April 12-14, 2013

Bennington Museum, Bennington, Vermont

The Kimber Festival brings together enthusiasts who are keenly interested in M.G. history. Organized as an academic conference, the program consists of presentations about all M.G.s with topics that may include design and production, technical discussions, competitors, and competitions. You do not need to be a NEMGTR member to present or attend. All MG enthusiasts are welcome!
After check-in at the host motel on Friday afternoon, there will be an “in room” literature/memorabilia swap meet for early arrivals. Attendees have an opportunity to sell, buy, and swap extra items from their collections. There will be time for renewing friendships and making new ones.
On Friday evening, April 12, the attendees will celebrate Cecil Kimber’s 125th birthday at the Hemmings Motor News museum. Along with a birthday cake there will be a keynote presentationdesigned to set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
The Kimber Festival moves to the Bennington Museum for all of the Saturday activities. This venue has perfect meeting rooms for the presentations while containing an outstanding collection of Vermont historical items. In addition, the museum holds the world’s largest collection of both Grandma Moses’ paintings and Bennington Pottery.

January 1, 2013 -- Kimber Festival Update
 

We certainly hope that you are planning to be with us for the Kimber Festival on April 12-14 in Bennington, Vermont. If you have not registered yet, please do so now using either the form provide in TSO or on line at nemgtr.org. Registering ahead of time always makes life easier for the event organizers; of course, if you see your way clear to attend at the last minute, please do so.

The event opens with a party to celebrate Cecil Kimber’s 125th birthday at the Hemmings Motor News museum right across from the host motel. The museum will have on display Chris Nowlan’s Bullnose, and he will give the opening presentation entitled, “The Morris Motors 11.9 hp M.G. Supersports: A Process of Authentication.” Chris’s research on this car has been extensive ranging from Australia to the UK, and the process is as interesting as the discoveries.

On Saturday there will be an array of presentations that should enlighten and entertain everyone in attendance. M.G. has a great tradition of going after speed records. Geoff Wheatley was raised in the shadows of the Abingdon M.G. works, and will be presenting a paper on Brooklands, the track where M.G. scored many victories. Atendees will have their knowledge of M.G. record breaking enhanced with Chris Conrad’s  “Speed on Salt: A Midget Among Giants on the Bonneville Salt Flats.” Chris will start with a bit of history then describe his construction of the M.G. he will run at Bonneville’s Speed Week next summer.

The technical side of M.G. will be well covered with two presentations. Hal Kramer’s “Inside the T Series M.G. electric System” should answer some serious questions about what makes our cars go! Roger Morse will discuss a dual circuit brake system for racing as well as road safety.

Richard Miller is going to observe an Oxford milestone with “The Morris Motors Cowley Works at 100: From Bullnose to Mini.”  Dave Lawley will do a follow-up on his 2012 paper about M.G. sales literature. Peter Ross owns an M.G. that was raced in prewar America and will share his knowledge of  M.G.s in the USA in the 1930s. Hemmings has been invited to tell us about their publishing in our hobby, past, present, and future.

The Kimber Festival will not only honor Cecil Kimber on his 125th birthday but also takes a look at many subjects to enlighten enthusiasts.

Registration Information

Registration fee includes Friday evening event and all day Saturday events, speakers, and meals at the Bennington Museum including seeing their collections. Registration fee is $85.00 per person and includes Saturday lunch and dinner.
Make check payable to The New England MG T Register. Registrations should be sent to: Dick Knudson, 9 St. James’ Place #207,
Oneonta, New York 13820.
Or you can also register and pay online at the Register web site. Click this link to access the online registration form for the Kimber Festival

Please register by April 1. If you will be bringing items for the literature/memorabilia swap on Friday please let Dick know. Eligible items include sales promotion items, photographs, paintings,
illustrations, and books.

Schedule

Motel Information

The host motel is Paradise Inn across from Hemmings at 181 West Main Street, Bennington, VT. Their special rate is $75.00 per night but you must reserve early for this rate.
Telephone your reservation to 1-802-442-8351 and mention the Kimber Festival to receive this special rate. A limited number of rooms are available so do reserve early.