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British cars invade Manawa

Several British cars recently invaded Manawa.

The British cars arrived as a group and parked together for the weekly car event for the British Invasion theme on Friday, July 25.

It was not your regular display of cars.

The British models were very compact, compared to most American automobiles.

The Fox Cities British Car Club brought about 20 cars to Manawa for the British Invasion event.

Many of the vehicle owners were invited to the Friday night shows by John Gunnell, of Gunner’s Great Garage in Manawa.

“John asked us to come and we came,” said Matt Kierzek, president of the Fox Cities Brits. “Everybody likes to get out on Friday nights.”

According to Kierzek, the club has over 220 members. About 17 of those members brought cars to the Manawa show.

One of the smallest vehicles was a bright red 1966 Turner MK III brought to the Manawa show by Shane Hanke, of Waupaca.

He said driving a small car does not bother him, compared to more dangerous feats such as skydiving.

“I feel very safe with four tires,” Hanke said. “If someone can’t see this coming, they should get off their cellphone.”

Willie Wittkopf, of Appleton, brought one of his two 1978 MGBs. The other vehicle belongs to his wife, Jan.
“Hers has the original paint,” he said. “With mine, there is nothing original about it.”

According to his friends, Wittkopf’s MGB is original except for the red paint and the re-built super charged engine. 

With over 30 cars at the July 25 event, the British cars outnumbered the American made vehicles. 

The Friday night July events were sponsored by the Manawa Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We expect (the car shows) will be bigger and better next year,” said Eugene Much, of Manawa, who helped coordinate the shows. “We have lots more space we can fill.”

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