Florida Coalcracker Chronicles: 2023

Monday, December 11, 2023

Luke Williams - Eagle Scout - the Everhart Clan

This is my grand nephew - Luke Williams - Sharon's son - and Judy's grandson. He has just earned his Eagle Scout Award. My dad Hap Everhart - was a scoutmaster for 10 years from 1952 to 1962 at Snyder PA - Troop 161. I am sure he is beaming over this honor. Luke lives in Bordentown NJ

Sunday, December 10, 2023

My Day in the British Motor Museum - Gaydon - England

British Motor Museum and Mercedes electric rental

This Morgan is the car I ordered new in 1970.
Mine was to have a Buick 215 V8 aluminum engine.

The map up A40 - their interstate highway - to the museum

Wednesday was our last full day in Europe. Thursday we would catch an early plane and fly 8 hours back to Atlanta and the USA. Lulu and I decided to divide the day in two. The first half would be spent at the British Motor Museum - the second half at the Blenheim Palace. We went to Paddington Station and caught a train to Oxford - about one hour west. Then we rented a Mercedes electric and drove to Gaydon - a town about 50 miles north.

The museum was out in the countryside - 2 new buildings in green pastures. We had purchased tickets online at a discount for being pensioners - over 65.

The car collection is over 400 cars. I took pictures until my eyes glazed over. Here are 60 of my favorites. Each car has a second picture of the information plaque of the car. It tells - name - model - year - engine - horsepower - top speed. Many of the cars had special interests - special owners - first editions - special uses.

Many of the cars I have owned thru the years. Before 1968 - it was easy to buy a car in Europe - just ship it home - register it - and drive it. After 1968 - only cars that were certified to the USA safety standards and emission standards could be licensed in America. To this day - many companies make a living - buying very old cars - and taking them down to the frame and rebuilding them - adding safety features.

In 1970 - when I graduated from college - I ordered a sports car from England. It was $2875 at the time. They would custom make you a car. When it came time to pick it up - I had an accident with my trade in - and I never got the car. I have since visited that Morgan Car Company - and watched them build cars. You can see the factory on my web page - harry dot everhart dot com.

After the museum visit - we drove the rental car to Blenheim Palace - we arrived at 4:30 pm and it was already dark. We enjoyed 3 hours in the dark and cold touring the Palace and grounds. Then back to the Oxford Station - to Paddington Station - and The Tube - which had a station right in our hotel at Queensway.