2011-08-19 BRITS IN THE PARK – JP

Photos

Brits in the Puddles Third annual British car show a huge success, despite rain The umbrellas and rain jackets only added to the colour on Queen Street in Port Perry August 7th for the second annual Brits on the Lake Classic Motor Show.

Despite torrential rain, flooded intersections, and slippery sidewalks, car enthusiasts lined the street and avenue with almost 200 cars. (Most of the 202

entries attended despite the weather.) “Every car has a story,” said Bob DeShane, organizer of the show, and owner of

the Little Britain Motor Company, pointing in particular to a refurbished WW 2 ambulance from Malta.

The show drew a wide variety of enthusiasts, those interested in cars, and others interested in British nostalgia – many sporting umbrellas with the Union Jack or “I

Love Britain” logos.

Dushane gestured to the crowd, still braving fairly heavy mid afternoon rain. “Some are in their 80s and 90s; others are just young,” he said. “You find it runs

in families.” He looked at the crowd again, as the rain picked up for the umpteenth time. “The fact that there are still as many cars on the street as there

are despite four-and-a-half hours of rain speaks to the fact that people are keen. If this was a North American hot-rod show, the street would be empty,” he said with a proud grin.

Deshane predicts with the television interest this year, as well as the interest by

two different film companies, 2012 could bring more than 300 vehicles, and a number of other changes including more events to make it a weekend affair.

Sodden shorts and sloppy sandals didn’t dampen the spirits of the hundreds who attended. People like Blaine Young and Doug Dillon who came in from the GTA

dressed as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – a quarter century in the future.

“We just wanted to add to the spirit of the day,” Young said, with no hint of shame, even with the five o’clock shadow on “Kate’s” face.

Near the registration desk, Fred Wood of Newcastle lovingly polished his 1950 MG TD. The man who brought it back to life was there too. Les Guy of Lindsay

made no apologies for taking two decades to put the final touches on the masterpiece.

“I said I’d fix it up for him,” Guy said. “I didn’t think I’d get it this good!” After he

retired in 1994, Guy set about finishing the project. “I said I’d better get this thing done before I die,” he laughed.

Winners in the many different categories are listed at http://www.britsonthelake.com/PeoplesChoiceAwardsList_ppyy%20(3).pdf .