Mad Dogs 2008

[Paul Bouchard]

Just a few days until Mad Dogs & Englishmen!

Last year's event was a real barn burner... well there were barns there! Held at the Gilmore Museum there is lots to do for all. Last year I missed the museum but this time around I think that I may take a walk-about. Hopefully some of you who were there last year will make a re-appearance. See you there!

http://www.maddogsandenglishmen.org/md_e_2008_show.php

http://gilmorecarmuseum.org/

[Peter McKercher]

Best of luck with the show Dave. Kenlis, Robert, Fred and I will be taking care of business at the Ottawa show this week end.

[Paul Bouchard]

Back home after a beautiful weekend. Thank you again to Dave and Ellen Norton who were kind enough to host a few weary travelers. The Singer contingent was a bit smaller this year, but it is the people that do make the difference. This is the second year that the Norton's have opened up their house to the Singer group and it does make for a different kind of meet. The day before (Saturday) is a chance to relax and chat with fellow Singer enthusiasts. Gene and Lynn Mulder brought their beautiful 1953 4AD. Bil and Toni Haley tagged along sharing the ride in Gene's new tow vehicle. Certainly the price of gasoline has made it's way to the enthusiast at large. I was solo on this trip and left the Singer at home. I would have loved to bring one but could not. the relaxed atmosphere was a tonic from a busy work week for this "Road Warrior". Dave gave me the chance to take his 4ADT out for a spin - complete with new tyres! Dave outfitted his car with new radials on all four corners. Nice and smooth is the report from this driver.

Sunday was show day and true to its name... the sun was there in force. We took our space in the "other" group, but were soon welcomed by the show's organizers who remembered our group from last year and were pleased to see us back. Rick Potter also arrived in his under-restoration 4A. Rick wanted to be there so much that he brought his car sans front and back wings! To me it looked a lot like a "Rat Fink" design, so Rick's Rat Roadster was the name for the day. What was also fun was meeting new and past Singer owners! One fellow was quite smitten with the Mulder's red 4AD. He had sold the car years ago, but remembered it fondly. A gentleman from Michigan arrived with son and daughter in tow. Seems that he was the winner of a 4A on eBay and wanted a little more information. He bought the car for his daughter who is attending the University of Michigan. She is on their race team and are building a race car as a school project! No not from the Roadster, that will be for her to enjoy.

The Norton's 4AD provided the support for the newest piece of modern Singer memorabilia: a SINGER dealer sign, with a little artistic license. This was made for this year's Stowe display and became quite the topic of conversation with the US custom's agent on my way in. He almost let me in to the US when he asked to look in my trunk. "So what's with the freshly painted sign in the trunk?" he asked with a A-HA in his voice. He did eventually let me in after a short history on the Singer Car Company of Coventry England. PHEW!

Russ Natalie and brother Alfred also showed up. Russ was, as always, in top form. While most visitors to the Singer corral were taken with the cars, a few also noticed Sophie (the Italian Greyhound who allows the Mulders to stay with her). Sophie made the ideal mascot for the Singers - rare and so darn cute!

So on to the next show, and to all who came and participated: Thanks! Boot 'n Bonnet is next on my horizon!

The Norton's 4ADT

The Mulder's 4AD

Rick's Rat Roadster

The line-up

The Singer Gang