Upon our relocation to the Knoxville Tenn area Susan and I were sure to do one thing i.e. join an MG Club. It just so hap-pens there a couple of them! The closest is the Blount County British Car Club which feature 85 members and although some "other" British cars is primarily MG. We attended our first meeting to find almost 30 enthusiasts there...not bad for a smaller club!

The group is very friendly, outgoing and active. Did I say "friendly"? Wow, Susan and I were welcomed at the meeting and to a group dinner afterwards. It was great. That was Thursday. Saturday was a club Garage Tour and in keeping with these in the Chicagoland Club we went. A Mr. Jim Payne invited us to meet at his place so he could lead us there. Well, first surprise was that Jim collect both American and British cars. The first 2 surprises are below. A 1957 Austin 960cc sedan and a 1931 Pierce Arrow.

Wooooooa baby...and I mean WOOOOOOA BABY! The Austin was built without a frame. Yes, all sheet metal. The Pierce Arrow is one of a very few built in the day when the company competed with Rolls Royce. Street value somewhere getting close to 6 figures or even more. I think this was the start of a very good day!

Susan and I followed Jim (in our Buick as the B is still in Illinois) for about 30 mins heading toward Maryville TN but after that lord only knows.

We arrived at a shop owned by Gary & Paulette Lownfordale.


A proud collector and grand dad (Sunday was Father's Day). First we were greeted by a street show of Bs, TDs and even a 6 Pack! I knew it would be a fun day. The best after that. As Susan and I first entered the side door were greeted by the biggest GTO I had ever seen not to mention perhaps the most beautiful T-Bird I have ever seen. The owner have probably 20 cars in all. There was even the shell of a Lotus Elan which was all that remain after it had been scavenged for parts.

The real treat was a grand restoration project. Gary had 4 Austin Healey Sprites all going thru a full frame off/ground up restoration (yes, 4!!). The story is that Gary has 4 grand children and he is restoring one Sprite for each of them. The grand children's ages are 4, 9, 11 and 19. The 4 year is a girl! Talk about the next generation! Each grand children picked out the color for their future Sprite. WOW, what a grand dad!!

I think I am going to like it here in Tennessee!