Gallery of Past Club Events
Drive to Lunch • Fredericksburg
May 12, 2007
The 2007 Mid-Atlantic Chapter driving season officially got underway on Saturday, May 12 with a "Drive to Lunch" to the Classic Car Center in Fredericksburg. Using the home of Bill & Karen Marshall in Manassas as our starting point, the group consisted of Liz Ten Eyck, who chose to exercise her 1956 1500 this trip, Bill & Karen Marshall, Butch & Judy Smith and Amy Rothberg, traveling with friend Bobbie as our technical navigator. As this armada prepared to set sail towards Fredericksburg we were given a hearty bon voyage by Ken Lawrence, who showed up to support the cause but without his MGA, pleading a lack of time for not having his annual spring maintenance completed in time for the drive.
? The overcast skies and warm weather made for a great drive over the back roads of Prince William, Fauquier and Stafford counties as we headed for our destination on the far side of Fredericksburg. With only three miles to go, our trip became a bit more challenging when we found ourselves sitting in traffic at the notorious intersection of Route 1 and Route 17. It was graduation day at Mary Washington University and those attending the ceremonies cared not a bit about our plans to reach the Classic Car Center in time for lunch.
Slowly we crept forward and slowly our temperature gauges crept higher. Anyone who has ever owned an MGA knows the feeling. Chatting away, enjoying the drive but always with an eye on the gauge. How far to push it? How hot is too hot? Finally, experience prevailed and Butch Smith made the decision to turn around and head radiator-first into the prevailing winds.
After a flurry of cell calls, we all joined him to cool down and find a detour to get us across the river. No problem. With the help of Amy Rothberg’s trusty GPS system, we easily navigated through a maze of residential streets and arrived at the Classic Car Center without any more problems.
Upon arrival, we were met by new members Chuck & Jackie Butka and their two small children. Chuck is beginning the process of restoring his father’s Twin Cam and sought out our club as a perhaps a source of knowledge and encouragement. We quickly established the fact we are first and foremost a great chapter for driving to excellent lunch destinations!
Classic Car Center co-owner and General Manager Garland Gentry gave us a tour of his fine facility. They offer a full range of restoration and repair services, heated and air conditioned storage facilities and handle consignment sales as well in their immaculate facility. Vintage Bentley, Rolls Royce, Ford Model A, an original AC, British sports cars … whatever your taste, there was a car for everyone and we each laid claim to our favorite.
Taking time from our fantasies, we ordered in pizza and enjoy lunch in the Center’s meeting room decked out as a 1950s era malt shop, complete with red and white booths, swivel counter stools and a jukebox.
Our tour completed, we thanked Garland for his hospitality and headed north on Route 1 towards home. Visitors are always welcomed or tour their facility online.
As we approached Triangle, we were enticed by an ice cream stand and quickly decided since it was time to stretch our legs regardless, we might as well cap off the drive with a final treat. Our thanks go out to Amy for preparing an excellent driving route.
