“The British are coming! The British are coming!” once was exclaimed with fear and dread, but not this coming Saturday (April 3).

At TartanFest 2010, the phrase refers to members of the British Car Club of Midlands Centre, who will be parking a queue of their vehicles out front at the South Carolina State Museum for the Celtic–hearted to admire.

On hand to answer questions and show off their prize vehicles will be club members representing a wide range of diversity. Some are retirees with skills and abilities and have time to work on their own cars. Other owners rely on foreign specialists to keep their cars in top condition. Some drive their British cars daily; some only for events and special road trips.

Members’ common goal is enjoying their cars, the open road, and each others’ company.

BCCMC president Fred DeShong said once you’ve owned and driven a British car, you probably won’t be able to declare your independence. “I bought my first one in 1962 while I was in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Keflavik, Iceland. Had the TR4 shipped over from England.” As soon as DeShong gets the engine put back in his current MG–B, a ’76, he and his wife Betty will put it back on the road.

Steve Radcliffe, also USAF retired, has been enamored for years by the graceful “wings,” the large wire wheels, and the flowing lines of the cockpit, starting with a 1948 MG-TC. “British sports cars never went for the huge, lumbering cars like we had in the U.S. in the 40s, 50s, and 60s,”Radcliffe said. “Then there is the sound...love the sound of British sports cars. No other country's vehicles compete with it.”

Radcliffe bought his current 1980 MG–B brand new (his third British car) while living in England. “It was my daily driver. For the past 25 years, I have driven it most weekends and occasionally to work. I used to do all the maintenance but now turn to other club members like Brad Wik and Steve DeGroat, who are incredibly talented and knowledgeable. I like going to shows in the four-state area.”

David Headrick, one of the club’s newest members, first drove an MG–A in high school. “I particularly like British cars for their sportiness and minimalist approach.” Now the retired Michelin Tires engineering manager has fully restored another MG–A that he drives primarily for events and the occasional errand.

Couples like Sonja and Wallace Stewart are among the reasons the car club refers to its rolls as households, not members. Sonja Stewart recalled, “My first British Car was a 1969 Triumph Spitfire, brand new.

Years later, “Wally found me a 1984 Jaguar XJ6 sedan I drove until I killed it; later that year I got a 1989 XJSV12. A few years after that, my husband got a rather rare 1976 XJ6C.” Stewart says, “I drive mine every day; he drives his at least once a week. We consider owning these cars a learning adventure.”

Perhaps Ed Stanfield’s has the longest chain of custody of any other in the club. “I’ve had my MG–TD since 1970; it’s a pretty rare ’52 model. My wife Donna and I enjoy driving to southeastern events and destinations such as Key West, Fla., and Churchill Downs in Kentucky.”

Membership in the club is great, according to Radcliffe, because of “real people; the club caters to the membership -- it’s very inclusive. Simply, we have fun. Most of the cars are drivers, not garage art, so it’s a very active club with multiple monthly activities and an acceptance of all who love British cars -- even if they don’t own one!”

BCCMC has scheduled an October show at Weston Lake. “Last year we had 130 cars but would like to get above 150 to become the largest show in S.C,” DeShong said. To learn more, come to TartanFest Saturday, April 3 or email BCCMCpres@gmail.com.