The British Get Cracking

by Kittie Beletic

Triumph. Jaguar. MG. Bentley. Austin Healey. The names are timeless and classically English. Roadster. Motorcar. Touring Car. Runabout. Buggy. The descriptions conjure a romance that goes deeper than some human relationships. Those who purchase, maintain and drive these quixotic machines have a love affair that lives beyond nostalgia. They are considered adventurous, sentimental, daringly impractical, poetic. I have owned British cars in my day, and even though I carried a pair of pliers in my purse and an oil can behind the driver’s seat for emergency repairs, I cannot deny my obsession was complete. There is nothing like it … unless it is the opportunity to share time with other classic car lovers – eating, fellowship and driving (not necessarily in that order!).

Chris and Poolie Gore sponsor an Annual Mountain Tour of British cars in and around Dahlonega, Georgia. This is one of many such tours throughout the world but this year, theirs is special because it is the 25th year since the tradition began. Over 80 cars showed, the largest turnout ever. Chris is an artist and a teacher who lives in Dahlonega and every year he and his wife, Poolie, invite British sports car owners to drive a scenic tour (planned and mapped, turn-by-turn-by Chris) through the mountains of Northern Georgia.  Afterward, the invitation extends to a generous picnic at the Gore’s residence where drivers, passengers and neighbors gather for a delicious sharing of vitals and vittles. 

Chris lays out a different tour each year and passes out maps and written directions at the Driver’s Meeting before starting time. He recruits friends to lead the three groups of drivers through the tour – a fast group, a medium speed group, and a relaxed touring aggregation – all designed for appropriate challenges.

This year there was a surprise visit from the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Department. There was a little concern among those gathered because in past years, a bit of, uh, spirit has been exhibited while driving on the tour – especially that first “fast” group. The patrolman ambled forward to shake the hand of the guy in charge and to express the Department’s appreciation for stressing safety on the tours. In 25 years there has never been a single complaint.

This year’s tour went without a hitch. For most drivers this is the first major event of the year and this was the “shake out” event for a lot of cars that sat idle all winter. Since many of the cars were upwards of 50 years, there were a few minor mechanical problems – stuck carburetor floats, recalcitrant fuel pumps, one flat tire, etc. Any time a car pulled off to the side, a dozen or more drivers immediately joined, offering help. The participants enjoyed a total of 3 hours of driving throughout the North Georgia Mountains. As is often said of such gatherings, “a good time was had by all”.

My British liaisons have been with a tasty green ’62 Triumph Spitfire (brief but passionate) and a pumpkin-colored ’71 MGB convertible (a long relationship, high-maintenance but worth it!). I’ve had the pleasure of some really fine classic car excursions, but have never owned one before the 60s. Below are some pictures of some real lovelies from this year’s Mountain Tour Extravaganza! (Yowza, Yowza!)

Other British car events, just around the corner?

http://www.roopsmg.com/signup.htm

http://britishcarweek.org/

http://www.eumoex.com/

http://www.britishcarlinks.com/events.htm

Get Cracking America. The Brits are on the run!

Author, artist, actress – with a passion for driving, Kittie Beletic records the sights and sounds as she goes. Cross country road trips are her specialty, but she climbs into the car any chance she gets. On her birthday, her gift to herself is to visit the dealership of choice to drive that year’s dream car. This year, she bought one! She is a proud member of Texas Auto Writer’s Association. Got a story for Kittie? http://kittiebgoods.com/

Photographs by Steve Tom – Classic Car Aficionado and Author of “Junkers” (http://www.random-writings.com/). Special thanks to Steve for his pictures and reporting!