A Brief History of British Car Field Day
British car owners and enthusiasts in southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois have benefited for over 40 years in having an annual venue to showcase any and all road vehicles built in England. British Car Field Day is a result of the vision and leadership of Bill Hentzen of the MG3 club dating back to 1981. Bill organized involvement from all local British car clubs to assist in carrying out the first event.
The first British Car Field Day was held on June 27, 1982, at Naga-Waukee Park in Hartland, WI and attracted over 90 cars. These first events were primarily a short driving event through the beautiful countryside followed by a casual picnic open to members of local British car clubs. Five subsequent Field Days were held at Naga-Waukee Park. In 1987, the show moved to Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc for two years. Zablocki Park in Milwaukee was the location for the 1989 show and Alverno College for the 3 years that followed.
Starting in 1993 the show has been held in Sussex, Wisconsin at the Sussex Village Park that has proven to be an ideal location for a car show venue. Registered vehicles have varied over the years due to weather and other factors, however, many shows have had well over 250 registered cars. Since 1991, the event has contributed to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and Sussex Boy Scout Troup #95.
Dozens of individuals have devoted uncounted volunteer hours to maintain this event over the past 40 years. It would be impossible to name them all, but we would be remiss without again acknowledging Bill Hentzen for the vision to get this started.
Please continue to nurture these vehicles and keep the passion alive for the preservation of all British auto marques. We ask your support in teaching the next generations of potential classic car owners the beauty and uniqueness’s of all British marques.