The 13th annual Return of the British car show will take place in Historic Rugby on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Starting at 10 a.m. EDT, scores of British automobiles will converge on Rugby for this annual admiration of U.K. motoring.
“It’s free, highly photographable, and lots of fun,” organizers said. “Attendees will see everything from MGs to Rolls Royces, plus Minis, Morrises and more.”
The event is hosted by the Cumberland County-based Plateau British Car Club of Tennessee, along with The Blount County British Car Club and the English Auto Society of Knoxville.
What’s behind these car enthusiasts’ love for British models?
“The British sports car craze got its hold in North America following WWII,” explained organizer Dennis Rainey, “when returning service members brought home these sporty, nimble, affordable little beauties.”
He added, “These cars represent almost all of the marques and models of the UK’s offering, including MGs, Triumphs, Jaguars, Morgans, Aston Martins, Austin Healys, Sunbeams, etc. — most of them in pristine condition.”
The show draws cars and their owners from a wide area, including Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, North and South Carolina and Tennessee.
In addition to having cars on display, the show will also include food trucks, live music, an area beer vendor and free popcorn.
Visitors are also encouraged to take a tour of Historic Rugby (tours depart from the Visitor Centre) to learn more about the fascinating British history of this Victorian village while they’re in town.
A silent auction of car-related items and other giveaways will end the day.
Visitors can also head to Rugby’s historic Uffington House to help judge the eighth annual Tea Table Setting Contest. Anyone wanting to enter the contest may do so by registering at historicrugby.org under the Events tab.
Setup will be Aug. 16; the contest itself will be Aug. 17 from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. EDT.
Judging will include People’s Choice, first and second places, and Most Likes on Facebook. The entry fee is $10.
Got a British car or motorbike? There’s still time to enter it in the car show by registering at historicrugby.org under the Events tab.
And for those wanting to make a weekend of it, car show participants will also gather in Rugby on Friday night, Aug. 16th, for live music, beer from area breweries, and a rousing game of Irish Road Bowling through the heart of the village.
“What sets this car show apart from most of the others is that it is a gathering of folks who have come to know one another over time and have become truly good friends,” Rainey said. “The show itself is the reason for getting together.”
Rugby was founded in 1880 as a British colony by famed author Thomas Hughes. It’s adjacent to the Big South Fork National Recreation Area and is a 2.5 hour drive from Nashville and a little over an hour’s drive from Knoxville.
For more information, visit historicrugby.org or follow Historic Rugby on Instagram and Facebook.