CVBMC’s train that chugged our way to the Chattanooga Choo Choo this year consisted of four cars; Charlie and Rona, David and Leslie, Jerry & Kris and Priscilla and me. OK, punned out. The Southern British Car Club of Greater Chattanooga has sponsored this show annually for 22 years. This year, the event was moved forward a week from its traditional first weekend in November to the last weekend in October. Not much different except that it seemed, to me at least, 
that the color in the mountains was not as prevalent or brilliant. The weather for the trip – the entire weekend for that matter - could not have been better, clear and sunny the entire time.
This year’s theme was “a Salute to the Beatles”. Personally, I never understood the mania but that’s another story. The Chattanooga orchestra, who perform annually at the Friday night dinner, played three Beatles medleys and received a resounding ovation for their efforts. Again personally, their presence is one of the reasons for attending this event.
The Choo Choo hotel is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation (not a moment too soon as it turns out) to the Terminal building and the satellite residence buildings. In the case of building 3, this meant that the two “normal” elevators were out of service leaving the “service” elevator. Not really too big a deal just a bit further to walk. We were given a room on the second floor and settled in. Saturday morning, I got up early to wash the car. While I was drying it, Priscilla walked up and told me that we were now in a fifth floor room. When I asked why she said that the wall paper in the bathroom of our original room had peeled and was laying on the towel rack above the commode and, by the way, didn’t I notice? Well, no. I was focused on the task at hand. Then, I went out to wash the car.
We parked the cars for the show, perused the entries and cast our ballots. One interesting class at least for me was Reliant Scimitar which consisted of 2 vehicles one an Estate Wagon and the other a “T” top convertible. I’d seen the wagon and one other before but I’d not seen a convertible previously.
After lunch we took the public electric bus to downtown and then across the river to look through an antique mall located in an old mill. I bought another hat. When we returned to the Choo Choo, there was time to visit the “International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum” – really, located about a mile from the hotel. Fittingly, the industry’s first wrecker was fabricated in Chattanooga at the Ernest Holmes Company about three and a half miles from the museum. As you might expect, there are tow trucks and towing 
equipment on display; dating from 1916. Early wreckers were frequently fabricated on luxury car chassis as they were sturdier. The display includes a 1943 “Diamond T Military” wrecker that saw service with Patton’s 3rd Army. They also have the largest mechanical wrecker made before the industry switched to hydraulic operation. We spent about an hour touring the exhibit and then back to the Choo Choo for the banquet and award presentation. We received three awards; Charlie’s Austin Healey 3rd, Jerry’s TR6 2nd and our MGB 2nd in our respective classes.
Sunday morning, we grabbed coffee & a donut at the show HQ and hit the road. We stopped for fuel in Cleveland, TN in order to take advantage of TN prices and the hunger bug struck. Somebody said: “Let’s go to a Cracker Barrel”. A local resident overheard and told us that there was one about 3 miles back. Garmin agreed and off we went. When we got there, we discovered that everyone who had just gotten out of church had decided to go to the Cracker Barrel too and had arrived there ahead of us. We went to a Wendys. Back on the road and home. In descending order: no incidents, visits with friends, great weather, Fall foliage, and some awards. A terrific weekend.