It was our first trip to the annual British car gathering at the Presbyterian College campus in Clinton, SC. It is held at the campus while students are away between sessions. Allen and Margaret Calcote had been several times and recommended it as a fun weekend for anyone afflicted with the British car bug. We considered riding down with them in their new Honda Accord but decided to head out into the rain in our somewhat leaky ’63 MGB. We drove mostly in the rain or the fog that trucks make when they speed along on wet pavement.
We found Allen and Margaret at the Ramada Inn in Clinton and followed them to the campus to register. We could have stayed in a college dormitory room like most everyone else for only $15 per person per night but my memories of dormitory facilities were from Auburn University. At Presbyterian College the rooms were large and had private baths. Next time that is where we will stay.
After spending some time meeting British car enthusiasts and admiring their cars, we all walked over to the nearby campus dining hall for the evening meal. The meals were prepared and served by the college food service and the food was extraordinary. We had paid $65 per person for all five meals served during the event, and we began to realize what a value it was. Saturday we drove about 18 miles to a state park where the old Rose Hill Plantation had been restored. Even the noon meal under a picnic shelter was from a hot serving line catered by the college food service. The Saturday evening banquet was a full-service, gourmet meal at The Harper Center.
The rain stopped Friday afternoon just in time, and we had perfect weather for the rest of the weekend event. Saturday morning, we were joined by several more who didn’t have as far to drive. There were as many as twenty-eight British cars parked in two rows in front of Barren Hall on the large lawn surrounded by other attractive buildings, walkways, and trees. MGs dominated the field. There was a vintage MG sedan with “suicide” doors, an MGTC, several MGTDs, a couple of MGAs and MGB-GTs, several MGB roadsters, and a six-cylinder MGC. There was also a Triumph roadster and a Morris Minor sedan. To our surprise, Carl and his father-in-law drove up in Carl’s MGB-V8 just as we re turned from the state park. They were visiting Robin’s faher at his new home on Lake Hartwell about forty miles away.
The schedule of events was well planned and the use of time was well thought out. There was a visit to the local Chrysler dealer to see a building full of antique automobiles. Small-group tech sessions were held on the campus, and tools were available including floor jacks, jack stands and tools such as pullers and multi-meters. Several car horns were made operable and one wheel was pulled to inspect the wheel bearings. I learned that my horn circuit is missing a part at the steering column.
This was the fourteenth year of the gathering at Presbyterian College since it was first organized by Jim Stidham. Most of the enthusiasts are couples that return every year and wouldn’t think of missing one. Two of the clubs that were well represented were Southeastern MGT Register of Atlanta and The British Car Club of Charleston. It is a little uncertain how many more years this event will continue to be sponsored at the college. I would encourage more of our members to attend at least once.
June 14 Meeting Highlights Margaret Calcote
The meeting of the ABCS on June 14 was relatively short. In the absence of the President and Vice-President, Richard Williams presided.
There were a number of favorable reports on the drive along Island Road to Exchange Place and the tour of the Exchange Place restoration.
The upcoming drive on June 16 was announced. The Club will meet at the General Morgan Inn in Greeneville at 12 Noon for lunch and a tour in Greeneville.
Ben Bailey and C. C. Goodson reported on a visit to the Asheville British Car Club. The Asheville Club has enthusiastically invited us to attend their club show on September 29 at Flat Rock, NC.
There were five guests, Sam and Kendall Barth, (MGB), Tom McCartney, (XJ-12 Coupe), Randy and Sandy Carrier, (Rolls Royce). Sam, Ken, Randy and Sandy have joined the club.
Welcome to all!
History Channel Great Race Ben Bailey
Bob and Delores McFall and Natalie and I went to Asheville to see the History Channel Great Race that came through on June 17. Three thousand exuberant car fans turned out at Asheville Pack Square to give a rousing “Hello” to 107 vintage car rally racers headed for California in the History Channel Great Race.
With outstanding temperatures near 100 degrees and driving cars without air conditioning, racers into stopped in Asheville for a lunch break. To say this was exciting is an understatement!
Traveling 4,000 miles in 14 days, the racers will journey through 13 states and 44 cities before roaring across the finish line in Pasadena, CA on June 30.
Watch for a pictorial review of some of these great cars in the next ABCS Newsletter.
18 Things That Took Me 50 Years To Learn Dave Berry
Never under any circumstances take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve its full potential, that word would be “meetings”.
There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness”.
People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
You should not confuse your career with your life.
No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously.
When trouble arises and things look bad, there is always one individual who perceives a solution and is willing to take command. Very often, that individual is crazy.
Nobody cares if you can’t dance well, just get up and dance.
Never lick a steak knife.
Take out the fortune before you eat the cookie.
The most powerful force in the universe is gossip.
You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age 11.
The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.
The main accomplishment of almost all organized protests is to annoy people who are not in them.
A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.
Your friends love you anyway!
ABCS Officers & Committee Chairs
President: Carl Floyd, 423-477-7757, cmfloyd@chartertn.net
Vice-President: Mitchell Byerley, 423-247-4730, msbyerley@aol.com
Secretary: Margaret Calcote, 423-288-2297, alcandmmc@chartertn.net
Treasurer: Al Bradley, 540-628-4763, bradal@naxs.com
Newsletter: Jane Ogle, 423-282-5687, jogle@johnsoncitytn.org
Driving Events: Dick Williams, 865-993-2710
Programs: Richard Williams, 423-990-6994, williams@3wave.com
Webpage: Herren Floyd, 423-239-5455, hhfloyd@chartertn.net