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A must read for any MG fan

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Ed Sweeney

Ed Sweeney

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Browsing a local used bookstore here in Philadelphia, I came across a fantastic little gem titled "The Red Car" by Don Stanford. Being published in 1962 I would guess it is now out of print, but I saw a few on eBay if anyone is interested.
The story goes (sorta):

Teenage boy hears about a curious little foreign car brought into the local garage after running off a tight mountain road. Turns out to be a 1948 MG TC in need of some substantial help. Despite his father's opposition, the boy begins working at the garage to learn enough to fix the car himself and eventually own it.
A controversial local road race is proposed around the same time, and the boy will do all he can to get his TC and himself ready to win the race. Will he be able to make good with his father, avoid the townspeople against the little cars, and win the race?

Probably a grade-school reading level book, but one of the most fun I've come across in a long time.
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[ 04-13-2004: Message edited by: Ed Sweeney ]</p>
 
One of the first books about MG's that most of us 'old' guys read....I remember when it first came out & may still have my 1st edition somewhere in my old bedroom stuff stored at my parents'...I was around 15 or 16 at the time!
 
This was my favorite book as a kid. I read it in sixth grade in '61, and lost my copy over the years. Went on Amazon a while back and bought another copy. Read it again, and brought back lots of memories. If you can find one, get it - great story, even if a little "corny" and it got many of us into the LBC craze.

Mickey
 
Thanks for the information on the book. I will have to see if I can find it in the frozen north. My wife teaches grade 8 and any book she can use to bring points about life to her students works good for her. She on occasion takes our MGB to her school, So after I've read the book, she can read it to her class.
 
I am another one of these guys that read this book as a very young man. I still have a copy and do not plan on parting with it. The Red Car is both a good story with an excellent ending and a fun book to read. This book does a great job of letting the reader know what a good sportsman is and how to deal with the other. My favorite part is where the father is won over by the son. Great book and everyone should read it.

Jim Wofford
1973 MGB, 1973 MGB-GT, 1952 MG-TD
 
Another good one is The Black Tiger, by Patrick O'Connor. It's one of a series that includes settings at LeMans and the Mexican Road Race. Very similar to The Red Car.
 
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