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