In 1980, British cars such as the MG were no longer produced and imported to the U.S.

But that hasn’t stopped fans of the automobiles from finding them, buying them and driving them around.

The cars are so popular, there are clubs across the U.S. for the two-passenger British machines. One such club in the Kosciusko County area was founded in July, 2005: the Northern Indiana Lakes British Motor Club (NILBMC.) They meet on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at Mad Anthony’s Lake City Tap House, East Center Street, Warsaw. [Note: The club currently (2008) alternates monthly meetings between Mad Anthony's and Hacienda, both located in Warsaw.]

Club President Larry Cline said most of the members "are in the baby-boomer age" group. Members’ parents had the cars or members saw them while growing up. Now that the members’ kids are out of college, he said, the members are putting their money into these cards. They’re fun to drive, he said, and affordable, if you can find them. The cars can be temperamental, but owners put up with them.

"These cars are so easy to work on," Cline said.

He started the British Motor Club in July "because I wanted to do it for many years."

Cline said he helped Vice President Bruce Barton find his first British car. They met other British car enthusiasts and put flyers up to form the club. "It just grew," he said.

At their first meeting in July, 17 people showed up. "We now have 29 enthusiasts, about 20 paid members," said Cline. Not everyone in the club owns a British car, he said. They just have to like them. "We encourage people to join us whether you have a car or not."

The club doesn’t just sit around either. They plan regular family friendly activities, such as a recent cook-off, or go for drives.

Other British Motor Clubs are in Mishawaka and Indianapolis. "This is the third all-British Car Club in the state that I know of," said Cline.

MGs are the most common of all the British cars. They were made beginning in the 1930s and developed by Morris Garage. Famous versions of the British cars include James Bond’s Aston Martin and the Austin Healey 3000 in the movie "Father of the Bride."

Cline himself has a 1959 Triumph TR3. Currently being restored, he’s had his car for 12 years.

Doug Kehler was an original member of the Lake Area Sports Car Club in 1964. Today, he has an assortment of cars such as a 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and a 1953 Bentley, along with several small sports cars.

He said he used to race in an Austin Healey Sprite. Racing a sports car is very much like getting a pilot’s license, he said, in that it isn’t easy.

Tina and Tom Dunn have owned their 1977 MG for 15 years.

"It’s fun, it’s a convertible and it doesn’t go too fast. I don’t like the real fast cars," said Tina.

In the MG, Tina said they’ve gone on a tour to Pennsylvania for a week for a total of 600 miles. They don’t show their car at car shows, they just have it for fun.

"I’m not the enthusiast my husband is," said Tina, "but I enjoy it."

Bob Barth, owner of Automotive Unlimited, has owned his 1980 MGB for about eight years.

"I had one when I was a kid and I had a lot of fun. I’m trying to relive the younger days," he said.

Barth said the British cars handle differently than domestic cars. They’re easier to zip around in than most other cars. His also is supercharged for a little extra kick.

"Put the horsepower with the handling, it makes it easier to drive," Barth said.

In total, Barth owns 11 cars. "I love cars," he proclaimed. "You get this in your blood and it’s bad. But, there’s worse things, I guess."

With the British cars, Barth said owners can still buy everything they need to keep them mechanically and cosmetically in shape. Car owners can’t do that with all other cars. Since British cars are not known for their reliability, it’s a good thing they are easy to fix, he said.

"If you get one out on a regular basis, you alleviate some of those problems," he said.

Club Secretary Cathy Mullett owns a 1975 yellow MGB.

"Larry got us interested in British sports cars," she said.

She got her car from a guy in Indianapolis. "It’s just a sweet drive," she said.

When Mullett is behind the wheel of her MGB, she said she has Jimmy Buffett playing on the stereo. The music and the drive make her feel like she’s somewhere else, she said.

"The best part is having the top down, listening to music, with the wind blowing through your hair," she said.

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