Many years ago, I had a white Austin Healey Sprite (yes, I know, it isn’t an MG) but it gave me a sense of freedom and I never forgot it. When I had my ‘late-life-crisis’ in May last year, I started looking round for a little sporty number. Tim (my long-suffering partner) went to look at a Fiat Barchetta for me (yes, I know it’s still not an MG) but it was a lovely yellow and I wanted something different. In the meantime, my piddle-along Corsa had a bit of an accident (the engine blew up on the M11!) so I no longer had my deposit for ANY car. Tim took pity on my hysterics and for his sanity (and peace and quiet), took me car hunting and we bought a VW Polo which I took on reluctantly, still hankering after something sporty, but I had to have wheels. No, ‘hankering’ is an understatement; I was gutted I wasn’t having my sports car!

Then some time later, a colleague at work told me a friend of his was doing some work on a very neglected MGF which had been standing for months after the cylinder head gasket went on it I kept saying no because I hadn’t long bought the Polo. In the end, he pestered me so much that I gave in and took the trip to Leicester! My reaction was 'WOW!' The MGF’s owner’s business had gone down the pan and they were desperate to sell, so it was my lucky day! A lot of time, effort and energy had been put into restoring V18 EOS (which was owned by a Video Store lady and that was the nearest number she could get to VIDEOS – duh?) but it was a labour of love over a number of months! For me, it was definitely love at first sight The rest is history!

Tim and I went to Mexico for Christmas and when we landed at Manchester Airport on the 30th December 2006, I couldn’t wait to pick up my little beauty. It must be the first holiday I have ever had when I actually wanted to come back to this country after spending time in the sun! Goodness, was I excited? Ever since that day, I have found enormous pleasure in driving my super little car and met some lovely people into the bargain. I just LOVE my little baby!
 

It's a 2000 (W) model on private plates. The colour is Alumina Green – a quite rare colour. It has a Steptronic gearbox which I admit I don’t use much as the automatic box does everything I need it to do, but it does get me out of bother occasionally if I get stuck between lorries on the motorway! It was very low on the ground until my last visit to the club when I was advised to have the hydraulics pumped up and it now clears road bumps and goes into my garage without the necessity of running over an old piece of carpet to stop the undercarriage scraping and sending my nerves into spasms! I cried the first time I drove it into my garage and heard the screech of metal!

What can I say? Enormous pleasure; Feel Good factor; Prestige; Pride (funny looks from motorists when I have the soft-top down on cold mornings and I’m singing along to loud music at the top of my voice) and nice people who feel the same as me! Joining a club like this has meant that I meet like-minded people who can give me help and tips on how to get the best out of my car. You feel special driving an MG!