I attended the Kansas City British Car & Cycle show Sunday (I missed
Saturday's events). Despite the threatening weather, there were quite a few
cars there. I also got a chance to meet SOLers Mike Burdick (and see his
beautiful Spitfire Mk3) and Shawn Moe.
Lots of beautifully restored, exotic cars. There were very few "diamonds in
the rough", unlike the St. Louis show, where we tend to see cars in all states
of repair.
What stands out in my mind:
The usual gaggle of Spit 1500s and TR6s. A BEAUTIFUL TR4 and a couple of very
nice TR250s. Lots of nice TR3s, including one smallmouth. No TR2s, Only two or
three roundtail Spits (including Mike's), three GT6s - a Mk1, a Mk2 (mine) and
a Mk3. Met lots of VERY interested GT6 owners and potential owners.
Gorgeous Loti on hand. Three Sevens, including two Caterhams and one original
Lotus, 1961. Two Europa Specials. One older Elan (they sure looked modern for
'60s cars) and one new (89) Esprit.
This was Land Rover heaven! There were about 10 Land Rovers there. One of them
really got my attention. I now know that I MUST have one. If anyone knows the
whereabouts of a 109 4-door station wagon, please let me know!
The guest country was Germany, and the one that really caught my eye was an
early-60s Messerschmidt. This is a little 3-wheeler with a 300cc motorcycle
engine. The two passengers sit in tandem. The whole top of the car is a clear
bubble. The little booger can do 70 mph and get 60 mpg! This one was
immaculate, and sounded really smooth when it drove away. It looked like the
product of an aircraft company, with an aluminum body riveted together. The
bubble canopy looked airplanish, too.
Fun show! We only got rained on twice. I was disappointed in the swap meet
stuff. Nothing that interested me. From the looks of those cars, I presume
most of the KC British car folks buy their stuff new...
This Saturday is the St. Louis show. I'm looking forward to that (and I'll
look for a Land Rover, too.)
Larry
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