I've been lacking in my attendance at breakfast with the Early Morning Car Club at Primo's in Flowood for several weeks. Well to be truthful it's more like several months. There's something about being on the road extensively during the week attending to work duties and a nice warm bed early on Saturday mornings that is just hard to overcome. I miss seeing everyone and discussing the car news of the week with everyone in attendance but spring is near! I was certainly glad that I made the effort on March 7. You see the regulars from the EMC Keith Anderson and Dennis Loftin had been solicited by Pat Cashman to go autolunking.

Seems that after several months of poking, prodding and cajoling Pat had wrangled permission to travel to an out of the way auto yard near the Vicksburg MS area that he knew was a hot spot for autolunkers such as us. With Martha out of town I couldn't resist joining with Keith, Dennis, Parker Hall and the leader Pat on the excursion to explore this uncharted area of autodom.

A little history is due at this point. Pat, being the man around town in Vicksburg had kept his finger on the pulse of everything automotive since a small tot. He was aware that a colorful character we'll identify as LDW had a habit of collecting, and apparently driving some little fur'in cars during the 60's. Recall that this was prior to the advent of the Internet and parts for fur'in cars from both British and Italian lineage were hard to come by as was the expertise and patience evidently to keep them running. So, Old LDW made a habit as these fur'in cars began to show signs of crepitus to just drive them to some point on the property and park them. There was no rhyme or reason that we could tell for his arrangement of British, Italian and even a few American cars they just seemed to randomly placed around the property.

Pat in his pre-surveilance of the area had spotted a Jag XK 120 that was all but covered with underbrush. With trailer, chainsaw, shovels and a few good men Pat led us on an expedition of recovery. At the scene of the displacement the five of us started whacking, cutting and shoveling and within and hour or so we were able to get the forlorn Jag up on the trailer just escaping before the dreaded kudzu began it's final assault. We were able to locate and document several other of LDW's once cherished rides including a TR-3, a Bugeye and Alfa's and Fiat's to boot. It was one of the most interesting afternoons of autolunking I've had in years.

After a trip to the car wash to knock off the loose stuff we arrived at Pat's and unloaded the Jag into the only cover that it's had other than the organic kind, except for maybe the Ford truck hood that had been used for a long time in place of it's deteriorated hood. The car is in remarkably good condition considering that it had set out in the weather for 30 or more years. All 4 wheels still rolled and one tire even held air. They just don't make them like they use to.

Thanks Pat for the adventure and Keith and Dennis, please keep me up to speed on future autolunking expeditions in our neck of the woods.

I didn't make Tops Down for 2009 and from Barbara's note I missed a good time with the EMC'er's that challenged the weather that made a drastic change from our weekend of autolunking.

A Cold and Rainy Tops Down 2009

On a cold, damp, foggy day but one with no rain falling, seven loyal members of the English Motoring Club gathered at Rocky Springs National Park located on the Natchez Trace for our annual Tops Down celebration. Only two of the cars were British makes, Jim and Faye Enzman in their vividly yellow MG and Pat and Barbara Cashman in their 63 black E type Jag. David and JoAnne Bailey and Mike Glore, who was escaping 5 grandchildren for a few hours, had opted for drier models with more efficient heaters. Though a picnic under the cloudy skies would have made it rather British, the bathroom facilities were still locked for the winter season so it was decided to adjourn to Georgia’s at the Depot in Port Gibson for lunch. Another deciding factor was that none of the cars in attendance had a top to lower in observance of the opening day of the driving British cars season.

After enjoying a delectable lunch , delightful fellowship and a very brief meeting, the group followed David and JoAnne to their charming and interesting Victorian home in Port Gibson for a short tour of the house and garage. David hopes to have the vehicles in his garage moved to his Brandon garage in the next few weeks, thus providing us with numerous tech sessions. Faye and Mike got some great pictures of the beautiful parqueted floors and some carvings on the antique furniture. Then those devious Baileys revealed the real reason for the invitation to the house. They needed strong backs to help load a lift chair into their SUV to move to their new home in Brandon. This was accomplished in rather short time with only a modicum of good-natured grumbling and no damage to the flooring or double doors once Jim figured out the correct combination of lifting and lowering the bolt locks.

By this time the large quantities of coffee and iced tea consumed at lunch had begun to make its presence felt and, the water being shut off for the winter at the Bailey’s, it was decided to disband to seek potties elsewhere. Only one member who shall remain nameless opted to water the azaleas out back before leaving. Mike Glore had to return for a wedding at 5. However, he did have his suit hanging in the car just in case he ran late getting back. Pat Cashman also had a wedding in which he was to transport the bride and groom in his 67 Austin Princess limosine. Just another memorable day in the history of the English Motoring Club enjoying our little British cars.

Happy Motoring, Barbara Cashman

Thanks Barbara for the update!

We're still in pursuit of members for 2009. As you can tell there's lot's of adventure here and your always welcome to join in. Membership is the same $25.00 and we're not taking any bailout money either. Membership is a great investment and your involvement may prevent your cherished automobile from ending up like one of LDW's! That's it for this edition of the Off-Side Undo.

Happy Motoring,

Gene

Here are upcoming events on the EMC Calendar:

MARCH 20 - 21, 2009 - Orleans British Car New Day / New Orleans LA

Word is spreading. The British Car Club of New Orleans is getting together for the 19th Annual New Orleans British Car Day. Plans are underway for another great show in the Crescent City so keep an eye on their web site. Details: www.bmcno.org

APRIL 4, 2009 - Deep South Alfa Club Rally / Raymond MS

He only lost a few of us in 2008 so Andy’s going to try it again. Andy has more elaborate plans for 2009 and being that it is occurring on April Fools Day bring your best navigator. Details: Andy and Bonnie Menapace (601) 857-2829

APRIL 17 - 18, 2009 - Brits on the Bay / Pensacola FL

The Panhandle British Car Association has announced the date for their 17th annual Brits on the Bay show. Join us in the Hattiesburg area on Friday and enjoy the ride down. The new venue was great in case you missed it last year make plans to attend this year. Keep an eye on their web site for further information. Details: www.pbca1.com