Richard Fritz

The British Car Club of Midlands Centre is a vibrant community of car enthusiasts who celebrate the rich heritage of British automotive engineering and design every chance they get. The BCCMC serves as a platform for these enthusiasts to share their passion to preserve the legacy of these remarkable vehicles while fostering a community that appreciates the artistry and engineering behind British motoring history.

tartan dressed man

The BCCMC members resolutely gather every year in early spring to put their cars on display at the Carolina British Classics Car Show in Cayce, SC at the historic Columbia Speedway.  This year’s event was their 17th annual show held in conjunction with the Tartan Day South Festival.

bag pipers on field

My compliments and gratitude goes to the BCCMC organizers who make the Carolina British Classics one of the best British Car events in the south.  In partnering with the Tartan Day South Festival, it is a perfect way to experience the Tartan Games and intermingle with like-minded people to celebrate all things British.  It makes for a great day of conversation, cordiality, and fun for everyone. 

The 17th BCCMC Carolina British Classics turned out an exciting array of cars which included Aston Martins, Austin Healeys, Jaguars, Loti, MG A’s, B’s, and C’s, Minis, Land Rovers, Sunbeams, Triumphs, and a few British Motorcycles.  Each had distinct attributes to set one marque apart from another, and every car had its own story to tell.

show field

TEAE Sunbeams from several states come to the Carolina British Classic Show each year to put on a show within the Show.  Ever since I’ve been attending this event, Sunbeams dominated the field with two dozen or more cars often surpassing the number of chromed and rubber bumpered MGBs present. 

This year, the TEAE Sunbeam organizers, Todd Smith and Eric Gibeaut, secured a new class called ‘Modified Alpines’ besides the original Alpine and Tiger classes.  Seven Alpines occupied the Modified Class, accounting for almost half of the Alpines present, four had V6 engines, one V8 engine, and two non-Rootes engines.  In total, there were 15 Alpines, 12 Tigers, and 1 Harrington. Six Alpines had fins which accounted for 40% of the Alpines present, an interesting observation.

Show field of Rootes cars
Show field of Rootes cars
tiger

Tigers are always a favorite at any show and twelve Tigers were lined up to mark this day. There were six ’65 Tigers, four ’66 Tigers and two ’67 Tigers ranging from race car equipped to stock presentations with a few very desirable personalized models in between.  Many people are amazed to see 8-cylinders stuffed between two fenders.  I enjoy listening to a husband, or significant other telling his wife, or significant other about the car.  It’s always curious to hear what mis-information is passed between them, but this is where a Sunbeam owner can politely step in to acquaint both people with the real story behind the car’s design and allure.

TEAE Members and Sunbeam enthusiasts started off this car show year in the Carolinas with a terrific turn out of Sunbeams. We enjoyed watching the Friday arrivals at Wyndham Hotel in Lexington for our pre-show get together. Saturday’s TEAE show tent served as a  welcomed place to get out of the sun, relax, refresh, and chat with friends, old and new.

Sunbeam owners, and TEAE International received a well-deserved note of thanks and appreciation from the BCCMC President for their consistent support and presence at the Carolina British Classic Shows as he announced the winners in the Sunbeam classes.

Sunbeam Tigers

1st Place:  Dan Shane
’66 Tiger – Charlotte, NC
2nd Place:  Bill Flammer
  ’65 Tiger – Savannah, GA
3rd Place:  Joel Martin
’66 Tiger – West End, NC

Sunbeam Alpines

1st Place:  Richard Fritz
’63 Alpine GT – Summerville, SC
2nd Place:  Loretta Miller
  ’63 Alpine – Durham, NC
3rd Place: Steve Smith
‘67 Alpine – Waxhaw, NC
Richard Fritz, Loretta Miller and Steve Smith

Modified Alpines / Rare Rootes

1st Place: Bob Bissett
‘67 Alpine V8 – Black Mountain, NC
2nd Place: Bob Sharkey
  ’67 Alpine V6 – Bedford, VA
3rd Place:  Doug Miller
’63 Alpine GT – Durham, NC
David Hall
 ’62 Harrington LeMans – Charlotte, NC

Long Distance Award: 350 miles (X2) from Waldo, Fl

Shannon Boal’s ’63 Alpine
Debra Boal’s ’67 Alpine

Following the Show, about 30 Sunbeam people went to dinner at the Flight Deck Restaurant in Lexington, an eatery that’s stood for 30 years as a tribute to the brave hearts of those who have served our Country, and continue to serve with pride and honor.  

Todd and Kim Smith
Bill Bulpitt, Kerch and Joe McConlogue
John and Lorraine Miller, Steve Kirk, Doug Miller
Jean Webb and sister Sharon, Bonnie and Eric Gibeaut, Bonnie’s sister Peggy and husband Rick
John and Lila Farley, Bob Bissett
Patricia Tocco, Joel Martin, and Bob Duquette (a Triumph guy)

The BCCMC is one of several British Car Clubs I belong to; I partake in all their annual car shows when I can, but making time and preparation for the Carolina British Classic is something I do without reservation.  It’s this show that draws Sunbeams out of the woodlands and demonstrates what TEAE Regional Representatives can do with dedication, perseverance, and partnering with local British Clubs to share the work effort and defray expenses.  It’s something I’d like to see more TEAE members do to show their love of Sunbeams, and to promote the Marque as well as TEAE’s prospects for the future.

My thanks goes to the BCCMC organizers, and the TEAE Regional Representatives from the Carolinas and Metro Atlanta who promoted the Carolina British Classic Show to make it one of the best British Car events in the south.  See you again on March 28th next year.  Mark your calendar now.