I think it all started to change when Steve Alcala started racing his Alpine and having those get togethers that Jarrid mentioned. Unfortunately, I was one of those people who just couldn't make all the meetings. I think Steve and Jane Sage have done a terrific job with the CAT Tiger Tales, making it into more of an all-Sunbeam forum. They have all have done a great job trying to pull out those Alpine owners. So where are the owners? I do not know if it is "too little, too late," or just that the Alpine owners are not members of CAT to know about TU. Then there are all the Alpine owners on this group who certainly got notice of the event - and where better to spend a weekend with an Alpine but Big Bear? Maybe this list is smaller than I think or the members are not in driving distance to the event. However, one couple who own more than one Tiger, drove all the way from Washington in their SV Alpine, and took 2nd place in the concours.
Yes there were only 6 Alpines there (including Ole's) - although I did see a green Alpine with wire wheels parked away from the event. I do not know whose that was. Anyone here going to admit it was them? Too bad they didn't park over with the other Sunbeams. On the bright side of things, 6 cars is twice as many as the last one I went to with three cars (one being mine), and this was the first time Alpines took part in the concours competition. And, three Alpines took part in the autocross - and none of them finished at the end of the pack - beating a few Tigers in their path (well, it certainly helped that one was powered by a Mazda rotary engine!).
Our hotel room was right next to the parking lot. Normally, this would be a bad thing. But this time, we really had the best room in the house. I could just sit there and stare out the window at all the Tigers and Alpines glimmering in the morning, afternoon and evening light. I can go on and on about all the different Tigers (including a Le Mans Tiger - wow, in person) and Alpines (one V6 and one rotary as mentioned). But, the thing I cannot convey is the feeling of being surrounded by that many nice Sunbeams for a weekend. I went last year for the day. That was nice. But, it was nothing compared to a weekend. It almost got me wanting to buy a Tiger! Shhhh, did I say that? I certainly left thinking/sensing the appeal of a pointy fin car, just so that no one would mistake it for a Tiger.
So, I sort of rambled here. The point is, if we will not do it ourselves, no one is going to do it for us.
Jay.