MGB GT prior to 1998 Eaglesham Fair
The MG Year - 1998

For our first year, we have attended quite a few events, and not only in Scotland. Most have been with other members of the Ayrshire MGOC, however, trips to Wales and Cumbria were also undertaken. Even on holiday in Ontario, we managed to find a Car Show to visit.
Saturday 16 May 1998

We showed it for the first time at the 1998 Eaglesham Fair. The title picture above shows that car just before it was driven to the display area (less than a mile away). The weather was fantastic that day. Sunburn was suffered by the unprotected.


Sunday 19 July 1998

Unfortunately at our next show on - the 17th Ayrshire Vintage Tractor & Machinery Club Rally - the weather could only be described as a torrential downpour. It was Glasgow Fair Weekend after all! Pictured right is the rain drenched, misted up BGT. The contents of the car remained firmly packed, and by mid-afternoon we left after several vehicles had got stuck.

MGB GT at 17th Ayrshire Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club Rally

MGB GT at 1998 Culzean Classic Vehicle Show Sunday 2 August 1998

The remainder of July 1998 and early August 1998 was wet, windy and very autumnal. However the sun stayed out all day for the Culzean Classic Vehicle Show (sponsored by the RAC and The National Trust for Scotland). Dark clouds passed by, but did not spoil the day. On the left you can see Sarah relaxing, next to the car with a very(!!) shiny bumper. Like Eaglesham, there was a risk of sunburn, however a breeze off the sea ensured that jumpers occaisionally had to be resorted to.

Sunday 16 August 1998

We took part in the Llandudno and district MGOC 5th Snowdon Run. This entailed a 300 mile drive from Scotland to North Wales. We had not travelled the furthest to get there since there were entrants from Belgium and The Netherlands.

Starting at Llandudno, the route followed west side of the Conwy Valley to Trefiw before heading over to the A5 and through Bethesda to the Little Chef at Bangor for the coffee stop.

MGB GT on the promenade at Llandudno
@ Plas Newydd
It was then through Pentir to Llanberis, where the route round the north and east of Snowdon took us over Llanberis Pass and on to Beddgellert. The route turned north-west and took us through Beddgellert Forest, Rhyd Ddu and Waunfaur before avoiding Caernarfon to reach Y Fenihelli.
The Britannia Bridge was used to cross the Menai Straits into Anglesey and reach the destination of Plas Newydd. Although it was dry when we arrived at Plas Newydd, there was a brief shower whilst we were there and many of the Roadster owners who had left their soft tops down decided to put them up.

We could not leave Anglesey without visiting the small village with the long name...

Llanfairpwllgwyngllgogerychwyndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch!
MGB GT at Llanfairpwllgwyngllgogerychwyndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
Since this was our summer visit to North Wales which included volunteering on the Ffestiniog Railway we could not resist taking some pictures of the car next to FR sights. Where better than Penrhyn station next to two of the Double Fairlie Locomotives. The two in service on 18th August 1998 were Earl of Merionydd, built in 1979, and David Lloyd George, built in 1992. The third double fairlie, Merddin Emrys (1888) was withdrawn from service in 1997 for major boiler work and rebuild.
MGB GT and Earl of Merionydd at Penrhyn
MGB GT at Penrhyn
MGB GT and David Lloyd George at Penrhyn

MGB GT at Scone Palace Sunday 13 September 1998

This show saw a conflict of interests. Whilst Stewart went to the Strathaven Choral Society Family Music Afternoon in Hamilton, Sarah went to the Scottish Vintage Tractor and Engine Club - Farming Yesteryear event at Scone Palace. Although dry during the day, heavy rain the night before resulted in soft ground conditions.

Sunday 20 September 1998

The 6th Veteran, Vintage & Classic Vechicle Show in Selkirk was sponsored by the Scottish Borders Council. The weather held up and there was a good turn out of cars from the Ayrshire MGOC. The rendezvous was Happendon services between junctions 11 and 12 on the M74, before travelling in convoy through the Scottish Borders to Selkirk.

Ayrshire MGOC cars (including friends) at Happendon Ayrshire MGOC display at Selkirk

Sunday 27 September 1998
Canadian Classics at Welland
Our Annual holiday took us to the Niagara region of Canada. We managed to take in 18th Annual Last Chance Car Show and Camp Out in Welland. Unfortunately there were not any MGs present, but we thoroughly enjoyed show.

Sunday 18 October 1998

The MGCC Cumbria Naviscat had its start/finish at the Wheatsheaf Inn at Brigham, near Cockermouth. Seven teams completed the course, comprising of answering questions at up to 20 locations nearby. Locating the site of the questions was by Grid Reference. After a 125 mile drive to get there, we were third overall and took first prize for being the MG with the greatest points score.
MGB GT, driver and navigator at the end of MGCC Cumbria Naviscat

MGs assembling at Keswisk Sunday 6 December 1998

Following the MGCC Cumbria Naviscat, we entered the MGCC Cumbria Christmas Cracker. Starting in Keswick, the route took the 40 plus cars around a fifty mile route around the northern Lake District to Braithwaite. The frosty weather made the route difficult with ice on some of the roads being used, including the ford that had to be traversed. There were many prizes for the best dressed car and various quizzes. Keeping up our previous participation in a MGCC Cumbria event, we won a prize for the highest score in the Christmas questions.


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