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Years of accumulated knowledge that I can't pass on--

Harold

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I was born in 1935 in Locust Grove Oklahoma--83 years old--height of the depression and the dust bowl--look at pics taken
of the farms and shacks and fields buried in dust--read Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" (or the movie)--In the late '30's--There were so many "Okies"
coming to California in their "Model T's", that the Highway patrol set up road blocks on "Route 66" and tuned them around--
Read your history, folks!

My parent's first house was a
converted chicken coop--Years ago I drove through Locust Grove, and found the scattered wooden remains behind what was
grandma's house-- "British car" forum stuff to come! (have to lead up to it).

Too young for WW2 but had a couple of uncles killed in the pacific--high school 49-53--had schoolmates killed in Korea--
I was a Navy Pilot in Vietnam--friends killed there also--Then went to Pan American as a pilot--retired in 1989. age 54--things
to do--


Before I retired, on 4 different occasions, i brought back from England, a 1951 MGTD, a 1952 MGYB, a 1953 Morris Minor, and
a 1967 Austin A35--Too big for carry-on, so I stuck them in the belly as "personal" baggage on a pallet--The British ground crews at Heathrow airport, were
very obliging, and happy to see them go to a better place, in stead of crushed in a junkyard--After restoring and passing on the
MG's, Morris, Austin--(Here in California)--I bought, restored, and passed on a '73 Midget, '67 Morris Minor and 2 Nash Metropolitans--they are
British, after all--Typical British engineering design--just wonder around the BMC factory and pick enough stuff off the shelf to make
up a "new" car. I have 2 Metropolitans that I am restoring now and hope to finish them before my wife has to include them
in an "estate sale"---So "accumulated" knowledge?---I have learned so much over the past 35 or 40 years on the care and feeding
of British cars--solving small (not so small) problems--pull up a chair--pour a cup of coffee (a beer would probably work also), and stare
at the engine, transmission, brakes system, etc until something comes to me--if that doesn't work, try something else.
More money (last option), more time, more internet and car forum searches--A little help from my wife--(hold the end of this
bolt, while I crawl underneath and try to get a nut on it!)--She loves my "old car" hobby--keeps me out of the bars!

so, what happens to all the stuff I've learned? I can pass on my tools but not the knowledge--















A
 
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After reading your post this thought occurred to me: Go thru a Workshop manual and make notes of what you have learned over the years and cars. Since the Manual is laid out in sections this will maintain a logical order and jog your memory. Your notes could include such knowledge as:
Work-arounds (is Churchill tool #xxxx really necessary?), better ways of doing things, cross reference of parts, and the other knowledge you have painstakingly/painfully gained over the years. This could then be sent to the clubs/forums that support that particular car. I would also encourage you to write about your life for your family. All the best to you and yours. Sincerely, JHB
 
I'd like to offer this comment from a book I was just reading:

This book is dedicated to my wife Inga, who heckled me into writing it with such wifely remarks as, "You talk a **** of a fine history. Now set yourself down in front of the typewriter -and write the ****ed thing!"
 
I, too, heartily encourage you to write about your life. Video is tremendous... My father, born in 07, was interviewed in the waning years of his life by an astute fellow as part of a lifelong study undertaken by the U.S. Army. I cannot express how marvelous it is to see and hear my own father tell his story. Your store of knowledge should definitely be shared. Especially the work tips, tricks of the trade that serve the tradesman.
The history that you hold is valuable. Even the mistakes in life are important to share. I would rather learn from your mistakes. Were I your neighbor I would pull up a crate to listen (while we work on my car!). Good luck. You are on the right track. :cheers:
 
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Unfortunately everything we learn is stored on Brain ram unless we save it to some other form of storage.

The notes in the hand book seems like a great thought.
Tape your musings as you work.

At one of the factories I was working recently the boss said "How long would it take you to teach my guy everything you know" I am not sure I know everything I know. I use past experiences to help solve todays problem.

David
 
I would say too that there are many leaving audio memoires - much easier than writing. I even think the Smithsonian has something to encourage it
 
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