All European Show - Melbourne FL 14 April

[George Cole]

Over 100 vehicles on the show field.  Entrant judging of about 20 classes.  My 1947 Jag took Best in Class over several XK-120/140s.  Then to my surprise, was awarded Best of Show.  My 1915 B.S.A. was the only motorcycle, so was not assigned to a class, and wound up display only.  My motorcycle display tells a story.  B.S.A. (Birmingham Small Arms,) was a gun company founded in 1861, building mostly military weapons.  They started building motor bicycles in 1910, alongside the guns.  The gun I have displayed with the bike is a 1915 B.S.A. British Enfield .303 caliber rifle, with bayonet...a WWI survivor...as is the bike.  During WWI, young men who owned motorcycles were encouraged to join the British (and other Allied,) Army, with their motorcycle.  Thousands did.  They were assigned to the Engineering Division Despatch Riders, and immediately promoted to Corporal, as any lower rank were not allowed to speak to an officer.  One other task of the despatch riders was to transport carrier pigeons from the command and control echelons in the rear, to the front line trenches, on the western front.  At the time, this was still their primary means of expedient communication.  The despatch riders would carry 24 pigeons in a large basket strapped to their backs.  Experienced riders tied an additional 8 pigeons in individual baskets to the top of the main one.  They sometimes had to ride through and around German checkpoints, while getting shot at in the process.  I have the baskets on display with the bike, along with pictures.  

 

 

[George Cole]

I rode the B.S.A. onto the show field...several hundred yards from the trailer parking area.  It was somewhat of a 'still-nipples' morning, with the temp starting out in the mid-50s.  Warmed to the lower 80s by mid-afternoon.

 

Edited April 15 by George Cole (see edit history)

[George Cole]

Jaguar XK-140 and XK-120.

[George Cole]

Jaguar XK-140 coupe and 1933 MG J3

[George Cole]

There were several MG-T-series. 

[George Cole]

There were a string of five Morgans, although the oldest was only a 2005 model.  The only Rolls Royce was a 17,000-mile 1984 model. Then a pair of 1960-vintage Volvos.   Two Triumph Spitfires...a 1966 race car, and a stock 1972.

 

[George Cole]

The obligatory string of MG-B cars, a Metropolitan, and something I'd never seen before, a 1949 Standard.  Then a nice looking Jensen Interceptor.  There were 3 Triumph roadsters...I believe a TR-250, a TR-3, and a TR-4.  

[George Cole]

This next car was pretty neat...a 1949 Triumph rumble seat roadster.  Part of the rumble seat deck folded up and forward as a windshield for the 2 rear passengers.  There was mid-80s Lamborghini with no placard, so I couldn't tell the exact year.  It was parked next to a 2022 Ferrari.  There were a couple of VW Beetles which were day-of-show registrations, so not eligible for judging.  Then  a Karman Ghia and a VW camper.  I was going to take several interior shots of the camper, but the owner was sitting in it and didn't appear interested in getting out.  

 

There were several Land Rovers, and a bunch of late-model Porsches and Mercedes which I didn't photograph.  Also a few late-arrivals including a mid-80s Mercedes SSK kit car, which again I didn't shoot.  

[TAKerry]

Congrats on the wins George. Very nice display. Looks like a fun day at the show.

 

I saw one of those MG's with the rumble seat at Radnor Hunt a few years ago. I thought that I heard that was the last production car with a rumble seat.

[edinmass]

Nice win! And thanks for the photos......Ed

[Walt G]

Was this strickly a post WWII era car show? I don't see anything pre war there except for your BSA motorcycle.

I only ask because it seems to be a trend now that post war cars which can be less work to keep running well/polished and presented seem to be the easiest thing to do .

Nice display.

Edited April 15 by Walt G (see edit history)

[George Cole]

1 minute ago, Walt G said:

Was this strickly a post WWII era car show? I don't see anything pre war there except for your BSA motorcycle.

I only ask because it seems to be a trend now that post war cars which can be less work to keep running well/polished and presented seem to be the easiest thing to do .

Nice display.

Thanks Walt.  it's a pain in the neck hauling all that stuff onto the show field, and some shows don't allow ancillary or supporting displays, claiming it could fall over and damage someone else's car.  And I've had a couple of show organizers specifically tell me not to bring the rifle...like the Delray Beach Concours this coming Sunday.  No, it was all European, pre- and post-war.  There was one other pre-war car...the 1933 MG...and my Jag, which is CCCA classified as pre-war as they started making that particular model in 1936.  The company changed their name from SS to Jaguar in 1945, and then picked back up with the same model for 3 years post-war as part of Britain's 'Export of Die' directive, to bring rebuild and restoration money into the country.  Several guys I spoke with yesterday have pre-war cars, like the owner of the Rolls, but didn't bring them for whatever reason.  Perhaps they didn't want to screw around with a trailer for a local show.  

 

Many people thanked me throughout the day for giving them (and sometimes their kids or grandkids,) a history lesson.  I make a big deal about it with kids, telling them that they learned something which I'm sure their teachers don't even know.  Very few people know motor bicycles and carrier pigeons played an important part in WWI.  Likewise, that B.S.A. is/was a gun company, formed in 1861.  They made weapons for our Civil War.   I'd like to find a source for inexpensive toy pigeons which I can give to the kids at shows, but so far haven't. 

[Walt G]

George

Your second paragraph says it all, has so much meaning. Viewing "REAL" items sparks an interest - generates questions which get answers that then generate more questions and thought.

WWI is long forgotten as are the personalities that were so important to the world  at that time that formed the world we now live in. Hands on learning and seeing are so much more important then push button instant knowledge. I wondered what the reaction was to your display and as you mention the fear it generates with show organizers because something may fall over. Few people who collect older vehicles ( ie pre WWII ) understand how a gun company would make motor vehicles, or the economic affect vehicle production had on a country - Packard Motor Car Co. had an immense sale of trucks to Europe in the WWI era.Made a fortune - so did the rail roads who transported those trucks from Michigan to NY City so they could then go into the hold of ships to get to Europe. We need to think of the whole picture, not just a year and make and model but WHY? Many people who are now grandparents never know what went on.

Walt

[pmhowe]

 

 

 

 

 

George,

It looks like it was a great show. Thanks for taking the time to take and post all the pictures. I'll make a small effort to return the favor: Below is a picture I took last year at the spring AACA meet held in Melbourne, FL. I'm sure you will recognize the car.