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Mad Dogs & Englishmen British Car Faire

A Country Drive to the Gilmore Car Museum on Sunday, July 10, 2005

By Jack Valentine

All photos by Patti Valentine unless otherwise noted

Peter Pleitner has a great philosophy about classic cars ― drive them! Sure, it’s wonderful to see great old cars in museums or car shows, but nothing beats getting behind the wheel of one on a beautiful day and taking off through the countryside. That’s why Peter issued an open invitation to join him on Sunday, July 10^th for a drive out to the Gilmore Car Museum’s annual Mad Dogs and Englishmen British Car Faire. My wife, Patti, and I joined him at the Lighthouse Café in Dexter at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast along with seven other stalwarts.

Our seven cars waiting while we ate breakfast in Dexter ― Can you spot the non-British interloper?
Photo by Peter Pleitner

We had four open cars and three coupes. Here’s our line-up parked in Dexter (from the far left) ― Erin Lindsay Garzaniti's 1963 289 Cobra (the real thing), Bill Black's 1960 MGA, Peter Pleitner's 1965 E-Type Coupe, my 1967 MGB GT, Dean Mericas’ 1965 TR4, Conrad Zumhagen’s 1966 Sunbeam Tiger, and Bill Milliken’s 1967 Ferrari 330GT 2+2. Dean’s co-pilot was John Russell. Conrad’s cockpit mate was a young lady from Japan, who is studying in this country. She is very fond of classic cars, particularly American muscle cars. She was in a perfect vehicle for a British car show ― an English roadster with American muscle under the hood.

Bill's 1960 MGA (above) and Peter with his 1965 E-Type Coupe (right).

Erin Lindsay and Brittany Garzaniti (left) were also along in Erin's gorgeous 1963 289 Cobra. She bought it in 1999, spent a year having it restored, and after displaying it at LA's Petersen Car Museum, brought it back here and drives it regularly.

Here's something you don't see every day (above) ― a Ferrari through the rear window of an MGB!

It was a warm, beautiful, day and perfect for a cruise on the
back roads through the Michigan countryside.

Dean, Peter, and John discussing the route during a fuel stop. Dean and John led the pack and did a great job navigating...	...with only a few 180 degree course corrections.
On arrival, they gave our convoy a special parking spot behind the Hudson barn.	Peter, Erin, and Conrad decided to exhibit their cars.
Erin's Cobra received a Blue Ribbon! Photo by Peter Pleitner	I admired the restoration of this 120, but it doesn't have to be red to draw attention because the lines are so classic.
We though that Peter got "Lucassed" ― people who own British cars understand the verb tense. However, his after-market cooling fan motor decided not to work as we were arriving at the show. By leaving the bonnet unlatched (allowing a one-inch open gap with the safety catch), the Jaguar had no overheating problems on the spirited drive home with the Cobra and the Tiger.	We decided to leave a little early with Dean, John, and Bill in a smaller convoy for the drive home. It was a great day and the first time that Patti had gone on one of these expeditions with me. Judging from the terrific time that we had, I don't think it will be her last!