Dear Listers,
Thanks for the many responses to my email on Triumph Verses Wife. In
total, I received 45 responses and more are coming, I expect.
The best response asked "Do you ever do anything nice for her in your
90 minutes of personal time?".
There were a few scathers and zingers. A couple of guys said "Well on
my third marriage I tried ________ and now I am single again". Several
people offered psycological evaluations "Your wife harbors deep anger" and
recommendations on counselling. There were a couple of suggestions involving
firearms and/or the judicial system. A few responses had stories and
situations much worse than my own. A bunch of people had blissful marriages
where each had a LBC before and during marriage.
A lot of people said that they wished their wife would go to a car show with
them or just like any British car.
FWIW, in addendem and in conclusion:
1. My wife has some special needs. She has been in coma's twice for
head injuries. She was struck by a car while riding a horse and another time
was in an accident in a 1953 VW without seat belts. She is subject to
periodic unpredictable mood swings exacerbated by Triumphs.
2. She loves seeing Jay Leno arrive in a British Car at British Day at
Woodley Park in Van Nuys.
3. I have a 40 foot by 40 foot barn with a 13 by 40 workshop, so the
garage is immaculate and no one hears my shinanigans going on at 0430.
4. I plan to own and drive my two TR-3's the rest of my life and not
purchase any more cars for myself. One TR-3 came with a factory steel
hardtop (paid $300 for the car in 1992, and it came with $300 in MOSS parts
still in boxes). The other TR-3 was given to me for free last year by an
acquaintance who's wife was not as understanding as my own. It has solid
floors, professionally rebuilt gauges and carbs, and has never been wrecked
(Hah! Gave it to me, lots of pieces tho...).
5. My goal in life is to have all of my wife's friends wish that I was
their husband and all of my kid's friends wish that I was their dad. I am
pretty successful at this stage, although my wife doesn't think so.
6. I used to work in Scotland (Glascow, actually Govan if anyone knows
where that is). I have considered taking her on a trip to visit friends in
Brighton, England to sample the ambiance of "The English way". If she learns
to love eccentricity and tradition, it may carry over to appreciation for
the Triumphs.
7. My Dad & Mom got a new 1952 MGTD as a wedding gift (Grandpa was a
car dealer). After the TD, Dad got a new XK140 Jaguar. They drove to the
hospital to have me in a new 1959 Hillman Minx station wagon, which was
followed by a 1960 Hillman Minx convertible. My first car was a 1969 MGB. In
the '50s, Grangpa drove an Armstrong Siddley Saffire. British cars are in
the bloodline.
I am going to try to do something special for my wife (without waking
her up of course) periodically during my 90 minutes of free time. I'll also
keep plugging away at it and keep my family obligations clear.
Thanks all.
Bill Brewer
Tehachapi, CA
1960 TR-3A TS 72747 LO
1961 TR-3A TS 75407 L
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