Wrightsville Beach Park will be filled with a colorful mix of more than 100 antique European automobiles Saturday, Sept. 26 as the British Motor Club of the Cape Fear hosts the 17th annual Brits at the Beach car show.
Event chairman and British Motor Club member Eric Robinson expects hundreds of spectators to stop by between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Many of the models on display belong to club members, but car enthusiasts from out of town also travel to the beach to take part.
“They’ll put their car in a trailer and bring them up, rather than driving them,” Robinson said. “A lot of them are old and they can’t drive all that well.”
The show typically draws British makes like Austin Healey, Jaguar, MG, Mini Cooper and Rolls Royce, but Robinson said there are always a few surprise entries.
One year, someone brought a 1932 Singer.
“It’s a tiny little car, but it’s not a sports car. It was made for a family to travel around in,” Robinson said. “Whether he’s going to turn up this year or not, I don’t know.”
He also recalled an appearance by a rare 1952 Bentley Corniche.
“[The owner’s] father bought it in 1952 and he inherited it,” Robinson said. “There weren’t too many of them made and it’s worth a lot of money.”
While a few of the car enthusiasts inherit their antique automobiles, more often they “buy them because they need a new toy,” Robinson admitted, laughing. Many of them have mechanic skills, so purchasing and restoring old cars ranges from a hobby to a passion.
“A bunch of these guys rebuild cars and have workshops,” Robinson said. “They’ll do all sorts of maintenance.”
Robinson’s interest in British cars represents more than just a hobby developed over time — they were an essential part of his childhood. He grew up in Coventry, the birthplace of England’s automobile manufacturing industry, and his father and uncles worked in the factories.
“I grew up with the Jaguar factory opposite my elementary school,” he said. “I have it in my blood.”
Robinson and other car owners will be standing near their models during the show, ready to share automobile stories and knowledge with those passing by. Spectators are invited to vote for their favorite car in each of 26 categories.
“And if you can persuade the guy who owns the car to let you sit in it and have your picture taken, that’s fine too,” Robinson added.
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