By Dean Sprague
When spring arrives and the frost is off the pumpkin the gray skies open to the sun, which instigates the warming of the earth forcing winter’s weather to surrender its icy grip. This signals that it’s time to dig our LBCs out of the garage, doff the tops, put on some sun block and hit the road. Car events await!
I am sure that most car clubs have a regular schedule of events that include many of the same shows they sponsor or attend every year. The secret is to find ways to spice them up. One such event that I have attended for the last several years is the Carolina British Classic Car Show in Columbia, South Carolina because it includes free admission to Tartan Day South. Tartan Day is a Scottish based event that includes games, exhibitions, bagpipe competitions and of course great food. The car show is an added extra. I like this show not only because I see classic auto entries that don’t come to shows farther north in our stomping ground but the addition of the tartan events make for a wonderful day. This year was no exception but there was something that made this weekend even more special.
Friend and fellow club member, Frank Mullins had just relocated to Aiken, SC where he acquired an old estate known as “Pine Knoll”. It was designed in the late 1920’s and built in 1930 for Mr. CC Royal. He was a large landowner and timber man based out of Aiken, SC. He also owned Kiawah Island off the coast of South Carolina and used it for his private hunting grounds. Today of course the island is comprised of lavish resorts. The estate was his primary residence and was considered part of a very exclusive area in Aiken known as “Winter Colony”.
The designer for Pine Knoll was William (Willis) Irving (1890-1950). He was a very well known and respected architect. He designed or remodeled many of the famous homes throughout South Carolina and Georgia. His reputation was built on designs that displayed the influences of Classicism and Mediterranean Revival. In 1929 he won the AIA (Southern Division) “residence of the year” award for a house he designed in Aiken for Robert McCormick, then publisher for the Chicago Tribune. Throughout Mr. Irvin’s architectural career he created some of the best Colonial Revival designs of his period. Several of his buildings are listed in the National Register for Architectural Significance. For example, in Aiken, SC he designed four large estates: Idylwood (1923), Green Boundary and Whitehall (1928), and Frank’s house, Pine Knoll (1930). Today Idylwood and Pine Knoll are both on the National Register of Historic Places.
Frank invited everyone (space permitting) from our club to spend the night at Pine Knoll and then we would all travel up to Columbia together for the event. Several of us responded. David Poe and John Adamson took David’s white MGA, David Ault drove his Bug Eye Sprite and my son Jason and I went in our MGTD. We arrived at Frank’s late Friday afternoon with limited mishap. Frank along with his girlfriend Becky and her son Patrick were there to greet us. I had fouled a plug in route but Frank took me to a nearby AutoZone where a new set of NGKs resolved the problem. Mean while young Patrick immediately fell in love with the cute little Bug Eye so David took him for a joy ride.
I assumed we would probably all go out to eat but to my surprise Frank and Becky had prepared a feast beginning with hors d’ oeuvres, liquid libation and tours of the estate that included the selection of our rooms (we all had several choices). After some great conversation and relaxation we retired to the main dining room. We were served the main course which included 2-3” thick Filet Mignons you could have eaten with a fork, fresh corn on the cob, twice baked potatoes that melted in your mouth, a wonderful salad and endless flowing glasses of wine. Post main course we were served a delicious warm apple cobbler/pie thing for dessert. After more great conversation and liquids we hit the sack. We awoke in the morning to fresh Danish, muffins and lots of hot coffee. I think I could put up with this on an ongoing basis!
About 9ish we all headed for the show in Columbia. Frank and Patrick led the caravan in his XKE, Becky in Frank’s TR6, followed by the rest of us. About 10:15 we arrived, signed in and parked our cars in their respective areas. Then we walked around looking at all the other cars and talking with lots of other British car owners. I met a gentleman with an Aston Martin Vantage coupe. After some discussion he let me sit in it, I found it fit me perfectly; I may have found my next car but how can I afford it? Maybe I can find a way-maybe not but its fun to dream.
Then we walked over to the Highland games. We watched birds of prey perform for the crowd. We heard the bagpipe competitions. We watched the games including tossing of the caber, hammer throw and other things I am sure couldn’t even lift let alone toss. While we stopped for lunch we sat and watched the Scottish dancers perform, I will end this by just saying it was a fabulous day.
Then just when I thought it couldn’t get any better it was awards time. David’s Bug Eye took 1st in class, his “other brother” David Poe took 2nd with his MGA, Becky won 3rd with Frank’s TR6, Frank won 2nd in the XKE and I even won 2nd in the T series class. As the Brits say, “It was a brilliant ending to a brilliant 2 day trip where everyone won in many ways!”
We all thank you again Frank, Becky and Patrick for your hospitality and friendship. That was for me the best part.
