Page 9 - July 2022

Q: When you left the UK were there other stops before
you arrived in America? How did a lad from Leeds end
up in middle Tennessee?

A. I moved to the United States in 1986, living first in
Maryland and them moving to Tennessee in June of
1987. I I had visited Tennessee on a business trip in
1983 and most of my social contacts were in the
United States.

Q. So, if you are the same age as the MGTC, from birth to
1986, that's a fairly large gap. Would you like to talk a bit
about what you were doing in those earlier years?

A. I went to school and college in England. In 1975 I
joined Woodhead Manufacturing Company as Export
Manager for Asia and Australasia. We manufactured
under chassis components and were OE to Landrover,
Bedford trucks, British Rail, and Porsche. I travelled
extensively through work.
In 1980 I joined Associated Engineering (AE), also
responsible for Asia and Australasia. We Above: Ian Levitt and his wife Karen joined friends
Factoid: Ian
manufactured pistons (Hepolite brand) and bearings at the Jubilee lunch but Karen stole the show in a
likes to
(Glacier brand) for most British cars, trucks and classic picture hat , the perfect topper for a ride in
tractors. the couple's classic MG.
After becoming General Manager of their
international aftermarket division, I was transferred to
the USA in 1986, on a 3 to 5 year contract.

In June of 1987, because of mergers and
acquisitions, I moved our business operation from
Maryland to Tennessee.
Then, in June of 1997, I started my own engine
parts business here in Nashville. I've now been here
36 years.
Q. I knew that there was an automotive story
somewhere and I'm sure you have many other interests
but let's start with the cars. You have some beauties in
your collection? How did you first learn to maintain
them?
A. I was self-taught. My first British car was a Bond
Minicar, a 3 wheeler with a motorcycle engine under
t
the bonnet. If the electric starter didn? fire it up, you
Might y Grand could lift the bonnet and kick start it. It was old and
all I could afford at the time. I was 15 and didn?
t
Ian & Karen Levit t ret urned from England Just in t ime t o arrive in have a license to drive!
t his 1948 MG TC at t he Big Plat inum Jubilee Lunch in Tennessee . Ian Q. And what's in your garage today? Your MG is a real build & fly radio
thing of beauty. controlled model
was recognized as one of our born-in- Brit ain members and we airplanes, photography,
Continues on page 10
9 DIY projects & Travel
have his Int erview.

K aren is a
horsewoman.