The Blount British Car Club (BBC) had a "Garage Tour" last summer which I was soooo impressed with I wrote an article in the Driveline about it. The Lownsdales are the proud owners of these fine vehicles with MGs and Sprites being front and center.

Gary Lownsdale has been a car buff for many, many years and even now that he has grandchildren his love of these cars is still epic. I recall from Chicagoland Club meetings discussions about some of our "younger" members and the fact that so many members are, well, mature??

Gary has 4 grandchildren ranging in age from 4 to 19. Gary decided that he would restore an Austin Healey Sprite for each of his grandchildren. Wow! Talk about commitment to the marquee!! In the main part of Gary's garage can be seen 4 Sprites each a different color as picked out by each grandchild.



I want to focus on Gary's youngest children. She is a 4 year old and her name is Cassidy. Cassidy's choice of color for her Sprite was "purple" ergo the maroon colored Sprite above. Cassidy is very serious about her Sprite and when she is visiting with grandpa she heads to her Sprite and checks it out. Gary explained that Cassidy is sensitive to people examining her car. She doesn't mind folks checking her car out but as we see at British Car Shows " look but please don't touch"! Grandpa's Cassidy is a true enthusiast!

Cassidy will always take her a "walk around" of her classic British roadster whenever she visits with grandpa. She has her own spray bottle and cleaning cloth which she uses to meticulously remove any finger prints that perhaps an overzealous "visitor" to her car may have left behind.

The fact that this 4 year old lady loves her British car is not just interesting but also heartwarming. I am not sure how much Cassidy understands about her Austin Healy Sprite. About top down driving even what a drivers license is. I know she can't reach the foot pedals yet. I am sure her granddad is and will continue to provide her an orientation on the marquee. Boy, wouldn't it be special to be there when Cassidy gets her license and first turns that key.

I think with a little TLC the next generation of enthusiast will do just fine!

~~ Ralph Arata