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For the last 15+ years on the first or second weekend of April lots of members of the Gold Coast British Sports Car Club make a trek to Winter Park, FL for the All British Car Show, almost in a lemming-like procession, and this year was no exception. April 3rd, 2004 was the 20th Annual All British Car Show held in the beautiful botanical gardens of Mead Gardens. This was Jack's and my 13th year of attending this terrific show, it has turned out to be one of our favorites and we really look forward all year to this one. However, as all of you know that have made that trek up to Winter Park on a Friday, you inevitably hit the I-4 traffic and come to a complete stand still no matter what time you get there. And, as we all know, LBC's DO NOT LIKE SITTING IN TRAFFIC FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME (definition of "extended" - more than 30 seconds in a stationary position). Last year, Phil and Gretchen Bacon discovered a new way and it was decided that several of us would caravan up the newly discovered route. Backtrack a wee bit, I had already registered Lady Jane for the show and we had begun the show preparations when, as some of you know, we gave birth to a 1966 Carmen Red Series I E-Type. Backtrack even further, Jack was bitten by the E-Bug last September at the Jaguar Concours Show in Celebration, FL and those of you up there know who you are that heavily influenced the poor boy into wanting an E-Type. We sold Pokey, our beautiful Iris Blue 1962 MK II MGA, and Jack began his extremely exhaustive search for his dream car (and it was certainly exhaustive for some of you and you know who you are!!!! PAYBACKS!!!!!!!!). Honestly though, I do want to sincerely thank all of you that helped in the search, for without all of your advice, support and helping hold back the reins, Lord knows what we would have ended up with!! This search and acquisition experience once again reinforces what these Clubs are all about - camaraderie, friendship, knowledge, learning, support, advice, a good ear to cry to and shoulder to cry on, extra eyes, spousal support! THANKS GUYS!!! Back to the story, Jack informed me mid-week that we were going to take HIS car whereas I looked at him and said we had only driven her to one picnic and The Jaguar Doctor for her health certificate. Jack assured me that Thierry gave her a good bill of health, and with the mechanical and technical corrections he told Jack that he needed to do prior to leaving, we should be just fine on the adventure. Complete change of plans and complete rethink on packing. Now remember, I am used to packing coolers, suitcases, stereos, libations for Club Voller, chairs, tables, neighbors, neighbor's kids, etc. in Janey but not so in the new child - it was down to your toothbrush or mine and Jack reminded me that I didn't need a hair dryer as the hotel provided them. And to make matters even more distressing, Club Voller was leaving home base WITH NO LIBATIONS but Jack reminded me that there are stores in Winter Park where we could purchase the libations upon our arrival (and once we unload the car!). Well, we cram everything we can into every teeny tiny nook and cranny that we can find and we are ready to meet the gang on Friday.
We decide the best route is to Highway1 and up to the Beeline, which would have been fine except for the construction on Highway 1. Stop and go, stop and go, stop and go, stop and go, I think you get the idea. The Miceli's begin to experience difficulties in their TR6 with the carburation so we pull over a few times to let the TR6 "work out it's issues". We finally hit the Beeline and hope it's a straight shot from there, which it proves to be, with the exception of seeing the Tour Bus that earlier had decided to tour the swampland directly to the north of the Beeline shoulder. Now that was one big tow truck, good thing Janey wasn't there or she would have been all over that muscle man! We finally arrive at the Mt. Vernon Best Western at about 4:00 pm (6 hours later!). Rick Frazee, the owner of the hotel, has reserved the front parking lot of the hotel just for all of the British cars so it is quite spectacular to watch everyone arrive and unload. We begin much revelry, libations and chit chat with lots of people that we only get to see once a year at this Show. It really is quite special and something that all Club members should come up to and experience. I won't even begin to try to tell the stories about the dinner at Houston's and after dinner cocktails at The Red Fox Lounge, but those of you that were there know who you are and I'm sure some of the images are bringing smiles, or cringes, to your faces right now! Just think Ice Cream Cone! On to the Show - We wake up to another absolutely gorgeous morning, jackets were much needed. Everyone does a final clean and then we depart for Mead Gardens which is right up the street from the hotel. Mead Gardens is a beautiful botanical garden with huge oak trees with gigantic bunches of Spanish moss hanging down off of the massive branches, very shaded, very pretty. There was a total of 239 British cars there in every shape, size and condition, you had MG's, Triumphs, Lotus', Rovers, Rolls, Jags, Minis, Healey's, TVR's, Aston Martins (who would have thought that 2 DB6's would show up at the same show!), Bentley's, motorcycles, you name it and it was there, even something called a Marcos. Like I said earlier, this really is one of our favorite shows because you get to see old friends, catch up on what's been going on and just plain old have a good time. I was particularly enjoying myself because it was Jack's car there and not mine, so I played social butterfly and disappeared for hours at a time just walking around and talking to people. So much so that I didn't even take any pictures! I highly recommend that if you have never gone to this show, mark your calendar for next year and join us in the frivolity and camaraderie, it will be an experience that you will never forget, trust me! There was a bit of a scare at the beginning of the show, Jack and Kaye Kaeslin's trailer got hit by a tow truck with the SS in it! Thank goodness Jack and Kaye were okay but the SS did sustain some damage, and at this writing, I don't know to what extent, so this could possibly be a story for the next newsletter - how about it Jack and Kaye?!?! Our Club did quite well with trophies with a First, many Second's, a few Third's and Jim Brucato with his 1980 V8 MGB even took the Long Distance Award because he left Ft. Lauderdale, went over to the West Coast via Alligator Alley and up through Lakeland to visit a friend and then into Winter Park. Hey, we do whatever it takes to get the Club known!!! To end on an even happier note, Jack and Kaye Kaeslin took Best of Show for their awesome Rolls Royce, which luckily was on another trailer when the earlier accident occurred. Congrats Jack and Kaye for a MUCH deserved Best of Show!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Saturday night was spent back at Houston's with a few friends sharing some good laughs and glasses of wine. Sunday came bright and early and once again awesome weather. The ride home was EXTREMELY uneventful and we pulled back into the old homestead about 12:30 PM. I actually had to admit it to Jack (which I hated to do) but the XKE was much more fun and comfortable to ride in than Pokey and he has made a wonderful choice for a baby sister for Janey. As a final note, this was supposed to be the weekend of christening but she still hasn't developed a personality so she remains unnamed - for now. Until the next time my dear LBC friends, I'll sign off - Purrs - Cyndi V.
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Friday
rolls around with weather that we absolutely live for down here. No
humidity, cool and a delightful breeze. Off we go, cell phone and
AAA card in hand. We meet the crew at the Lake Worth Service Plaza
at 10:00 AM and the five cars (us, the Bacon's and Miceli's each in
their TR 6's, Gary Cardamone in his 1969 MGB and Dick Palmer and friend
in his comfortable Thunderbird) begin our journey up the Turnpike.
We exit at Ft. Pierce to I95 and all is going quite smoothly, we all
stop for a quick bite to eat and back into the cars to continue. Okay,
we all knew it was only a matter of time - traffic stops and it doesn't
look like a break in sight. We are all on the radios to each other
and all agree that this is not a good thing, exit stage right and
regroup at the gas station. 
