Yoda, I was amazed at the Ferrari's low speed torque-- if you were in the wrong gear, it would still pull away briskly. It would do 50 MPH in 4 different gears. My 36 Cord would do 50 MPH in 3 different gears [quite something 60 years ago] The Cord had a 4 speed with both 3rd and 4th overdrive ratios.

That should be 70 years ago. Hal

Tony wrote a while back that the MGC-GT is a greaqt touring car. I have numerous Bs..roadsters and GTs..and a 69 MGC-GT..and a 68 C roadster that will probaly never be a driver again. The CGT is a wonderful car, have had it 20 years and is a ball to take out in the desert and let it go. Drive that..then hop in the non o/d B and its like nite and day...but at least the top goes down on the B.

Hey, Jack - I'm gonna put a Webasto in my '74-1/2 GT...I have an old one that I want to rebuild but need parts so I've been in touch with the folks in the UK for them....I'm also thinking about buying a new one for my '69 MGC-GT...maybe we need to do a group buy...

I never got to drive an MGC GT as they were not sold in Canada [some have been privately imported] Sales of the GTs took a dive after the 24 Oz. came out [also the GT6+] I guess that was the right car at the right time. but I wonder how many of them are left now. Hal

More ramblings, someone made a Mini estate [850] into a wrecker with dual rear wheels, and a boom with winch etc. The Co. I worked for bought it and had a Union Jack painted on it. We used it for running around and it was quite an attention getter. We took an NSU Prinz on trade and it was parked in an underground garage and wouldn't start. [no access for normal tow trucks] I hooked on to it with the Mini and took a run at the ramp, made it, and brought it to the lot. The dual wheels were welded together and to change a tire, you had to cut the old one off. Hal

I just remembered [it was over 30 yrs. ago] The Co. bought an MG Y Tourer and we used it for errands etc. for several years It was BRG and a realy nice, rare car with left drive. I understand the front suspension from these Ys was used on the TDs and later MGs I guess it was a little under powered but with the top down it was a blast.
Hal. I guess I'll have to change my name as I've sold one of my Cords.

Warranty work. I learned an interesting fact about dealer warranty claims. After going through all the hoops and dodges, if a warranty claim was approved, they credited the Co. parts account. This helps explain why parts prices are as high as they are---if they can make enough profit on parts, that pays for warranty claims.
We sold Mazda for a short time in the 80s and I needed a door skin for my R100 demo. $13.00 ---- They hadn't figured it out yet. Hal

It's been a while, so a short report on the Steamworks Concours d' Elegance held in Gastown [Vancouver} on Sept. 1st
There were some fantastic cars, as usual, and this year I judged 1920-1930 Foreign. We had a 1929 Rolls Royce P1 touring, a 1929 MG-M, 1929 Bentley Martin Walter Speed 6 Coupe, a second lovely Bentley 6-L,
and a 1930 Bugatti Type 44 DHC.
Other cars of interest 1897 Leon Bollee Voiturette, 1938 Bentley 4.25, 1933 Rover 10 Tickford Special, 1935 Austin Nippy, 1937 Alvis Speed 25, ex Mohhammed Alcassab, 1936 Rolls Royce 25/30 Park Ward DHC, 1953 Bentley R Continental,1958 Aston DB2/4, 1954XK 140 Jaguar, 1955 Austin Healey 100-4 B.N.I., 1953 Aston DB2, 1956 Austin Healey 100-6BN4, 1958 Bentley S1,
another dozen later cars--incl. a 1961 MGA, 2 Astons,1963 Alfa Zagato and more Bentleys, E Type etc.
There was also a super display of vintage Motor Bikes, mostly British.
Hal

Hal,
I had not seen this thread before today. Thanks for the wonderful stories that make this forum the great community it is.

Wow Hal;

This has to be the most replies I`ve seen on a New member:

Welcome from the Pocono Mtns of PA:

Regards, Russ

Thanks Dave and Russ, I'm running out of stories of my few years in car sales, it was a great experience. It's such a shame to have watched the British car industry fade.
The last two times I visited Britain my rental cars were Fiats [actually, not bad cars] and in 96, on the way to tour Browns Lane, we drove by a Peugot factory.
I read the Chinese are bringing back MG !!!
Hal

It's been a long time since I've posted. Thought I would update the Gastown, Steamworks Concours, held recently. I was judging Class 3--1929--1939 Foreign, and we had a 1929 4.5 Bentley M.W. Coupe, 1931 Standard Avon Special, 1933 Alvis Speed 20 SB, 1939 4.L Bentley OD. Other notable Brit cars, 1954 Jaguar XK 140 [won nearly everything], 1949 MG TC, 1951 Austin Atlantic Coupe,1947 HRG, 1959 Bentley, 1971 & 73 E-Types, 1962,64, & 65 Austin Healeys, 1964 RR SC111,1963 Triumph Herald, 1962 Alvis TD 21 DHC, and a number of Motorcycles.
The weather was perfect, and we had another super show. This show follows Pebble Beach and we always attract some supurb cars.
Hal

I have pretty well run out of memories, but was thinking of the time back in the 70's when the new car intoduction was held at the Bayshore [an expensive place near to Stanley Park]. After we had all eaten, the head guy from BL got up to the mike and started off with a story about a hard of hearing judge at Old Baily who said to the defendant "before I pass sentence, what have you got to say?" "F**k all" he muttered. The judge looked at the clerk and said "what did that man just say?" "He said F**k all your Honor" The judge says " By jove--------I could have sworn I saw his lips move"
Some of us fell off our chairs
Hal

Welcome Back to the Wonderful World of LBCs on the "THEE" best Forum; We call the "BCF":

Have Fun,

Russ

Thanks Russ, I've been enjoying my 85 V12 VdP and the "grace, space, & pace" is so true. After driving my moderns for weeks, a drive in the Jag is a revelation. 10,000 Km. in 14 years.
Hal

My memory is shot,I meant to post a short write up of the Steamworks Concours, held Sept. 5 th. I was judging 1960-70 imports and we had a 1960 TR 3A, 1964 Healey BJ8, 1962 Morgan plus4 DHC, and a 1965 Aston DB5. as well as 2 Alfas and a Lambo. There were some super cars again this year and judging was extemely tough. Other notable British cars, 1955 Jaguar XK 140, 1952 Lagonda DHC, 1956 TR 3, 1948 MG TC, 1935 RR 20/25, 1937 RR 25/30, 1931 RR Spingfield Conv Cp.,1961 Morris minor 1000, and a 1975 Jensen Healey.
Hal