LORD OF THE MANOR
ALL-BRITISH CAR DAY in the POCONOS
Aug. 14, 2004

By Kim de Bourbon

It was a fun day at Pocono Manor when the Keystone Region MG Club hosted the “Lord of the Manor” All-British Car Day on Aug. 14.  The show was held in conjunction with the Austin-Healey Sports & Touring Club’s “Encounter 2004” convention.

Fifty-one British cars pulled into Pocono Manor for the show, a great turnout considering the threatening weather reports between the effects of hurricanes Bonnie and Charley.  The weather actually turned out great, and not a drop of rain fell on the show. But because the driving range where we had planned to stage the show had been drenched with 5 inches of rain the day before, the show had to be moved to the clubhouse parking lot, where both the Healey show and the Lord of the Manor show were held.

The Lord of the Manor show was a “non-traditional” event, with judging by a bewigged-and-robed trio, who looked over the cars in the field and designated winners in five special categories along the “Lord of the Manor” theme.  (Three members of the MG Car Club, Long Island Centre volunteered for the humiliation: George Carrasquillo, David Deutsch and Alan Patraka.) Participants also had a chance to vote for their favorite cars, but it was a “Peasants’ Choice Competition of Colors,” with voting by color, not by marque or model of car.

George Carrasquillo, David Deutsch and Alan Patraka

Charles and Kim de Bourbon headed up the event, with a lot of day-of-show help from Dennis Silance and Dale Guth, who parked cars, Terry Allen, who sold 50-50 tickets, Mike and Myra Jones, who tallied the votes, Margie Edinger, who helped sell regalia in the registration tent, and of course Robert Van Syckle, who worked the show playing tunes and making announcements.

Judge’s awards:

“Ye Working Wench”  – 1973 Mini, Terry Allen, Kintnersville, Pa. The judges made this award to the car showing most evidence of day-to-day driving.

“Ye Serf-Made Wagon” – 1961 Triumph Italia 2000, Dave Hutchison, Quakertown, Pa. This award went to a special conveyance that best shows off its owner’s personality.

“Ye Prettiest Handmaiden” – 1959 MGA 1500, Ray and Jan Scafard, Lords Valley, Pa. This award went to a pampered princess, kept pure and true.

“Ye Knight in Shining Armor” – 1969 Austin America, Anthony Mai, Teaneck, N.J. This award went to a stalwart steed, showing signs of being driven regularly, but nicely kept.

“Ye Lord of the Manor” – 1949 MG TC, Jim and Shirley Mink, Cresco, Pa. The judges presented this award to the most noble car on the field.

Peasants’ Choice “Competition of Colors” awards:

Favorite red car: 1961 Triumph Italia 2000, Dave Hutchison, Quakertown, Pa.
Favorite white car: 1948 Jaguar Mark IV, Herbert and Jeff Sechler, Whitehall, Pa.
Favorite green car: 1968 MGC-GT, Mark Palmer, Bethlehem, Pa.
Favorite yellow or orange car: 1970 MGB, Dale Guth, Alburtis, Pa.
Favorite blue or purple car: TIE: 1969 Triumph, Angelo Liberto, Flemington, N.J., and lilac 1972 MGB-GT, Marty Tully, Thompson, Pa.
Favorite black car: 1949 MG TC, Jim and Shirley Mink, Cresco, Pa.
Favorite car of another color: 1958 MG ZB Varitone Magnette, Jeffrey Rose, Spring City, Pa.

Photo descriptions:

01 - 51 cars took part in the "Lord of the Manor" show
02 - A nice variety of cars at Pocono Manor
03 - 1980 MGB features "intravenous" Viagra bottle on hood
04 - Judges cast their eyes over the competitors
05 - 1961 Triumph Italia: "Ye Serf Wagon" and "Favorite Red"
06 - 1948 Jaguar Mark IV: Peasants Choice - Favorite White
07 - 1968 MGC-GT: Peasants' Choice - Favorite Green
08 - 1958 MGZB Varitone Magnette: Favorite Other Color
09 - 1949 MGTC: "Lord of the Manor" and "Favorite Black"

The Keystone Region MG Club, Inc., is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is a non-profit organization run solely by volunteers to promote interest in and help foster the preservation of MGs and other British motor cars.

© 2005 Keystone Region MG Club, all rights reserved