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WHEELS OF THE WEEK

Show attracts unique cars, from taxi to Rolls

By Skip Peterson
For Wheels

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Visitors to the Second Street Public Market last Saturday were greeted by 70 British cars, all participants in the fourth annual British Car Meet at the Market. The event is presented by the British Museum of Transportation in cooperation with the Second Street Public Market and Five Rivers MetroParks.

Amid the usual MGs, Triumphs, Austin-Healeys and Jaguars, a number of unique and rare British cars made the trip to downtown Dayton. Ernie Streifthau brought out his 1950 MG YT tourer, a four-seater convertible that is right-hand drive. "It's one of only 140 that still exist in the world. It wasn't real popular when it was built, but it's a great little car to cruise the countryside in," he said.

Daytonian Robert Potts brought out his 1957 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, and Bill Snelling of Middletown made the northbound drive in his 1959 Beardmore English taxi.

The two-tone red and black car is right-hand drive, and next to the driver on the left is the compartment for luggage.

Awards were presented in 21 classes, and the Best of Show award went to Steve Emerson with his rebodied 1962 Triumph TR 4.

"It's a Fiberfab body, last produced in the '70s. It replicates the look of a 1960 LeMans prototype Triumph racecar. I just finished the car, and this is the first time it's been out on the road, or to a show." he said.

Emerson owns Sporty Car Garage in Springfield, and did all of the work on the car at the shop. The chassis and running gear are from a Triumph

TR 4, and the engine has had some performance modifications.

The British Museum of Transportation is a 501c3 educational organization, whose goal is to educate the public about British automobiles. Located in Wilmington, the museum currently owns 11 unique British automobiles and has two more on loan for display.

Dick Smith, the founder of the museum and chairman of the car show, said, "We don't have regular hours of operation, but we are holding an open house on Saturday, July 21, and if anyone wants to tour the museum, just call (937) 434-1750 and we'll make arrangements for a tour."