ANNUAL DC AREA BRITISH RELIABILITY RUN
2019 DC ABRR TEAMS
PHOTO COURTESY MOTOR CAR STUDIOS
Team Mary Kay
DRIVER: Marcy Harris
CO-DRIVER: Jeanne Morency
CAR: 1961 MGA 1600
This MGA is painted an unusual shade called "Alamo Beige". It is from the original MG palette and fewer than 200 cars were painted this color. The combination of interior color and paint shade give the car a vaguely pink glow hence its name, Mary Kay.
Team Old Peculiar
DRIVER: Joe Barta
CO-DRIVER: TBD
CAR: 1973 Triumph TR6
I acquired this car in 2005 and spent about six years restoring it. It was very long in the tooth and home to a few generations of mice. Powered by the original 2.5 liter straight six engine, it remains largely stock with minor drivability and safety improvements.
Team 7
DRIVER: Bob Collum
CO-DRIVER: Debbie German
CAR: Caterham 7
Team 7 is Bob Collum and my wife/co-driver/navigator Debbie German. This is my third ABRR. We are driving our Caterham 7, braving the elements. This year, we formally request no ‘stream-fording’. We enjoy the camaraderie of our fellow British car drivers, and look forward to collecting money for a great cause – Our Military Kids!
Team Glorious Triumph
DRIVER: Mitch Bierl
CO-DRIVER: TBD
CAR: 1975 TR6
We are driving a 1975 Triumph TR6 to raise money for Our Military Kids charity. A veteran of four deployments overseas, and recipient of the generosity of OMK, Mitch and his family know first-hand about the difficulties of service. Please donate to this good cause.
Team Old Navy
DRIVER: Richard Ryan
CO-DRIVER: John Stizza
CAR: 1970 Jaguar E-Type
Richard acquired this classic in 1999 after seeing it in Rome, NY during the winter. It was a frame off restoration accomplished by and individual and his wife over 1990-1994. What sold me to buy the car were two comments that he made- “I hate rust so wherever I could I used stainless steel nuts, bolts, screws, washers, etc..in the car” and “I don’t’ drive it in the rain nor between November through April- don’t want to get any road salt on it”. Sold.
Team Over Committed
DRIVER: Shane Sonneveldt
CO-DRIVER:
CAR: 1967 Jaguar E-Type
Due to too many other cars and hobbies I ran out of time to write a witty bio. See you all Friday morning for coffee and directions.
Team Scalded Cat
DRIVER: Ralf Berthiez
CO-DRIVER: Phillipe Oudinot, Peter Kravitz
CAR: 1990 Jaguar XJS
This car was purchased in July 2017 from it's original owner, Jaguar collector, and friend. The car was originally purchased in Memphis, TN and was immediately shipped to northern Virginia where it has resided its entire life.
The car is a great driving car with only 93,000 original miles and was purchased specially to run in this event.
Team Maybelline
DRIVER: Anita Sowers
CO-DRIVER: Mary Thomas
CAR: 1968 Triumph TR250
Maybelline is the sister entry of Team Mary Kay. The teams are working together to capture the overall fund-raising title and have a little fun at the same time!
This TR250 has been modified for drivability and currently sports a supercharger, limited-slip differential and upsized torsion and sway bars. Anita doesn’t know how fast it will go but she’s willing to find out if someone would like to come along.
Team Alvis Brooklands
DRIVER: Jim Sprague
CO-DRIVER: TBD
CAR: 1964 Alvis TE-21
Alvis made automobiles in Coventry, England from 1919 to 1967. The TE-21 model was made from 1962 to 1966 as a 2 door sedan or convertible with a total production of 352. The 3.0 litre engine produced 130 hp and 165 lbs/ feet of torque. Top speed was 106 mph. The bodies were styled by Hermann Graber and were coach-built by Park Ward.
Tony Curtis purchased this car at the 1964 Olympia show in London. It is a pleasant touring car, with a large trunk, easy to use top, and adequate power.
Team Baldie and Blondie
DRIVER: Jaime Steve
CO-DRIVER: Whitney Steve
CAR: 1969 Jaguar E-Type coupe (FHC), Series II
"Baldy and Blondie" are the husband and wife team of Mr. Jaime Steve and Mrs. Whitney Steve of Unison, VA and Alexandria, VA.
We are delighted to be part of the D.C. area ABBR run and we are honored to help support military families.
We purchased our 1969 Jaguar E-type coupe about seven years ago from a shop near St. Louis, MO and drove it all the way home to Virginia. Will it make it all the way through this long distance run as well?
Place your bets!
Faster Than You Think
DRIVER: Jimmy Harris
CO-DRIVER: TBD
CAR: 1958 TR3A
This car may look like a glorified go-kart but it will go like stink!
Jimmy and his co-driver are out to claim the OMK fundraising award for 2019 so donate generously!
Faster Than You Think
DRIVER: Jimmy Harris
CO-DRIVER: TBD
CAR: 1958 TR3A
This car may look like a glorified go-kart but it will go like stink!
Jimmy and his co-driver are out to claim the OMK fundraising award for 2019 so donate generously!
Team Ecurie Great Falls
DRIVER: Jeff Olson
CO-DRIVER: Jon Walter
CAR: 1974 Jaguar E-Type Roadster
This is Ecurie Great Falls' 1974 E-type's fourth America's British Reliability Run. The first was the 2016 Pennsylvania Run, which its owner, Jeff Olson, and good friend, Al Hazard, won, breaking the then ABRR team fundraising record. In the inaugural 2017 DC event, because Olson was chairing the organizing committee, he lent Ecurie Great Falls to a military veterans team selected by our charity partner, Our Military Kids. That 2017 event was won by Olson's partner from the preceding year, Al Hazard, who set another new team fundraising record. Last year, re-entering the fray, Olson, driving alone (he had designed the routes, so not a particularly heroic effort), took 3rd place honors, after a bitter battle with Team Mary Kay of the Harris Organization. This year, teaming with his son-in-law, Jon Walter, Olson is back, gunning for the Team Harris four-car juggernaut.
Team Rock n Rolls
DRIVER: Stan Corey
CO-DRIVER: TBD
CAR: 1988 Rolls Royce Corniche
1988 RR Corniche II purchased from collector in FL. Originally sold in NJ to couple in Philadelphia, PA where it remained for about 20 years before going to individual in FL. It stayed in Palm Beach until I purchased it in 2015 with 38,400 miles showing on the odometer.
Team Jersey
DRIVER: Kim McCullough
CO-DRIVER: Mitch McCullough
CAR: 1952 Aston Martin DB2
Kim and Mitch are looking forward to driving in the Virginia countryside in the DB2. In fact, Kim's parents owned a DB2 so she is especially keen to put in a little seat time in this rare car. This is their first ABRR and they're excited about the drive and the opportunity to raise money for OMK.
That B*tch Penelope
DRIVER: Wayne Boudreaux
NAVIGATOR: Kathy Boudreaux
CAR: 1967 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII
Our 1967 Austin Healey 3000 MkIII, affectionately named Penelope, has been in our care for about 6 years. She has spent most of her time with us going through a rolling restoration and we have taken her to several “destination" car shows. Penelope has won several awards including Best in Class in the Jupiter, FL Wheels Across the Pond event and she was featured in the 2019 Austin Healey Club of America calendar. Her production date of 11/24/67 puts her near the end of the production for Big Healeys with only 151 cars coming off the line after her.
Not Our Car, It's a Rental
DRIVER: Dan Ehrman
NAVIGATOR: Jackie Ehrman
CAR: 1950 XK120, 1956 AC ACE Bristol, 1956 Austin Healey 100M
This is Dan and Jackie's first ABRR. Dan made the winning bid at the ABRR Auction for charity and as a result ended up raising $7,000 for Our Military Kids! Dan and Jackie are looking forward to spending three days exploring the backroads in and around the Shenandoah Valley.
They'll be driving a different vintage British sports car each day.
A 1956 AC Ace Bristol. One of 463 produced, this car was recently restored to its "as-delivered" condition. It is the only AC Ace Bristol to be delivered in a black and off-white color scheme.
A 1956 Austin Healey 100M. This is one of the 640 "Factory M" cars produced in 1955 and 1956. This car was the Earl's Court Motorshow car used to introduce the 100M model to the motoring public. It became a works sports racer and was campaigned in southern California throughout 1956. It is the only Austin Healey delivered in a black and pink color scheme.
A 1950 XK120 Alloy-bodied Roadster. This is one of 234 aluminum XK120's built. It was fashioned by hand in Coventry to fill demand for these beautiful sports cars while the factory was tooling the jigs to build steel cars. This car is set up for rallying and has participated in several 1000+ mile rallies.
Golden Gate Garagistas
DRIVER: Eugene Loch
NAVIGATOR: Margo Lark
CAR: 1950 XK120, 1956 AC ACE Bristol, 1956 Austin Healey 100M
Eugene is making the trip from the left coast to have a chance to drive in the beautiful Virginia countryside. He had the second place bid at the ABRR Auction for charity and as a result ended up raising $5,100 for Our Military Kids! He is looking forward to spending three days exploring the backroads in and around the Shenandoah Valley.
He'll be driving a different vintage British sports car each day.
A 1956 AC Ace Bristol. One of 463 produced, this car was recently restored to its "as-delivered" condition. It is the only AC Ace Bristol to be delivered in a black and off-white color scheme.
A 1956 Austin Healey 100M. This is one of the 640 "Factory M" cars produced in 1955 and 1956. This car was the Earl's Court Motorshow car used to introduce the 100M model to the motoring public. It became a works sports racer and was campaigned in southern California throughout 1956. It is the only Austin Healey delivered in a black and pink color scheme.
A 1950 XK120 Alloy-bodied Roadster. This is one of 234 aluminum XK120's built. It was fashioned by hand in Coventry to fill demand for these beautiful sports cars while the factory was tooling the jigs to build steel cars. This car is set up for rallying and has participated in several 1000+ mile rallies.
Team Alpine
DRIVER: Bob Sharkey
NAVIGATOR: Judy Sharkey
CAR: 1967 Sunbeam Alpine Series V
While we have always preferred traveling on the twisty back roads, this Alpine was modified with a V6 engine and a 5 speed transmission to help keep pace on hi-speed highways when necessary. Other modifications I have installed include cruise control, intermittent wipers and LED lighting in both driving lamps and the instrument panel. These changes have made long distance trips more enjoyable and were definitely appreciated on a recent 2584 mile trip.
This is our first time participating in the DC area America British Reliability Run. We are looking forward to meeting the other drivers and co-drivers while raising funds for “Our Military Kids”. Please help us meet our goal.
Flying Rose
DRIVER: Mark Cuppernul
NAVIGATOR: Barb Andersen
CAR: 1956 XK140 MC DHC
This is Mark and Barb's first ABRR and they're looking forward to cruising in the beautiful autumn countryside and raising lots of money for OMK.
Little Nellie
DRIVER: Eula Bond
NAVIGATOR: Jock Bond, Shauna Bond, Cameron Bond
CAR: London Taxi
This will be Little Nellie's first ABRR and a chance to let her horses run ...OK, trot...actually mosey may be a more accurate description! With much admiration for the fancy ladies, Little Nellie will defend her honor, move at a dignified pace and arrive fashionably late. We are looking forward to a fun weekend enjoying the beautiful countryside, exquisite cars and raising money for Our Military Kids.
Old Speckled Hens
DRIVER: Ian Crosby
NAVIGATOR: TBD
CAR: 1968 MGC GT
The old speckled hens drive a 1968 MG CGT finished in British Racing Green. Built in April 1968 it’s an earlier model and one of only 4500 GT’s built. It’s largely original with matching numbers engine and gearbox but it’s upholstery was changed at some point from a black interior to its current tan.
This will be our second attempt at a reliability run: last year a carburetor problem prevented us making even the start line in Connecticut. Hoping for much better things this year and looking forward to exploring new areas of the country in the company of all these other beautiful cars (and of course their keepers).
Can O' Peas
DRIVER: Ken Bell
NAVIGATOR: Susan Bell, Anne Bell
CAR: 1971 Jaguar E-Type FHC
Ken acquired the car in 1976 while in the Army. It was used regularly until increasingly frequent “period-correct” mechanical troubles eventually sent it to the garage where it gathered dust for fifteen years. A ten year odyssey of mechanical renovation began in 2005. Since then it has proven to be totally reliable during periodic episodes of hard use. This will be its first outing for a multi-day reliability test. Continued good behavior may well lead to a nice reward of body work and new paint.