THE MGA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY

I have just returned from a business trip to Canada, spending the greater part of my time in Quebec.
One of the highlights of this trip was my ‘face to face’ meeting with American MGA enthusiast, Don Tremblay. For those who visit mgcars.org.uk Don’s name may seem familiar, as he frequently contributes informative technical advice about MGAs on this site’s bulletin board.

Some six years ago I e-mailed Don in response to an article he had posted on mgcars.org.uk. This article was, as I recall, about the tuning of SU carburettors. Following that initial exchange of e-mails Don and I started corresponding pretty much on a weekly basis. Over the past six years our topics of discussion have been diverse - American history, global politics, family, Australian culture and from time to time, MGA matters.

When Don became aware that I would be spending a few days in Quebec City, he proposed that he drive up from home in the New England area of the USA, to meet me. This was a very generous gesture on Don’s part given that it entailed a drive of 450 miles each way. We finally met in my hotel on Tuesday 5 July 2005 and over the next two days spent a very enjoyable time exploring Quebec City, an outstanding tourist destination. This experience was enhanced by Don’s knowledge of the early history of Quebec and the battles between the French and English armies around 1650, for possession of the province. These conflicts were bloody and resulted in substantial loss of life on both sides.

My encounter with Don underscores the international fraternity of the MGA movement and I suppose, the power of on line communication that does make the world a smaller place.

Don has owned his MGA 1600 roadster for over 35 years and has recently completed the restoration of a 1962 E-type Jaguar. The E-type has already achieved some significant success in Jaguar concours, reflecting the characteristic attention to detail that is apparent in Don’s on line articles.

David MacFarlane