Time Flies and Fun

I thought that after EMC’s Brits By The River at the end of September things would slow down a bit. Wrong!

On the weekend of October 25, 2008 while Martha and I were Amtrak’n to San Antonio for a weekend of R & R several members of the EMC joined The Mississippi Classic Cruisers for their 5th annual Scarecrow Car show in Madison MS.
This was the start of a very busy month.

The 5th Annual Scarecrow Cruise & Car Show

Keith Anderson was the EMC lead on this gathering and it turned out to be quite an event.

We had nine EMC members attend the Scarecrow Car Show in downtown Madison, MS on Saturday, Oct 18th with perfect weather bringing in more than 300 vintage cars of every variety and a very large crowd of spectators. A special section was roped of for the British cars, drawing a lot of attention from the admirers.

David Crawford won the first place British Car award for his beautiful red 1959 MGA. He recently rebuilt the drive train and also had a new paint job by Dallas Body Shop who had painted the same MGA for David 25 years ago. Congratulations David!

Mike Glore, our Lotus enthusiast, had intended to trailer his Lotus Super Seven vintage race car to the show, but was asked to drive his new 2009 Nissan GTR to be placed with the new cars. I think the GTR drew more spectators than any other car at the show, mainly from the young crowd who were taking cell phone photos and sending them to their friends. The GTR is the #1 car to beat on the video games, so they all recognize a winner. I think that Mike drove away with 4 different awards that were based on spectator voting.

Jake Weaver must have set his alarm clock because he woke up on time to drive his 1965 Corvette 396 roadster. He has plenty of beautiful British cars in his garage, but he knew that this was predominantly a “street rod” show and that the American Iron V-8 would really be appreciated. He was right.

Pat Cashman also knew that the original Corvette 327 V-8 in his Gordon Keeble was the most appropriate British car to show, and there were plenty of folks trying to figure out just what kind of car it was. It was certainly appropriate for the venue.

Every one of our British car entries left the show with a trophy. The other participants were Ron & Haven Stuckey, 1971 MGB; Clay Johnston, 1972 MGB; John Turbeville,1977 MGB; Keith Anderson, 1967 Jaguar E-type roadster; and Dennis Loftin, 1969 Jaguar E-Type roadster, Walter Mashburn, 1960 Triumph TR-3A.

From the reports I’ve received everyone had a great time and lots of recognition was passed out for the participants. Thanks Keith and brother Clay for keeping the EMC up to speed on The Scarecrow.

British Car Festival

Seven cars from the EMC traveled to Fairhope AL the very next weekend to participate in South Alabama British Car Club’s British Car Festival 2008.

The weather was great Friday evening as Martha and I left Ridgeland gathered up Clay and Debbie in Mt. Olive and scooted down south to our hotel of preference Baron’s “By The Bay” Inn arriving about 10:30pm. My understanding was that the attendees at the Friday night social had a great time so there wasn’t much stirring when we arrived.

Next morning we ran downtown to Julwin’s for a quick breakfast with several other members of the EMC and then back to the hotel for a quick clean-up.

As usual the SABCC’s event was top notch with registration moving quickly and efficiently.
The show area along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay has been a favorite of ours for the six or seven years that we’ve made the British Car Festival and again this year the view and the turn out was A number one in our book.

In addition to the Johnston’s making it down, Pat and Barbara Cashman, third in class, 1967 Jaguar 420G, Jim and Faye Enzman, second in class 1974 MG BGT(GO JIM!), Mike and Alice Glore, ‘94 Lotus Esprit all made it down. Clay and I were awarded second and third in class and Bill Silhan took the People’s Choice Award with his 1951 Daimler Empress Saloon.

Another great show SABCC and thanks for the hospitality.

Tech Session III

While in Fairhope Pat and I were discussing the fact that we’d crammed so much into the calendar that we we’re short a least one tech session during 2008 so I convinced my better half what better reason to cook up a large pot of chili for a few of our closest car nuts and turn a few wrenches. On November 8, plans were made and nine or so wrench ready souls appeared at our front door or maybe in the garage door opening to get down and dirty.

I had the BGT up on jack stands, front wheels off and within an hour and a half the GT’s cross member and all attachments were removed, ready for my re-habing. It doesn’t take long when you’ve got Trey Decell and Brother Clay around to spin the wrenches.

While we were gathered Joe Speetjens wandered around with his ‘95 Morgan +8 recently converted to a GM drive train. It was good to see him out and about with the +4 and everyone really enjoyed looking over and under the new additions.

A bowl of Chili and everyone was off to complete their own weekend chores. Thanks everyone that was able to make it. We enjoyed having everyone by.

Garage Visit

Did I mention that we had a full calendar during October-November? Thanks to John Turbeville for making arrangements and plans for the EMC’s visit to the Bob Jenkins’ garage in Grenada MS.

In total twenty three members and close friends of the EMC gathered at the Jenkins’ garage to view his collection of autos. MG s, Paige’s a Delage and other makes sufficient to make a car nut grin from ear to ear are in the Jenkins’ collection.

Among the most notable to my mind were the 1920 Paige 6-66 that set the stock-chassis record at Daytona on the beach at 102.83mph in 1921. As noted in the handout the car is a touchable piece of American racing history.

Also in the collection are a very rare Sunbeam Harrington LeMans Coupe and an early ‘60's ASA Coupe. You don’t get the opportunity to see these cars up close and in person too often and the EMC extends a large thank you to the Jenkins for allowing us to opportunity to visit.

After a couple of hours wandering around the collection and in the garage our host treated us to a delicious lunch.

Well, the EMC promised a lot during 2008 and October-November was packed full.

That’s it for this edition of the Off-Side undo. The weather’s getting a little nasty now but there should be at least a few days sprinkled in that should allow you to exercise your favorite British car. Don’t let it nap too long. Get it out, drive and enjoy it.

One last event remains on the current EMC Calendar:

DECEMBER 6, 2008 - EMC Christmas Party / Raymond MS The 2008 Christmas gathering will be the return of the multi make gatherings of old. Andy and Bonnie Menapace have settled in new digs down in Raymond and have invited the EMC to join them for Christmas. It’ll be a great opportunity to meet some new folks and to renew some old acquaintances so please make plans to join us.  Details: Andy and Bonnie Menapace (601) 857-2829

Hope you can make our year end party!

Happy Motoring

Gene Johnston