British invasion

A woman flicked a brown leaf off the curving red fender of a 1967 Morgan 4/4.

A man in a reflective vest directed a forest green 1960 Jaguar XK 150 into its show spot atop a hill, promising the man behind the wheel, “best in show, I guarantee it.”

And at least one gray dog trotted between cars wearing a British Union Jack flag outfit during the 27th Annual British Car Show on Saturday at Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro. Nearly 150 British cars, many owned by members of the Shenandoah Valley British Car Club, lined the hills and valleys of the park by noon.

“We just kind of cruised up together,” said Dale Ostendorf, of Roanoke, pausing the polishing of his red 1976 Triumph TR6 to point to his neighbor. “They’ve got such a nice little park out here.”

It was Ostendorf’s third British car show of the year.

“It never ends, there’s always something to do,” Ostendorf said of his car. “It’s one of those hobbies that’s fun but frustrating.”

Near the park’s pavilion, SVBCC member Roger Hammond, of Staunton, opened the hood of his 1967 Jaguar for a prospective club member. In return, Leonard Riffle, of west Augusta County, flashed pictures of his newly purchased and polished British car.

Down the hill, a stuffed-toy jaguar perched atop one car; medals and plaques surrounded others.

And sitting in the shade, not far from their British flag hanging around a tree trunk, Bob and Chris Vitrikas, of Barboursville, admired their July purchase: a convertible 1998 Morgan + 8, with all of its curves and chrome and a spoke-filled spare tire proudly displayed atop its trunk.

They traded in two cars to get the Morgan, said Chris Vitrikas, “and we still owe money.”