Back in October two MGBs were donated to the club by a fellow named Fred Hoffman. Fred had reached an age where he was no longer willing or able to maintain and drive the cars so he generously donated them to the Chicagoland MG Club.

I was asked by Dean Hickenlooper if the club could use my trailer(s) to pick up the cars. Of course I was happy to lend them as well as assist in towing the cars. Along with lending the trailers I was also asked if we could store and work on one of the cars at my Garage in LaGrange Highlands, location of the Wednesday Night Car Club, and the new location of the South Natter and Noggin.

So, early on a chilly Saturday morning Dean Hickenlooper, Bill Hedrick (MR. Bill), Bill Kalafut, Paul Pickley and I drove to St. Charles to pick up the cars. When we arrived we were faced with two cars which had become embedded in the ground from sitting for such a long time.



We loaded the cars onto the two trailers and started our ride home, as we started to turn the corner quite a few of the inhabitants of the GT decided they didn’t want to stay with the car and were literally jumping ship, mice were running up and down the trailer and eventually falling off as Paul sped up. We were all enjoyed watching the carnage as we followed close behind with the second car on my trailer.

The GT was badly rusted and not likely a good candidate for restoration, that car was dropped off for storage and future assessment at Steve Skegs garage, I’m really hoping all those mice jumped ship before we got it there. After that we brought the Roadster back to my garage.

Opening the rear hatch of the GT revealed what could only be described at a cozy mouse community. Dozens of mice scattered in all directions. It was quite entertaining. It was clear that we were not going to be able to simply air the tires on this GT and push it onto the trailer. Heavier equipment would be required, so we hooked up the GT to the winch on the trailer and freed it from its former resting place. We were then able to winch it onto the trailer. The second MGB a roadster, which we now referred to as the club project car was a little easier to move, it also appeared to be in much better shape than the GT.

The following Wednesday night Dean got right to work on trying to get that car running. With some of us looking on and others pitching a hand Dean and the guys had that car running in about an hour. Pretty amazing for a car that hadn’t been on the road in years, had been stored outside and had to be dragged out of the mud. A few test laps around the building and it was back in the garage for further assessment. Over the next few Wednesday’s the guys worked on a few electrical problems and other issues.

(Continued on page 11)