Classic British Car Show

[cosworth151]

I had to leave the Chat Room mid race during yesterday's Spanish GP. I mentioned that I was going to the annual Columbus British Car Day car show. Temperatures were in the mid 40's F (about 8C) and windy as a campaign debate, so the turnout was not as good as usual. Here are a few pix.

First, the always cheerful Austin Healey Sprite Mk I and and a few of its big brothers, the A-H 3000.

[cosworth151]

Next, the far opposite ends of the 1930's British automotive spectrum. A 1934 Morgan 3 Wheeler cyclecar and a 1935 Rolls Royce 20/25 town car:

[cosworth151]

Some more sporting equipment. first, a brace of Lotuses (Loti?) A 1974 Europa QuickSilver Special Edition and a work-in-progress Lotus Cortina. Second, a rare bird indeed. A 1954 Sunbeam Alpine Mk I. A few of its newer Alpine & Tiger cousins can be seen in the background.

[cosworth151]

Two that I have wanted since you much younger days. A Ford GT Mk III road car and a 1973 Norton Commando 850.

[Jericoke]

Looks like a fun day.  Too bad about the weather! 

[lkjohnson1950]

Wow!! Thanks Cos. Love those old Brits.

[Dare]

like that Lotus Europa....my fav Lotus

[Ian]

When I was a mad teenager on bikes, my next door neighbour was a test rider for AMC who made Norton's, Matchless etc, every now and then he had to pick a bike from the line and test it to destruction, he was raving over the big Commando, couldn't destroy it.

[F1fanaticBD]

That gorgeous Rolls-Royce is the sexiest thing Great Britain has ever produced, other than Catherine Zeta Jones 

[Scott]

I passed 2 Morgan 3 wheelers the other day near here.  Almost had an accident rubber necking.  Must have been a fun show Cos.

 

[cosworth151]

That gorgeous Rolls-Royce is the sexiest thing Great Britain has ever produced, other than Catherine Zeta Jones 

Thanks, BD. Of course, someone of my vintage would have said Diana Rigg.    Speaking of Mrs. Peel, here's a 65 Lotus Elan S2 and a row of Jaguars.

[cosworth151]

Of course, there was entire lot full of MG's. First, some real classics: a 1953 MG YA saloon car in MG's iconic "cream cracker" cream & brown coloring, a 1948 MG TC Midget and a 1953 MG TD Midget. Next, an over view of part of the MG lot, with lots of A's, B's & C's. There was even one MGF. In the back, notice the stunningly beautiful red MG Midget Mk II. (Yes, I am struggling with rebuilding a British Racing Green Midget Mk III)

[lkjohnson1950]

Always favored the Europa myself. My college roommate had a late model version with the Ford Twin-cam. That car was a rocket, 130 BHP in a 1700 pound car. He had to fashion his own wiring loom and completely replace the fuel system. Interestingly, the car had twin fuel tanks, one on either side so you could gas up on either side. Your butt practically scraped the ground and the windscreen extended almost overhead. Lift the rear bonnet to view the engine and it looked like someone put fenders on an F2 car. Most amazingly, on the freeway at legal speeds (which we seldom were I confess) it got nearly 50 MPG.

[cosworth151]

I've always been a fan of the Twin Cam Europa myself. They are a fine example of Chapman's philosophy of design, light, innovative and fun to drive.

[F1fanaticBD]

Most amazingly, on the freeway at legal speeds (which we seldom were I confess) it got nearly 50 MPG.

   How on earth a car from that era with 130 hp could manage 50mpg at any condition? Surely they didn't have the electronic sensors with nowadays helps to improve fuel efficiency, but how did they manage it then??