Our luck continued to hold again this year with 100 percent sunshine– and not too hot -- for the First Sunday after Labor Day, when all about us was weather havoc throughout the country. Numbers, as well as the weather, continued to hold for this 31st Annual British Car Festival, held on September 10, 2017, at Harper College in Palatine. Registered cars on the field were almost 500, slightly down from last year, and an estimated almost 2,000 attended, somewhat more than last year.

Vic L’Heureux with his 1967 MGB

There were 118 registered MGs on the field in 11 categories, all of which we thought significantly down from the 132 MGs last year, but it was 108 in 2015. It goes up and down each year, but is still our most numerous marque on the field. The next was Triumph at 78, and then (believe it or not) 70 registered Jaguars.

Our BCU-sponsored domestic violence 501(c)(3) charity, Shelter, Inc., “mans the door” and takes a clicker count of everyone walking past from the west lot. This year, Shelter, Inc. thanks you for being able to raise $1,520 to help abused and neglected children. Shelter, Inc. provides community-based emergency and longer-term housing for children and adolescents since 1975.

Always nice to hear the bagpipes and see the children dance.

The British Car Union, itself a not-for-profit consortium of approximately 15 Chicagoland British car clubs, is organized to support and encourage the sport of British motoring. Through its annual British Car Festival, the BCU and YOU, the participants, also provide support for the Boy Scouts of America as well as the Daughters of the British Empire, also a philanthropic not-for-profit. The DBE supports The British Home, which provides rehabilitation services and assisted senior living. Thank you for helping with this community support.

The esteemed John Twist of University Motors in Grand

Dino Perez opens his limo car to little visitors.

Rapids headlined our good turn-out for this year’s vendors. I hope you had a chance to talk to him. Dick Luening and his staff appeared for MG Ltd. / Killer Beez. If only we had had Barney Gaylord, we would have been complete to do repairs on the field as a demonstration. That would have led to some interesting discussions. Maybe next year. Several restoration shops brought cars on the field, and new car dealers included Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini, Aston Martin,

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