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The spirit of Henry's first owners, Tom Perry
Stuart says the possible modifications that can be
and Carolyn Dahl ( right) remains strong in
made to an MGC to increase performance include
their 1968 MGC, Henry. Their love affair
lightening the fly wheel, installing better exhaust
followed the car right into the hearts of its
maniforlds, and/ or installing a triple SU carburetor
second and third owners.
system . He has opted to start with the
carburetors.
Does the little MGC know that he might
soon be making a return to France, whose
" The MGC is a great touring car, " he says, " but
roads he last traveled 55 years ago? Stay
getting a peppier uptake will only improve it." The
tuned for more from Stuart Naylor.
retrofitting is not an easy thing to do. A new heat
shield must be manufactured, there is linkage to
be changed for the carburertor swap out, and
other bits and pieces are tricky, but Stuart couldn't
be happier down in his garage working away while
documenting the journey using his photography
skills. Upgraded shocks will be next.

And why would you need a quicker uptake in a
small car that already goes forward with
determination? That's all a part of Stuart's other
retirement plan.

He and Caroline are travelers by inclination and
their current plan is to find a place in France to
call their own. In April they will take a three to four
week trip to reconnitor possible locations and then
in August they have another six week trip
scheduled. And what of Henry? Will he be left to
languish in the garage in Nashville, while his family
is off living in France?

" We want to take the MGC with us to France. We'd
go to England first, re-register it there with its
original plates, and drive it there with its original
tag, from its first owners, until we take it across the
Channel. Since Brexit, there are a few more
restrictions about moving cars around. The French
now require a certificate of conformity, safety and
emissions, but I saw information about a tour that
I would really like to make with the car , so
whatever it takes to get it registered, we'll do,"
Stuart says. The trip is more than just a drive
around the block and Tom Perry and Carolyn Dahl
would certainly understand the pull of wanderlust,
even if Europe is no longer seeable on $5 a day.

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