Although the songs of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Kinks were blaring through the sound system, Carthage’s recent British invasion wasn’t about the music. . . . It was about the cars.
The Greater Ozarks British Motoring Club’s 9th annual car and motorcycle show was held here in late July, and the participating motorists completely filled the four sides of the Carthage square.
Jaguars, MGs, Triumphs and Austin Healeys, to name a few, could be seen with their hoods up, shiny engines available for inspection by avid enthusiasts and curious shoppers. Others displayed original advertisements for the vehicles or snippets of vehicle history inside the windows. Occasionally, an owner could even be seen starting one of the cars and zipping from one side of the square to the other.
Despite the warm and humid weather, the public came in droves to view the display, remember the past, and ask questions.
“I wonder what kind of gas mileage that one gets,” chuckled one spectator, looking at a tiny green MG.
David Thorn, vice president of activities for GOBMC, and his wife, Rhonda, have organized the event since its beginning in August of 1999. David was smiling from ear to ear as he collected the orange cones that had been denoting the areas for different car divisions.
“That’s the biggest show we’ve had!” he said, as the cars began to dissipate. In all, 106 entries were present at the show, representing seven different states.
“We get people who come every year,” Thorn remarked, “and we also get new people every year.”
One of the most notable new entries this year was the “Think Pink” Austin Healey Sprite, formerly owned by 1963 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Champion Donna Mae Mims. In an interesting twist of history, the same car was originally owned by Jonas Salk, inventor of the Salk polio vaccine. The pale pink car could be seen from quite a distance, except for when it was surrounded by curious spectators.
The car owners seem happy to share information with those who may not be familiar with British automobiles. The show is also a valuable connection for the owners themselves, as many participants trade tips on where to get parts for repairs.
“The people are generous when you have car problems,” said Russ Bees, owner of a 1932 Packard that was one of the few entries in the non-British division.
His wife Marj was quick to compliment the show as well. “It’s one of our favorite shows,” she said. “It’s the people that are involved that make this show so nice.”
The Bees have participated in eight of the nine shows in Carthage, they are acquainted and friendly with a number of other participants.
The Carthage show has earned a reputation as one of the most hospitable shows around. Participants attended a free welcome dinner at a local hotel the night before the show. The dinner’s theme was “Pirates,” and Thorn said that a surprising number of people attended dressed in costume.
For the past several years, the car show has coincided with the Carthage Chamber of Commerce’s annual Sidewalk Sale-Bration, for which the blockaded square serves as an advantage, allowing plenty of space for pedestrians to maneuver and hunt for bargains.
Thorn said that the Carthage show is less strict about the condition of cars than other gatherings, making it more inviting for beginners and those who are still in the process of restoring their cars. The divisions are also custom-tailored to the participants, whenever three or more of the same type of car are expected to attend.
After five hours of standing in the sun, the owners slowly departed from the square. Strangely, most were not heading for comfortable air-conditioned hotel rooms; instead, they were heading for the parking lot of Carthage Memorial Hall, where a miniature SCCA race was held for those who felt agile enough to brave the gauntlet of orange cones. After this event, a banquet was held inside the Hall, to celebrate the day's success. A silent auction was also a feature of this banquet, the proceeds being donated to a non-profit organization.
The following day, a drive-out brunch was held at Kendricktown, north of the city. Thorn said the brunch has become a tradition, and that most participants postpone their goodbyes until that event.
The Thorns are already planning for next year's show, which will be the 10th anniversary of the event.
Information about the Greater Ozarks British Motoring Club is available online at www.gobmc.org
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British Invasion: Annual Car Show Gets Bigger Every Year
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