Hi, I am a new [OLD] member and own a 1985 V12 VdP Jag. This car has collector plates and is seldom driven [11000 Km in 11 years] I was in car sales back in the late 60s-early 70s and sold Austin, MG, Triumph and Lotus [we even got a few Super 7s] Hal Klassen

Welcome here, I have always loved the 12's Vdp's sooo much.

Welcome Vdp's are so nice...hard to find good examples of the early ones though

Hi Thanks for the welcome. The ser 111 Jag V12 VdPs were made in limited #s and were rebadged Daimlers D6s and sold only in Canada. {in 85 364]. With a bit of prompting, I could write a few notes about selling the cars we are restoring and enjoying now. Hal Klassen

Get going brother we all love to hear the stories. Have a few myself.

Welcome to the forum

How about the Lotus? We were given the Lotus franchise in about 1969 [the local dealer was't doing very much business] and the cars were stored in a field by the waterfront. We arrived with the dealer plates and a set of jumpers and went to get into a Europa when ----squish- it was full of water. We learned that they were water-tight on the bottom, but not the top. The Renault electric fans only lasted a few days [they were all rusty from sitting] and the gear shift levers had a habit of breaking off [tow job] Once we got to know the cars, they were fantastic!!! I had an Elan #2 for a driver [had two little girls] and loved it. Hal Klassen

Welcome to BCF.

More ramblings--Triumph Spitfires. We began having a serious problem with the gearboxes. Nearly every new car was back in a few days with a total failure of the gearbox. It got so, we ordered a new one the day after delivery. It took over a year for the factory to figure out the cars were being loaded and left in gear on the train across Canada, and the rock & rolling was breaking some snap rings in the box and it wasn't the lousy drivers after all. Hal
1985 V12 VdP
1966 Glenn Pray Cord
1967 Mercury Cougar

More rememberences {am I posting in the rigt place?} Minis- We were able to get new Minis after 1968 in Canada because of a special relaxation of the 5 MPH bumper rules, but they put them half way up the grille on chrome bars, and on the trunk lid. We could have sold 10 times as many, but there was always a waiting list. One thing I have never been able to figure out-- The Cooper had 56 HP and the Cooper S,s had 76 HP. You could light up the tires in the first 2-3 gears in an S and I think some of the competing makes had wildly optimistic HP ratings. The Mini came very close to becoming "Car Of The Century" and nearly every small car owes Sir Alec. Hal

"The Mini came very close to becoming "Car Of The Century" and nearly every small car owes Sir Alec."

Could not agree more. Well said.

MGs, we sold hundreds of MGBs [and a few Midgets] and my favrite was the 68. It still had leather seats, and had the full synchro gearbox and the 5 main engine. Each year the emission and safety regs. made the cars a little less popular but everyone else had their problems, so the MG remained vey popular right up to the 74 model year. The tougher 75 regs. came into effect on Jan.75 production, so we got quite a few rubber bumper cars with twin carbs and an oil cooler---but when the first single carb car came in I took it for a ride and a stock VW pulled away from me and I couldn't keep up. I left car sales a year or so later, but have a lot of good memories. An interesting sidelite-- the hard tops came over [randomly] mounted on a car and we were able to learn how to put the top down properly . Hal

This next one should have a warning----TR7 owners skip to another page. We got the TR7 as a replcement for the TR6. In this it failed miserably! the first cars were so bad, I refused to sell them [a car salesman with a concience?] I understand the cars got a bit better in later years, but by then I had left sales to go back to my trade. I never could figure out how the factory, with an excellent gearbox in production [MGB] could come up with such a poor design. The whole drive train was a disaster, but they did handle and ride quite well. Hal

Geez, Hal!!! You're gonna have a BUNCH of these fellas huntin' ya down with pitchforks!!

*SHHH!!!* Don't tell anyone, but: I hold the same opinion of "Wedgies". Also sold Lotus cars, in the mid-to-late '70's.

Welcome to th' forum!

A wedge is useful for holding a door open,and that's about all.

Stuart. (and welcome Hal.)

Quick, Duck before the TR guys get wind of this!

I'd figured Paul would'a jumped in by now but ever since his TR7 decided to create a new ventilation port between the rear end and the floorboards maybe his opinions of wedges has changed

We had a TR7 for a couple of years when I was a kid.

It was a spectacular lawn-ornament.

I'd take one if it was a 5speed, convertible, and not built in Speke.

And keep the stories coming Hal, this is as good a place as any!

I think Paul is in the conversion process....Give him awhile...He'll be the next Tony Barnhill

Thanks Jim, I wonder, after all these years, if it is fair to try to blame anyone for these problems [TR7] I think the engine was a joint effort with Saab, and their version had a lot more power and reliability. The labour problems at the time were so severe, that BL threatened to close the factory making the TR7s if there was one more wildcat strike and the next week there was and they did. We had no cars for a year, but this may have been a good thing, because the next series were a lot better plus the convertible and later the V8 made the cars competetive.
A pal of mine had a TR7 V8 Coupe [a couple of years ago] and I called it a TR7&1/2.
My every day transport is a 1983 Honda Civic [ex. Calif],no rust, Auto., AC, and I think it may be the last one running in this area, but there are plenty of Brit cars still active. Hal

Austins--- we had Minis, 1100s and 1800s and I drove an 1800 auto. for a while, and now am able to say "nearly everone is [in 2006-7]selling Austins". [with a few upgrades] That car had good handling, tremendous room, rode very well etc. etc. I just bought an '06 Impala and it sure reminds me of my 1800. AP designed the Mini,1100,America auto., and although it had it's problems [engine oil -trans oil combined] it was the forerunner of all these auto-stick automatics of to-day [you could select any gear and hold it] I think my Hondamatic may have it's roots the AP. More on the austins when I get up the nerve {Marina} Hal

Oh no, you don't get the museum cars - just the graveyard cars & buildings of parts...& you've gotta come get them!

Well Paul...What do you say?...Roadtrip?

I just remembered a funny Austin story. The factory came up with a new miracle upholstery material back in the 60s. that was [according the hype], far superior to anything. A fellow bought one and took it on a trip to the Yukon in winter and in the morning [temp.-30] when he sat down, the upholstery shattered like glass-----oops.

That's why, when we lived in Alaska, we had little electric heaters that kept the interior of our cars warm all the time!

Tony, were you in Alaska when GM stated gluing the door hinges on? I understand it got pretty cold driving to the dealer with the door in the PU box.

I lived in Fairbanks from 1985 until 1988...Professor of Military Science at University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

I think the glued hinges came in the 90s, so I guess you missed the fun. I see you have a couple of MGCs-- they never sold them in Canada for some reason, but the brochures said auto. were avail. in the Bs---never saw one, but could have sold lots of them.

I'll tell you one thing..MGC GT auto is a great grand touring car...peppy, roomy...if you ever get a chance, buy one!

I didn't know they never sold MGC's in Canada....I've actually seen quiet a few here over the years, guess they probably migrated up here.

Luke, I think they figured we had the Austin Healey, so that was enough. We also didn't get the Stag and Spites [after the merger] Too bad the V8 MGs never made it to N.A.
Hal

That Should Be Sprites. Hal

I don't know about the correction, Hal. I've had some of mine "spite" me on occasion.
Jeff

Just got back from the Steamworks - Gastown [Vancouver] Concours d Elegence [I'm A judge] On display--1911 Russell with English Daimler Knight engine,1911 RR Silver Ghost w 1921 Hooper body and electric upgrades,1929 Austin Chummy,,1930 MG-M,1928 Bugatti Type44 Roadster 1934 MG-PA,1937 Horch 853, 1946 Tatra 787,1951 Austin Atlantic,1953 Fiat 8V,1960 Morgan Plus4 DHC,1960 Alvis 7D21, 1966 Honda S600, 1968 Aston Martin DB6,some more RRs and Bentleys plus 50 or so NA cars. WoW --- came home and wisher I was rich Hal

My visitors from Suffolk have left after a great holiday [he just bought a new Skoda !!!] I gues they are VWs now, not like the ones sold here years ago. I lived in England for a year [75-76] and bought an old Morris Traveler. It was dark when I bought it and I wondered why the wood had been painted black. It made quite a thump when hitting a bump and the next morning I had a better look at the body. The wood had rotted to the point the roof was no longer attatched, so when I hit a bump,it bounced. The previous owner had sculpted the missing wood with fiberglass[glassfiber] and painted it to hide his handiwork. I was able to buy a good body for 15.00 pounds and installed it.
We put about 15,000 Mi. on the car and it was fine. Hal

Another Morris story My exhaust system was getting a bit noisy and I saw an ad for a complete new system installed for 9.99 pounds [I don't have the pound key] I was a bit sceptical, and sure enough--- he said the Traveler was more. How much more? I asked. 11.95 he said. So I told him to go ahead and I got the front pipe, silencer, tail pipe, hangers, clamps plus labour for 11.95 I wonder what the cost would be to-day Hal

I went to work for the local Ferrari dealer for a short while [ I got to take a used V12 home for a week-end] and was told about a customer who mangled his pass. side door. They ordered a new one from Italy, and after 5 weeks a crate arrived. They opened it and found a flat sheet of aluminum !!! bet the're still laughing. Hal

Ferrari V-12's are my fave Ferrari engines. Have an old V-12 piston right here on my desk as an ashtray!

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