British Car Day at Bronte Park- with Burlington's Alan Harrington getting behind the wheel of a Morgan.

eventspink 100x100By Staff

September 18, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Something in the order of 1000 British motor cars covered the grassy fields at Bronte Provincial Park today as the Toronto Triumph Club hosted their 33rd annual British Car Day.

mg-red

This MG was an 80 year old model – running like a charm.

Millions of pounds of machinery from a low-end 1950 Morris Series MM to “the Rolls Royce of cars”, the Rolls Royce. And more if price is no object.

There Jaguars (or Jag-u-ars depending upon your pronunciation), Triumph, Lotus, Sunbeam, MG and Land Rovers.

morgan-front-end-three-wheeler

The close-up photo of the engine that drives the Morgan Three wheeler.

morna-3-wheel-with-ah-in-seat

Alan Harrington got behind the wheel of the Morgan Three Wheeler.

The oldest car was a 1933 Morgan 3 wheeler painted a very light sky-blue.

The owner has had the car for 50 years.  It seats two but the passenger on the left has to help with left/right hand signals.

yellow-ford

Fords Yellow 1994 TVR Griffith 500

Getting in and out of this “no-door” three wheeler is a minor task even for a yoga master.
There were Marcos, Bentley, Hillman, Daimler, BMW’s and Fords Yellow 1994 TVR Griffith 500 (lic UK)

At the back of the field are a dozen DeLoreans lined up gull-wing to gull-wing. DMC was the star of the Back to the Future film and one was decked out with the flux capacitor. DeLoreans were made in Northern Ireland that allows them to join all the other British made vehicles.

rolls-royce-with-food

The Rolls Royce with a table in the rear Harrington was quite taken with the Grey Poupon mustard.

land-rover

The trusty Land Rover that really didn’t need the Union Jack to show its British pedigree.

Alan Harrington, who is a regular at this annual event, managed to get himself behind the wheel of the Morgan; getting out was apparently a bit of a challenge.

Cars on display with anniversary years included MG TA Midget and Triumph Vitesse (80 years)  the RED one in the photo  and Morris Minor 1000 (60 years), cream coloured in the background of the photo with the gentleman with fancy hosiery.

delorean-used-in-movie

The DeLorean was used in the Back to the Future film and one was decked out with the flux capacitor.

Comment from a reader: “Land Rover that didn’t need the British flag…” was really a second world war Willys MB made in Toledo, Ohio. The Land Rover and the Austin Gypsy were England’s answer to the Willys Jeep, which was the original. The role it played in defending England from Nazi tyranny is apparently good enough to allow it into this all-British event, and I enjoy seeing them displayed. Incidentally, the Land Rover display was the largest I have ever seen and also very enjoyable.

The music played during the event was was all 60’s British Invasion music; the treat for the nose was the faint whiff of incomplete gasoline combustion.

Food was available for the other senses.

All the photographs were taken by Harrington, except for the one of him in the Morgan – that was taken by Dave smith, the owner of the vehicle.

Back to the Future film and one was decked out with the flux

The show is an annual event – takes place the third Sunday of September –  website  –
https://www.torontotriumph.com/BCD/

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2 comments to British Car Day at Bronte Park- with Burlington’s Alan Harrington getting behind the wheel of a Morgan.

  • Gary McCourt

    I liked your article and agree that it was a great day! The “trusty Land Rover that didn’t need the British flag…” was really a second world war Willys MB made in Toledo, Ohio. The Land Rover and the Austin Gypsy were England’s answer to the Willys Jeep, which was the original. The role it played in defending England from Nazi tyranny is apparently good enough to allow it into this all-British event, and I enjoy seeing them displayed. Incidentally, the Land Rover display was the largest I have ever seen and also very enjoyable.

    Editors note:
    We will correct the story – thank you for the help.

  • Mark Gillies

    Great article Alan. I was also there with my rare 1980 MGB LE. This was probably the best British Car Day ever, not to mention, it is also the largest British Car display in North America. British Car Day at Bronte Provincial Park is one of the greatest automotive historical annual events in Canada, sponsored by the Toronto Triumph Club. If you missed British Car Day this year, make sure you go next year. This event is absolutely fantastic!