Okay, I can't resist.
The LBC bug bit me early. I was 5. My neighbor had 2 MG TD's. Evey
now and again, he give me a lift round the neighborhood -- all of a
mile. I just thought his car was so cool. The lines...curving fenders;
tall, spoked wheels; half-cut doors...were beautiful. I was hooked.
By 15, I had saved about $900 from odd jobs and mowing lawns. And I
really wanted to buy a LBC. Aside from the fact that I still had
memories of my "TD days," I had become a tried and true Anglophile. I
ate, drink, and breathed soccer. And followed British teams
passionately. So a LBC really seemed to fit the image -- important at
15.
While riding my bike, I saw a 1965 Spitfire for sale. $1100 -- just
outside my range. Fortunately, my parents loaned me the difference.
And I had my car. Now I just needed my license! :-)
The Spit was a wonderful car. No pep. But it was cool. I replaced the
carpets, made other cosmetic improvements, and did some mechanical work
with the help of my Dad. A couple of years later, I was forced to sell
it. I needed money for a trip to Europe to play soccer -- a dream that
surpassed any need to have a car. Having been bitten, though, I had the
disease. It was just in remission.
While in college, the disease surfaced again. This time, it was a 1967
MGBGT. Another fun car. After a few years, another life event saw it
go to another caring owner.
After college, I started an MGA account. Unfortunately, it got
liquidated before the money ever got used for its intended purpose. The
first house seemed more important. Isn't it always that way?
Have-to-have's always seem to get in the way of want-to-have's.
After a few years in the first house and a new job, we were
comfortable. While I couldn't splurge for the "real car" -- an MGA or a
TR4, I did manage to locate a beautiful black 1965 Sunbeam Alpine V.
Again, not the peppiest of cars. But beautiful, and a real, solid
runner. Like the MGA account, the Sunbeam was lost to the second
house. We needed money for the down payment.
After 5 years in the second house and the birth of our first daughter,
the disease has surfaced again. This time, I'm looking for the dream
car: a TR4 or TR4A. I wish I had time to restore one. But I don't.
So I'll "settle" for a completely restored one...one in which my
daughter and I can enjoy weekend drives, and my wife and I can enjoy
weekend gateways to the wine country.
Thanks for letting me share.
John Clark
San Rafael, CA
"Still searching for the perfect TR4..."
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