Mills River – On Saturday, September 25, the British Car Club of Western North Carolina is holding its Autumn in the Mountains Show— the 21st annual British and European Automobile and Motorcycle show— at the Mills River Brewing Company at 336 Banner Farm Road. It is a club fund raising event that benefits Meals on Wheels. Who can’t appreciate the styling and ride found in a British or European car, no matter the make, model or vintage? Even if you are not a car aficionado and aware of the idiosyncrasies many foreign cars have, you can enjoy the styling and elegance of these classic cars. They make a statement about you and your lifestyle. You just ,“love them so are willing to pay the exorbitant repair bill.”
More cars are registered this year for the show than ever before, 157 so far. There will be music, raffles prizes, a food service from JuJu’s Craft Cookery truck and later in the day Class Award ceremonies given, including Best in Show. Of course the Mills River Brewery is next to the field where the cars are parked, serving their craft beer options and cocktails. Most of the cars are from the late 40’s through the late 70’s, plus some newer Jaguars and Porsches. In addition you will probably find Austin, Austin Healey, DeLorean, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lotus, MG, McLaren, Morgan, Morris, Porsche, Sunbeam, Mini Cooper and Triumph automobiles as well as a handful of motorcyles. A few will undoubtedly be for sale. Many owners live in this area, but others are coming from Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and the eastern part of North Carolina to exhibit their cars.This array of classy automobiles will undoubtedly dazzle your imagination, asking you to drive them through the mountains of Western North Carolina as the leaves are turning their lovely fall colors (colours).
60th Anniversary of the E-Type Jaguar
This year is the 60th Anniversary of the E-type Jaguar (or XKE as it is known here). Jaquar Classic is creating six matched pairs of E-type Cars to celebrate the iconic sports car’s 60th anniversary in 2021: the E-type 60 collection. Each pair of E-type 60 Edition cars pay tribute to two of the oldest and most famous Jaguar E-type sports cars: ‘9600 HP’ and ‘77 RW’, which played pivotal roles in the unveiling of the car at its world debut in Geneva, Switzerland in March 1961. Each E-type 60 Collection pair will include one Flat Out Grey ‘9600 HP’ coupe and one Drop Everything Green ‘77 RW’ roadster, with unique paint formulations exclusively reserved for these cars. Each E-type 60 Edition will feature a number of 60th anniversary commemorative design details created in conjunction with Jaguar Design Director Julian Thomson.
Synonymous with the revolutionary zeitgeist of the Swinging Sixties, E-type sports cars were owned by celebrities including Steve McQueen, Brigitte Bardot, Frank Sinatra, George Harrison, Tony Curtis and Britt Ekland. And, thanks to the beauty of its sculptural forms, its functionality and impact on design, an E-type became only the third car to join The Museum of Modern Art’s design collection in 1996.
“The Jaguar E-type is a genuine icon, as sensational today as the moment it was unveiled in 1961. It is a testament to the E-type’s advanced design and engineering that it can still be enjoyed and admired as passionately almost 60 years on,” said Dan Pink, Director of Jaguar Classic. “The E-type 60 Collection is a lasting tribute for E-type admirers, honoring the car’s legacy and the achievements of the team that created it – many of whom have descendants working for Jaguar Classic today, expertly restoring, maintaining and future-proofing enjoyment for generations to come.” For more information on the full range of cars, services, parts and experiences offered by Jaguar Classic, visit: www.jaguar.com/classic or they can be followed on Instagram.
The British Car Club of Western North Carolina
According to David Wood, Chairman of the Autumn in the Mountains Show, “There should be more than 22 E-type Jaguars at the Show on Saturday. Production of the E-type Jaguar stopped in 1974. They will be featured at this Show with special awards for the 3 Series (Series 1, Series 1.5 / 2, Series 3) of the car. We have created a handout that explains the differences.”
It is hard to believe, but some of the cars exhibited are probably valued at close to $200,000.
The British Car Club of Western North Carolina was formed in 1994 and has activities throughout the year for their members, which is open to anyone with an interest in British cars. You don’t have to own a British car to be a member and are welcome at their monthly meetings, picnics or other gatherings. There are currently about 160 households and over 260 members. Pre-lockdown Covid, the club had monthly drives through the mountains on back roads, lasting several hours. One of the favorites takes about 4 hours, driving from east of Fletcher to Lake Lure and back, never driving on Interstate 26 or 40.
The “Autumn in the Mountains” annual British & European Automobile & Motorcycle Show is taking place on Saturday, September 25, 9:00 am-3:30 pm, at Mills River Brewing Co. (336 Banner Farm Road, Mills River). It is free for spectators. For more information, go to https://www.bccwnc.org/autumn-in-the-mountains-car-show/.