Brits on the Beach - Ladysmith

Peter Welch MG Museum - West Vancouver
On April 21, 2007 six OECC members from Comox met with other members from Nanaimo and Victoria to tour Peter Welch's collection, visit RX Autobody, Octagon and Wilkinson's Automobilia in Vancouver

                                        ALL BRITISH MEET AT THE FILBERG 2005

The Comox Valley branch of the Old English Car Club is very proud of their small club. Saturday, 
13th featured a fun event held in the parking lot at North Island College.  Many cars from the 
Victoria MG Club, as well as a few cars from the local club, had their cars and drivers challenged 
to know their vehicle well, as they backed around delineators and tried to drive in a perfect circle. 
 

The highlight of the weekend, on Sunday, was the All British Meet in Comox's beautiful Filberg Park 
and Gardens.  77 cars were arranged by the decade in which they were built. The public was invited 
to come and enjoy the show and vote for their favorite. It was a tough choice  - it is hard to select 
between a beautiful 1929 Rolls Phantom, a sleek Lotus, or a traditional Morgan, when there is a cute 
Austin A40 and a gutsy Cobra 427.  There was a car for everybody to drool over! 
  
As well, this was the first year that motorbikes were also included in the day's events, and they 
looked beautiful.

The community gave the club great support.  CH News, Magic FM, 
Greenwoods Pies and Courtenay Car Centre were the main supporters, with the local automotive 
suppliers Lordco, NAPA, Courtenay Motorsport, Canadian Tire and Hartmans giving some of the 
prizes. As well there were gift certificates from Black Fin Pub, Bond's Fish and Chips, and the 
Edgewater Pub. Crown Isle Golf passes, Quality Foods items, and the highlight of the day, a 
collector print awarded to the Best Bike in Show, donated by Whyte's Framing.

The day was fun.  People took their lunch under the trees, had a chance to buy a T shirt, and lots of 
car goodies, walk the beautiful park, and one of the most important parts of going to a Meet is trading
 information with people who own a car like yours.  Who is the best mechanic for carbs?  Where did 
you get your upholstery done?  Where did you get that paint job?   Do you know where I can buy an 
Austin Healey, not too expensive? my wife loves them.
 
Collectors of British Cars are a very supportive group; they get together at many Meets. The main 
ones on Vancouver Island are the Father's Day Picnic in Beacon Hill Park, Brits on the Beach in 
Ladysmith, the All British Meet at the Filberg and the Fort Rodd Hill Meet.  If you can take one of 
these events in it is a great way to spend a day!

For information of what the Comox Valley Club is up to and when next year's event will be, phone 
David Whitworth 250 338-0026.

Prizes Awarded:
Pre 1950's category		1st	1929 Rolls Phantom Barry Sucksmith 
				2nd	1939 BSA Scout Mike Green  
				3rd	1932 Austin Ron Dodge

1950 category			1st	1957 TR3 Michael Hart
				2nd	1959 TR3 Steve Watkins   
				3rd	1958 Morgan plus 4 Frank De Carlo

1960 category			1st	1962  MGA Mark II  Neil Fawdry
				2nd	1963 TR3 B  Karen Trickett
				3rd	1962 MGA Mark II  Doug Veale

1970 category			1st 	1971 MGB  Tom Kreiger
				2nd 	1975 Lotus Elite Karen Whitworth
				3rd	1971 TR 6 Bob Cumberland

1980 category 			1st	1987 Austin Mini  Vic De Fargo
				2nd	1998 428 SE  Gary Law
				3rd	1983 Landrover Rob & Lisa Hoban

Oldest car in show	1929 Rolls  Royce Phantom   owned by Barry Sucksmith

DRIVERS CHALLENGE:
Best Scores 	1st John Braybooks in an MGA
		2nd Wayne Watkins in an MGB
		3rd Bill Holgate in an MGTC

Fastest Times :  Karen Trickett  in a TR3 B

Best Improved driver: Steve Watkins MG