In August 1972 I was six when Bridget rolled out of Abingdon. A graceful steed in a stable of runners destined for America to buttress the noble name of Morris Garage in the psyche of Anglophile automotive enthusiasts.
In 2005, kismet brought us together: a missed turn by my daughter, an admonishing and then love at first sight. Sixteen months of work later and my wife could see that it wasn’t rose-colored glasses I was wearing, it was a smile. She does not share the dream, but she still loves the dreamer.
Bridget and I spend most of our time running the back roads of Lorain County, from home to golf course, out to a movie or dinner. She is an extension of me and I of her. She’s never let me down. Before I stable her for the winter I let her stretch her legs one last time.
We left Elyria west on US 20 to Norwalk bound for East Harbor. The day was crystal clear and cold. It didn’t matter. This was going to be the last ride of the year and I wanted to run Bridget into a lather.
My deep cup of caffeinated heat kept me warm until I turned north on 250 and stopped for a refill. By now the sun was close to zenith and the 100 ponies under the bonnet were just getting going. They didn’t need extra coaxing. They were running on 93 octane double espresso.
On the stretch between Norwalk and Sandusky I let the horses run free. I don’t know what I topped out at, but by the way the mailboxes whizzed past it was close to 105. I felt like Michael Shumaker testing an F1 at Monaco. Every twist, every turn was anticipated and executed to perfection.
Absolutely heart in your mouth thrilling.
Route 2 and 53 were at a saner speed but the Edison Bridge made for a great open run.
I let the horses rest at East Harbor. They earned it. I walked up and down the deserted beach and felt invigorated by the warm sun, cold breeze and calm lake. Magical.
When the fully rested steeds roared back to life and I pointed them east toward Cleveland, they never missed a beat. 53 back to 2 and then 6 west of The Point. The route was the old roadbed of the Lake Shore Electric Railway, a fact given away by its broad expanse. The gentle undulations and easy sweeps passed in an instant as Bridget kicked up fallen foliage in her wake.
Coffee… this time from Caribou in Rocky River.
I met a guy who used to sell MGs for Fred Baker. We chatted for a few minutes and he told me how the cars run better with the parts we have now than they did from the factory. Maybe that’s why BL failed.
With the sun setting and temperature dropping, I opted for the parkway to Strongsville and Bridget’s winter home. I gunned her one last time through a series of tight turns and she never flinched.
Spring can’t come too soon.
By Donald Knapik
2 comments
Duffy Welch
October 2, 2012 at 11:58 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
My “Cyanth” is a late 1976 edition MGB which I’ve owned for over 30 years now. She is, as the name implies, an original BL blue. We got together in the San Francisco bay area but since 1984 our stomping ground is northern Illinois. We’ve all the ubiquitous British quirks and tribulations but we’ve been on the road more or less continuously since then. And even as we enter October, the crisp Fall weather is hanging on here so I’m out (top-down but mostly in daylight now) every chance I get – for at least local jaunts; and I’m not planning to relinquish my grip on the steering wheel till the frost forces me to! Best wishes, Duffy
Jim and Jeannette McQuay
October 2, 2012 at 6:57 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Great explanation of the thrills of driving at speed in our classic cars. Our personal ride is a 1956 Arnolt Bristol that I have owned since 1963. The old, but powerful Bristol Two Liter gave up shortly after we got married in 1964 and since we couldn’t afford to rebuild the already obsolete engine, we took the easy way out and installed a small block Chevy engine. Over the years, that has morfed into a 327/375 HP Rochester fuel injected engine and Tremec TKO 600 transmission.
We took the car off the road in about 1980 and vowed not to drive it until it could be restored. After seven years of cash and headaches, the project was completed at the beginning of summer, here in Oregon
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The Bristol frame being built like a locomotive handles the extreme power quite well and the addition of Wilwood disk brakes make for a safer fast cruiser. My Wife and I have made the curcuit of cruise in’s and the “All British Field Meet” in Portland, Oregon this year. The car never fails to draw a crowd of curious onlookers.
We have had a beautiful summer and fall. The days are getting shorter and soon the Arnolt will be put to bed, hoping for some of those cold clear nights we have in January when a romp to Mt. Hood and back will be in order. “Must keep the seals lubed and fresh fuel in the tank” That is as good of an excuse as I can think ofl.
McQ’s
West Linn, Oregon