MG BGT V8 coming home
Discussion
Back in the late 80's my uncle bought and restored an MG BGT V8 to a very high standard- concours or very close to.
The car was part of his small collection of beautifully turned out classic which included a big Healey and several 50's and 60's motorcycles.
He passed away in 2008 from cancer and unfortunately the V8 was sold abroad- to a chap in France who had coveted the car since seeing it at Le Mans when my uncle took it down to the 24hr race in the early 90's.
I had wanted to keep the car in the family after his death but the deal was done very quickly and so that was that. Despite attempts to try and trace the new owner, I eventually came to the conclusion that I wouldn't see the car again. Roll on a few years to the 24hr race of 2011, and there I am, sitting with a group of friends by our tents enjoying a beer, and along trundles a stunning V8 on French plates looking remarkably like my uncles. The car was driving very slowly so I flagged the driver down in order to congratulate him on his fine car....I think you can guess the rest. The owner of my late uncles car was in fact a Le Mans resident!
We kept in touch through email and out of the blue a few weeks ago, he contacted me to say the car was for sale and gave me first opportunity to buy it back. So, next Friday, my Dad (my Uncles brother) and I are catching the train to Le Mans to repatriate the car. I've had someone who knows a thing or two about classic cars (and who incidentally lives in Le Mans as well) go and have a look at it and by all accounts it is looking as utterly splendid as it did when I saw it back in 2011.
I'm sure my uncle will be looking down and will have a smile on his face.
Enclosed is a recent pic of the car at a wedding in France.
The car was part of his small collection of beautifully turned out classic which included a big Healey and several 50's and 60's motorcycles.
He passed away in 2008 from cancer and unfortunately the V8 was sold abroad- to a chap in France who had coveted the car since seeing it at Le Mans when my uncle took it down to the 24hr race in the early 90's.
I had wanted to keep the car in the family after his death but the deal was done very quickly and so that was that. Despite attempts to try and trace the new owner, I eventually came to the conclusion that I wouldn't see the car again. Roll on a few years to the 24hr race of 2011, and there I am, sitting with a group of friends by our tents enjoying a beer, and along trundles a stunning V8 on French plates looking remarkably like my uncles. The car was driving very slowly so I flagged the driver down in order to congratulate him on his fine car....I think you can guess the rest. The owner of my late uncles car was in fact a Le Mans resident!
We kept in touch through email and out of the blue a few weeks ago, he contacted me to say the car was for sale and gave me first opportunity to buy it back. So, next Friday, my Dad (my Uncles brother) and I are catching the train to Le Mans to repatriate the car. I've had someone who knows a thing or two about classic cars (and who incidentally lives in Le Mans as well) go and have a look at it and by all accounts it is looking as utterly splendid as it did when I saw it back in 2011.
I'm sure my uncle will be looking down and will have a smile on his face.
Enclosed is a recent pic of the car at a wedding in France.
Car is back home- arrived back on Saturday after a 450 mile trip from Le Mans.
Pleased to report it still looks fantastic and it didn't miss a beat on the journey home.
Safely tucked up in the garage- awaiting MOT and change back to English plates....
Will try and get some pics posted at the weekend.
Pleased to report it still looks fantastic and it didn't miss a beat on the journey home.
Safely tucked up in the garage- awaiting MOT and change back to English plates....
Will try and get some pics posted at the weekend.
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