THE BRITISH INVASION XII

by Bob Forest (your roving reporter)

I missed last year's event and decided to go at this year's Invasion. I am glad I did. Without question, the biggest turnout they have had in the history of the past 12 years. Over 600 cars, and looking at the Concourse, it also looked like they had a great turnout.

I left Friday morning about 9:30 am, headed for Andre Lacroix home in Beaconsfield. He is also an owner of a 59 Deluxe MGA. About 10 am we the two MGA's headed out. Drove along the lake shore road till we got off in Ville Lasalle and took the Mercier Bridge, our intention was to drive the back roads and finally the Notch into Stowe.

Have any of you been to St Alexandre on your way to Stowe? I am sure none of you have. It is a beautiful area with farms that you have to see to believe. Just beautiful. We drove in that area looking for the US customs, a good 75 miles of extra driving later got to the customs. They do check a bit more, made us open our trunks, but other that that wished us a great Weekend.

The Notch this year was just great, the sun was out, we had our tops down, and no traffic. So we had a good drive though it. What a drive, this must be one of the most beautiful in the Eastern States. Finally arrived in Stowe at 3:30 pm. What should have taken us a little less than 3 hours, took us over 4 hours. Ask me if we got lost. Anyway, we got to see St Alexandre.

Friday at 5:30 pm, we arrived at the field to register, as usual very organized, and this year the goody bag was filled with some read nice stuff. A can of Maguire Gold paste wax, Bottle of Castrol cleaner. Vinyl cleaner and a folding chair with the British Invasion on the back of it.

We got in line for the veggies, chicken wings, and other goodies. Beer and in my case Diet Pepsi, so for the $40.00 inscription fee, you do get your money back.

Saturday morning at the field for 8:30 am cars all washed and cleaned. Already the line up.

There were over 100 Healeys, which was the Mark that was hosted this year. Over 35 MGA's, there had to be close to 50 MGB's, Jaguars, all the XK's and the XKE's. Rolls, Bentley's, Sunbeam's, Humber's, Riley's very rare Convertibles. An Elva, very rare, with the MGA engine. AC Ace. Many more which I don't remember.

The quality this year was very high, for those of you that know my MGA, it is now one of the ok cars, and the standard has risen. Many of the past winners have not placed this year. There are many new owners with newly restored cars.

If you want a weekend of British Cars, or just a day, go to Stowe for the British Weekend.

What was nice to see in Concourse, was the many Canadians that picked up the first and second trophies. Many of them from Quebec.

© VEA