Club events to date

Ken · 22nd October 2006, 11:46

The Inaugural Club Meet - Gaydon : 8th January 2006

Now we know over a hundred people registered to attend, but how many cars did you think would actually be there? An outdoor event, in the cold, the wind, the early Sunday morning, some people quite local, many from some distance, and three from Europe. All to reunite their models with each other, Cowley and Longbridge alike. A few perhaps? Maybe even half?

As far as the eye can see ...

Well, we counted them all and the total was outstanding. 100 Rover 75 and MG ZT models blew in to Gaydon for the first ever meeting of the club. That says a huge amount of the people who own these cars, their dedication to a club in its infancy and their enjoyment of meeting fellow owners. Brilliant.

Even though the day was to start at 11:00am the cars were coming in two hours earlier, and there was a steady convoy that appeared over the brow of the access road to park up in the area reserved for the club by the Motor Heritage Trust. As people got and wandered round so pleasantries were exchanged, laughs punctured the air and doors, bonnets and boots opened to show the trims and engines in the vast array of models that were arriving. Have you ever seen a V8? How about fifteen, most in a group, all sitting menacingly? How about a Trophy yellow ZT-T? Rare, no? We had three there. And perhaps the rarest of the bunch, a 75 V8 Tourer. For sale too if anyone was interested. There were a lot of people working out loan rates on that car park ...........

A couple of noteworthy arrivals caused everyone to stop and stare. First perhaps was Luciano Luppi, confirmed Anglophile and the proud owner of a beautiful black ZT-T, arrived after a 1,000 mile trip from his home in Genoa. Not far behind was Jan Glazemakers from Gent in Belgium in his facelift 75, and a star turn for a rather wonderful two-tone saloon as it gracefully joined the ranks.

As the gathering steadily grew large, Mike disappeared inside with Luciano for an important appointment; the club had been invited onto the Les Ross morning radio show on BBC's Radio WM to talk about the meeting, the cars and of course, Luciano's sprint across Europe to join us. As more people walked around the various models now parked up the interview boomed out across the cordoned-off area, Mike explaining about the club and encouraging listeners to come along.

Whilst it was fun to hear a ZT 260 Tourer's throttle being blipped in the car park, soon it was time to head inside. A hot drink and a sit down in the Conference Room to hear Mike McCabe welcome everyone and let us know about the rest of the day. Only two really important points; a group photo of everyone round two very special cars, and the winners of the best R75 and MG ZT present were to be announced straight after the pics had been taken. In good spirits and humour everyone present listened, chuckled, and asked questions, before a couple of questions wrapped up the short session. Well, not quite, as Juergen Schonfeld, representing the European club r75.info, came forward and presented Mike with one of their club badges and a commemorative certificate congratulating the club on it's first event. Remember, before the 75 & ZT club there was an active band of enthusiasts already touring around Northern Europe and meeting up with their versions. A wonderful touch from you guys, and thanks.

Juergen Schonfeld congratulates Mike McCabe on the first event for the club.

Time to have a wander. If you've never been to the museum then it's well worth a visit. Some superb displays of cars of our past, with a MG B GT cut in half for you to walk between the two pieces, or the turbine Rovers of over 40 years ago, or perhaps the concept cars like the mouth watering MG EX-E. But of course the two stars were the first and last 75 models built, positioned side by side especially for us by the Trust staff. With everyone crowded round them photos were taken to mark the event.

The day was flying past by now, and the results of the competitions were announced. Keith Adams had gone round the cars, ignored the bribes and made two excellent choices. First, the best 75. This went to a car that simply stood out on account of its two-tone blue over silver coachwork. Next up, the hotly contested ZT competion, which eventually was awarded to one of the three Yellow MG ZT-Ts. One final, special prize though; to Luciano for his intrepid 1,000 mile journey just to join in the fun and say hello. Richly deserved and wonderful to meet a fellow enthusiast from Italy.

The winners of the first club competitions.

So, with the day coming towards a close, members wandered around and looked at the cars grouped outside, got another hot drink and walked around to say farewell to everyone else who had come along. Farewells exchanged and more ideas given to the club on future events and web stuff. A long day, but what huge fun, and roll on summer for the next meeting!

Say hi to the Club!

Our thanks to the British Motor Heritage Museum for their help and facilities. Images supplied by club members who retain individual copyright.

22nd October 2006, 11:46	#1
Ken Busy doing nothing! . Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hampshire Posts: 6,373 Thanks: 33 Thanked 44 Times in 16 Posts	Club events to date *The Inaugural Club Meet - Gaydon : 8th January 2006* Now we know over a hundred people registered to attend, but how many cars did you think would actually be there? An outdoor event, in the cold, the wind, the early Sunday morning, some people quite local, many from some distance, and three from Europe. All to reunite their models with each other, Cowley and Longbridge alike. A few perhaps? Maybe even half? As far as the eye can see ... Well, we counted them all and the total was outstanding. 100 Rover 75 and MG ZT models blew in to Gaydon for the first ever meeting of the club. That says a huge amount of the people who own these cars, their dedication to a club in its infancy and their enjoyment of meeting fellow owners. Brilliant. Even though the day was to start at 11:00am the cars were coming in two hours earlier, and there was a steady convoy that appeared over the brow of the access road to park up in the area reserved for the club by the Motor Heritage Trust. As people got and wandered round so pleasantries were exchanged, laughs punctured the air and doors, bonnets and boots opened to show the trims and engines in the vast array of models that were arriving. Have you ever seen a V8? How about fifteen, most in a group, all sitting menacingly? How about a Trophy yellow ZT-T? Rare, no? We had three there. And perhaps the rarest of the bunch, a 75 V8 Tourer. For sale too if anyone was interested. There were a lot of people working out loan rates on that car park ........... A couple of noteworthy arrivals caused everyone to stop and stare. First perhaps was Luciano Luppi, confirmed Anglophile and the proud owner of a beautiful black ZT-T, arrived after a 1,000 mile trip from his home in Genoa. Not far behind was Jan Glazemakers from Gent in Belgium in his facelift 75, and a star turn for a rather wonderful two-tone saloon as it gracefully joined the ranks. As the gathering steadily grew large, Mike disappeared inside with Luciano for an important appointment; the club had been invited onto the Les Ross morning radio show on BBC's Radio WM to talk about the meeting, the cars and of course, Luciano's sprint across Europe to join us. As more people walked around the various models now parked up the interview boomed out across the cordoned-off area, Mike explaining about the club and encouraging listeners to come along. Whilst it was fun to hear a ZT 260 Tourer's throttle being blipped in the car park, soon it was time to head inside. A hot drink and a sit down in the Conference Room to hear Mike McCabe welcome everyone and let us know about the rest of the day. Only two really important points; a group photo of everyone round two very special cars, and the winners of the best R75 and MG ZT present were to be announced straight after the pics had been taken. In good spirits and humour everyone present listened, chuckled, and asked questions, before a couple of questions wrapped up the short session. Well, not quite, as Juergen Schonfeld, representing the European club r75.info, came forward and presented Mike with one of their club badges and a commemorative certificate congratulating the club on it's first event. Remember, before the 75 & ZT club there was an active band of enthusiasts already touring around Northern Europe and meeting up with their versions. A wonderful touch from you guys, and thanks. Juergen Schonfeld congratulates Mike McCabe on the first event for the club. Time to have a wander. If you've never been to the museum then it's well worth a visit. Some superb displays of cars of our past, with a MG B GT cut in half for you to walk between the two pieces, or the turbine Rovers of over 40 years ago, or perhaps the concept cars like the mouth watering MG EX-E. But of course the two stars were the first and last 75 models built, positioned side by side especially for us by the Trust staff. With everyone crowded round them photos were taken to mark the event. The day was flying past by now, and the results of the competitions were announced. Keith Adams had gone round the cars, ignored the bribes and made two excellent choices. First, the best 75. This went to a car that simply stood out on account of its two-tone blue over silver coachwork. Next up, the hotly contested ZT competion, which eventually was awarded to one of the three Yellow MG ZT-Ts. One final, special prize though; to Luciano for his intrepid 1,000 mile journey just to join in the fun and say hello. Richly deserved and wonderful to meet a fellow enthusiast from Italy. The winners of the first club competitions. So, with the day coming towards a close, members wandered around and looked at the cars grouped outside, got another hot drink and walked around to say farewell to everyone else who had come along. Farewells exchanged and more ideas given to the club on future events and web stuff. A long day, but what huge fun, and roll on summer for the next meeting! Say hi to the Club! Our thanks to the British Motor Heritage Museum for their help and facilities. Images supplied by club members who retain individual copyright. Last edited by Simondi; 7th September 2015 at 22:58..