MG vs. Triumph Rivalry?

[DrEntropy]

Two "blinks" onna headlight flasher for ANY LBC encounter'd... if no response I figger it's a "newbie" at th' helm.

...all else is ignorance.

 

[Andrew Mace]

I can only wonder if the one finger used in the Minnesota salute is the same finger usually used in a typical New York or New Jersey salute....

 

[TR3driver]

I was driving home from work in my TR4A and an MGA was driving towards me in the opposite direction. I waved (I know he saw me) but got no response. British cars are really becoming few and far between even in the DC area. What gives?

Probably don't hold with them newfangled roll-up windows!


But I have to agree with Art, given a choice between driving a MGA and pushing my TR3, I pushed! (It's surprising the things you'll put up with when you're young and broke. Once I got some money, I installed an alternator, which forever ended my days of pushing.)

 

[Moseso]

I can only wonder if the one finger used in the Minnesota salute is the same finger usually used in a typical New York or New Jersey salute....

For the sake of clarity, the "Minnesota wave" is the raising of the left-hand INDEX finger from the steering wheel to an <span style="font-style: italic">almost</span> vertical position, (rest of the hand still gripping the wheel) accompanied by a <span style="font-style: italic">barely perceptible</span> nod of the head.

We do the other thing too. But, just as everywhere else, it ain't subtle -- and is often accompanied by vile language.

 

[GBRandy]

We do the other thing too. But, just as everywhere else, it ain't subtle -- and is often accompanied by vile language.

As a Packer fan at the Humpty Dump I have experienced that first hand

 

[Silverghost]

Hey!
Snob Jag owners?

Mini drivers are the WORST!

Remember, those who think their poop doesn't stink have a serious blockage in the nasal passages......probably caused by BLOWBY!

Oh geezzz....I've DOOMED us all!!!....I have a Jag AND a Mini...and an MG...and my brother has a TR....!!!!!
Will a black hole appear in my driveway and destroy the planet??!

Oh guys, I'm SORRY.......I DIDN'T KNOW!!!!!!

So long....and thanks for all the fish!! Be sure to stop at the Restaurant At The End of The Universe on your way out.

<dials Walter Bishop and Olivia Dunham to see if Massive Dynamic can save us! :laugh: >

 

[dklawson]

I wrote Mini, not MINI.

I can't tell you how many times I come across a Mini, some RHD, even, whilst driving a freaking RHD MK2 Jaguar, no less, wave and flash the lights, they just drive on past.

Sorry for your experience but I'll defend the Mini, particularly the "real" ones imported here in the 1960s by pointing out that 1) We have sliding windows. It's a major pain to get your hand visible to wave at anyone, and 2) Our cars did not come with headlight flashers.

That said, I added a headlight flasher button to my Mini just so I could "say hello" to other passing classics. I don't limit myself to British cars. Whenever I see anything on the road that's older than about 1980 I'll flash, wave (if I can) and honk (if I feel it's really necessary). I consider anyone driving a classic car a kindred spirit and feel no sense of rivalry.

 

[ekamm]

I moved from Dallas in the late 80's to the sticks NW of Fort Worth very rural town 200 people or so. The first person that I passed on the road raised their hand and I of course gave the obligatory Dallas freeway one gun salute. It turned out to be my new neighbor (very friendly out in the sticks huh!). Not good in a town of 200 and everyone there already knew who I was before they ever saw me.

As far as LBC's I see very few here but the few classics that I see are always friendly, but there's a difference between plains people and parts of the country where there are affluent areas of people. Our local car club is all British and we all are glad that there are people that enjoy keeping classic cars on the road.

 

[tomgt6]

Let me clarify the Minnesota wave. Moseso had it right, that is the wave that is given in Minnesota by men. Now Minnesota women are not as restrained with the types of waves they give. They tend to give the 1 finger wave but not quite like the men.

I would just be happy to see any British car around here. I think I need to get the Triumph club of Minnesota to come down and see me some day.

 

[Number_6]

Is there still a rivalry between MG and TR owners or aren't we all simply LBC owners? :confuse:

I was driving home from work in my TR4A and an MGA was driving towards me in the opposite direction. I waved (I know he saw me) but got no response. British cars are really becoming few and far between even in the DC area. What gives?

I had a similar experience not long after I got my TR3. I was stopped at a 4 way stop sign in my TR3 when I saw a rubber bumper MGB stop at the other side of the intersection. I smiled and waved to the driver. Not only did he not wave but from the dirty look he gave me as he drove past you would have thought I'd made an obscene gesture at him. In the last 2+ years since I bought my car that was the only other LBC of any type that I've seen on the road while I was out in my TR.

I've never understood nor have ever had any patience with the MG vs. Triumph rivalry. Both excellent makes of cars that I would be proud to own. I guess it's like the Ford vs. Chevy guys.

 

[luke44]

All you guys <span style="font-style: italic">driving </span> these cars! Ah yes, maybe some day....

 

[Moseso]

I feel your anxiousness, Luke. It's just a matter of time-on-task and, probably, money.

My first two years on this forum were spent asking and studying about how-tos. Now I can participate in discussions of what it's like to drive it. Pretty cool, actually. Keep up the good work -- you'll get there!

 

[Geo Hahn]

I'm always happy to greet MG drivers...

Actualy, since ours is an all-marque club, waves and such are enjoyed all around (except by Newer Jags, new Minis, Land Rovers and such who may be just dimly aware of British Motoring History).

As for the frozen North... I once heard a North Dakota native explain that if a (ND) driver doesn't wave at you it means he only has one arm.

 

[PATR8]

I find most Triumph and LBC owners are pretty frinedly, the snobbery I experience is usually from the "purist" who don't like my 8 is non original color, has a roll bar, or Oh my gosh... is actually a clone. I have two gentleman around here who regularly dismiss me because of my clone.

What I find most funny is their cars are very extensively "Woody-ified" but that doesn't seem to bother the purist attitude they have.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

"Woody-ified"

???

 

[Rhodyspit75]

I just came back from a drive Number 6. Maybe we will wave at each other some day. In RI maybe the reason people don't drive a lot is because of the limitations on antique plates. I doesn't deter me. Altho I may opt for the duel registration if I continue to drive it a as much as I have been.
The only person that waved to me was one of my neighbors who actually jumped in front of me the first time she saw my Spitfire. She had learned to drive on her father's before it was stolen.

 

[TRDejaVu]

I wave at any older car. Around my neck of the woods Triumphs and MGs just about always wave back. Jag drivers rarely do. People driving American classics just look bemused because if it doesn't have a huge V8 then they aren't interested.

Me, I just like to see any older car on the road.

 

[Number_6]

I just came back from a drive Number 6. Maybe we will wave at each other some day. In RI maybe the reason people don't drive a lot is because of the limitations on antique plates. I doesn't deter me. Altho I may opt for the duel registration if I continue to drive it a as much as I have been.
The only person that waved to me was one of my neighbors who actually jumped in front of me the first time she saw my Spitfire. She had learned to drive on her father's before it was stolen.

Hope to see you on the road around town, Rhodyspit! I live in Cumberland also.

 

[PATR8]

"woody-ified" = engine, suspension, drive line, all modified by Woody Cooper

 

[swift6]

I have two gentleman around here who regularly dismiss me because of my clone.

What I find most funny is their cars are very extensively "Woody-ified" but that doesn't seem to bother the purist attitude they have.

Badge it as a TR7-V8 and tell 'em to pound sand. I could understand if you were claiming it as a "true" TR8 when its not, but if you call it what it is TR7-V8, then have at it. Especially if their cars are modified, regardless of if they are "true" TR8's or not. Woody wouldn't have much business if he only worked on TR8's, he creates several TR7-V8s' as well.

For clarification on my thoughts regarding a TR7-V8 vs. a TR8. It is like comparing a Cobra Kit car to a true Cobra. Sometimes they are nearly indistinguishable, sometimes the "copies" are even better than the original. But a TR8, like a Cobra, is defined by it's factory ID number, as well as it's components.