Stowe 2007 - A Swimingly Great Time*
WARNING - Some photos may be shocking for those with weak lug-nut-studs!!!
This year's event saw many firsts:
- Rick Meade and son Derek showed up in their 1950 4A. Rick won 3rd place in the Singer classification! Well done. Rick's car has been in the family since 1960 when his father purchased it for $35.
- Kenlis Pearce's 54 4AD arrived UNDER ITS OWN POWER. Kenlis "rolled out" his 4AD at Ottawa this year and this was its first "powered" showing.
- Gene Abbondelo's recent acquisition (1935 Le Mans 4 Seater) was also there making for three pre-war cars. Soon we may see a separate class for them!
- Dave & Liz Craig arrived in their 1959 Gazelle. Dave just could not be Singerless for long, and it was great to see them both again at Stowe... in the correct class!
- Robert Moreau DROVE his 1948 "A" from Terrebonne to Stowe. A 4+ hour drive on a car unveiled just 2 days prior. Now that takes... confidence. Robert's first show with his Roadster was rewarded with the Concours D'Elegance's People's Choice award!
From a numbers perspective, we equaled Stowe from 2005 as well as Mad Dogs & Englishmen this year. The numbers are great and combine that with the fact that more and more members too are participating even without their cars. This just shows that Singer Spirit runs high.
The Boys in White were also there in force! Robert, Kenlis, Grahame, Phillip and myself braved the wet (and muddy) weather and sported our now infamous costumes on a rainy Saturday show day.
Sunday saw Kenlis and Grahame leave rather early for home so it was left to Robert, Phillip and me. Peter brought his too for the awards presentation where his 1934 Sports took first place again this year.
The Ballam Run was canceled due to the, well, technical problems that popped up on Friday. Just to quench any concerns, everyone is ok and all cars made it home (or to their trailers) under their own power.
Ed started things off by loosing a rear wheel not 1/2 a mile from the Golden Eagle. He was just about to turn onto Mountain Road and POP. Gene Abbondelo was following behind in his tow rig and was able to keep traffic at bay until the police arrived. Lucky for Ed (lucky??) a local British Car Restorer was near by and quickly called for a jack. He was also a part-time police officer in Stowe and had a unit sent to assist. Grahame Pearce was also first on the scene and quickly passed the word on to those gathered for the run with a "Singer Down" code call. The response was quick and 4 of us piled in my van with trailer attached. We arrived to see Ed and his 3-wheeled Roadster still in place. Traffic was stopped to allow me to get my trailer into position and with a floor jack (as well as a few people lifting and winching) were able to get Ed's car on the trailer and back to Singer Central HQ. All four wheel studs had sheered off the axle! Let this be a lesson to be sure that your lug nuts are tightened! Ed was able to get back home for that night to collect a replacement half-shaft (with studs) and it was replaced before the show started on Saturday.
With the run delayed until 2008, some members went to the show field for registration. While there, Gene's car had fuel trouble. There is no need to specify which "Gene" since both the Abbondelo and Mulder cars were down. Gene A's Le Mans was suffering from what seemed to be a major problem with vapour lock. Some tweaking and relocating the pump solved this. Gene M was also having fuel problems, but it was his pump that stopped working. After an attempt to clear the line he accidentally swallowed some fuel (who amongst us has not done this before!) Another was fetched and the car back on the road. Gene M is fine, but did have to run through a volley of "Fuel Consumption" pokes.
While on the subject of fuel... Robert Moreau was unable to start his car on Sunday. After an extensive search for the problem it was determined that a lack of fuel in the tank was the trouble. With wheels falling off, fuel & fuel pump issues as well as weak or boiled out batteries... you can see that the Singer Boys Pit Crew was indeed busy.
The Ballams also returned with another entry to the Tailgate Picnic. Their theme this year was a drive in movie where the feature was "Werewolves in London" Their 4AD was dressed out with various drive-in paraphernalia and drive-in ware (no pun here) of popcorn and take-out chinese food. Ed, Anne and Jonathan were also suitably dressed as Were-people who were out on a family night out that went... well hairy! thge judges could not pass this one by and they were awarded with the "Most Outrageous" picnic.
Our club display (1930's Brooklands Pit) certainly grabbed much attention from those attending the show as well as the British Invasion organizers who awarded us with this year's Club Participation Award! We were even approached by a video crew, as well as reporters from Practical Classics (or Classical Sports Cars or something like that) and Hemmings! The Boys in White were more than willing to pose and provide commentary. The Mini group at the show also set up a club display on the Friday. A "Merry-go-Round" theme with cars arranged around a music and light system. Very clever! Unfortunately they did or could not display their works on the Saturday or Sunday. Next year's display is already in the planning stages: A Singer Dealership! Everyone can be involved in this one since along with the "new" models, the dealership can feature "used" cars as well (you know, trade-ins and alike). All are welcome to participate and if Stowe is in your plans, please let us know so that we can draw up a plan for the display and get the cooperation of the British Invasion organizers. They have been very receptive to us and we are sure that they will cooperate.
So thank you to all who attended and made this a memorable event... in more ways than one. Thank you too to all who took the time to help with the set-up and take-down of the display.
Paul Bouchard
During a break in the rain we snapped a quick shot of the members at hand...
Lori Sellor and dad Ivan came down for the day. A great opportunity to check out some details for Lori's restoration project.
Ellen Norton sharing a joke with Lynn & Gene Mulder (or was it Lynn sharing a joke... I do not remember) while Rick and Derek Meade check out the Brooklands info board. Meanwhile a Hemmings reporter chats with Phillip Avis and Ed Ballam. Good thing that everyone had on their "Pit Passes" to gain admittance and get out of the rain.
Pim Visser takes a close look at the engine on Kenlis' 4AD
The Brooklands Pit and pre-war Singers.
A fine collection of Roadster models from "A"s to 4A and 4ADs.
Weather a duck would love.
This year's event saw many firsts:
- Rick Meade and son Derek showed up in their 1950 4A. Rick won 3rd place in the Singer classification! Well done. Rick's car has been in the family since 1960 when his father purchased it for $35.
- Kenlis Pearce's 54 4AD arrived UNDER ITS OWN POWER. Kenlis "rolled out" his 4AD at Ottawa this year and this was its first "powered" showing.
- Gene Abbondelo's recent acquisition (1935 Le Mans 4 Seater) was also there making for three pre-war cars. Soon we may see a separate class for them!
- Dave & Liz Craig arrived in their 1959 Gazelle. Dave just could not be Singerless for long, and it was great to see them both again at Stowe... in the correct class!
- Robert Moreau DROVE his 1948 "A" from Terrebonne to Stowe. A 4+ hour drive on a car unveiled just 2 days prior. Now that takes... confidence. Robert's first show with his Roadster was rewarded with the Concours D'Elegance's People's Choice award!
From a numbers perspective, we equaled Stowe from 2005 as well as Mad Dogs & Englishmen this year. The numbers are great and combine that with the fact that more and more members too are participating even without their cars. This just shows that Singer Spirit runs high.
The Boys in White were also there in force! Robert, Kenlis, Grahame, Phillip and myself braved the wet (and muddy) weather and sported our now infamous costumes on a rainy Saturday show day.
(The above photo is not a commentary on the vendors... only the water)
Sunday saw Kenlis and Grahame leave rather early for home so it was left to Robert, Phillip and me. Peter brought his too for the awards presentation where his 1934 Sports took first place again this year.
The Ballam Run was canceled due to the, well, technical problems that popped up on Friday. Just to quench any concerns, everyone is ok and all cars made it home (or to their trailers) under their own power.
Ed started things off by loosing a rear wheel not 1/2 a mile from the Golden Eagle. He was just about to turn onto Mountain Road and POP. Gene Abbondelo was following behind in his tow rig and was able to keep traffic at bay until the police arrived. Lucky for Ed (lucky??) a local British Car Restorer was near by and quickly called for a jack. He was also a part-time police officer in Stowe and had a unit sent to assist. Grahame Pearce was also first on the scene and quickly passed the word on to those gathered for the run with a "Singer Down" code call. The response was quick and 4 of us piled in my van with trailer attached. We arrived to see Ed and his 3-wheeled Roadster still in place. Traffic was stopped to allow me to get my trailer into position and with a floor jack (as well as a few people lifting and winching) were able to get Ed's car on the trailer and back to Singer Central HQ. All four wheel studs had sheered off the axle! Let this be a lesson to be sure that your lug nuts are tightened! Ed was able to get back home for that night to collect a replacement half-shaft (with studs) and it was replaced before the show started on Saturday.
With the run delayed until 2008, some members went to the show field for registration. While there, Gene's car had fuel trouble. There is no need to specify which "Gene" since both the Abbondelo and Mulder cars were down. Gene A's Le Mans was suffering from what seemed to be a major problem with vapour lock. Some tweaking and relocating the pump solved this. Gene M was also having fuel problems, but it was his pump that stopped working. After an attempt to clear the line he accidentally swallowed some fuel (who amongst us has not done this before!) Another was fetched and the car back on the road. Gene M is fine, but did have to run through a volley of "Fuel Consumption" pokes.
While on the subject of fuel... Robert Moreau was unable to start his car on Sunday. After an extensive search for the problem it was determined that a lack of fuel in the tank was the trouble. With wheels falling off, fuel & fuel pump issues as well as weak or boiled out batteries... you can see that the Singer Boys Pit Crew was indeed busy.
The Ballams also returned with another entry to the Tailgate Picnic. Their theme this year was a drive in movie where the feature was "Werewolves in London" Their 4AD was dressed out with various drive-in paraphernalia and drive-in ware (no pun here) of popcorn and take-out chinese food. Ed, Anne and Jonathan were also suitably dressed as Were-people who were out on a family night out that went... well hairy! thge judges could not pass this one by and they were awarded with the "Most Outrageous" picnic.
Our club display (1930's Brooklands Pit) certainly grabbed much attention from those attending the show as well as the British Invasion organizers who awarded us with this year's Club Participation Award! We were even approached by a video crew, as well as reporters from Practical Classics (or Classical Sports Cars or something like that) and Hemmings! The Boys in White were more than willing to pose and provide commentary. The Mini group at the show also set up a club display on the Friday. A "Merry-go-Round" theme with cars arranged around a music and light system. Very clever! Unfortunately they did or could not display their works on the Saturday or Sunday. Next year's display is already in the planning stages: A Singer Dealership! Everyone can be involved in this one since along with the "new" models, the dealership can feature "used" cars as well (you know, trade-ins and alike). All are welcome to participate and if Stowe is in your plans, please let us know so that we can draw up a plan for the display and get the cooperation of the British Invasion organizers. They have been very receptive to us and we are sure that they will cooperate.
So thank you to all who attended and made this a memorable event... in more ways than one. Thank you too to all who took the time to help with the set-up and take-down of the display.
Paul Bouchard
Here are some more photos from the show.
During a break in the rain we snapped a quick shot of the members at hand...
Lori Sellor and dad Ivan came down for the day. A great opportunity to check out some details for Lori's restoration project.
Ellen Norton sharing a joke with Lynn & Gene Mulder (or was it Lynn sharing a joke... I do not remember) while Rick and Derek Meade check out the Brooklands info board. Meanwhile a Hemmings reporter chats with Phillip Avis and Ed Ballam. Good thing that everyone had on their "Pit Passes" to gain admittance and get out of the rain.
Pim Visser takes a close look at the engine on Kenlis' 4AD
The Brooklands Pit and pre-war Singers.
A fine collection of Roadster models from "A"s to 4A and 4ADs.
Weather a duck would love.
posted by Singer Enthusiast @ 10:31 AM
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