You Missed it! It wasn't an April Fools Joke

SPARKFORD, Nr YEOVIL, SOMERSET

Mist and damp heralded the start of the day, much as the weather forecast predicted. But better times were to come as we headed north-east up the A30 towards our pick-up point at Victoria. Three MGs and a Jeep (plastered in MG stickers) set off from the Fox & Hounds on what was to be a very pleasant drive, once the weather cleared, towards Yeovil. We picked up three more MGs at the allotted time 'en route' and our little convoy made good time reaching the Cornwall/Devon border in approx 3/4 hour. Exeter Services beckoned and the rest stop was made in under two hours.

Running on LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), my Jeep needs regular refueling and the next waypoint on our route was to be Junction 25 on the M5, which also happens to have a petrol station which supplies Autogas. So leaving the MG convoy at Exeter Services, we motored up the M5 to Taunton to refuel. Perfect timing, as we returned to Junction 25 the convoy was exiting the motorway and we slotted in behind as 'Tail-end Charlie'. We arrived at the Motor Museum at 12.15pm to a car park full of MGs. What a wonderful sight. I understand that the management requested that the overflow car park be opened as the turnout of MGs was so overwhelming, they were worried other visitors in 'ordinary cars' would think that it was a closed meeting and turn away. Unfortunately, by the time they realised how successful the turnout was, most of the drivers were already in the museum, and the MGs remained filling the main car park. Soon the overflow car park was filled also.

Once inside the museum, you are confronted by the 'Red Room', filled with numerous makes of cars all liveried in red. An awesome sight, and one which will remain long in the memory. Further 'Rooms' invite the unsuspecting car enthusiast to the exotic delights within. The XJ220, SLK Compressor, De Lorean, Esprit, Elise etc, etc. Wonderful sights. Oh to have been able to sit in them, but that's pure fantasy. And then, the Cadillac and Dusenburg, Al Capone must have appeared insignificant compared to the size of those vehicles, magnificent. Model T Ford, a solitary Cord, ugly and yet inspiring and then the cars from childhood days, well mine at least, Austin Somerset - how many hours were spent in the back of that car as father drove us to the summer holidays in Weymouth. Hillman and on to the inimitable Mini, the car most people had as their first car and finally to the 1967 MGB in Old English White. Even my wife had to look at the number plate to reassure herself that it wasn't my old car RJW 200 F, I wonder if it is still on the road? And yet I was still drawn back to the 'Red Room', and in particular, to the MG TF in the far corner. Sitting next to the 'Frogeye' Sprite and the MG Midget. 

Oh for the better weather and I can get my own MG TF out of its winter storage and back on the road. The Jeep is great to drive - but it's not an MG and I miss her terribly.

What a brilliant day out. Wonderful cars, smashing company, and the chance to meet up with friends we haven't seen since last year. We must do it more often! We will do it more often!

If you missed this adventure, then why not join us for the next outing. All information on Club events is available at the monthly Social Night or on this website.