Amid the outrage and concerns that permeated the fall of 2001, unyielding signs of continuity shined through. Car enthusiasts drive, and our road trips were unhampered by the best efforts of the terrorists. On October 19-21, one road trip led to the BMW Manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, S.C, host site of Euro Autofest 2001, a multi-marque event encompassing display, concours, driving events, autocrossing and BMW factory tours. In it's third year, the event featured Jaguar in 2001, and a fine pride of cats prowled in from the blacktop jungle. Local and national car clubs joined forces to ensure those cats were kept in check--there was no shortage of eye candy at Euro Autofest 2001. Sound political management has allowed this part of the South to become a haven for displaced people and businesses from rusting Northeast tax pits, and when there's a car show, you can tell. You'd have to travel pretty far to find a place with more 90-point-plus classic cars than the Carolinas. The cars, the friendly Southern people, the food and the beautiful back roads are quickly making Dixie one of my favorite haunts. Euro Autofest is one of the best reasons to visit.
Keep tabs on this annual event by logging onto www.euroautofestival.com. All proceeds go to the Disaster Relief Fund of the American Red Cross.
The MGs
The Porsches
The E-Types
The Iguana
This early 1954 Mercedes Benz...
This early 1954 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing absolutely stole our hearts, as well as garnering top honors in Mercedes-Benz SL Class (Early), a People's Choice Award from Michelin Tire Corporation, the Century Award from Century BMW in Greenville, S.C., and the Open Road Award from Embassy Suites Hotel. Gullwing owners Bob and Beryle Slayden have the original luggage kit and driving gloves (!), and check out that original Nardi wooden steering wheel.
This Specialty Sport-winning...
This Specialty Sport-winning 1956 Aston Martin DB 2/4 drop-head coupe is owned by Susan Tatios of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The paint is called Blue Haze. It also took a People's Choice from Michelin Tire Corporation and a Collector's Choice Award from BASF Automotive Repair. And no expense was spared under the bonnet, either. We're told the yellow ignition wires are correct.
One of the most endearing...
One of the most endearing cars present was Doug and Judy Walker's 1952 MG YB Saloon, sporting its original Silver Streak Gray (metallic) paint. In fact, with 49,311 miles, the car was in completely unrestored condition right down to its JHR 616 number plate. It may not have won an award, but any car that reminds me of Vincent Price gets a spot in my book. Note the original dark red leather interior sporting beige piping.
One rarely sees a 1949 Healey...
One rarely sees a 1949 Healey Silverstone, even on the show circuit. This curious green metallic example was driven in from North Carolina.
BMW made only two examples...
BMW made only two examples of the 1962 700RS, and Bill Elliot has one of them (along with a 700 Sport). He's the third owner, behind BMW AG and Hans Stuck, Sr., to whom the German registration plate is still ascribed. The car won second place, BMW 1960-1985, and the Best Sports Car Award from SCCA.
Everyone loves a nice TR6....
Everyone loves a nice TR6. Bill Simpson drove in from Piedmont, South Carolina, in this well-skippered-down 1975 in Carmine Red with overdrive.