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MG TD TF 1500 - One Last Ride With Dad

My father graduated from hospice last week. He was an incredibly faithful man, so this has been a time of celebration and joyous remembrance. In 2000, Dad had a second bypass and we thought that we had lost him. We decided to get a car to work on together. We didn't want a pristine car, but one that we could drive and enjoy and still work to improve. For the last fourteen years, he and I have gone to breakfast on Saturday and then either gone for a drive in the TF, or tinker with it. As a result, I spent more time with Dad over these years than I had in all the previous years since I went off to college. He was incredibly proud of the car, not so much for the steel and wheels, but for what it represented to the two of us.

Last week I gave Dad one final ride in the TF. On the box that contained his remains you might be able to spy a hubcap center-piece from his '52 MGTD. That was the car that I fell in love with when I was a child, and the reason that our labor of love was a "T" series.

He was a great guy.

Scott Ashworth - '54 TF








S. R. Ashworth

Another picture.

S. R. Ashworth

Scott,

Well done, well done.

Bill
TD24570
Bill Brown

Well played. A credit to you and your father that you both found a passion that bounded you so well. I had a similar experience but not to the level of yours.

From my experience and research the little T series cars seem to have always had this attraction, even when new. They are a great bonder and means for people to come together and enjoy their experience collectively. Not to many other objects today can claim that.
Christopher Couper

Wonderful story!
Steve Simmons

Scott,
Your story touched me, as Chris said they are a great bonder, I know from personal experience.
Thanks for sharing, your Dad would be proud to know you've shared his and your story.
CJ Harvey

Very touching, Scott. It'll make me appreciate more the 'Dad and I' tech things that you've sent to me over these past years. Peace. Bud
Bud Krueger

Scott,
What a touching story. Would you consider writing a story about you and your dad, and this time spent together for The New England MG T Register's bi monthly magazine, The Sacred Octagon?
You can contact me at dasanderATaolDOTcom
David
D. Sander

Sympathies, Scott - my old Dad passed away 12 months ago, and like your father, he was the reason for my early interest in funny old cars. We owe our fathers such a lot! Regards, John.
J.P. Hall

That story brought tears to my eyes Scott. Thanks for sharing it. What a wonderful bond to have had with your dad.
You, and he, helped me a few times with some TF things. Recall that you fabricated a new fan spacer for me a few years ago. Thank you for that.
I wish you well in the coming weeks and months.

Tom
T Norby

So sorry for your loss but so glad you have the memories.
Gene
Gene Gillam

Lovely touching story, my Condolences Scott.




George
G Mills

Thanks for sharing Scott. My condolences.

Warmly,
Dave
Dave Braun

There are somethings that you can never explain. Thank you Scott, you just did.

Kev S TF6288
K Simonsen

You're a lucky man Scott. My sympathies.
MG LaVerne

Hi Scott,
Those memories are very special and personal. You indeed are a lucky man to be able to share your times together.
My condolences to you and the family.
John...Sydney
John Walton

Thanks for sharing Scott. Wonderful story. PJ
Paul S Jennings

My most sincere condolences Scott. Although I never got to meet your dad, I feel like I somehow knew him through our correspondence over the years.
As you know our stories are very similar as to how we were introduced to "T-types". I never got the chance to take my father for a ride in my TF but hearing of your exploits always gave me a warm fuzzy feeling I could relate to.
For that ...I thank both of you.
If you get back out this way stop by ...don't forget I moved across the street since you were here last.
David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

Dear Scott,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Your father can be proud of you. My mother is 98 years old now. She still lives in her own house. I recently bought a 1953 TD, and I hope it wil be soon ready to take her for a ride.
Thanks again, Scott. You're a gréât guy.

Claude
C.M. groucho

Scott, how wonderful that you had that time with your father. I'm sorry he's gone (for now), but glad you have such wonderful memories of him and your relationship together. It's always easier to say goodbye to someone you know you're 'right' with and there's no unresolved issues, and I'm happy for you in that regard. May the memories of him keep with you all your life, and may your ultimate reunion be a wonderful one.

My dad and I had a similar relationship, and I often made sure he tried out my 'new' cars... below is a photo of me back in the 1970's when I had just acquired my Elva Courier race car... I was about 18 years old then. He and I built my first car together - a 1965 Chevelle Malibu - and he taught me how to build an engine, something I've now taught my own son. We later restored a sailboat together and sailed it together for many years. He passed in 2005, and I renamed the little boat in his honor - "Bobby's Boys".

Kevin McLemore

Forgot to include the photo...

Kevin McLemore

So sorry for your loss. My Dad was a car guy also. That was our common bond. Died in '66, still miss him. Larry
Larry Brown

Thanks everyone for your kind comments.

It is wonderful to share a passion with someone you love and respect.

Scott Ashworth - '54 TF
S. R. Ashworth

Scott....thanks for this. I have a 53 TD that when I found it, I couldn't afford it. My father stepped in and bought the car and told me if I did the work he would pay the bills. His had RA, and his hands wouldn't let him do much. He helped with what he could.
He died six years ago. I have an e type now to go with the TD, and he would have loved the Jag. He was born in England and an e type was always the top for him.

Joe Hinwe

J.D. Hine

The great and loving memories you and your dad shared with the T are truly precious.. Thanks for sharing that story. It made me think and reflect.
JWP Policastro

Scott,

Thanks for sharing your memories with your father and adventures together! I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

Charlie
Charlie Adams

Thanks for sharing this, Scott. My father and I also bonded over "our" MG (his, but he could no longer get in it or work on it) and he has been so proud and happy to see it back on the road...
Geoffrey M Baker

My condolences on the loss of your father Scott. I think your way of seeing him off is very appropriate and a great way to remember him.

My father is 89 and I have recently been able to move back to where he is. I am actually living with him while we build a home on our property.

I am very glad I can still spend more time with him.
Bruce Cunha

I hope my son reads this someday.
efh Haskell

This thread was discussed between 08/09/2014 and 14/09/2014

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