THE TRIP HOME
PART ONE
By Dean Sprague
GOF (Gathering of the Faithful) Mk 96 was held in early September in Auburn Maine. This was the 50th anniversary of the New England M.G. 'T' Register. For those unacquainted; this club celebrates the T series (and earlier) MG's. The T Register was started back in 1964 in Mechanics Falls a small town near Auburn Maine, hence a return to their roots.
As you may know, I have a one-family owned 1953 MG TD. He began his life in Maine when my Dad bought it new for my Mom. My plan was to drive it to Maine one last time, visit relatives and attend GOF Mk 96. Unfortunately it was mid-summer (we had to leave by Saturday, September, 6th) and I still hadn’t finished the engine rebuild. Needless to say it became a high priority. We all jumped on it and got it running. I put 500 miles on it, changed the break-in oil, checked and adjusted everything I could find, said a prayer and we were ready. My wife Bev had made me promise her that I would never ask her to ride in the TD more than a day at a time. You see 14 years ago we drove it from Orlando, Florida to Prince Edward Island, Canada and back. She was cured. My friends Bobby and David wanted to take her place but both had conflicts. My wife said, “Oh crap I guess I better start packing” but in the 11th hour Bobby’s schedule freed up and he was in! Bev was thrilled.
Dave and Kathy Ahrendt own a 1946 MGTC and Corky and Priscilla Guenther own a 1949 MGTC. They were both planning to drive up and attend the event as well. Unfortunately, Corky and Priscilla’s TC was in the throes of a major body/interior overhaul and repaint. We all worked on it very hard but it became clear when it didn’t get out of the body shop on schedule (big surprise) we were not going to make it so they elected not to go. Dave and Kathy’s TC was in good working order so after some diligent servicing it was “ready” for the trip. Now we were down to a TC and a TD.
We agreed to meet at the Coffee Shop in Lenoir, North Carolina at 8:30 AM on the 6th of September. Bobby and I were there sharply at 8:00 AM for a quick breakfast and to be ready at 8:30 because we knew Kathy is always very punctual and we didn’t want to be the ones that made her wait. She had meticulously planned every aspect of the trip. Since our intent was to take all back roads from the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina to Central Maine getting behind schedule was not going to be our fault. Well 8:30 came and went but no MG TC in sight. Finally, I decided to call them and found I had a message. It seems on their way to the Coffee Shop they experienced a fire behind the dash. We went to their house and found Dave’s head positioned under the dash with his feet in the air. We finally found a short in one of the dash power plugs. We quickly made a new mini harness and promptly got on our way about 10:30 AM, not bad. This seemed to take the pressure off a bit and the drive felt more casual, for me anyway. You see I expected my car to be the delinquent vehicle not theirs.
We took the back roads to Dobson, NC where we stopped for lunch at the Surry Diner. We agreed no franchise fast food on this trip. The food was great but I made a mistake -- I sat next to Bobby. He ordered a large sweet tea and promptly dumped all of it into my lap. Did I mention it was “iced” tea? I think I cleared that table in .5 seconds. Despite cleaning and blotting efforts in the bathroom it took about 2 hours before I didn’t look like I had an incontinence problem. Undaunted we headed up Rte. 221 into Virginia. It was a beautiful drive on curvy LBC (Little British Car) type roads. Then just outside Roanoke, Va. there was a Virginia State Trooper traffic stop. Dave and Kathy were leading in their right hand drive TC and we were behind. The cop looked at Kathy (who was sitting on the left side of the car) and asked for her license. She said: “I have one but he is driving you might want his”. There was dead air then you could see the Officer’s face go from confusion to comprehension. Everyone got such a laugh out of it that when it was our turn they didn’t even bother to check my license. We just talked about Maine (the Officer was retiring there) and we were on our way.
Just north of Roanoke, VA we stopped for fuel and a well needed break. I “crawled” out of the car. I should mention if you are taller than about 5’9” a TD might not be the car for you. I am 6’1” so this means its Advil time, again. When traveling I average about 2 Advil in the morning and 2 in the afternoon, minimum. I also have a pillow that I have to jam between the seats to hold my right leg up and away from the gearshift. OK, so traveling in a T series is about adventure not comfort. Anyway back to the trip.
When we pulled out we noticed inclement weather ahead but we headed for the Blue Ridge Parkway anyway. We dodged thunderheads and tourist as we traveled over some of the most scenic highway in America. The views were so spectacular we stayed on the Parkway as long as possible, maybe 125 miles. Finally, at dusk we succumbed and headed out to Interstate 81 for the last 50 miles where our hotel was waiting in Winchester Va. All went well until the rain started and then suddenly Dave and Kathy made a hard right turn into the shoulder and an abrupt stop. We thought the tractor-trailer in front of them had thrown something. Fortunately, it was just a flat tire on the left front. I think Dave thought we were a little crazy to be happy to see a flat tire. We changed the tire as it got wetter and darker along the side of the interstate, a bit unnerving but as Larry the Cable Guy says, “get 'er done”, we did. Needless to say we were all very happy to finish the last dark and wet 20 miles without incident and check in to our rooms. We went to the closest restaurant we could find, then a hot bath and bed. Day one completed. Look for more about the continuing adventure next month.
