– John Engstrom –
Those of you who have British Cars know what this phrase means and those with other Marques also know what it means. For those who have heard the phrase ( keep a stiff upper lip) but not the meaning, here goes, and my thanks to Wikipedia for the concise definition. to keep a stiff upper lip means that you display …” fortitude and stoicism in the face of adversity … (this) has traditionally been used to describe the attribute of British people in remaining resolute and unemotional in the face of adversity. A sign of weakness is trembling of the upper lip, hence the saying keep a stiff upper lip.” Holding your face in an unemotional state.
Beginning in the 1960’s this phrase became popular but has actually been use since sometime the 1800’s. Facing adversity is something everyone with a classic car knows how to do. Unforeseen breakdowns occur from occasionally to “common” and you guys under the “common” category know who you are. It means that you probably keep some sort of tool kit in the boot along with pieces of wire, duct tape, electrical tape, some anti-freeze in case of leaks and a couple of quarts of oil. I remember a trip to Rendezvous one year when we had a chase car loaded with spare parts. It turns out we needed it since there were “some” oil leaks. We had to stop along the way and buy a case of oil. We made it and fixed the leaks on site. Overcoming the adversity and using our knowledge to fix the problem along with a stiff upper lip is what got us through.
Keeping a stiff upper lip applies to anyone who lived in Minnesota through any winter. Remember those days of yesteryear when we had to take our batteries inside so that they were warm for the morning starting exercise? Also block heaters and setting the alarm to get up at 2 AM to start the car, so when you went to work it would run, plus getting up early to shovel out the driveway so that if your car did start, you could actually get out onto the street.
I’ve done ‘em all and sometimes had to use multiple methods at one time and then there’s getting into a cold car that’s frozen to the ground. I get cold just thinking of it. Luckily we have graduated to newer cars with fuel injection and as for me, I have also graduated to a heated garage. But it’s just fall and there are still plenty of good driving days ahead and fall colors to look at. It can be a glorious time of the year for driving, Get out and enjoy it. Don’t forget your stiff upper lip though.
Speaking of fall drives, the MG club is having their fall color drive on October 12th and as I understand it, it’s open anyone, you don’t even need an MG to go along with them. Check out the Minnesota MG Group for more information as to when and where it will start. The drive will end up in Isanti at BMC Autos where there will be a car show and free food. It’s an annual car show, aptly named the Stiff Upper Lip car show. The car show starts at 10am and runs until 3 pm. Contact BMC for more information.