By winters end, we can't wait for spring and summer. This is why, in the month of March, I take my time to register for The British Invasion. The thought of all those beautiful cars on that field in Stowe Vermont takes out the drudgery of the last weeks of winter.

A few weeks, before the great event, I started to prepare Helen's MGA 1600 for the event. Jacked it up, cleaned and waxed the frame and whatever else I could reach. Gave the engine compartment a thorough cleaning and detailing. With the help of a friend of mine, did a complete wax job to her. (Not Helen, I mean the MGA)

Friday September 18^th, finally came, Helen and I packed the car with as little as possible of clothes, as I needed the space for all those cleaning products. Not that we didn't wear the same underwear all weekend, but it was close.

On the way there, we had a little bad luck. A Truck going in the wrong direction threw a stone from its wheels, and it hit our windshield and cracked it. Nothing we could do, this is the risk we take for driving the car. We found out that the judges do not take points away for this, as it happened on the way up. So I guess, for the following car shows this season, the judges will hear the same story over and over. I do not wish to fix it now. This winter it will give me something to do.

Rather than turn off on 89 to take the road to go to the Notch, we continued on 89 to Waterbury, where we had reservations at the Old Stagecoach Inn. We arrived around 2pm, checked in, took our one pair of underwear to our room and then headed out to Stowe, which is only 11 miles away, and one of the most beautiful drives back and forth from the Inn to the event.

Once in Stowe we headed out to the British Invasion, and already were over 200 cars at the field. I was very impressed with the organization of the registration people on hand. It took less than five minutes to get all our papers and our gift bag. Because they did not want rain this year as they did last year, they gave out a beautiful bright yellow poncho with the British Invasion logo.

Parked next to my car, in the registration line, was Bruce Anderson's DB2, what a beautiful car, what is amazing, it is un restored, low mileage, and he drives it.

That evening a cocktail at the British Invasion location was held, and we were given two tickets for free drinks. The weather was nice and warm, and old times and car talk was heard all around.

Saturday morning we arrived at the farm about 9 am, as we had to be there before 10am, otherwise, you were not allowed onto the field.

Helen's MGA was entered into the Concours D'Elegance, and for these cars, a beautiful large white tent, with four very high peaks was supplied by the organizers for all the concourse cars. So if it rained these beautiful cars would not be in the bad weather.

Richard Grenon, had the 1938 Lagonda Drop Head entered into this competition, and to no surprise to us, he won the Best of Show. You have to see the car, to believe how beautiful it is.

Other cars that were in the Concourse, MG TF, Jaguar XK120, Jaguar Mk II, Triumph TR 6, Triumph 3A, Austin Healey 3000, Triumph Stag, MGA's coupe and roasters, one of the MGA's had a very rare Vanden Plas hard top. Rolls, Jaguar E types, and Roadsters, I might of forgotten a few, but all were of high quality, so you can see why we were very nervous.

Another VEA member, Roy Gillings, with his MG TF, won in the color competition. His car was entered in the Reds, and won best of reds. This was a fun competition held on Sunday morning. All the red cars lined up, then the white, green, black and for those who could not make up their minds on color choice, the two tones. The public on entering were given a voting stub with all the colors, and voted for their most favorite.

In some of the tents, were dealers, selling their goods, and in another tent a flee market. As far as I was concerned, and others I spoke to, there were no deals. Especially with our Canadian dollar the way it is.

I guess, you all want to know what happened to Helen's MGA, well, we got a second place in the Concourse D'Elegance. Helen and I were very happy, as the car that won was trailered in. So all those hours of work paid off.

We met many of the VEA members who drove up to see the event. Paul Dorval, Bernard Bellavance, Pierre Marchand, John Smith, Yves L'Ecuyer (who I want to thank for lending me his tool kit from his MGA), these are some of the members I remember seeing, as I was very nervous, I am sure I have forgotten a few, one I could not forget, because he trailered his electric boat, was Daniel Noiseux. It was a very popular display, and many people showed interest in this beautiful product.

We left Sunday around 2pm and were home at 4:15pm. The MGA loves to cruise around the 70 to 75 miles per hour. Ask Bernard Bellavance if the MGA cruises at that speed.

So now till 99, I am not sure if I will enter in concourse again, my nerves. We have all winter to think about it.

For those who have not been to the British Invasion, it is a must to see, even if you are not owners of a British Car.