United XXIII All Rootes Show and Concours d'Elegance

 Tiger Tom

 Keeping within the tradition with TEAE United's, the composite display of Sunbeams was in a fashionable setting befitting of the high calibre of the automobiles presented to the judges and public alike.  Eric and Bonnie Gibeaut know how to put-on-the-Ritz. They choose a historic site on Sullivan Island where one could take in the view of Fort Sumter, where the civil war began.  Perhaps you have recently read about the raising of the world's first submarine, the CSS Hunley. It is now being preserved in the Charelston area. What better place to review an equally significant historical display of Rootes automobiles.

There were a total of sixty-three Rootes automobiles presented, seventeen Alpines, forty-seven Tigers and one Rare Rootes, a Talbot. A first this year, the "All Rootes Show" allowed seven owners to display their vehicles without being judged in the Concours d'Elegance.  Vehicles present ranged from Mark Craigs just painted black beauty stripped rolling Tiger tub, late arrivals, and Sunbeams of other conditions.

The Concours D'Elegance vehicles were separated into two classes Stock and Personalized scrutinized by sixteen Judges, half that barely had enough time to eat the scrumptious lunch catered to the rest of us. These guys and gals who helped tabulate the results certainly don't work for food. It has to be pride for a job well done.

It was only a few years ago when Bob and Judy, or is it Judy and Bob, whatever, Sharkey were earning Diamond-In-The-Rough awards at every meet they attended. They turned their tortured, battered and wrecked V-6 Alpine into this years first-in-class for Personalized Alpines AND the most prestigious award of all, the peoples popular vote for the car they would most like to own, the "Most Desirable" Sunbeam. The overall quality of vehicles in the "Most Desirable" category is reflected in the quantity of vehicles that were selected for this award. Twenty six were identified and seven were within three points of this years winners. Soooooo many super vehicles!! 

At the other end of the concours spectrum is the Diamond-In-The-Rough class. The intrepid Dave Reina and Donna deserve recognition for driving and showing  (Donna doing most of the driving) their award winning Diamond-In-The-Rough Talbot 1400 + miles round trip.   

A first for a TEAE United and the marque is the judged "Premiere Rootes" category. This category is intended to set a higher standard of excellence by recognizing those vehicles who have won first in class at any national (United/SUNI) event in the past three years.

Results of the Judging and Popular vote are fellows.

This was the first year an Alpine received the "Most Desirable Vehicle" award I believe, since the since first three TEAE's Uniteds which were also won by an Alpines owned by Rich Choice and Ernie McCormick.

Send an SASE to Tiger Tom if you would like your Judging Sheet returned. 

 Next year. The United will be held in the area where the Civil war was WON.  Better study up and defend your American Rootes history.