This has been a great thread, indeed!! TeriAnn's tale of the two cars
surely takes the transportation cake. Merci enonormement for sharing
the transition from BGT to TR3. I owned a BGT for a few days until my
dad told me the frame was complete swiss cheese, and advised against
restoring it.
My dad first owned an MGTC in the late 50s, then MGBs in the early
70s, but he did indeed graduate to what he aspired to and could afford
in the 70s, TRs. He first owned two TR6s then a TR4A IRS for which I
am the current steward. At 68, he now runs around in a XK8, but
that's not really a sports car anyway. These days the only classic
LBCs he aspired to own would be an e-type or TR3, an interesting and
keen observation unto itself.
As for MG TR rivalry, I find them both great cars but for very
different reasons. MGs, with the rare exception, are not really
powerful cars, but they are indeed a lot of fun cars replete with a
glorious history. TRs are more serious sports cars, in the way Austin
Healey's were more serious sports cars, both with great racing
pedigrees. Thus, Austin Healey and Triumph have perhaps more in common
both historically and in design.
For a really fascinating read, check out Timothy Whisler's book At the
end of the road: the rise and fall of Austin-Healy, MG, and Triumph
sports cars. You learn a lot about the different cultures surrounding
the production, marketing, and distribution of the the three grand
British marques of the 1960s.
And, thanks for all those great suggestions on how to use a mallet!!!
All the best and keep those great LBC tales coming!
Theo
T.R.L.
1967 TR4A CTC 73139 LO
On Wed, 2 Feb 2005 10:13:00 -0500, Philip E. Barnes <peb3@cornell.edu> wrote:
> At 6:41 AM -0800 2/2/05, TeriAnn Wakeman wrote:
> >Of course every once and a while I day dream about a MGA fixed head
> >coupe with a TR4 drive train. That would be a gutsy little beastie.
>
> The TR bits would probably die from shame.
> --
> Phil Barnes (peb3@cornell.edu)
> Cortland, NY (nowhere near New York City)
> '71 TR6 CC61193L (27 year owner)
|