Hi, Roger (and list)!
I attended my first show (Texas GOF) this past weekend at Salado. At the
last AMGA meeting everybody said "You HAVE to put the A in the show." So I
did. Battered paint, rusty bumper and all. Of course I didn't win anything.
That wasn't my intent in the first place. I went for the fun of it and met
some great people whilst I stood attentively with the Lil' Darlin'. The
couple next to me asked what the deal was and what we were supposed to do.
I guess I look like I know everything naturally. ;-)
Later another fellow came up to both of us and asked what he was supposed
to do, first show and all.
What I learned: The people putting on the show will tell you where to put
your car. The people in the parking lot will invite you in to party with
them. The people parked next to you will mentally change your air filter
and oil filter setups. You will encounter a few snobs. You will mostly meet
some really neat folks that you will look forward to meeting again. You may
meet some folks off this list (a nice bonus).
At most, I had a fantastic weekend (highlighted by the drive back on
backroads). I haven't totally enjoyed any gathering like that in years...
since my chili-cooking days.
At least, I had something there to talk to people about and learn more
about. And, Darlin's presence, if nothing else, made the other cars look a
lot better!! ;-)
I had driven up in the rain (no hood) and about froze to death until I put
on another cotton ls shirt, another windbreaker, and wind pants and put the
tonneau cover on the passenger side. So Saturday morning I went to
somebody's idea of a car wash (it had pressure but didn't even address any
road dirt) and washed the car. Then I took some windex and cleaned the goop
off the windscreen, and dabbed at the water spots on the chrome. I could've
spent a week working on the rest of the car and it wasn't going to look any
better.
I was just tickled that she ran so well all the way up (and back). Darlin'
is living proof that Brit cars run better in cold drizzle.
Something that could've been considered a "goof" by some was that I didn't
take any dress-up clothes to Salado. I only took cotton shirts and jeans
and leggings. At the dinner Saturday night I about hollered when I saw men
wearing suits and ties and women in nice dresses and high heels. I
immediately decided that they weren't driving an MGA with a trunk full of
oil and other spare stuff, and dismissed the fact that I had on cottons and
athletics -- clothing that I could cram into a duffle and stuff behind the
passenger seat. (Standing on ceremony isn't one of my strong suits, anyway.)
So...my suggestion is go and have fun. For pete's sake don't worry about
the car. Rember the Desiderata: "There will always be those greater and
lesser than yourself." That applies to the car, too.
Enjoy!
Carol
At 08:39 PM 5/13/97 -0700, you wrote:
>I've finished (for the moment!) my restoration of my aunt's '51 TD. I
>get alot of compliments from my friends but in reality know I've made a
>few mistakes. It does drive very well and I try to take it out for a
>spin as often as the sun shines here in Columbus, Ohio. (Which isn't
>often enough!) The annual British Car show is this weekend and I paid my
>entry fee but have truthfully never been to a MG show and no idea what
>to expect. This car has truely been quite a project and now (~500
>miles) have been great driving. Any tips would be greatly
>appreciated!!!
>Thanks!!
>
>Roger Wilt
>'51 TD
>Columbus, Ohio
>
>
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