Event Review!
University Motors 19th Annual Summer Party
Dateline: Grand Rapids, Michigan,
August 17-20, 1995
I had been somewhat aware of the University Motors Summer Party for
many years although I had never really considered attending it since it
is held in the same place every year: Grand Rapids, Michigan. Might
as well be Grand Rapids, Alaska in my mind. I knew that it drew over
500 MG's each August and that MG Guru John Twist was the mastermind of
the annual event but I still couldn't imagine driving over 700 miles
from Nashville for yet another car show. Then in September of 94,
I read with great interest, that the "Featured Car for 1995" would be the
MGA Coupe and that John Twist hoped to attract as many as 20 Coupes
to the event. Only 20 in a field of 500? I knew that I was the owner
of an unusual car but I hadn't realized just how unusual they were.
My car was in the process of a ground-up restoration but would certainly
be ready by August '95. I sent in my money and my registration forms
and thereby I was committed. It goes without saying that numerous
unforeseen delays occurred and the car was not ready. The rolling
chassis was complete as was the painted body shell but the fenders, doors,
hood, trunk and interior were not even close. However, as I said
before, I was committed so George Ross and I loaded the car on his enclosed
trailer and drove up to Michigan. Grand Rapids is not a large town
and the MG people who descended on the place overflowed several hotels.
Restaurants had longer than usual waits.
And MG's were everywhere: every intersection, gas station, car wash
and food store. Everyone waving, honking or flashing their lights
as they passed. I personally enjoy seeing the cars in motion
more than seeing them in a static car show so this was one of the best
parts for me. John Twist does an incredible job of organizing this
event. Not only does he personally greet each registrant as
he gives them their packet, he collects tickets at breakfast, he hosts
social functions, he works the parking lots, he directs traffic at the
car show, he does the introductions at the awards dinner and he performs
a hundred other functions. And always in good spirits. Incredible.
The Summer Party covers a span of 4 days and a multitude of events:
car tours and rallye, technical seminars, vendor sales, breakfasts, a major
car show and Vintage Racing at nearby Grattan Park. Two MG
couples even got married during the event . Not your ordinary car
show. By far, more vendors attend this event than any other.
Clothing vendors were plentiful, all the major parts houses had their representatives
out in force, several cars could have been built from the stocks of used
parts dealers, new businesses were hawking everything from floorboards
to stainless steel bolts to leather trim. When you go to the Summer
Party you need to bring the parts wanted list for yourself and all your
friends.
The Car Show itself is held in a city park about 6 miles from
the hotel. The MGs are grouped into as many classes as possible in order
to award as many prizes as possible. MGBs of all types dominated
the field. Scaffolding is erected at one side of the field for anyone
who would like to take a photograph encompassing the magnitude of the lineup.
Voting is done on a popular vote basis and takes up most of the afternoon.
Many people stay with their cars for the duration but the xperienced types
bring a complete picnic setup and enjoy themselves under the shade trees
in the park. Awards are presented at a buffet dinner later that evening.
My coupe did not win any awards. After all it was only
half a car and there were 31 other coupes on the field, most of them beautiful
and complete. I did, however show my coupe in two parts: the body was lifted
off the frame and shown separate from the chassis. It was, of course,
the most unusual car there and no doubt the most photographed. Looking
forward now to showing the complete car at MG 96 in Indy.
Stan Fischer
NBCC Events
Mark Your Calendar!
November 12th- Combined A-H Club/NBCC tour of Williamson County.
Meet at Franklin town square for drivers meeting at 12:30, first car leaves
at 1. See page 3 for details! Watch your mail for news about our
upcoming Christmas dinner December 3rd!
The Rallye of the Year!
On Sunday November 12th is the event everyone has waited all year for!
Twice! (In other words, we expect everyone to be there!). The long awaited
much ballyhooed Trent/Broome rally, otherwise known as Jim & Frank’s
Excellent Adventure, has been cast in stone and so it shall be. The rally,
a joint presentation of the A-H Club and the NBCC, is to be followed
by a cookout! You should bring: 1)Battery operated laptop P.C. ( either
a 486 or Pentium processor) or a cheap calculator.2) Working speedo/odometer.3)
Full tank of gas.4) $2.50 Per person (US funds) for the cookout!5) (Optional)
A memento or article of clothing from WWII. Disclaimer! Rallyemasters
NOT responsible for family spats or divorces!
Go to page 2.
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