It's that time of year again for cooling temperatures (Low 90's!), autumn leaves (I wish!), and best of all CAR SHOWS! Three in row this year, all in the space of a month: three different points of emphasis, three different venues, three different kinds of cars, three different sets of really nice people.
I decided this year to show the MG TD replica at all three events. The Porsche is a far more sophisticated build and way more useful as a means of conveyance, but just not that interesting to the casual observer. The MG is a basic and rudimentary EV conversion, but attracts all kinds of attention with its vintage style and classic good looks.
The first show was the EV Expo hosted by Smart Charge America, capping off National Drive Electric Week September 14, 2019.
Amidst a gaggle of Teslas, Leafs, and BMWs, a Jaguar and a Kia were these three EV conversions. Along side my MG were two customer cars from Moment Motor Company in Austin. Marc Davis is the owner and founder of Moment Motors and he brought an Austin Mini and a Porsche 911, both beautifully finished.
The event was covered by the Austin American-Statesman local newspaper and their photo essay is here. The photographer got some very interesting shots, so please have a look.
Next up was the 29th annual Texas All British Car Day at Centennial Plaza in Round Rock on September 29. Among blue-blood classic British vehicles, I was once again relegated to the "Special Interest" class. V8 powered MGB's and a very interesting Morris Minor pickup truck made up the rest of the class. It was a very beautiful Sunday and I had a great time visiting with all the British car enthusiasts. Sad to hear next year may be the last for this event - we're all getting older and so have our cars. Seems that younger folk don't have quite the interest and enthusiasm we have, and the registrations have been shrinking over the last several years.
Too bad, I have participated in this event many times over the years going back to my Bugeye days. Sorry to see it go ...
Finally, the IBM Austin On Display car show at the IBM campus on October 10. This event is part of the annual Employee Charitable Contribution campaign and attracts mostly retirees and their hobby cars. This 1988 Mazda RX7 was bought new and has only 16,000 miles on it. Behind it are some new-ish muscle cars and an American Motors AMX.
Eleven years after my retirement from IBM I'm seeing many fewer of my old comrades, but had a great time chatting with the new younger generation of IBMers. The business is in good hands, I think.
At least they voted the MG "Best In Show Classic" so they have good taste.
