MG Gatherings of Interest Members are invited to share "unofficial" MG events attended on these pages. Ragged Point Run | Fathers' Day Show | Steve's GoF06 | British Cars-Oxnard

Sailing to a Car Show by Jim Crandall At the start of our annual sailing vacation in July 2006, we stopped over at Channel Islands Marina in Oxnard to break up the long haul down to Catalina, and, coincidentally, cruised by a British car show sponsored by the Central Coast British Car Club. What could be better? Sailboats on one side and classic British cars on the other side of the grassy waterfront promenade. We were in hobby heaven!   Our sailboat at the Channel Islands YC guest dock     Being an all British club, there were plenty of concours-quality Healys, Triumphs and Jags with a smattering of very upity Rolls-Royces, real Minis and ugly-duckling Range Rovers. The MG entries included TDs, TFs, MGAs, MGBs and even an Y saloon that looked very original except for the paint color. (Thanks for the corrections, Steve.)   T-Type lineup at Channel Islands Marina Park     All of the cars pictured below were, with few exceptions, in concours trim but not necessarily stock. Most modifications, however, focused on improved performance and creative restoration with occasional owner quirkiness that made the show interesting if not absolutely "pure." Hey, this ain't Pebble Beach, you know? The Jaguar XKE marque was well represented but it would be nice to see a few with the bonnets down. Look! Now they've got the MGBs doing it. What's this? An upgraded B luggage compartment... An upgraded B engine installation..... And a very upgraded 3.1L GMC V6 @ 240 hp. A truly classic Jaguar .....  ....with a pristine, seldom-used tool box.  The proud owner takes a picnic break. The Rolls folk prefer inside dining. A Scottish dance troup demonstrates a reel (or jig?) Quiz: How many circles can you find? (CLOSER) One of my alltime favorites...the 1948 Triumph. The TR3s put Triumph out front in the 50s.  A very customized TR3a impressed the Oxnard locals. The MGA lineup was more than respectable. Custom MGA coachwork with a small V6 engine. It was nice to see an absolutly original Y-type saloon. The MINI/Morris lineup was impressive. Especially this perfect little woodie............... ..with room enough for a king-sized English umbrella. Webmaster's Note: Just received this email from Steve Simmons: There was one TC at the show, but you probably never saw it. It was our car way out in the parking lot! We were bringing the YB to the show and got as far as the freeway exit when the distributor froze up. I rebuilt it on the off ramp and got the car fired up but then the gear sheared off the shaft so the car went home on a flat bed. We drove back up in the TC but didn't finally arrive until afternoon. But we brought the show to the parking lot for a while when a group of So Cal MG Club members wanted to see the car.

RETURN TO NEW STUFF

How many circles can you spot on the front of this car? (Don't count circles within circles.)

(ANSWER)

I counted 18 circular shapes on this classic Jaguar.

(Don't forget the two bolts on the bumper.)

(BACK TO BEGINNING)