ALL BRITISH SHOW
JAGUARS AMONG THE FLOWERS
Ihave not missed many Tom The Tire Guys Mother’s Day Car shows, but last Sunday I spent the day with my wife, our son, our niece and our new puppy.
I did not go to a single car show, or shoot a single car photo — except of our 1966 Austin Healey at my dad’s celebration of life on Saturday.
Dad’s Healey was a hit and lots of the people remember him doing house calls in the car. He also let lots of people drive it. My brother will be bringing the car to tomorrow’s All-British Field Meet, an event that will make up for last weekend’s lack of photos. I typically take around 1,000 photos at the annual Van Dusen Botanical Garden show.
Saturday’s Van Dusen show and the run to Whistler the following day highlight the fact that 60 years ago almost half of all the new cars sold in Vancouver were British-made. Not surprisingly, Metro Vancouver garages contain some very cool British classics that are not often seen even in Britain.
Many young, local hot rodders started out by modifying little British sedans as they could not afford the bigger American cars of the day. The ABFM will feature a few of these little cars with American muscle under the hoods ... err … bonnets. And anyone familiar with the Green family will recognize two of the brothers mean little Austins on the verdant Van Dusen lawn.
Featured classes this are the Jaguar MK 1 and 2, and a special section of highly modified British cars, including a 12-car display of Italian designed, British–built classics, aptly titled Britalia.
One day I have to get around to seeing the Knox Mountain Hillclimb in Kelowna. It’s not in the cards this year, but maybe next year.
The Green family, mentioned above, have relatives that operate an A&W restaurant on King George Highway near 68th in Surrey. For years they have been putting on a car show every week at their location. This year they are taking a rest, so much thanks for your great efforts to promote this wild hobby of ours!
Which leads me to a request for all of you: please let me know of your favourite cruise nights throughout the province and I will compile a list to spread the news. That way more people will be able to take a kid to a cruise night or show.