FW: Vic's, Cooper MG

[Norman Verona]

Attachments :All,

 

I’ve had an enquiry about a car that belonged to a work colleague when was at University Motors in the early 1960’s

 

 

My reply is at the bottom and his response with pictures is at the top (I know you all know that!)

 

I thought the car was a TC with a John Cooper built body, but from the wheels it may have been a TD.

 

Anyway I think it’s interesting.

 

 

[b][i]Norman Verona[/i][/b]

11 Cherry Close, Royston, South Yorkshire S71 4LZ

Phone: 0044 (0)1226 728811

Mob: 0044 (0)741 9905 741

[b][i]Web: www.frenchblat.com[/i][/b]

 

[b]From:[/b] Rob Adams [mailto:rob.adams@dseincorporated.com] [b]Sent:[/b] 03 March 2018 17:56 [b]To:[/b] Norman Verona norman@frenchblat.com> [b]Subject:[/b] Re: Vic's, Cooper MG

 

Thank you so much.  Actually it is very helpful indeed. The general thought was that Vic bodied the car himself. Now, you are telling me that Cooper actually built the body. That is a new find for me. 

 

I did read the part of the bike going backwards. I can picture that. Had to be a hoot. 

 

I appreciate you circulating the picture.  I will have even better ones next weekend,  but I’ve attached a couple now. 

 

[img]cid:862871FB-8E9A-4A5A-B7EE-B1C579A63E9B[/img]

 

[img]cid:8B5205B0-C052-4362-B2C2-34B887FCA8F5[/img]

 

[img]cid:12AD521E-9835-430D-9E87-2B136755763E[/img]

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 3, 2018, at 12:20 PM, Norman Verona norman@frenchblat.com> wrote:

Robert,

 

I’m sorry I can’t help much here.

 

If I can explain that Vic was, what we call in the UK, “tight”. He wouldn’t spend any money he didn’t have to.

 

When I started at UM on January 1st 1961 Vic would travel to work from his Surrey home (probably 20 miles) on a motor bike. I can’t remember what make it was but shortly after he bought one of the first Japanese bikes imported into the UK, a Honda. If the Honda was off the road he used a moped, a tiny 49cc bike which didn’t need a driving licence in those days. I never saw the car in the 5 years I was there.

 

However, I do know that he was friends with John Cooper who built the car for him. They probably lived near each other as the Cooper works is in Surrey.

 

Did you read the story of him going backwards on the moped when it nearly stalled and he caught it but the two stroke engine was now running backwards. We all laughed at his expense over that one.

 

The mechanics at UM in those days were very old school types, all came to work in suits and got changed into overalls and back to suits (with ties) to go home. They had nearly all served together in the tank corps during the second war, then only 16 years before. I now feel privileged to have worked and known these people. I had a really good education. If a part for one of the older MG’s wasn’t available they would go into the machine shop and either repair or make a new part. My mindset is now that it’s easier to repair than replace (and cheaper, Vic may have taught me well).

 

Could I ask you to send me pictures of your car, I’ll send them round to the TABC yahoo group and put them on the Octagon Club website. I’m sure there are a lot of people would like to see this car.

 

Many thanks in anticipation.

 

 

[b][i]Norman Verona[/i][/b]

11 Cherry Close, Royston, South Yorkshire S71 4LZ

Phone: 0044 (0)1226 728811

Mob: 0044 (0)741 9905 741

[b][i]Web: www.frenchblat.com[/i][/b]