The primary purposes of this road trip were (are? I am still on it) to see my friend Gene Gillenwater in Ohio, to attend the MG national meet in Louisville, KY, and to simply get out and drive and see some countryside. I have done all of those, and I am still on the road!
The first leg of the road trip took me from Charleston, SC, over some of the worst roads I have ever seen, through North Carolina and a bit of Tennessee up into Virginia. Seriously, the roads in my own home state are the worst I have seen and are in dangerously bad shape. We should be ashamed of ourselves.
The second leg of the trip was from Bristol, VA, through Abingdon, VA, because no self-respecting British car fan could pass up going to Abingdon, and then on through Kentucky to Ohio – just outside of Columbus.
Somewhere on the mountain grade outside of Blowing Rock, NC, I scraped a huge hole in my exhaust. It was about an inch wide by two and a half to three inches long. Let me tell you, that as loud. Thankfully Gene is a talented fabricator and welder, so I only had to endure about 6 hours of that sound. Too many, yes, but what are you gonna do?
Preparing to leave home
Near Blowing Rock, NC
Near Boone, NC
She seems lonely out there amidst all those unfamiliar cars. Bristol, VA
4 AM out the window in Bristol, VA
Not a bad view of the edge of the mountains.
The Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA
Even though I was in a Triumph, I still had to stop in Abingdon!
Somewhere in Virginia. Or Kentucky?
Vintage Austin Healey Racer on its way to Indianapolis most probably.
OK, this I do remember is Kentucky. I think.
A road. I know for certain that this is a road.
In Louisa, KY I stopped for gas and came across a red British phone box. I took it as a sign that I was supposed to be there.
And if you scrape a hole like this in your exhaust header, your little 1500 cc Spitfire will sound like a Harley Davidson that had too much Taco Bell for lunch.
Made it to Ohio, safe and sound. And … helped my friend Gene rescue this poor 78 MG Midget out of a field. It seemed happy to get out of there.
Sunrise over farm fields in Ohio. Really, have to admit it, quite a pretty area.
Michael Carnell is the editor and founder of the Just British Online Motoring Magazine. As a lifelong British car fan, he has owned or driven British cars of all ages from Austins and MGs to Jaguars and Triumphs. He currently owns a 1966 Vanden Plas Princess 1100, a 1977 MGB, and a 2002 Land Rover Discovery.
Just got this note from a friend so I thought I would pass it along. Note that this car is not mine nor do I know anything more about it than what is listed here. Seems like a great deal to me though! If I didn’t already have two projects cars, plus our normal daily drivers, I would be keeping this one to myself. It’s finally time! After going back & forth for quite a while, I have decided I have too many cars and not enough time, so I am putting my MG 1100 up for sale. The car is a 4-door 1964 US-spec. model in Connaught Green w/Dove Grey interior. I am the 3rd owner. The first owner used the car from new. The second owner bought it as a parts car for his 1100, then realized it […]
The British Car Club Midlands Centre out of Columbia, South Carolina, held their 9th annual Carolina British Classic show this past Saturday, April, and it was a pleasure to attend. The event was held at historic Columbia Speedway in coordination with Tartan Day South, an annual Scottish festival. Proceeds from the show went to Pawmetto Lifeline. The weather was cool and beautiful – a truly fantastic Spring day. As in years past, the background of the Scottish festival lent a music, food and an amazing array of traditional, and not so traditional, dress to the show. Having a car show in conjunction with an event such as this really makes the whole day more enjoyable for all those attending. The juxtaposition of activities also provides a lot of exposure to the cars that would not have been available in many other […]
Sunbeam Alpines and Tigers unite! Preparations are underway for Rootes United XXXIV to be held in Dayton, Ohio July 30-August 2, 2015. This event is being hosted by Tigers East / Alpines East. “The purpose of Tigers East/Alpines East is to promote interest in the Sunbeam Marque, in general, and the Tiger/Alpine segment in particular; to aid in the restoration, preservation, and enjoyment of these vehicles; to promote cooperation among other similar Sunbeam organizations; and to increase communication and fellowship among those persons so inclined.” Thursday will be arrival day with registration, parts room, and hospitality room set up. Friday morning will feature a tour of the US Air Force Museum where they will have a special reserved parking area for Sunbeam cars. From there the Sunbeams will take a country drive and tour to the world famous Young’s Dairy […]
