Club History

The following article is taken from the club newsletter (before it became the MG Oil Trails) in March 2017.

How it All Began

By Ron Shimek, March, 2017

I was asked recently at one of our meetings, by Nick Roccaforte, if I knew when and how our club came to be. My wife, Judi and I are two of the clubs’ charter members so, yes, I remember the start of the club, but I thought it would be better if I contacted the only remaining founding member of the club, Mark Barrington, to get his memory in gear and put this down on paper for posterity. What follows is what Mark has written, followed by some additional notes by me:

Back in March 1996, I had just bought my house in Southeast Austin and ordered a new MGB bodyshell from British Heritage and Moss Motors for my 1970 MGB. Shortly after the body shell was delivered to my house, my back fence neighbor, a barber named Tom Libert, got wind of my purchase and came over to look at it. It turns out he was also an MG owner (Midget) and after we drank a few beers in my garage, he told me about his plan to start an MG club for Austin. I was drafted into the club and I got a bonus helper on my MG project, since I could get Mr. Libert to come over any time to drink a beer and help me with my project. Sometimes in that order, but usually in the reverse. 

Tom was a man of his word and he started by printing up business cards with his name and phone number and putting them on every MG he saw around Austin. His wife Donna assisted in recruiting and organizing. We started regular meetings right after that, going to Threadgill's on the second Tuesday of each month. Early members included the Liberts, myself, Andrew Yue, Thom Blair, Ron and Judi Shimek, Brad and Pat Lee, Eric Schenk, and Alan and Deborah Ferretti.

After a few years, Tom, busy with his barber shop, moved on, and Thom Blair took over as President. I don't remember exactly when, but it might been in 1997 when the members of the Capitol City MG Club elected me as president, in a move that seemed foolish at the time. 

Despite my antisocial nature, the club expanded greatly in the years that I was president growing from about 12 members to about 60. The club grew in popularity because of driving and social events set up by members and special events like workshops at Ron Shimek's shop for education and promotion of the hobby.

In 2000, I decided to move on, and Alan Ferretti took over as President, while I continued as newsletter editor until 2003. Alan's enthusiasm and positive outlook were an asset as the club continued to grow and sponsor fun events. The club has continued to thrive under the tutelage of Mr. Brad Lee, Dave Sanders, and Eric Van Note. 

Being involved with the club has been a great part of my life, but unfortunately I haven't had much time for it in recent years. Even though I hardly ever see you any more, I miss you guys and gals.

MB

Notes by Ron:

Past Presidents have included not only Tom Libert, Thom Blair, Mark, Alan, Brad, David and Eric as listed above, but also Wayne Smith, Joe Cates, and our current leader, Bobby Galvez. My apologies to anyone I have forgotten. (Dale von Heeder, Nick Roccaforte and Joe Vining have succeeded Bobby since 2017 – Ed)

As I recall, Andrew Yue started the newsletter, laying out the format and perhaps writing a few editions but Mark was at the helm for many years until 2003 when I, (Ron), took over. (I have newsletters on file dating back to Feb 2002).

A previous member, Tom Wilkenson, set up the treasury and Judi Shimek has been in charge of that ever since about 2000. Tracy Thronberg was the secretary, chief scribe, and record-keeper until that office was either deemed unnecessary or Tracy moved on, I’m not sure which.

Neither Mark nor I can remember who designed the club logo, but it seems to me it might have been Eric Schenk’s wife or Donna Libert.

Our meeting places were at a variety of locations before we not only settled on our current location of Tres Amigos , but also realized the importance of the stability of a regular meeting place and time. Places we have frequented include Threadgills (north and south), The Tavern at 12th & Lamar, (wa-ay back when, (this really may have been the first meeting place, think hard Mark and Brad), Pok-E-Joes on west 5th St,  Jorges Mexican restaurant on Hancock dr., and Texas Land and Cattle at 290 & I-35.

I really do remember Judi and I sitting in Tom Libert’s kitchen with Mark, Brad and Pat, the Ferrettis, and Thom and Cherise Blair,  discussing  the  plans of our new club.  There was as much excitement then at planning what the club will be doing as there is now at our meetings and events.  Who would have thought that the club would be able to continue and thrive around our little cars for this long?

Here’s to many more years!

Ron