Four weeks ago, when I had just returned to my hotel room in Kenilworth, my
room mate showed me the treasures he had just uncovered at the pre-show in
Stoneleigh. For those of you who have never been, The Triumph Show and Spares
Day
every winter in the Home Country is akin to being a six year old, and left to
your own devises in an unoccupied candy store. One of the trinkets that was
produced, was John Macartney's book, In The Shadow Of My Father. Having met
John, on previous forays across the pond with the lads from Delaware Valley
Triumphs, and enjoying his banter on this list, I did a Lucy, and said "OOOH,
OOOH,
I want one!" Well, my mate told me he bought it from the folks at Triumph
Sport Six Club as they were setting up their display. So the next day when I
returned to the show at Stoneleigh, I headed to their display, and asked for a
copy
of John's book. After much rummaging around, and uttering, "I know there's
one here," I was told to stop back in a bit. When I returned later, the fellow
who runs the club sales, sorry I've forgotten your name, told me somebody
nicked the copy that was there, and he would be happy to post me another copy
after
the show. When I told my room mate this, he snickered, and said the copy he
purchased the night before was the only one they had brought with them. Anyway,
a lot of typing, to say I got the book, and I really, really enjoyed reading
it. I found it interesting, historical for the events happening around the
text, and very entertaining. I found myself telling stories that I had read
from
the book the previous evening, to whoever would listen to me.
So John, I hope you are well, and continue to entertain the unwashed masses.
How can I get more? I want to read more about the Dealer from Austria. That
was a great, moving story.
Also, if any of you have read this far, the flyer for this years The Brits
Are Back at Hope Lodge show is now ready. The show is May 29, Fort Washington,
Pennsylvania. I can e mail the PDF file to those who want one. Contact me off
list.
Steve Klein
klassiccar@aol.com
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