex Mog One T-shirts, Dutch Morgan Club Posters, Tiddies, and took advance order on the new MMCC TEXAS car badge.

On Sunday after breakfast, we all drove down in convoy via Temple to Salado for the Scottish Festival; watched the athletic events and the Pipers; said

our thanks to the Dallas group and took a beautiful cross country route back to Houston. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thank you Dallas!!

Up and Coming Houston Centre Events

Wednesday, Dec. 16th. — 7:30 PM CHRISTMAS PARTY at the Walters’, 201 Vanderpool lane

No. 74. Houston 465—4260

Sunday Jan. 17th — “MOGSQUAD” tour of restorations in progress - Gillet 1966 +4 —Temple(?) 1936 SS Matchless — Walters 1947 Flatrad.

Time: Meet at Old World Autos Nick Nichols, #201, 9101 Lipan at 1:00

Everyone will end up at Beverly and John Pitera’s for refreshments.

Wednesday, Feb. 17th — 7:30 PM — Noggin N’ Natter at the BLACK SWAN . This a new English Pub on the lower level of the Inn on the Park. Complete with English beers, dartboards and piano. Only sandwiches available in the evening. Free self parking.

(by b. Boyles a dislocated free lance writer)

While the Houston report of the Waco trip does the grand event justice, I thought I would throw out a few additional observations.

For example, after driving the “SWAN” (+4+) some 1300 miles from Florida without even a wrench or screwdriver in the car, it encountered a flat on the way the Waco, and the spare had no air. Of course this was soon remedied, but later it encountered a total loss of oil pressure. Because it had no oil!! Won’t know why — but this was soon remedied too.

Upon reaching Waco, Podmers complained that he had broken a damper blade, which was obviously affecting handling. No problem, says I, I just happen to have a spare one with me. (Now no one carries a spare damper blade — that’s like serving Light Beer after a hard day’s work.)

Then, on the way back from Salado, Chuck Harris’ drive train started to come adrift due to a lost bolt that served to locate it. No problem, says Jeff, I just happen to have a sparebolt in my tool box that fits exactly into the hole of the one you lost. (Similar comment)

Shown at the meet was the prototype of the new car badge for the club. Above is a line drawing of the final design, and the finished product is very professional. MMCC can certainly be proud of it.

Although Bill, Blodget and his wife were on their way to Dallas from San Antonio for a meeting, they did stop by and join us for the Saturday night festivities. I’m glad they were able to work us in, Hopefully, they’ll drag Paul Hutchins up with them next time.