I have had this ambition ever since I was capable of appreciating fast motor cars. I have always wanted to own an MG! Finally I achieved my aim.

It began when I was posted to Cyprus with the RAF in 1982. I was going on an unaccompanied tour and my destination was 280 SU, situated at 5800 feet at Troodos on Mount Olympus. I left the family with the trusty BL Metro and went with the thought that I might get myself a 'banger' to drive around the island.

To start with, I lived quite frugally and bought a pair of walking boots. However, the novelty soon wore off, as did the skin from my heels; so I started to look for a cheap car!

The climate in Cyprus is nice and dry, and even on the mountain in winter they do not put salt on the roads, so old cars are quite common. It is not unusual to see split-screen Morris Minor 1000's, Morris Oxford estates, 2.4 Jaguars and other 1950's/1960's cars still motoring happily around the mountain villages. This led me to believe that I might find my MG here, so I started to make some enquiries.

To my delight I found that there was a derelict Midget lying in the sand at RAF Akrotitri and, having ascertained that it was for sale (and at the princely sum of £50), I bought it. But there were a few snags! It was a 1966 Mk II which had been sitting in the sand for 3 years and the local kids had been using it for a playground. The steering wheel, all the lights and instruments and one of the quarter lights were broken; there was no hood, the tyres were flat and the paint-work was practically non-existant. I decided that, despite its disreputable state, the lack of available spares and a dearth of expert restoration assistance, it would be a worthwhile project, if only to keep me occupied in my spare time and provide an alternative to 'hill bashing'!

I arranged for it to be transported up the mountain and, once there, proceeded to strip it of the broken bits, rub down the body shell, pump up the tyres and check the running gear. A trip to what must be the only 'breaker's yard' in Cyprus unearthed the speedo and rev counter. I purchased a fuel gauge but couldn't find an oil pressure/water temperature gauge anywhere, so I made do with the one still in the car which, although the glass was broken, still recorded oil pressure. The headlamps were replaced with Landrover units and the front side lights were available off the shelf in Limassol. New rear light glasses were more difficult and these, together with one or two other small items, had to wait until I made a trip back to UK.

Eventually, when my wife was able to join me, it was sold (at a profit) and the proceeds used to purchase an MG Metro. This proved an extremely delightful experience because the car handled and performed beautifully. I must admit I was sceptical of a Metro with an MG badge but my fears were soon dispelled as I drove round the island on a variety of surfaces (including a section of the Cyprus Rally route). I brought the car back to the UK when I returned in March 1985, when it was 9 months old. I was astounded to find that the all-round ppetrol consumption wa still averaging 50 mpg. I am not a fast driver, preferring to use the gear box and have some quiet fun that way, but the fuel consumption figures were excellent.

However, after about 12 months of UK motoring, and under the influence of 'Enjoying MG', I decided to purchase a 'real' MG, and looked forward eagerly to the next month's sales sheet. But it so happened that I saw an MG Roadster for sale in the local area; one that had been mainly restored and was offered at a reasonable price. When I went to view it I fell in love immediately and, after a little haggle, agreed to buy. I paid £2000 for it !

It became my everyday transport and carried me 70 miles per day to and from work for the next few months without any trouble. I then moved to a job nearer home and was able to put the car in to the Bristol MG Centre for an engine rebuild (the main bearings sounded a bit like a 747 and the timing chain was flapping like a fledgling sparrow). They did an excellent job and once it had been run-in and the first service completed I felt confident enough to take it on holiday to France. This proved to be a splendid idea and we spent two trouble-free weeks along the Atlantic coast around Bordeaux and on into the Gironde. During that time we went to our first ever MG meeting, The Bergerac Rally, and had a superb time. I can recommend this particular meeting to anyone for the organization, the wonderful scenery and the friendly attitude of everyone we met.

I drove it for some years until I retired, when it became a luxury which I couldn't afford to maintain and so it had to go. I still miss it and often wish I had the nerve to buy another!

NB: I always wished my first two initials could be reversed - then I could sign myself 'Twin-Cam'!