Page 51 - Feb2023

Some cars have a following --people who admire and and a spirit of adventure. In love with the
appreciate them and hope, someday, to own one of idea of taking a grand tour, driving a small
them. British roadster through the UK and on into
Europe, Henry was a perfect fit.
Experts always urge new purchasers of previously
owned cars to check the documentation of the Tom was Henry's first owner. He bought the
history of the car. This usually means checking the quick little MGC before he ever left the states,
service records, modifications and parts paying the sum of 989 pounds base price,
replacements that have taken place over the years. along with extra charges for add- ons like
The documentation that can be discovered is what car overdrive, a heater, chrome wire wheels, a
people call the "Car's Story", the details about how its luggage rack, and a cigar lighter. The car came
been cared for and whether or not bringing it into standard with a spare wheel and tyre, a kit of
your own life would be a wise decision. tools, and a certificate of US Specs and Safety
features. Chassis #3255, engine # 529 now
The six cylinder MGC is a rare car, only 9,000 of them
belonged to Tom and he had the paperwork
were ever built. It is estimated that only about 500 of
from BMC Export in Picadilly, London, to
them are still out and about on the roads. From the
prove it-- the first step toward documentation.
beginning the model with the bubble in the bonnet
to accomodate the height of the engine made it stand
out from the four cylinder MGB, cars that also have a
devoted following of owners who love the nimble little
roadster.

The subject of our story, however, a 1968 British
Racing Green MGC named Henry has more than a
following, he has a family and more than a story
based on documentation, although that came with
him, he has lived a large life. Upon arriving in England, Tom, 27, and Carol,
24, picked up Henry at the dealer's and drove
It began with two young people. Carolyn Dahl and
him off the lot, exploring most of England
Thomas Perry. They met each other at the University
before touring Edinburgh, Scotland.
of Minnesota ( Minneapolis). Tom, a graduate of
Returning to London, they loaded Henry onto
Vanderbilt, had come to work on a PhD in chemical
a car ferry and made a water crossing from
engineering, while Carolyn was working towards a
England to Calais in France.
bachelor's degree in Speech and Theatre. After
graduation, Carolyn headed to New York to pursue a There, the three of them disembarked and
career on stage and Tom headed to the Army as a began a romantic grand tour of Europe, driving
young officer. the roads of France, Belgium, the Netherlands,
Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Germany.
Then, iIn 1968 with his Army service behind him, Tom
asked Carolyn if she'd like to come to Europe with him Carolyn kept a journal about their travels and
before he began to work at Shell Oil in California. Henry and his exploits figure prominently in it.
Carolyn was working in summer stock theatre in
The couple took to calling Henry The Green
Brunswick , Maine. The two met up, went to Boston
Machine while the Italians they passed on
and flew to London to pick up the MGC Tom had
their journey, who know something about
pre-ordered.
good looking cars, began to refer to the MGC
They were well prepared, in the spirit of the times, as "La Bella Machina".
for a journey that would last a little over a month.
Story continues on page 52
They had a car, a book entitled Europe on $5 a Day,
51