The event was held as usual at Bronte Creek Provincial Park on Sunday, September 17. BCD has long been accepted as North America’s largest one-day British car show and it is a tribute to the BCD Planning Committee, that a club like ours can continue to present such a great showcase of classic and modern British cars and motorcycles year after year, and unlike many similar car shows, without the support of manufacturer or dealership sponsorship.

This year the event celebrated the hundredth anniversary of both Triumph and MG car production as well as the 120^th anniversary of the founding of the Standard Motor Company together with the seventy-fifth anniversary of the first post-World War II Jaguar sportscar – the inimitable XK120. Six anniversary cars were highlighted on the show field and included Triumph TR2 (70 years), MGTF (70 years), Daimler Conquest (70 years), Austin Healey 100 (70 years), Marcos GT (60 years) and Austin Mini Cooper S (60 years).

A special 100 Years of Triumph display was set up to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the commencement of Triumph car manufacturing, by assembling a special display of Triumph models at the north end of the field adjacent to the Registration area. The display represented about thirty different models spanning forty-five years of production from 1937 through to 1981, including examples of the TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR3B, TR4, TR4A, TR5, TR250, TR6, TR6 PI, TR7, TR8, Spitfire 4, Spitfire Mk II, Spitfire Mk III, Spitfire Mk IV, Spitfire 1500, GT6 Mk 1, GT6 Mk 2 (GT6+), GT6 Mk 3, Stag, Triumph 1800 Roadster, Triumph Mayflower, Triumph 2000 Roadster, Triumph 2000 Mk I, Triumph Herald 12/50 and Triumph Continental.

The day of the show dawned overcast with sunny spells and a temperature of about 15 degrees C which later in the morning climbed to 28 degrees C under partially cloudy skies. There were 855 cars and motorcycles on the field, a 15% drop on last year’s near record participation. It appears there were fewer visitors from the USA and last year’s numbers were boosted by a large number of Sunbeam Alpines and Tigers participating in a national event in Oakville at the time. Possibly some local owners paid too much attention to the forecast rain warnings too strictly – we were fortunate to enjoy a dry day and most people would have got home before the rains arrived. Ex-Formula One driver and F-1 television sports commentator Johnny Herbert was a great draw at the event this year as he signed autographs, chatted generously with fans, and participated in selfies, as well as helping with selecting the Best of Show car and later handed out prizes to the winners of the Participants’ Choice Awards.

Participants started arriving at the park at 8:00 a.m., and by 10 o’clock the field was as full as it was going to get, although stragglers were still arriving up to noon, while at the same time some cars were already departing. The final figures for spectators and participants were estimated at 8,155 which is just 345 less than last year.

There were 185 Triumphs present on the field, down 2.5% from last year. The Triumph participants included 8 GT6s; 32 Spitfires; 12 Stags; 11 TR2-TR3Bs; 22 TR4-TR250s; 71 TR6s; 12 TR7s; and 8 TR8s together with 8 Triumph Others (Herald, Mayflower, Roadster 1800, Roadster 2000, Continental).  MGs came in second place at 165 cars (- 6% over 2022); Jaguar 127 (- 3% over 2022) in third place; followed by Mini 111 (- 2% over 2022); and Lotus 39 (- 21% over 2022).

 Congratulations to those of you who won a Participants’ Choice Award; a complete listing of winners is shown on this page.

The judges choice for Best of Show was unanimous and was selected by a panel of judges headed by Toronto Triumph Club member Tony Fox. The rare and spectacular 1956 Jensen 541 owned by Peter Brook of Barrie was declared the winner for 2023,.  Congratulations to Peter & many thanks to Johnny Herbert, John Burrows, Tony Fox, & Alan Lingelbach for selecting the winning car from the many fantastic cars and motorcycles on the field.            

The Charlie Conquergood Award which is presented to a Club member who has exhibited long-term dedication to the Toronto Triumph Club was awarded this year to Keith and Christine Stewart.  Keith and Chris are long-time members of Toronto Triumph Club and own spectacular Triumph motor cars including a TR3, TR4, TR4A & Stag.    

Winner of the long distance award for a pre-registered car “driven” to the show was Julian Chin who drove his 1992 Mini some 730 kms from Sault Ste. Marie.

Of course, BCD doesn’t just happen; it takes the best part of a year in pre-planning, countless volunteer hours by the members of the BCD Planning Committee who met regularly from January through to September as well as members of our Club Executive. More than 100 volunteers (70 from within the TTC membership) were supervised by Volunteer Director Rob Ragsdale, who did an exceptional job ensuring that volunteers were assigned to all the tasks required over the two days preparing for, running the event, and cleaning up afterwards. 

We also acknowledge the volunteer help from other car clubs, along with students and others finding us through the website or word of mouth. Thanks to all who supported BCD this year, including the sponsors, advertisers, participants, volunteers, committee members, and Bronte Park staff.

See you next year on Sunday, September 15, 2024.