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Triumphant return to park for popular Brit sports cars

Fort Rodd Hill hosts throwback car show this Sunday
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This year’s 20th annual English Car Affair at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse park will feature the crowd-favourite Triumph

It’s the year of the Triumph at the 20th annual English Car Affair in the Park.

Put on by the Old English Car Club of B.C. at the Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic site, the show begins Sunday morning (Sept. 14) with a blast of the bagpipes and celebrates all things English in the automotive sense.

There are already more than 100 cars preregistered, from Jaguars to Austin Healeys to Bentleys. Shining proudly around the maypole will be this year’s featured car: the Triumph.

Ubiquitous in such British television series as the original 1960s Avengers, Mr. Bean and Monty Python’s Flying Circus, Triumphs are crowd favourites. The collection, more than 20 at last count, is sure to be a hit at Sunday’s show.

Also set to entertain and produce some fierce competition is the ‘Italian Job’ relay. Taking a bit of fun from the bank heist movie, the handful of Minis at the show line up with their ‘boots’ open, and teams relay (painted) bricks of gold from piles on the green to the car to see who can make their getaway first.

As well, Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton will award a prize basket for her favourite car in the show and there are prize draws for car owners who preregister.

The passion and love for English cars is palpable at the event, says Sophie Lauro, promotions officer for Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse.

“When you get a chance to speak with owners of vehicles like that, they’re so passionate,” she says. “To be able to bring (a car) back to its authentic state, I think that’s really what comes out at shows like this. It really entices people to come.”

Lauro has been involved with the show for the past few years and says the turnout has been great every year.

“Year after year people come back and they never get tired of coming here. I’m always amazed to see how shiny and beautiful and well-kept those vehicles are.”

The show runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is included in the admission price for Fort Rodd Hill. Prices are $3.90 for adults and $1.90 for youth six to 16. Family and senior rates are also available. For more information on the car show, visit oecc.ca.

acowan@goldstreamgazette.com