That, people, is what life should be like.
My dear McCartney, you're a gem.
Chris
> -----Original Message-----
> From: jonmac [SMTP:jonmac@ndirect.co.uk]
> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 2:25 PM
> To: Friends of Triumph
> Subject: Matters 'Gloria'
>
> Friends
>
> Just a rather nice little story of an event that occurred
> today. At the risk of a little extra bandwidth, I'd like to
> recount it.
> A gentleman celebrating his 90th birthday came to Gaydon
> 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.
>
> Jonmac
> John Macartney
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