New Mazda MX-5 at British International Motor Show

During the upcoming 2006 British International Motor Show this 18th of July up until the 30th of the same month, the Mazda Motor Corporation would be out to show off to the world its new Mazda MX-5. This would be the very first time for the company to show the world this vehicle. In fact, this vehicle comes with a power retractable hard top which is one feature that Mazda is very proud of. Aside from this vehicle, Mazda would also be revealing to the public the Mazda BT-50 which is a one-ton pickup truck.

The Mazda MX-5 that would be shown off during this auto show would be having the power retractable hard top roof which is quite unique. This would be quite an addition to this third generation of Mazda MX-5s. Mazda claims that this new vehicle would be offering a unified sense of driving exhilaration. In fact, it is a lightweight sports car that offers diversity and distinctiveness in all features that it offers.

Mazda says that this vehicle's essence is known as the "Jinba Ittai" which actually means "rider and horse as one". It simply means that with this new Mazda MX-5, there would be an emotional connection between the driver and his horse which is the vehicle itself. Do not be confused though if you hear the names Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe, Mazda Roaster Power Retractable Hard Top, and Mazda MX-5 (Miata) Power Retractable Hard Top. These names all refer to the Mazda MX-5 and these are used in Europe, Japan, and North America, in that order.

As per the new one-ton Mazda BT-50 truck, this heavy truck comes with a powerful 2.5 liter Direct Injection Turbo Diesel engine which is quite new to the company. In fact, it is during this year's British International Motor Show that such a diesel engine would be featured and shown off the European public. However, this engine that the Mazda BT-50 truck has already been part of the Bangkok Motor Show just last March where it made its world debut.

British Cars - A Smoky Mountain Road Trip

I thought I was dreaming. Did I just hear Kay suggest we extend our trip to the Mitty and spend a week in the Smokies all in the MGA? Yes, I heard right and before she could back out, I reserved the rooms, then shared the plan. We would spend 4 nights in Atlanta, see the Walter Mitty Vintage Races, then drive to Pigeon Forge on back roads for 7 more nights. Then came the BIG question, "I can pack what? You expect me to pack for 11 nights and fit it into the A in one bag? Whaddaya mean the trunk is full of tools and parts?"

Well, of course I did! It was HER idea. You should have seen the blank stare when I said the one bag was for both of us. It is a small car after all. This was something we had been wanting to do since May of 1991 when we saw an early Townsend, Tennessee British Car Show. It had always gotten put off. This would be the year. Betsy must be readied. A quick check of the brakes revealed a leaky axle seal, so seals and shoes were replaced. That was all she needed. Oh, I forgot the insistence that certain rattles and squeaks be fixed, the seat bottoms stuffed with fresh foam, and the windshield resealed for rain. Forget the mechanicals man, it is the comforts we'll be needing.

I did pack a few spares in case our friend Murphy came along. Fan belt, radiator hose, water pump hose, fuel pump, water pump, distributor cap, rotor, points, coil, ignition wire, regular wire, rear axle bearing, axle seals, differential seals, fuses, bulbs, head light, 6 quarts of oil, brake fluid, gear oil, duct tape, baling wire and the latest Moss Catalogue. A handy tool case along with a bag with more wrenches, sockets, a meter, and so on. Even a 3/4 inch pull handle and sockets for those axles. The basics for any long road trip and those easy road side fixes.

The trip was great, 1630 miles. The old MGA never hiccupped. She seemed to enjoy stretching her legs. After the Mitty, we headed north on winding back roads. Along the way we passed Fugitive Dam where Harrison Ford did his Peter Pan escape in The Fugitive. A quick lunch at the Dragon's Den and we headed through the Dragon Tail, an eleven mile stretch with 318 curves - along with at least 200 motorcycles, a Miata club, a Vette club, and who knows what else. With the top up and luggage on the rack we still managed to chase down #53 - a Miata with racing numbers that left well before us. This is a great drive, but a little slow with all the traffic, we would have to come back.

We completed the 227 miles to Pigeon Forge along the Foothills Parkway and settled in. That is when I got the news. Being the first to run out of underwear, I had to do the wash! I guess that is the price you pay in a small car. The weather was great, so next we visited Cades Cove and Gatlinburg, then over the mountains to Cherokee and a blast up the Blue Ridge Parkway. The newly arrived canopy of green leaves with an open top was beautiful. The raspy exhaust note echoing on the rock walls would lift any soul. Every day was filled with top down cruising, heads turning, and a few folks stopping to talk to us in this old car. My kind of vacation.

We returned to the Dragon with the top down and no luggage only to find 330 Minis running the road along with more bikes and a roadster club of all makes. The speed and fun were higher, but something was missing. Near the Dragon is the Cherohala Skyway which opened in 2000. Here I found my road at last. Plenty of undulating sweeping turns for fun higher speed driving. First you must climb, and climb, and then climb some more - until you are a mile high. Cruising this road 43 miles along the tops of the mountains, the view is amazing. The Smokies are beautiful in the spring, but to be looking down on all those valleys was awesome and you come to understand the name "skyway."

The last day I took Kay off the beaten path to an antique store for some last minute shopping. This was a very interesting place, not the regular tourist trap and we spent a couple of hours searching for that special keepsake. As the day wound down we headed back into the mountains for one last sunset cruise and packed for home. Oh yes, going home - 370 miles one way in a 46 year old MG. We needed more foam in those old seats. We had to buy some shorts as the temps hit the mid 80s for the first time. Highway 411 brought us all all the way to Cedartown, Ga. Then a short drive to Piedmont and highway 9 to Wetumpka. We made it all the way home with no interstate driving.

The trip was great. Do it. Take your old classic car on a drive you have been dreaming of. It is worth it. Some said we were gutsy, others said crazy, to go that far with no support vehicle. The truth is, if it cannot be fixed, it can always be towed or stored. Trucks and trailers can be rented. However, in our club, friends had volunteered to come get us if the need arose. I thank them for that and thank Betsy for making it without a problem. As the saying goes, just do it. You will be glad you did.