In the Beginning
1991-1994
The Valley British Auto Club (VBAC) as it is known today, began in early 1991 under the moniker "British Car Enthusiasts of the San Joaquin Valley."
It all began with a couple of guys of course. One was Kevin Molineaux a British car mechanic who ran “Arcane Automotive” in downtown Fresno and Dan Dunham who owned a busy landscaping business in Clovis.
They thought it would be fun for British car enthusiasts in the Fresno area to hangout and discuss their vehicles. This loose group started with the original members including Kevin, Dan (aka Nigel), Dick Van Roseboom, and Mike Splivalo and few other guys. They casually met for beer and pizza at Round Table Pizza at the southwest corner of Bullard and 1st for nearly 6 years. One such “round table” was usually enough for all.
Sometime after 1992 the group's first newsletter was alternately written and mailed by Carol Lanigan and Kevin's wife Debilyn. Dues were $2.00 per month for postage and printing. (The oldest issue of the newsletter available is from April 1995.)
Not much is available about the years between 1992 and 1994 maybe one of our old timers can pull something up out of the fog.
1995
Earliest known members(26): (Newsletter list from March 1995)
Joe Baba, Steven Barefield, John Cope, Hank Crumpler, Dick Davis, Kieran Donahue, Dan Dunham, Al Farris, Kathy Farris, Peter Ficklin, Bob Gatewood, Pam George, Peter George, Frank Guida, Diana Guida, Marty Hardison, Doreen Hardison, Chris Hatcher, Tom Hinsch, Nancy Hinsch, Chris Insalaco, Cara Insalaco, Carol Lanigan, Jerry Lanigan, Bob McLanahan, Debilyn Molineaux, Kevin Molineaux, Glen Pearson, Richard Ramos, Joan Serna, Tom Small, David Spilavo, Mike Spilavo, Ron Travis and Carol Wynne,
The newsletter, sponsored by members' businesses, listed members' names, phone numbers, and their British cars. By the end of 1995, the club had 29 members plus many spouses involved.
Joe Baba held British car “bull”sessions helping members understand their British Car hobby a little more each week. Held on Wednesday nights from 7-9 PM at his shop on 828 N. Maple serving coffee, punch and cookies.
1996
February: Terry and Joanie Starr joined.
On June 13th a special meeting was held to discuss the formation of a formal club. A questionnaire had been passed out and it was time to hash out the direction of the “Club”. The meeting was held at Mama Loly's Pizza near Yosemite Lakes on Hwy 41. Attending were Tom and Nancy Hinsch, Dan Dunham, Marty Hardison, Carol and Jerry Lanigan, Peter George, Peter Ficklin, Hank Crumpler, Chris Insalaco, Brad Partridge, Joe Baba, Richard Ramos and Kevin and Debilynn Molineaux.
In brief the largest obstacle was insurance for board members. Factors that determine the insurance
premium included declared purpose of the club (as written in bylaws) possibility using a
national or other club as an umbrella for coverage, number of events each year, type of events, public in invited, etc. Estimated insurance premiums ranged from $400-$1500 per year. The group decided to further research the matter of bylaws and insurance. Marty passed out a questionnaire to help define what the group wanted. Ideas were then bounced around on how to increase event attendance.
Answers were elusive, no decision was reached. The purpose of the group was then discussed. Joe and Brad talked about the racing clubs they belong to where racing is the cohesiveness that keeps everyone interested. For our group, weekend morning tours seemed to be the favorite event, in addition to monthly meetings.
An attempt was made to schedule a weekend morning run, but could not settle on a date. Further discussion was tabled to next meeting.
June 18th : Results of Questionnaire:
Group consensus declared: Meeting day most preferred: First Tuesday of each month.
Dues: Yes, $25 per year.
Agreed that different restaurants each month was a good idea.
Primary objective in joining: Camaraderie
Activities: One day tours, picnics, weekend morning tours, British Car Shows, parties, tech sessions
progressive dinners
In August there were 42 dues paying members (started year with 29) and we outgrew the pizza parlor's back room.
Joe Baba assumed the newsletter duties from Debilyn and Carol for September and October.
In November Marty Hardison began editing and printing the newsletter at Kinko's.
Kevin and Debilyn Molineaux sponsored a well attended potluck Christmas party at their home in Yosemite Lake Park in Coarsegold.
1997
Steve Phillips joined in February.
1998
In January 1998 Popolo's Pizza at Herndon and Blackstone became the default monthly meeting place with other special event locations. Woodward Park in nice weather and members homes when graciously opened to Christmas, Superbowl and other parties.
As word spread, the group expanded to 33 members by the end of 1998.
Early on in the suggestion for an annual car show came from a member of the First Congregational Church (the Big Red Church) in Fresno. Ken Schoelen, who owned a 250 cc BSA motorcycle suggested holding a combination British Car and Motorcycle Show at the church. The initial shows were held in front of the church on a Saturday. Shows were quite small with maybe a dozen British cars from our group and others. 1991 and 1992 saw modest participation, but by 1993, the turnout had grown significantly.
In April of 1998, Kurt Lanse joined the group and under his leadership the British Auto/Motorcycle Show at the church grew yearly until it was moved to Old Town Clovis in October of 2003.
November 1998 www.valleybritish.org went live. Prior to then our site was with Geo-cities and Hemming's Motor News club sponsor area.
November 6, 1998 - The first “Steering Committee” planning meeting was held at the “London Bridge Pub” in downtown Clovis. First members of the committee in attendance were Kevin Molineaux, Kurt Lance, Bob Klope, Dan Dunham and Marty Hardison. This meeting determined the club's new name going forward as the “Valley British Auto Club”. We had a total of 33 memberships.
The club's membership swelled to between ??? members, largely due to Kurt's efforts in organizing the Clovis Roundup show and effective leadership.
1999
Marty designed the club badge emblem, he plagiarized the stylish Union Jack flag from a World War II period British postcard found on Ebay!
2000
2001
2002
2003
88 newsletter subscribers as of February 2003
Sunday October 12, 2003 – Annual British Car Show moved to Old Town Clovis.
100 newsletter subscribers as of Dec 2003
Re-branding and Publicity
The club advertised in the Fresno Bee's classifieds under its new name, the Fresno British Car Club. To be listed first in the classifieds, the name was changed to All Valley British Auto Club, but it was later changed to Valley British Auto Club, which sounded better. One of the club's earliest popular events was participating in The Very British Car and Motorcycle Show, organized by the First Congregational Church. By 1996, the church asked VBAC to take over the show, which they did, forming a committee to manage it.
Modernization and Legacy
The club moved the car show to Old Town Clovis in 2003, renaming it the Clovis British Car Roundup. The show was held in conjunction with the Old Town Clovis Antique and Collectible Show, benefiting the Fresno Wildlife and Rehabilitation Center. This successful combination of events continues to this day, now held in the spring.
The club's formalization included establishing a bank account, a PO Box, and drafting the first president, Kurt Lanse, in 1998. Under various presidents, the club saw significant growth and modernization. Marty Hardison took over as newsletter editor in 1996, naming it "Running Hot" in 1997, and creating a website for the club at valleybritish.org.
The printing of the newsletter transitioned to the "British Marque" Car Club News in 2009, which published news for over 100 British car clubs across the U.S. and England. Various members contributed as editors over the years, with Larry Zerwig taking over in 2023.
Continued Growth and Community
In January 2006, the club acquired a trailer for storage, purchased with funds raised by Steve Phillips. The trailer was customized by club volunteers at British Steel, owned by Rick and Betty Rogers. During Rick Rogers' presidency, the club also secured liability insurance to protect its members.
The Valley British Auto Club has evolved significantly over the decades, thanks to its dedicated members and their shared love for British automobiles. The club's longevity and vibrant community are testaments to its quality and the passion of its members.