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RE: Can there ever be an MG again?

To: "'cgmoog@ibm.net'" <cgmoog@ibm.net>
Subject: RE: Can there ever be an MG again?
From: "Feldman, Jack (Jack)" <jack@lucent.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 07:47:37 -0500
Interesting that you use the term "collective" in terms of auto building.
You hit what I was saying right on the head. I didn't want to use the term
"collective unconscious," it isn't appropriate for the list. However, once
the folks that did it are gone,  the common bond between man and man, and
man and machine are gone. Starting over with a fresh page doesn't do it. 

I remember hearing a story from WWII, of Brits putting drops of Castrol into
a fire to get a wiff of a beloved odor from their racing days. Life is
different now, we relate to cars differently now. My first station wagon was
a Checker Marathon. I ordered it with a manual transmission and overdrive.
No power anywhere. No way to get a car like that now. When I took my
mother-in-law's car into the Plymouth agency (she had a stripped down
Duster, not even a radio), they didn't have a mechanic that could drive a
manual transmission car. 

We share a common bond because of our love for our particular cars, and to
some extent we are a throwback to that collective unconscious.  One day I
was driving the C, and I was suddenly transported back in time (OFs do what
is known as life review). I finally figured out that what triggered it, it
was the smell of the tonneau cover. It was just like the bug-eye I had in
'60.

None of the above experiences are available with the "modern" cars, and I'll
bet that the "modern" car designer wouldn't know what I am talking about.

As for the future (the future back then),  the Healeys were working on the
AH IV when it was torpedoed by the company. Some of the models were finished
after the fact and still are treasured. They are six inches wider, and have
a Rolls engine in them. They also were designed to meet US standards. I also
wonder what would have happened of the Healeys got involved in the design of
the MGC. Geoff was a better mechanical engineers than the folks that ended
up kludging it together. The collective unconscious was dying.

Jack

> ----------
> From:
> ibm.net!cgmoog@cbig1.firewall.lucent.com[SMTP:ibm.net!cgmoog@cbig1.firewal
> l.lucent.com]
> Reply To:     cgmoog@ibm.net
> Sent:         Monday, September 14, 1998 5:37 PM
> To:   Feldman, Jack (Jack)
> Cc:   'mgs@autox.team.net'
> Subject:      Re: Can there ever be an MG again?
> 
> Feldman, Jack (Jack) wrote:
>  
> 
> > Can there be a Healey without Donald and Geoff? Can there be an MG
> without
> > the crew that sweated and bled for the cars?
> > 
> 
> Yes there can. 
> 
> Cars are collective efforts and collective designs.  While the Healeys
> were more dependent on one man than most, I'm sure modern one can be
> made.  As to if BMW is upto the job only time will tell.
> 
> While we may knock Miatas I believe they are fairly accurate
> representations (if a little sterile) of modern MGs (other than some of
> the fancier special editions).  Based on economy car mechanicals (at
> least the engine) in a small convertible body.  While their prices seem
> somewhat high all is relative.  Road & Track tested a B in June of 1976,
> it listed for $4,995.  In April 1977 my father purchased a full size
> Ford Club Wagon (seating for 8) for the princely sum of $5,300.  So a
> $25,000 Miata may not be out of line.
> 
> A similar debate is going on the Brit-Iron list over if the new Triumphs
> are real british bikes.  Everyone has an opinion.
> 
> Who knows for sure what direction MG or Healey would have taken if they
> stayed around.  The new is usually bad-mouthed as a cheap imitation of
> the original (remember TFs were derided when introduced).  Is an MGB a
> real MG without a separate frame?  Likewise is a car with roll-up
> windows are real roadster?
> 

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