First British Car Days a smashing success
By BETSY CAMPBELL
Automotive Marketing Editor

Intermittent clouds, threatening rain and soggy grass couldn't keep British car owners away from the British Motoring Club's first British Car Days held Saturday, April 20 at Lafre-niere Park in Metairie.

The show featured 128 British cars and two motorcycles. And even though sunshine was fleeting and rain often threatened, a large crowd of spectators came out to enjoy the cars and British atmosphere.

Among the highlights of the show were a 1984 Aston-Martin Lagonda (the kind of car James Bond drives in the movies), an Austin-Healy Sprite MKl (called a "bug-eye" thanks to its protruding headlights), and a crowd of the elegant old M.G. T-series models with their flowing, racy lines. In addition to the row of classic M.G.B. models pictured here, there was a good showing of other M.G. models, Austin-Hea-leys, Triumphs, Lotus' and even two Rolls Royces.

The owner and car that traveled the farthest to the show was Steve Olsen in his M.G. Midget who came 966 miles from North Kansas City, Mo. Several other clubs came from outlying areas including Memphis, Tenn.; Pensacola, Fla. and several cities in Mississippi.

British Car Days benefited the Lafreniere Park Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps fund park activities. Roger Gibson, president of the British Motoring Club, said the foundation will receive $1000 after the club pays expenses associated with the show. He is pleased with the first show's success and expects next year's event to surpass it. "The club is plan-ning several years in advance for future British Motoring Days," said Gibson. "We hope each year will get bigger and better."

A long row of MGB models was one of the largest categories at British Car Days. (From left to right) A robin's egg blue '77, royal blue '76, bright yellow '79 and blue '79.