Friends
At the risk of a little extra bandwidth, I'd like to recount
the following story. To be honest, it's already gone out to
the Friends of Triumph list and I've had two requests within
30 minutes asking me to post it to others as well. The
background is that the FoT list have recently been
discussing the pre-war Triumph Gloria and because of this,
the story below is rather relevant.
A gentleman celebrating his 90th birthday came to Gaydon
today with his two sons. He'd said that this was what he
wanted to
do in preference to having a party - even a quiet one. We
didn't know he was coming and it was only because one of his
sons announced to Reception what a special day this was for
him, that we were able to do something with zero prior
notice.
I think I can say we reacted with fairly commendable speed.
Within less than ten minutes, he was in the front seat of a
1947 Wolseley Police Car, going round the site rather faster
than we normally drive it - and with the alarm bell ringing!
He loved that.
As he was a bit 'tottery on his pins' it occurred to me that
as he was going into the Museum, it might be better all
round if he used one of our wheelchairs. Knowing that some
elderly visitors are very unwilling to admit they'd like to
have the use of these - and some refuse point blank to even
be seen near one let alone in it, I broached the subject
with some trepidation.
"Young man" he barked, "I'll die before I get in one of
those - but thank you for the offer" so we set off with a
son on either side and holding Dad vertical.
As we were going down in the lift (elevator) I asked him if
there were any cars he particularly wanted to see.
"Well, I used to drive Standards at one time. Never had any
other make of car - except for the REAL Triumphs. I had a
Standard Flying Nine and a Triumph Gloria tourer. I don't
expect you've heard of that one?"
I smiled in my reply. "Just for you and in anticipation of
your arrival, there are two old friends down here you might
like to see. I'm sure they'll be pleased to see you."
He was so busy looking around him (and undoubtedly a bit
deaf) and I'm sure didn't hear my reply.
We couldn't quite run to a Standard Flying Nine but he gave
a little hoop of delight when I opened the driver's door of
a 1934 Standard Airline made by SS and on which the later
Standard Flying series were modelled. He was like a little
child and immediately starting telling anyone who was
interested all about his own Flying Nine.
We moved along the row - and I opened another door.
"Would you like to try this one on for size, Sir?"
We helped him into the driving seat of the Gloria and he was
utterly speechless with delight - and then, bless him, two
tears rolled down his cheeks - followed by a few more and a
hasty blow of his nose.
All we heard from a husky throat was "it's just like mine
was, just like the one in which I proposed to Helen - and
she accepted."
The tears were quickly gone when we moved on to Sir Malcolm
Campbell's 40/50 Rolls Royce and he said he felt very
distinguished behind that steering wheel. Finally, there
were royal waves and many smiles as he sat reclined and
thoroughly enjoying himself in the back seat of the Queen
Mother's state limousine. He declined (fortunately!) the
offer of a seat in the 1965 Rover BRM Le Mans gas turbine
car and we returned to the cafeteria for a hastily arranged
birthday tea.
When I said goodbye to him an hour later, the gratitude he
showed was so touching.
"I loved it all and thank you SO MUCH for my ride in the
police car, as well as the privilege of sitting in all the
others."
He paused
"I hope you don't mind but I must apologise for my moment of
weakness in the Gloria. It brought back too many VERY happy
memories and I don't deserve to have been treated so kindly.
Thank you again."
As I watched him totter out between his two loving and
supporting sons, I'm not ashamed to admit there was a sniff
in my nose and a pricking behind my eyes. A lovely old man
who had clearly had a very happy day. I think we all need to
be reminded from time to time that what may be small
pleasures for us - are very major ones for others.
John Macartney
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