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PGI CAR CLUB Mark MacMahon, mark@pgicarclub.com

What do Ferdinand Magellan, Sir Francis Drake and the PGI Car Club have in
common? They all led expeditions that completed circumnavigations. Now, to be sure,
the Magellan and Drake expeditions circumnavigated
the Earth while the Car Club only circumnavigated
Lake Okeechobee. But, the Car Club did it without a
sextant! After setting out on its odyssey, the Car Club
overnighted at the Seminole Inn in Indiantown,
Florida a few miles East of Lake Okeechobee. This inn has an interesting history. It
was originally built by the president of the Seaboard Airline Railway and opened in
1926. Wallace Warfield, the niece of the owner, is said to have presided over the
opening ceremony. Ms. Warfield subsequently became well known when, after two
unsuccessful marriages, she married the former Seminole Inn
King of England, who had abdicated the throne in
order to marry her. Over the years the inn fell into disrepair and was closed and
reopened on several occasions. Beginning in 1976, the Wall family was to purchase
it on three separate occasions and operates it today. While in Indiantown, the Car
Club toured the nearby Barley Barber Swamp where an extensive boardwalk offers
visitors the opportunity to experience the beauty of the wildlife, plant species, and
floral beauty sheltered by the swamp.

But, this was only one of many recent activities by our members. Each year, the Naples Ferrari Club sponsors a “Cars
on Fifth” event. Although many Ferraris are displayed, other interesting cars may be seen there as well. You must be
invited to display a vehicle at this event. And, this year, Car Club member Bert Jones was fortunate enough to be invited
to display his Maserati. Way to go Bert!

Car Club activities continued with a visit to the Florida Flywheelers, which was
created by the Antique Engine Club. This organization was founded in 1972 to
preserve and exhibit antique internal combustion and steam engines, antique tractors
and automobiles, and various labor saving devices from years gone by. In its early
days, the club hosted events at member homes and occasionally rented facilities for
such purposes. In 1997, the club purchased property in south Polk County to permit Florida Flywheelers
members to display their collections. This park has now grown to almost 240 acres
and includes a tractor area, buildings to house and display collections, and many large engines. The park is so extensive
that many Car Club members rented golf carts in order to see more of the park.

In early March, the Car Club traveled to the Sebring International Raceway
(SIR) for its classic race weekend. This event includes vintage and historic
automobile racing and an accompanying car show featuring classic, vintage
and collectible cars. The SIR is located on
portions of a former World War II base
that was used to train B-17 pilots. It was
converted into a road-racing course after
the base was closed following the end of
Sebring International Raceway
the war (the present-day Sebring Regional
Airport also uses portions of the old military airfield). The road-racing course still runs
on old sections of the airfield and is reputed to be quite rough because of the large
seams that connect its concrete sections. Former Car Club President Bill Leach won
best in class in the show for his 1955 Chevrolet. If you look closely at the picture of Bill
and others, you may just be able to see his winning car in the background. Bill Leach with 1955 Chevy

Following its March meeting, the Car Club toured the Punta Gorda
seawall construction facility and learned more about the city’s plans to
replace the seawalls damaged by Hurricane Irma.

As this article was going to press, the Car Club was preparing for a
multi-day trip to Amelia Island, by way of St. Augustine, to see the
Concours d’Elegance (an extraordinary showing of antique, classic,
Seawall construction facility tour and collectible cars presented in an exceptional setting). And, we are
also looking forward to our Spring Gathering, which will feature a visit
from the Mobstah Lobstah food truck.

If you are interested in knowing more about the Car Club, please check us out at www.pgicarclub.com.
25 www.pgica.org