FT. MYERS., Fla. — On April 24th, the BCCSWF met for a Club Breakfast at Keke’s Breakfast Café on Daniels Pkwy. in Ft. Myers. Attendees included Cecil Carter and Isabel Monuz, Chris and Mary Jane Cosden, John and Carolyn Iwasiw, and new members John and Chris Baum.

Cecil and Isabel arrived in their all original Mark II right-hand-drive Jaguar. The Cosdens drove their magnificently red MG TD. The Iwasiws, I’m sorry to say, didn’t arrive in either the MGB or the MGA, due to “mechanical issues.” The Baums, who recently moved to Ft. Myers from Rochester, N.Y., drove their MGB.

The conversation was interesting and totally enjoyable. This is a time to get to know your fellow club members a bit better.

Both the food and service were great, especially the waffles with fresh fruit and the eggs Benedict. I’d recommend Keke’s anytime.

If you’ve not attended a Breakfast with the club, join us next time.

The meeting, on April 13th, was called to order by Vice-President Cecil Carter.

New members Charlie and Mary Cox were recognized, who have a 2016 Aston Martin. Also present was Gary Bower, who has a 1974 Jaguar XKE.

The Secretary’s report is on the web and also in British Marque. The Treasurer, Larry McCartt, gave his report.

Past events

Twelve members of the club attended Breakfast at Keke’s in Cape Coral, Fla. on March 27th. The restaurant was very accommodating to the group. There were several classic British cars in the parking lot and some good camaraderie after we enjoyed our breakfast.

The next Breakfast will be held at the Keke’s in South Ft. Myers on Daniels Pkwy. on April 24th (still in the future at the time of the meeting). The Secretary will send out an e-mail for members to RSVP if they wish to attend.

The club celebrated birthdays for the two members with April birthdays who were present.

Future events

Ed Olson proposed a trip to the Labelle Brewery, with lunch afterward.

Also coming up:

The 2021 JCNA International Jaguar Festival, October 20th through 24th at the Sanibel Harbor Resort & Spa, 17260 Harbor Point Dr., Ft. Myers, Fla.

The Safety Harbor Car Show, sponsored by the Tampa Bay Austin-Healey Car Club, October 23rd.

Cecil Carter is checking with the organizers to see if the Arcadia Memorial Day event honoring fallen British Pilots in the Oak Ridge Cemetery will be held.

The meeting adjourned. —Ken Taylor

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — One of the most anticipated events of the season, the 9th Annual B.I.G. European Sports & Collector Car Show, took place on March 7th at Rotary Park in Cape Coral.

Park visitors and show exhibitors had the opportunity to view 163 participating cars on the field. This year’s event was hosted by the Porsche Club of America-Everglades Region.

Rotary Park was a new park for the Show. The previous five years of the Show were held in Jaycee in Cape Coral. Having a new location required different traffic patterns and additional show resources, but we were able to get everyone in place for the Show to begin.

As in past years the cars were displayed across a wide area of the park separated into areas for British, Italian, and German (B.I.G.) cars and further into classes by model. The largest section was the German area, as they had the most cars on the show field.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, March 9th, was called to order by President Mary Newman at 6:30 p.m.

New members John and Chris Baum, Harry Hartwell and Wil Diaz were recognized.

The Secretary report is on the website. The Treasurer sent his to the President for the meeting.

Past events

A few members attended breakfast at the 41 Diner. The Engelharts and Cynthia Mahoney said they enjoyed their meal.

Bill and Mary Newman attended the Cape Coral Charity Car Show at Sun Splash Park on February 27th. It was a very hot day and there was very little shade. We did not stay for the awards.

Bill and Mary, along with Cecil Carter, Ed O’Neal, John Orr, John Pokorny, Peter Sales and Dennis McKinley, attended the BIG (British, Italian and German) Show at Rotary Park in Cape Coral on March 7th. It was a change in location and it was a great site. There was a lot of room and shade. The Show had 173 in attendance. Winners were announced at the end for each class within the groups.

Ken Taylor participated in a race at Sebring on March 14th. He ran his Miata instead of his British car.

Upcoming events (as of the meeting date)

The club will have a breakfast run to KeKe’s in Cape Coral on March 27th. Ed Olson is organizing a run to a blueberry farm in Alva, followed by lunch, on March 28th.

The President and British Marque editor for our club news asked members to submit articles.

The membership decided to postpone the annual Picnic until fall, by which time more members should be vaccinated against COVID.

The President stated the memorial for deceased member Cy Ling will be later.

The meeting then adjourned. —Bill Newman, Secretary

NAPLES, Fla. — Fifteen British cars participated in “Cars-on-Fifth” in Naples, one of the premier car events held in Southwest Florida, on Saturday, February 6th.

The event, which is sponsored by the Ferrari Club of Naples, showcases more than 600 cars along Naples’ Fifth Avenue. The British Car Club of Southwest Florida is one of the supporting organizations. Proceeds from the event are donated to St. Matthews House, an agency that provides services to indigent individuals throughout Southwest Florida. This year’s Cars-on-Fifth, and related activities, raised approximately $500,000.

The day was perfect for displaying the cars. Temperatures were in the low 80s and the skies were overcast.

The British cars gathered early in the morning in a nearby shopping plaza and at 7:15 a.m. caravanned to Fifth Avenue. There were no causalities along the way and by 8 a.m. all cars were in place.

There was a good mix of British marques that included Aston Martin, Jaguar, MG, Triumph, and Lotus. Brad Rosengarter’s 1962 Daimler SP250 was recognized as the Best in Show British Car.

Even with the pandemic precautions in place, by 10 a.m. Fifth Avenue was crowded with spectators who appreciated all of the cars, especially the British cars. A local band, multiple vendors, and several hospitality hosts added to the festive atmosphere.

In keeping with tradition, at 3:45 p.m. all cars were started and the police-escorted exit parade began. The drivers proudly took their places among the cars and slowly exited Fifth Avenue, once again enabling all to admire the uniqueness of British cars.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of one of our members, Cy Ling.

In the last British Marque we highlighted some excerpts from his book Odyssey: One Man’s Life With Cars. His wife Marcia assisted him with the book.

Cy was a member of the British Car Club of Southwest Florida for many years and in the past held the office of President. He also was a member of several other car clubs, including the Porsche Club of America, Bentley Drivers Club, and Rolls-Royce Owners Club amongst others.

His book covered 90 cars and 27 different makes. Twelve cars were British — representing the Triumph, MG, Jaguar and Bentley marques.

He will missed at our meetings and events. —Mary Newman

The meeting was called to order on Tuesday, February 9th, by President Mary Newman at 6:30 p.m.

New members Steve Goldberg, Edward Aiello and Jim Pase were acknowledged.

The Treasurer sent his report, which stated we had 35 members as of February 8th.

Past events

Several members attended the breakfast at the House of Omelets in Cape Coral on January 30th.

Ed O’Neil led a luncheon run to Babcock Ranch on January 23rd. Several members attended and had lunch at the Gator Shack on the property.

Secretary Bill stated there will be vintage races at Sebring Raceway February 13-14. Bill and Mary will be spectating on the 14th.

Vice President Cecil Carter discussed the Cars-on-Fifth show (see accompanying article). He stated there were 10 or 11 British Cars at the event.

Future events (as of the meeting date)

Several car shows were discussed: the B.I.G. (British, Italian, German) Show, to be held on March 7th the Collier Transportation Show, on February 26th the Knights of Columbus Show in Naples, on March 20th and “Wheels Across the Pond” in Jupiter on April 3rd.

[Wheels Across the Pond has been cancelled. —Exec. Ed.]

The club discussed the yearly Picnic and will see if we can reserve the Park for April 17th.

The next Club Breakfast will be held at the Old 41 Restaurant on February 27th. An e-mail will be sent to the current members.

President Mary requested articles for British Marque. She also requested members to sponsor events.

The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m. —Bill Newman, Secretary

[Contrib. Ed. note: The following are excerpts from a book written by one of our long-time members and past officer of the British Car Club of Southwest Florida. If you are interested in learning more, he can be reached at ccling28@gmail.com. —BN]

As a reader might expect, a pursuit of cars and the chronicle of the journey, which I have titled Odyssey: One Man’s Life with Cars, have not been isolated events.

My first steps on this path were sponsored by my parents’ support of my first car — a 1954 Triumph TR2.

From that point on, relatives, friends, neighbors, and fellow car club members have all provided advice, experiences, and guidance that have enriched and encouraged my efforts.

Growing up in Detroit had its benefits, too!

In the book’s Acknowledgments, I offer special thanks to my cousin Don, a GM dealer, members of the Porsche Club of America, Chicago Region, those members whom I’ve met at 18 annual Porsche Parades, and members of the British Car Club of Southwest Florida.

My wife, Marcia, is due gratitude for her preparation of the manuscript and all of the computer work organizing data — on 90 cars!

I have been truly blessed to have had the opportunity to experience the work of so many designers, engineers and auto employees, and to associate with “car nuts” from the U.S. and abroad.

The Table of Contents gives an overview of what the book covers:

• Cars owned 1958-2020: make, model, year, color, body type, engine type

• Commentary on individual cars

• Evaluation of major characteristics: handling, comfort, speed, construction, reliability, styling, what was surprising, what was disappointing, favorites, keepers

• My model collection (1:18 scale)

• Art and photos by the author

• Automobile club affiliations, current and previous, and finally,

• Retrospective

And the opinions, impressions and conclusions I share in the book are mine and cannot be blamed on anyone else!

The British Car Club of Southwest Florida will again run its member point system. The system is designed to stimulate participation of all club members in more activities, and in a variety of activities, by receiving “points” for participating. At the end of the calendar year, the three club members with highest point totals will be recognized.

The activities and points awarded for each activity are: attend a monthly meeting (2 points) drive your British car to a monthly meeting (2 points) wear your name tag at a club meeting or activity (1 point) write an article for British Marque (25 points) participate in a club activity (3 points) lead a club activity (5 points) attend the club Saturday breakfast (2 points) drive your British car to the club Saturday breakfast (2 points) recruit a new member (3 points).

Members may record their points at each club meeting through November. The Club Vice President will maintain the records and will announce the winners at the 2021 Holiday Party in December. —Cecil Carter

FT. MYERS, Fla., Jan. 12 — The meeting was called to order by President Mary Newman.

There were no visitors or guests.

Secretary Bill Newman stated the minutes of the previous meetings are on the website.

The Treasurer had recent eye surgery, but sent his report to the President. There were 30 member renewals as of this meeting.

The President asked for articles for the British Marque. She stated they could be a “My Car”-type article with a picture.

Past events — Bill and Mary Newman attended an HSR event at Sebring in December.

Upcoming events (as of the meeting date) — The SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) is having a race, including Vintage, February 13-14. Some BCCSWF members will be racing and attending.

There will not be a Celtic Festival in Ft. Myers this year.

“Cars on Fifth” will be happening February 6th in Naples.

The BIG (British, Italian, German) Show will be held on March 7th at Jaycee Park in Cape Coral, Fla. Masks will be required when walking around.

The “Wheels Across the Pond” car show will be held April 3rd in Jupiter, Fla.

The Knights of Columbus Car Show is on March 20th, in Naples, Fla.

The next club breakfast will be January 30th at the House of Omelets in Cape Coral.

The meeting adjourned.

[Wheels Across the Pond has been cancelled. —Exec. Ed.]