First recollection is a toy car, mid-50s - an MGA - red, plastic, driver
molded into cockpit. Wore the wheels of that little sucker. (Wish I had that
toy today!)
Fastforward - mid 60s. All things British, early teens, Beatles, Carnaby
Street, Stones...seemed everyone was in a band. Ultra cool local band's
drummer drove a BRG '67 MGBGT. My first ride. Addiction can be traced to
here. In 1969, same cool drummer friend (I was a singer in a rock & roll
band...no, not the Moody Blues tune, but embarassingly true, perhaps
'alleged' singer would be better description, but I digress..), now his ride
- a Mini Cooper S. Now I'm REALLY hooked.
Finally, the opportunity arrives for my first car. Almost ended up with 1968
Austin 'landcrab'. Dad veto'd that, ended up with '63 Dodge 440, while
closest buddy of the time gets a brand new 1970 Blue Royale B (sigh).
Finally got to a point to afford my first new car - 1971 Austin Mini. Blaze
with w-i-d-e dark blue stripe nose to tail, Peco exhaust and Cosmic mag
wheels. Loved it.
B lust finally realized when Mini is traded for red 1971 B roadster. It's a
disaster (long story), so in a fit of peak - traded it for 1973 Vega!
(Yikes) Common sense returned several months later (!) with purchase of
white 1970 BGT in fall of '74. I still have that beauty.
Restored a '69 roadster between 1987 and 1990 - Tartan Red. Still have that too.
Others over the years - a '72 Mini, a '77 Mini, a '77 roadster, a '72 GT, a
'58 Magnette (three actually).
In 1983 while in Manitoba - ordered personal plates that read 'XTINCT'.
Moved to Ontario in '85, tried for same, or similar - taken. In '94 moved
again, here to Nova Scotia. Tried again - no deal, did see my 'XTINCT' on a
battered TR7! Opted for personal plates that state month and year of
manufacture, therefore, GT is 1069BGT (October 1969), roaster is 1168MGB
(November 1968). Have confirmed build dates from Heritage.
Considered "2B" for one car, "Not 2B" for the other. Passed on that.
BTW, I've also just built (almost completed) the Revell re0issue of the
Healey 100/6. Neat kit. Now that spring is hopefully on the horizon, 1:1
toys are back on the agenda. This spring - replace gas tank & rear springs
on the GT - overdrive to install in the roadster.
As has been said on this list previously:
GAWD! I LOVE THESE CARS!
Terry 'Got Octagon Blood Cells' Williams
1069BGT
1168MGB
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