British cars shone at Boca Raton show

Here are some favorite photographs from the 17th Annual British Classic Car Show in Boca Raton, Fla., Valentine's Day.

1. A spectator viewing Dan Shayler's 1937(?) Austin Something sports car said: "They don't know who the father is."

Shayler claimed he "drove it the first time this morning." It didn't have floorboards.

"The radiator and rear body are Austin. Everything else has been changed or fixed up."

Where did he get it? "It was given to me," Shayler said, and was in even worse condition at the time. The engine and front suspension are from a 1966 MG Midget. Were the tires going flat by accident or was that a deliberate touch?

2. The second made (and oldest known still in existence) 1931 MGD model, looking like very basic transportation. Odd how minimal a vehicle can be and still offer attractive wooden compartments underhood.

Owner M.P. Goodwin of Pompano Beach said the suspension is so stiff "I can drive over a penny, and feel it."

3. The hand crank sticking from the grille of a 1957 Triumph TR3, like a lollypop. Owner Norman Levine of Ocean Ridge, Fla., wanted you to see it.

4. The cut-down door of the nearby Triumph TR3A is so distinctive of the type. What a British touch: a door cut so low you don't need to open it to get in. This one was shown by Murry Bruskin of Gurnee, Ill.

5. The 1935 Bentley Tourer shown by Jack Wright, of Palm City, Fla., should have won an award for "best boot." Inside was a lovely tool kit.

6. Sergio Ochoa of Miami wanted you to know that his 1980 Mini was "Actual Size."

7. "Austin of England" proclaimed this jewel of an emblem on the fender of a 1952 Austin A40, shown by Francis Warwick, of West Palm Beach.

8. Few things in life approach the perfection of conception evident everywhere in a big Austin Healey.

9. I'd never heard of the 1937 BSA Scout shown by Margo Rapp of Jupiter, Fla. It featured a clever wicker basket on the tail.

10. The owner of this red MGA 1600 invited children to try to figure out how to open the door. There are no familiar buttons, inside or out. This little girl figured it out. Do you know?