May - MogNW

2013 Vancouver ABFM
“The Greatest Show on British Wheels”
VanDusen Gardens Show
Ric MacDonald,
Northern Pod Rep
The unofficial opening of the
show season began with the 28th
annual Vancouver ABFM at Van-
Dusen Botanical Gardens. This is
a most beautiful setting for the
display of British cars and motorcycles.
Self- touted as the
"Greatest Show of British Wheels
on Wheels," it has grown from a
very modest beginning of 100
cars, give or take, in 1985, to a
space-limited 650 today.
This year there were once
again 650 entries but due to several
rainy days in the week preceding
the event and a gloomylooking
overcast sky on the
morning of the show, I don't think
all entries showed up. Pity, as
there were only light occasional
showers until about noon with the
sun actually poking through later
in the afternoon. Although the
show cannot get any bigger due
to space limitations, it seems to
get better at least from the perspective
of the quality of entries
on display.
The motorcycle entries have
certainly improved in quality with
some truly spectacular entries. Of
special note were the Vincents,
the featured marque this year.
The motorcycles are well worth a
look if you have the time next
year.
Speaking of time, the day
seems to go by ever faster, what
with voting on the classes, looking
at the other cars and socializing.
I for one just don't seem to
be able to see everything and
talk to everyone I would like to,
renew acquaintances and make
new ones.
This year we had 31 Morgans
on the field, which seems about a
normal turnout except in a special
year. The breakdown: 12
4/4s, 9 Plus 4s, 8 Plus 8s, 1
Drophead Coupe, and 1 3-
Wheeler Trike.
I was very happy to see a
number of guests from out of
town, notably from the Southern
and Island Pods. Ken Kutner was
down from Powell River with his
1958 4/4 for the first time. Incidentally
the car won a third place
plaque in class but as Ken was
new to this he didn't know he had
to go up to be presented with the
prize for the car (you missed the
chance at glory, Ken, but I hope
you contact Joan Stewart for the
plaque - and good luck again
next year).
I was most happy to see our
guests take home some of the
hardware as it makes their journey
more enjoyable.
After the show, some 50 of us
joined together at the Sea Cadets
Hutchens Photo
Mike Powley's Morgan 4/4 evoked his spirit from its position at the
front of the prize-giving area. David and Marianne Powley awarded
“The Motor Mouth Award,” a new ABFM prize honouring Mike, to be
presented to the person best representing a true British car enthusiast.
NW-Mogazine Volume 33, Number 3 May & June 2013
7
base in Delta for our bar-b-q. We
are very fortunate to have this
roomy and tranquil setting for our
dinner. Much thanks once again
to Ron and Yvonne Theroux who
make this privilege possible. I am
happy to say we will be able to
use this facility again next year.
The weather co-operated for
us as the sun was out and we
were able to go over our favorite
memories of the day before enjoying
the excellent steak dinner,
as cooked by Les Burkholder and
Ron Theroux.
At this point I would like to
send thanks from those who attended
lunch and dinner to those
who made it possible. We know
who you are, so at the risk of
leaving someone out I am not
going to mention specific names,
but a GREAT THANKS and a
TOOT of the HORN to all who
made our enjoyable day happen.
A more than Honorable mention
also goes to those who
helped with the clean-up. At the
end of a long but good day, we
were able to make our way home
into, quite literally a setting sun
with the hoods down.
Thanks to all who brought their
cars as it's all about enjoying
Morgans and each other.
Those being recognized with
awards included:
Overall People’s Choice
Cutest Little Car: Brian Pollock
(1934 3-Wheeler Super Sport)
Class 24: 4/4
1. Ken Miles (actually Pat's car!)
2. Dave Sheftel (a first time entry
from the Island Pod)
3. Ken Kutner (a first time entry
from Powell River)
Class 25: Plus 4
1. Ken Butler (a first time entry
from the Island Pod)
2. Larry Enrick
3. LaVerne Barnes
Class 26: Plus 8
1. Chris Allen
2. Malcolm Sparrow
3. Lloyd Reddington (from the
Island Pod)
Class 51: DHC
1. Les and June Burkholder (the
sole Drophead Coupe so they
were a shoo-in for 1st, 2nd and
3rd!)
MacDonald Photo