American MGB Association Meet 2008

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by Frank Ochal

The American MGB Association held its 31st annual Meet on June 20 - 21, 2008 at Armagh near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The event was held in conjunction with the annual Roadster Factory Summer Party. This event has been going on for many years and this was purported to be the last one. I will be sad to see it go but there were hints that it may be resurrected in a different format and not every year.

On Friday, there was a barbecue picnic for the participants which consisted of hamburgers and hot dogs. They were then treated to music by Roadster Factory employee. The traditional Summer Party bonfire and a bedsheet drive-in movie showing "Animal House" followed the barbecue.

On Saturday, many of the cars participated in a "poker rallye" consisting of 86 miles of scenic driving. Participants received a playing card at stops along the way. The winning poker won a cash prize. Technical and information seminars were given at the Roadster Factory headquarters in Armagh during the afternoon.

Late Saturday afternoon, a downtown Indiana, Pennsylvania street near the Coventry Inn was closed off for the car show. The Coventry Inn is a British restaurant owned by Charles Runyan and he also serves at its chief chef. The cars lined up on the street in various classes awaiting popular vote balloting.

A fine meal was prepared for each of the participants at staggered times so that a quality meal could be served. This also allowed for a three hour voting and display while dinner was being served.

Secretary Margie Springer and myself handled the AMGBA awards presentation.

It was great to meet many of our long time members in the this area of the country.

Margie Springer and myself were kept busy all day signing up new members and providing other member services at the AMGBA table.

The AMGBA wishes to thank Charles Runyan an John Swauger at the entire staff of the Roadster Factory and Coventry Inn for hosting the event.

Winners of the American MGB Association popular vote were as follows:

RUBBER BUMPER MGBs

1. '77, white - James Young, Canton, OH

2. '79, black - Jeff Lee, Belle Vernon, PA

3. '79, black - Howard & Joan Henry, Indiana,PA

CHROME BUMPER MGBs

1. '65, white - Jim Royal, Warren, OH

MGB - GTs

1. '72, green - Marilyn Phillippi, Homer City, PA

2. '74, white - Scott Reinhardt, Spencer, OH

MG MIDGET

1. '72, red - Bud Osborne, McDonald, PA

For information on next year's event or on the American MGB Association, please contact the AMGBA, P. O. Box 11401, Chicago, IL 60611; phone: (773) 878-5055; email: meet@mgclub.org; website: mgclub.org .