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Sometimes You Never Know...

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SaxMan

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...when you're about to bump into another LBC owner.

This evening, I went over to meet with a family that is having our band for a Bar Mitzvah next weekend. When we got to talking, they told me the theme and the decor was to be a "London Street Scene". I mentioned that I had the perfect prop for their theme. When I said I owned an Austin Healey Sprite, the bar mitzvah kid went ballistic "You have a Sprite?!!!....Dad! He has a Sprite!"...and he knew the difference between a Bugeye and Square Sprite!

Mom told me that all three of their sons (Ages 17, 13 and 11) are huge LBC fans, and Dad owns a TR-6 that has been off the road for a while. So, Dad and I got to talking about LBCs for a few minutes before we got back on task to talk about the evening.

My car won't end up being a prop. Even if they could get it in the building, I don't think the venue would appreciate oil dripping on their floors. Also, the thought of 40 thirteen year olds crawling all over the car isn't a very appetizing thought...what could possibly go wrong? (Obvious sarcasm intended). However, after the party is over and the dust settles, I did promise that I would bring the car by for them. I just found it encouraging that someone that young was so enthused by LBCs. It bodes well for the continued appreciation of our little cars.
 
The important question is: Have you told him about Britishcarforum? If not, there is still time!
 
Be sure to do that Bob Dylan song "Leyland, Lady, Leyland"
 
SaxMan said:
...when you're about to bump into another LBC owner. ......
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Yes. I agree, It seems to happen to me at the start of every semester.

In the last few weeks during a lab class, a student asked me;
"Is your MGB in the faculty lot?"
I acknowledged that it was.
Which lead to a big discussion among several students.
One of them borrowed an MGB to drive to his senior class prom. He is currently looking to buy a Volvo 122S for street use (!).
Another has a good friend who is building a TVR street/track car.

In another class a student came in wearing a tee-shirt with "Simplify and add lightness" written on it along with an image of a Lotus 7. Another student noticed it and they had an extended conversation about Lotus 7s. I just kind of stood there and observed in amazement.

The other day a guy pulled into my driveway (while I was working on the race car outside). He was in a red MGB. He said he couldn't resist any longer (he drives by all the time). We had a great chat and I gave him the BCF web address.

Fun stuff!
 
Thread update:

It's now 18 months later and the family's next son is having his Bar Mitzvah and we met with the family again tonight. Thankfully, the rainy weather that has dominated May in the D.C. area (19 days of rain out of 24 so far) finally let up. As I promised, I brought my Sprite by. The family appreciated it and the son that knew the difference between a Bugeye and Square Sprite seemed to enjoy it the most. The father came home somewhat later and came in and said "Who has the cool car?". He forgot that I had the Sprite. He later showed me his TR6. The TR6 is now running and back on the road, and really is in very good condition. I didn't have the time to go for a ride in it, nor did they have a chance to ride in the Sprite, but the family was very appreciative that I remembered them.
 
SaxMan said:
Thread update:

It's now 18 months later and the family's next son is having his Bar Mitzvah and we met with the family again tonight. Thankfully, the rainy weather that has dominated May in the D.C. area (19 days of rain out of 24 so far) finally let up. As I promised, I brought my Sprite by. The family appreciated it and the son that knew the difference between a Bugeye and Square Sprite seemed to enjoy it the most. The father came home somewhat later and came in and said "Who has the cool car?". He forgot that I had the Sprite. He later showed me his TR6. The TR6 is now running and back on the road, and really is in very good condition. I didn't have the time to go for a ride in it, nor did they have a chance to ride in the Sprite, but the family was very appreciative that I remembered them.
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But, but...did you tell him about BCF?! :cool-new:
 
knew the difference between a Bugeye and Square Sprite seemed to enjoy it the most
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hate to show my ignorance, but what is the difference? ( please speak slowly and clearly for a TR3 guy)

But,but...did you tell him about BCF?!
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they'll come around with the first big problem!
 
GTP1960 said:
hate to show my ignorance, but what is the difference? ( please speak slowly and clearly for a TR3 guy)
they'll come around with the first big problem!
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About the same difference as between a TR3 and a TR4, just smaller.
 
sail said:
About the same difference as between a TR3 and a TR4, just smaller.
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Good analogy. Before I knew what a Bugeye was (or an MGA, or a Big Healet, etc.) , I assumed every British sports made between 1955 and 1962 was a TR3.
 
I assumed every British sports made between 1955 and 1962 was a TR3.
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........you mean, there were others?:single_eye::single_eye::single_eye::single_eye::single_eye::single_eye:
 
GTP1960 said:
........you mean, there were others?:single_eye::single_eye::single_eye::single_eye::single_eye::single_eye:
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Of course there were! there were other cars of that era that actually ran! :jester::banana::cheers::driving:
 
Like MG's :p
 
JPSmit said:
Like MG's :p
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My roommate in college had a MGB-GT. And it was quick & peppy.
(blew the doors off my anemic '73 Mustang II.)

but the only way to get it started was to crawl under & tap the starter with a wrench while the driver bumps the key.
he was to broke to replace the starter the whole 4 yrs of school. & I mastered the one tap start, ( to my great chagrin).
 
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