Doug,
Look up jocularity in the dictionary! Mostly I'm just funnin. Now, I'm not
crazy about Triumphs, but I know some nice Triumph people with whom I trade
many good natured barbs and share weird Brit-car stories. Like the guy who
told me about taking his TR4 off a four-point lift and the doors wouldn't
open! Or how my old Bs starter would jam and I'd have to endure the
embarrassment of rocking it back in forth to free it whilst a parking lot
full of people looked on. See? Don't take me so serious. I sure don't.
Michael, New Bern, NC
From: Sherlock12@aol.com
>Date: Wed, 13 Nov 1996 17:31:06 -0500
>To: omhardy@ozemail.com.au, smrm@coastalnet.com
>cc: mgs@autox.team.net, tr8@mercury.lcs.mit.edu, Triumphs@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: Kai's Triumph Flaw
>Sender: owner-mgs@triumph.cs.utah.edu
>Reply-To: Sherlock12@aol.com
>
>As Benjamin Franklin once said, "Either we shall all hang together or we
>shall most assuredly hang separately." British car owners must learn to
>unite.
> I never had anything against MGs, being a long, long-time Triumph owner.
> In fact, at least when I was living on Long Island, the only thing I didn't
>like about MGs was the people who owned them. That is, until the New Jersey
>Triumph Association held a joint ralley in 1982 with a local MG club there.
> At this point I discovered that the Long Island MG people were simply a
>bunch of snobs. But I do wonder if this attitude is pervasive among BMC
>owners.
> The MGCC-LI folk would talk about how the TR7 was originally designed as
>an MG. I pointed out that this wasn't so, that the proposed mid-engined MG
>was actually (so I said to mollify them) a bit nicer, and that the TR7 was
>just designed by Harris Mann of Abingdon. This didn't sway them, even though
>the late David Hebb, author of "The Complete Rally Book," and an MG owner,
>agreed with me. They had their "facts" and were sticking with them, helping
>to feed their resentment. (Again, let me stress that the New Jersey people
>weren't like that.) It seems, from the forwarded letter, that this attitude
>might still hold, at least among some.
> Of course, the fact that I didn't put down MGs as they put down Triumphs
>was simply "proof" of the MG's superiority. Ridiculous!
> MGs are, for the most part, perfectly nice sports cars. Although I never
>much cared for the styling of the MGB, I always have loved the MGA, which, to
>me, is one of the most elegant automotive designs ever.
> True, the TR7/8 droptop is nicer looking than the tin-top, but living here
>in Florida I'd really wish my TR8 did have a solid roof (only tourists drive
>convertibles here). As for the term "roadster," well, really, the last ones
>were the MGA and Spridget and the TR3. Well, some Morgans and the Dodge
>Viper, and--dare I stretch it?--fabric-door Jeeps. Even the Spitfire, one of
>the prettiest sports cars, had roll-up windows, and was therefore not a true
>roadster.
> I have to agree with Owen, though with a bit of a turnabout: By today's
>standards, they're ALL crap. But that has nothing to do with why we love
>them--or maybe everything to do with it. They are all lovable, and all need
>us to love them and take care of them. So what if some people prefer
>Triumphs over MGs, or SAABs over Volvos or Fords over Chevrolets (and I
>happen to own a Triumph, a SAAB, and a Ford--and a Buick). They all have
>their good points and bad points, and it's all a matter of taste.
> Personally, I think Spanish sparkling wine sucks big time, but some people
>like it--all a matter of taste (I'll have Domaine Chandon, thank you). So
>what?
> If anyone wishes to continue with the silly little nasty attitudes about
>other cars, fine--just keep away from British car activities, and go stew in
>your own little pot. We're here to have fun.
> (TVRs--now, they're neat!)
>--Doug Hitzig, KD4WTS, sunny Cocoa Beach, Florida O-
>"Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder." --Kinky Friedman
>
>
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