British Invasion Stowe 2011 - A Report from Gary

Morgan Three-Wheelers setting up in early morning mist

Terry and Karen over a hill

What a spectacular event the British Invasion 2011 in Stowe was. There was just so many attractions and thrills it would be hard to describe them in the detail that would do the event true justice. If I had to use a phrase that would capture my sentiment, it would be this event would be the one that I would measure all the others against! That's how good it was.

So here are but a few of the details but before I go there I'd personally like to thank Curry, John and Kelvin for making all the arrangements for getting us there, for organizing us while we were there and then getting us back! No small accomplishment when you realize it was a 1000 mile return journey and we had a spectacular time while there!

While the weather was not the greatest for the day and a half travel there, it certainly made up for it on the Saturday and Sunday show days as well as our return trip. The good news too is that we left we 9 British show cars and returned home with the same number and no real issues to speak of.

This is a big show with what appeared to be at least 600 show cars all parked together in their separate marques.

Keeping together

As an example there were in the order of 70 TR6's parked together. So if you multiply that by the number of different marques then you can get an idea of the size of the field of cars that attended. Nearly every marque you can think of was at the field including an Aston Martin, Singers, TVR's. Lotus's, Jags and the largest collection of Morgans and Austin Healeys I've ever seen in one location. All the other marques were represented as well,  many of which were in concourse condition. Truly a well represented event of most British marques.

 There were many British car parts and related specialty vendors there as well including a vender who took everyone's picture while driving their car onto the site and then would sell you a "T" shirt, clock, framed picture or some other motif that would included this picture. Pretty neat.

Curry traded his Austin Healey for this nice four-seater

 It was also just a great spot to make new friends and meet up with old one's. Many of the New England folks that we became friends with at the past PEI shows were well represented there as well. It was good to see them again.

 While none of our cars won any show awards in the general classifications, Jim Woodford won the "Most Practical" award for his theme display at the "Tail Gate Competition".  Jim represented us very well when he was asked to describe his display and in so doing mentioned our group of 9 cars that drove all the way from NB.  While we were not the largest group there we certainly were amongst the largest of the groups and were very well represented and welcomed.

 You will notice while we had 9 LBCs participate in the event we actually had a total of 11 cars in Stowe. Kelvin brought his day driver and packed it with everything needed to respond to an emergency including a tent, emergency triangles, spare gas, water, tools .......everything you can think of. Having him with us was a major comfort knowing if we did have an issue, chances are Kelvin would have been able to respond. Many thanks Kelvin!

Additionally we met up with Steven W. in Stowe and while there he accompanied us on many of the events.

Through the 'Notch' with Bob and Donna in their Healey

On the first day of the return trip Curry toured us through a beautiful mountain pass just outside Stowe. It was truly spectacular, a real mountain climb where you could have easily reached out and touched some of the huge rock formations on this upper mountain pass. Thrilling really!

All in all it was the perfect trip and event. Please ask the others who attended to share their stories as there are many. What I have reported here is a brief report on a very large and well organized event.

Again, thanks to Curry, John and Kelvin for their parts in making this event as pleasurable as it was for all of us who attended. We all thank you. Well done gentlemen!

 Gary