Folsom site of iconic MG car show

The lawn behind the Folsom Library was temporarily transformed into a colorful display of iconic MG cars this week. The car show was part of an annual event organized by die-hard fans of these historic cars whose devotion spans decades. The MG history dates to 1924, when they were created in Great Britain. For the past 100 years, the MG's have had an enthusiastic, intense fan base nationwide; in 1979, local MG owners formed the Sacramento Valley MG Club. Val Howard Hogue is a founding member. "People still love MG's, and they are cute. They're charming and they have personality, what can I say?" said Hogue. Each year, the club hosts "GOF West" (Gathering of the Faithful), where they converge at a designated location with their cars and spend several days sharing their beloved cars, driving and other fun events only an MG fan can truly appreciate (such as "fun and games with your MG"). This year, the event was based in Folsom, with many members staying at the Lake Natoma Inn. On Tuesday Oct. 15, about 80 MG's were on display on the lawn behind the Folsom Library with virtually all models represented, from early pre-World War II through the 1970s. Event registrants were to vote on their favorite, with awards given out Thursday. "We're lucky enough to have a pre-war car here, which is a 1923 Morris Oxford," said Hogue. The people who attended this event with their MG's are mainly from the western states, such as California and Washington, but there were a few from Arizona and even from Australia (though they didn't bring their car, of course). Many participants drove their MGs to Folsom, but 19 brought their cars in trailers. October in Folsom is ideal MG weather: not too cold, not too hot. Hogue said club members are passionate about their cars and devote countless hours and dollars either maintaining or upgrading them. "Predominantly, they're four cylinders and if you keep them up, they run forever it seems like," said Hogue. "Some people are more prone to do stuff to try to keep it authentic, for what it was in '53 or whatever. And then a lot of folks will change them up, like put a beefier radiator on it, or smaller starters that are aluminum that are lighter but stronger. They may beef up the electrical in it." Thomas Coleman brought his 1953 MG TD to Folsom from Southern California in a trailer. His bright red MG looks immaculate; Coleman's father bought the car for $800 in 1965 when he was a Marine in Camp Pendleton. Over the years, Coleman's father put about $10,000 into the car to fix it up, but there came a point where his dad wasn't sure he would ever finish the project … so Coleman agreed to take the car home and continue the work his father started. As a finishing touch, Coleman added emblems on the front of the car - one for his father the Marine, and one for the Coast Guard, of which Coleman was a member. "This past summer, I drove it (to Idaho, where his father now lives), I took it up and showed it to him and he was like, oh my God it's done! He was amazed because I don't think he ever thought it would get done," said Coleman with a smile. Every MG at the show in Folsom has an interesting backstory like Coleman's, and an owner who is its biggest fan. This is why, after more than 40 years, the Sacramento Valley MG Car Club, and others like it, continue to motor along. Not only do members of the club love their cars but they share a special camaraderie. Hogue said you could call it a passion, or even a slight obsession. Whatever it is, it's just hard to resist these visually fun, sometimes temperamental, iconic cars. "They can be a pain in the butt," said Hogue. "But when I drove mine down (to Folsom) Sunday to go to the hotel, and I live by Rescue, I was sitting there with the top down, the weather was perfect and the car was running great and I'm like, I'm in my element."