Every year in Lethbridge the big local car club, the Street Wheelers, puts on a whole weekend filled with automotive related activities. The highlight might just be a controlled cruise involving hundreds of special interest vehicles that takes on a party like atmosphere. Out for the night of cruising are hot rods, muscle cars, exotics, sports cars and trucks. The perfect event to debut the Beater B.
Several streets are closed off and registration is required. This helps ensure that only special interest vehicles participate and reasonable behavior. I believe they are mostly concerned about burn outs, stunting and drag racing during the cruise. They need not fear the mild mannered MG on any of those fronts.
I lined up to enter my MG B, which appeared to be by far the cheapest vehicle there.
The weekend has a cruise, hundred foot drag racing, auto-x and a show and shine. Due to family commitments I only managed to make the cruise this year although I would have really enjoyed giving the MG a go at auto-x. At registration time I was told to make sure to wash my car. It was not fifthly by any means but certainly the paint was a little dusty after the transmission swap.
I overheard the registration staff asking this rat rod driver to wash his vehicle as well. I am not sure if they understood that a rat rod is supposed to look like that.
I gave the car a quick wash at the local self serve wash. It received the best clean that a dollar would get me. I like to keep my vehicles clean, especially on the inside, but no one will accuse me of excessive car detailing.
My friend Rod managed to get a few shots of MG cruising before I picked him up for a lap.
He managed to get a few in car shots as well.
Detroit iron of many eras was well represented. I am not actually running a yellow light here as most of the intersections are blocked off for the cruise.
It was unusually warm this year with temperatures reaching 39C (102F). A good number of the vehicles were not well suited to low speed cruising in this sort of heat. I had not given the MG much of a shakedown before participating and the 1975 model year still has a mechanical fan. The temperature gauge appeared to work correctly and never climbed above the three quarters mark but one has to slowly build trust in an old car. Given all that plus the fact that British cars are not known for extremely effective cooling I played it safe and parked after a few laps.
This allowed me to get several photos of many of the other participants. Among them a Canadian Beaumont and a brightly colored Henry J. Many of the local businesses along the route get in on the party atmosphere and arrange outdoor patios.
Two takes on a sporty two door; 1970 Rambler Rebel SST and Ford Mustang fastback.
A 1955 Desoto four door with a partially visible and partina rich Volkswagen Beetle behind.
Hot rods of many styles and types were present. The building in the distance is a restaurant converted from an old water tower.
Here is a short video to give you an idea of the cruise.
This European specification Ford Capri is rare sight in Canada.
An early Datsun pickup like this is also an uncommon sight.
Another Canadian variant, this time a 1952 Meteor. These differ from their Ford cousins mostly with badging and trim.
Unlike my MG this Land Rover has room to take the whole family.
1960 Chevrolet Impala with subtle flames.
A lowrider club always has a strong presence over the weekend. This Ford F-series crew cab is a novel choice to slam to the ground.
Another hot rod.
1963 Mercury Monterey and Ford Bronco.
A lot of variety here in one shot – a Datsun roadster, slant nose Porsche, Ford Mustang, pickup truck, and a modern Dodge Challenger. There were a few other little roadsters, a Fiat Spider and a pair of MG Bs plus a Midget, but this Datsun was definitely the most lust worthy roadster for me.
The hot weather forced many classics to take turns in the unofficial cool down area just off the cruise route.
Many interesting vehicles were parked near by including this very Eighties looking Honda Elite 150 moped. There was even a deluxe model that had a pop up headlight.
A rare to see two door 1972 AMC Matador.
This Ford Pinto wagon riding on slot mag wheels give us a good dose of Seventies vibe.
The cruise continued on until after sun down. The MG had survived its first test and event.
Ooh, Lethbridge. When I worked in Glacier Park, Montana in the summer of 1973, I hitchhiked across the border up to Lethbridge a few times on my day off. A friendly and fairly quaint town as I remember. I even toured the brewery there along with maybe four strangers. All lovely people including the staff – at the end of the tour they sat us down in a small garden and poured us glasses of fresh Old Style Pilsner.
I suspect that would have been Brewery Gardens. It look seems to be ever changing but I did find this poor photo online.
http://www.lethbridge.ca/Things-To-Do/Parks/Pages/Brewery-Gardens.aspx
Would love to own another Capri, that red one is terrific. But then, I have a soft spot (on top of my head?) for Pintos, wagons especially.
+1. A yellow/woody Pinto Squire wagon with slotted mags? Can’t beat that, in my book. Here’s hoping it’s got a 4 speed, that would just be the icing on the cake.
I woke up next to a hundred footer but never …………. oh never mind.
It looks like you had a good deal of fun with your new Beater B. As I commented upon purchase, and again after the transmission swap post, I’m extremely jealous, as I miss my MGs terribly. Such fun cars. And for the record, by my own standards that B is hardly a true Beater. (If I had access to digitized photos of the first Midget I bought from the back storage yard of a local gas station back in ’87 before restoration and body work you’d know a REAL beater MG.) Yours appears to be in quite admirable shape, comparatively.
That event also looks like a good time. I’m not usually one for driving around in circles in traffic, but I’d have loved to park myself at one of those sidewalk places with a burger and a beer to enjoy the festivites.
Thank you but photos are very flattering to it. It has some rough edges for sure but is great fun for very little money. I would not want to drive around all night but it was neat to make a couple laps. The official route is maybe 20-30 blocks as well as another “unofficial” route that is a little longer. It is a rare chance to see the classic cars in motion rather than a static show and shine.
Hooray, Matador! Just like mine, except this one has the 304 badge on the fender whereas mine was a humble 258.
Was the last time I saw a 1972 hardtop when I scrapped mine in 1991? I think yes.
Looks like a ton of interesting cars turned out. Are you sure that it was Rod in the passenger seat, or was it Lucas the Prince of Darkness?
Believe it or not everything electrical works fine in the MG! Actually the only British car I’ve had electrical issues with is my old TR8.
It looks like you had a fun assortment that day. And a fun time with your own contribution.
Gee, we have had the Dirty Dart and now have the Beater B. Maybe I should come up with some suitable modifier of Miata. 🙂
I suppose Moldy Miata would work if someone wanted to revive a flood damaged example. Mangy Miata for a regularly scruffy one. Monster Miata has been done for V8 swapped examples.
Depending on the condition of the exhaust system, it could be the Mellifluous Miata. ?
Great photos, especially that one of the Pinto. Photobombed by a Rambler American AND a ’65 Riviera!
A few more photos here if interested
https://www.flickr.com/photos/daveseven/albums/72157683261695693
That Land Rover looks remarkably like the airport tug we haul boats around with. Same color even.
THANK YOU DAVID ! .
Lots of eye candy there, something for everyone .
I cannot imagine doing this in So. Cali. without someone screwing it up burning rubber or causing fights etc .
I think your MGB looks very good ~ if you apply a bit of Meguiar’s # 40 to that interior you’ll be amazed at how good it will look.
-Nate
Really digging that ’52 Meteor!
So that’s what that was. My wife and I were passing through Lethbridge in July last year and this must have been what we saw. There’s a lot of nice iron rolling around in the windy city for sure.
That slammed F series is the exact opposite of what you normally see thereabouts though. Very Cool!
A Datsun B210(120Y or 140Y)is missing.Great Shots.Thank You.
Love the light in these pics.
Loved the Honda Elite 150, aka the Devo Scooter. Yeah the video used the 250 with the retractable headlight. I’ve always enjoyed that generation of scooters, almost bought a new Elite 90 a couple of years ago, but figured that 90cc wasn’t big enough for my commuter needs.
What I really love at these gatherings are the guys who build, or restore, hot rods using the style and parts that were used when I was a kid (mid 50’s thru mid 60’s). No LS-1’s, but honest to God flatheads with triple Strombergs. Or a Stovebolt (or GMC) 6 with triple side draft Carters and a six into one header.
Love the vintage Datsun truck and roadster.
That ’64 Valiant convertible appears to be one of those Canadian variants, with a Dart rear section.
Happy Motoring, Mark
Looks like a great event and a wonderful variety of cars. Maybe I’ll travel up next year! I think the last (only) time I’ve been in Lethbridge was in 1977 in my ’73 Vega. But now to the serious stuff – can you really use a self-serve car wash in Lethbridge for only a dollar? Around here they require tokens, a minimum of $3.50 worth, and the token machines only take 5’s, 10’s and 20’s so I end up defaulting to a $5 wash every time.
Canada is blessed with one and two dollar coins so we don’t have to mess around with tokens although some other washes still do. The machine takes a dollar at a time and gives something like 30 seconds to a minute of time with the hose. Certainly not enough to give a decent wash with soap. When I wash my Mazda it usually costs $3 to $5.
Looks like a fun event with a great variety of different types of machines. Nice to see the iron actually in motion.
Love the ‘rat rod’. It looks like it could have its own ‘B’ movie (no offense) & marketing franchise. And maybe a CC appearance??