I cannot agree that our marque is in danger of survival when restoration
costs exceed the possible return on 'investment'.
Commercial and hobby interests are clearly separate but undeniably each
requires the other for their mutual survival.
As I have read David's postings over time I place him in the commercial
category. That is the buying and selling of cars on which he does a certain
amount of work, runs them in and then resells them. For this he will
understandably be looking for a return on his investment which at that
level of commercialisation is most probably a reimbursement of actual costs
with little or no return on labour. That's OK - he likes doing the work. At
the same time he is doing the hobby movement a very real favour by saving
vehicles which may otherwise be scrapped.
The next owner of one of David's cars will most probably be a hobbyist. He
will add to the work that David started and will most probably hold onto
that one car for a good while and treat it as something special. It is then
in the system.
Now I'll give you an example of a hobbyist for whom the marque will never
die at any cost. And make no mistake worldwide there are many, many such MG
hobbyists.
Remember the first MG was in 1924 or thereabouts there are many who have
gone before and there will be many who will come after us.
I was competing this weekend in an Historic Race meeting in an event which
included among others one of the most beautiful J type supercharged
specials you could ever possibly see. It had taken the guy 29 years to
build this car. Yes - 29 years and this was its first competitive outing.
He had sought parts from all over the world. Got them when he could and
where he could.
Well, doing 5000 rpm in third a conrod went through both sides of the
block. Now he will start a search worldwide for a replacement block which
are as rare as hens' teeth. I have no doubt he will find one somewhere at a
some cost and will buy it. That car will never be worth what it has cost
him - yet again, as I would see it, that car will always be worth far far
more than it has cost him.
It depends on your point of view.
Paul
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