Austin Healey Club All-British Car and Cycle Show
The last Sunday in September, with the exception of the few times when it falls on the 24th as it did last year, is generally a beautiful day. The sun is usually shining, and shorts and T-shirts are frequently appropriate wear. Such a day is made to order for a picnic, gathering with friends, driving with the top down, and enjoying the beauty of an early autumn Sunday afternoon. The perfect combination of all of these events is the annual Flatwater Show.
While the show is geared for those who enjoy driving their cars‹there has never been a registration fee, and any car is welcome‹there are some cars that arrive on a trailer. This year the trailer queen was owned by Dr. Jim Danielson. It is a 1969 MGC Roadster, and arrived via Ford 150 pickup because it has no brakes (poor excuse, Jim). However, as much as we enjoy driving our cars, and joke about throwing rocks, some members enjoy showing cars, and such cars are welcome. For Tom Turner to drive his TC from Bellevue takes more effort than for me to drive my MGA 600 miles in a day. Tom would be forgiven if he decided to tow his car to the show. Joe Mock's supercharged TB is another example of a car which should not be driven, rather like Sandy Krugg's TB Tickford that is generally at the Heartland Regional.
It is a joy to see such cars. With recognition of the approach of the every five year refurbishment of my car, the wisdom of towing and showing is a bit more apparent.
However, most of us still enjoy driving, and drive our cars every excuse we get, unless snow or salt are present on the streets. The Flatwater Show, with exceptions some of which were mentioned, is a celebration of such cars. After a spate of bad weather a year ago, our usual wonderful Sunday weather returned. As the Lincoln Public Schools District Offices parking lot filled with over 70 British cars and motorcycles, and the smell of polish dogs and broiled burgers filled the air, the celebration of the end of summer began.
There was the usual inspection of the entrants, conversations of just how the car was prepared, and congratulations given on the various accomplishments of the year. And the usual four awards were presented.
Jim Danielson's efforts at getting a ringer for Diamond in the Rough were rewarded. Given the size and shape of the good Doctor's collection, we may one day come to regret encouraging him in such a manner. The Distance Award went to Joe Guinan, who drove his Spitfire in a very circuitous route to log a very large distance between Fremont and Lincoln. Well done Sir! But tell us, after driving that far tongue in cheek, just how did you avoid biting said tongue?
It is time to address the over-restoration of our cars. Little British Cars leak fluids. They always have.
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