An Autumn Day At The Autumn Classic

Vol 9 No 3

The autumn weather proved its presence on October 21, 2007 as the Cypress MG Club found its way to San Juan Batista at Bill Meade 's annual British car gathering. There were perhaps 150 cars this year because all of the side streets were filled with entrants as well as the main street.

Our MGs gathered at the traditional location at El Estero Park about 8:00 AM. Had a couple of cancellations at the last minute but we still had  four cars going. Included in the new lineup was new member Ken Stewart and his 9 year old daughter Maya driving his 1969 MGB Roadster. Ken lives in Carmel Valley . Faithful Jackie Dombroski was there with her sparkling MGA and another new member Mike Goldberg and his wife Michelle in their MGB Midget. The Goldbergs live in Pacific Grove .

A little after 8:00 we were on the road. Out highway 68 everyone was bundled up to ward off the cold wind. Up Davis road to the San Juan Grade highway and away we went off onto that narrow road that leads over the hill to San Juan Batista. We were humming along feeling every bump. It seems like that road is getting bumper as time goes along.

The Obbinks were in the lead with Ken Stewart second, Goldbergs third and Jackie in as back door. As we managed around the curves, we kept looking and no one was following us. We pulled off and waited a while to see if they would catch up. Finally we decided to turn around to see what had happened. There was Mike Goldberg off the side of the road with steam pouring out from under the hood. Mike had recently had some major work done on the car  including a new head gasket. Since there was plenty of fluid in the radiator the assumption was a blown head gasket. Fortunately we had not gotten into the hills far enough to lose cell phone contact. "Hello, is this AAA"? was his call. Once we were certain they had telephone contact we wished them well and headed into San Juan . When we arrived home we contacted Mike and he made it home OK thanks to AAA and his car will be back in the shop tomorrow. Ah but for the thrills of owning an MG car!

Once in town we met up with the O'Connors, Bob Strand and a couple friends of his. Saw club member Joe Marcott and wife inspecting all the cars along with a number of friends from other clubs. We gathered for our annual lunch at Jardines. It was actually very warm in San Juan Batista. Sun screen was the order of the day. This is a great outing and the drive is just under 100 miles.

Other member, Mike and Rayanna Bramblett split their time between here and St. Louis Missouri . While here Mike locks himself in the garage and works on the restoration of a 1954 MGTF. It has been down to the frame and being worked back up. Mike thinks he is about a month or so from completion so it looks like he is going to have a present from himself presented by himself under the tree this year.

Speaking of Christmas Windom and Eleanor Estes have invited the club to their house for  a bit of Christmas cheer. We don't have the exact date as yet but it will be early in the month of December. Will let you know as soon as the Estes return from the east coast at the end of October.