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August 2, 2014

It’s amazing how an empty field can be converted into a show field in less than two hours complete with tents and locations set for the various marques. For the Delaware Valley Classic MG Chapter in conjunction with Pennypacker Mills County Park’s, “In the Good Old Summertime” it was just business as usual for the club’s tenth edition of British Car Day on August 2, 2014.

At 7:30 am the club volunteers, known as the “Pit Crew”, arrived at the park to begin the transformation. Before 9:30 am Registration was busy signing in the cars and those were directed to their assigned spot.

A total of 75 cars graced the field giving the public a wide collection of various British makes. Once the cars were looked over one could then stroll over to the Pennypacker Mansion for a guided tour and to get a glimpse of what the 1890’s had to offer for entertainment including a duo playing the musical hits of the era.

The first award given out was the British Marque Car Club News Favourite Award presented by Faith Lamprey and Bruce Vild. It is recognition of people who seem to get the most enjoyment of using their cars. Faith and Bruce plan to present this award at any show they attend. This time Joe & Kerch McConlogue and their 1967 Sunbeam Alpine received the well-earned prize.

After all awards were handed out the Pit Crew again worked their magic and the field was soon restored to its early morning state. Of course the chance to hightail it over to the Tom and Jaimee Rippert home for a party was all the incentive needed.

Thanks to all participants and Pit crew members for creating a great event. Also, thanks to the following sponsors for their donations for the “goodie bags” and awards:

Apple Hydraulics
British Marque Car Club News
Haggerty Insurance
Moss Motors
Rock Auto Parts
Sandman Auto Works
JC Taylor Insurance
Victoria British
British Marque Car Club News Favourite Award- – Joe & Kerch McConlogue, Harrisburg PA, 1967 Sunbeam Alpine V #176
Class I- Austin Healey 100-4, 100-6, 3000 & Jensen Healey
First- Gary Hartzell, Hatboro PA, 1961 Austin Healey 3000 MkII #104
Class II- Austin Healey Sprite
First- Ryan Kubanoff, Yardley PA, 1960 Sprite #161
Class III- Triumph TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4 &TR4 IRS
First- Norm Ricker, West Chester PA, 1963 TR3B #108
Class IV- Triumph TR250, TR6, TR7, TR8
First- Jerry Hallman, Nazareth PA, 1968 TR250 #143
Class V- Triumph Spitfire, GT6 & Stag
First- Mike Hoinowski, Pottstown PA, 1962 Herald #180
Class VI- Jaguar Pre-war Roadsters, XK120, XK 140 & XK150
First- Bob Williams, Souderton PA, 1954 XK120 #183
Class VII- Jaguar XKE Roadsters, Coupes & XJS
First- Tom and Judy Himmelsbach, Quakertown PA, 1969 2+2 Cpe XKE #149
Class VIII- Jaguar Sedans, Rolls Royce & Bentleys (Vintage & Modern)
First- Tom Boorse, North Wales PA, 1935 Rolls Royce 20/25 #132
Class IX- Mini Classic & Modern
First- Peg and Ron Hoinowski, Phoenixville PA, 1968 Mini #179
Class X- MG Pre 1956 Roadster, Sedan, Magnette & Variant
First- Gordan Todd, Lansdale PA, 1954 TF #153
Second- Hank Rippert, Soddy Daisy TN, 1951 TD #120
Third- John Zemany, Lansdale PA, 1954 TF #112
Class XI- MGA Roadster, Coupe, Twin Cam, Magnette & Variant
First- Jim Schutte, Harleysville PA, 1958 Magnette ZB #124
Second- Ben and Cindi Nolan, Elmer NJ, 1959 MGA #181
Class XII- Chome Bumper MGB, MGC & MGBV8 Tourer, GT & Modified
First- Glen Ciarrocca, Lancaster PA,   1970 B   #115
Second- Ken Collins, Malvern PA, 1973 MGB GT     #169
Third- Jim Wulf, Doylestown PA, 1967 MGB    #155
Class XIII- Rubber Bumper MGB, MGC & MGBV8, Tourer, GT & Modified
First- Jim and Karen Schulte, Harleysville PA, 1974½ B GT    #137
Second- Karen Kearns, Hatboro PA, 1977 B    #129
Third- David Weyandt, Laureldale PA, 1979 B   #173
Class XIV- MG Midget Chrome & Rubber Bumper & Modified
First- Alex Grant, Allentown PA, 1969 Midget #151
Class V- Morgan & Daimler
No Entries
Class XVI-Miscellaneous British Roadsters & Racers
First- Joe and Kerch McConlogue, Harrisburg PA, Sunbeam Alpine V #176
Class XVII- Miscellaneous British Coupes, Sedans, Saloons & Utility Vehicles
First- John Kruczek, Schnecksville PA, 1961 Morris Minor 1000 #110
Class XVIII- British Bikes
First- Stephen Kemmerer, Perkiomenville PA, 1974 Norton Commando #170
Best Attending Club- Philadelphia MG
Diamond in the Rough- Paul Phillips, Royersford PA, 1973 MGB GT #134
Ladies’ Choice- Chris and Bob Hill, Greenville DE, 1954 MG TF 1800 #156
Best in Show- – Jim and Karen Schutte, Harleysville PA, 1958 Magnette ZB #124

— Paul Phillips

P3 Party

If my calculations are correct, we’ve been hosting the P3 party for 9 years and this was the first year that it wasn’t unbearably hot! The pit crew arrived at our house looking like they were ready to party instead of looking like they’ve just been put through the wringer! We were getting a little worried about running low on food, which has never happened, but it lasted till the end with no leftovers, which is perfect. But we did run out of beer! Luckily the beer distributor was open and Wade ran over for more. Because of the cooler weather, everyone ate more, drank more and stayed longer – so it turned out to be the best P3 ever! Let’s hope for great weather again next year.

We also had a terrific turnout, about 55 people. It was nice to have Faith Lamprey and Bruce Vild show up at the P3 party. They were in town to present an award at the car show from the British Marque. We also met some new members at the car show, Bill Hoffner and Frances Bourne. We invited them back to the house to meet the DVC, and hopefully we’ll see them at more DVC events.

Attendees at this year’s P3 party, in no particular order, were:
Sandy & Dick Suffredini, Louise Story, Patty & Pat Cawthorne, Janet & Mark Singer, Eva & Adam Ilnicki, Sally & Kurt Yocum, Barb & Ernie Feldgus, Hank Rippert, Steve Albright & Jen Sauermelch, Wade Albright & Jill McKeown, Gloria & Dave Schwab, Nancy & Warren Doerner, Bill Webb, Evonna & Paul Phillips, Jim Sanders, Nancy & Pete Yaskowski, Chuck Denlinger, Donna Bristol, Susan & Garth Gill, Jeff Rose, Ann & Bill McCurdy, Bobbi & Lin Hughes, Linda & Bill Boorse, Earl Wanklin, Keith Fishlinger & Sharon Rosenberger, Faith Lamprey & Bruce Vild, Dave Johnston, Cyndi & Ben Nolan, Janet & Jim Taylor, Frances Bourne and Bill Hoffner.

Another great P3 party has passed and we look forward to next year’s party. Till we see you all again, Safety Fast.

Jaimee & Tom Rippert

[Show as slideshow]

On a recent Saturday, I was at a small community picnic. I was chatting with a young man who knows my son through the local fire company. This guy is perhaps 25, but very well traveled internationally, both with his parents and on his own. We’re talking about cars (natch!) and he remarked on his being taken aback when renting a car in South Africa not too long ago. It was his first encounter with “right-hand drive / left side of the road.” He explained that the experience threw him for a loop ’til he got comfortable.

“Have you ever driven right hand?” he asked me.

“Yes, I’ve driven a lot in Scotland and UK,” I said.

“How did you learn to do it?”

“Well,” I said, “I’d driven RHD cars over here several times.”

“Really? How?”

“Easy. I’ve always been around British cars and you get to know people. Perhaps you go to a club meeting or a show
and chat up somebody with, say an old Triumph or something, and he let’s you take it around the block.”

“Oh,” he says, “you ride motorcycles, too?”

“Umm, no. I don’t ride. Never have. Why?”

He paused and then with a bemused look, asked: “Did Triumph make cars, too?”
— Jim Taylor