A rare, crisp, Friday in summer found me celebrating my and my business partner’s birthdays by playing golf at Harbourside International on the South Side of Chicago. I took the liberty of old age to dress the part, sporting “plus fours” and a plaid wool vest topped off by a traditional woven cap, so I was not surprised to hear the starter ask my playing partners, who “that old guy thinks he is, Payne Stewart?” Fortunately, I played well, carding a back nine 40 on a course new to me!
So, what does ‘hooky golf’ have to do with a Lotus Corps member? Well, stuffing the cockpit of the newly refurbished (just 1,000 miles on the rebuilt 711M Ford, now driving a fully hydraulic clutch mechanism) Westfield with the golf clubs is an exercise in logistics! But what a ‘warm-up’ for a day on the links! And some, shall we say, BRISK laps over a sparsely populated parking lot with friends in the passenger seat put idiotic grins on several faces. (Now, THAT would make an interesting golf cart, laddie!).
However, I had ALSO made plans to make the scene at that evening’s Downers Grove Friday Night Car Show, and the quick turn-about at home allowed a decision; dress down, or just show up looking, shall we say, a bit British for the occasion? Lassitude and passivity won the day, so as I ‘elegantly’ ejected myself from the driver’s seat after being directed to a front-and-center parking spot downtown, I got approving nods and not a few smiles for dressing to the “proper British sportscar” which joined the other ‘foreign cars’ featured in this particular version hosted by this hospitable Midwest town’s business district to start the weekend!
I found myself sandwiched between a very clean version of the neoclassical A-H Sprite and a Cadillac Allante in boisterous, flaming, Mary Kay Pink! Such contrasts are common at community car shows, and just part of the visual fun to be had at these community events. It seems I added to the flavor, as even standing a respectful distance away, people would look over the unique lines of the Westfield, look about at standers-by, lock me visually, and question, “Your car?” quite accurately!
It was a lovely evening to stroll, engaging in complimentary conversation with proud car owners, take in some enjoyable ‘people-watching’. Pizza by the slice, slushies were conveniently to hand, as were many welcoming restaurants. But the focus of everything was the cars. In every color, degree of purpose and level of detail. From blown Hemis to Jaguar 12 cylinders, even a 2 cylinder Morgan adding their music to the retro-rock band playing at the train depot, sound was also an engaging element of the charming evening.
I’ll do it again, for certain. And if you have yet to join this homey celebration of all things automotive, I heartily recommend sharing your beloved vehicle with your adoring public in a summer celebration nearby. And go ahead; dress the part if you are up to it!