Congratulations to the 2015 Mac Spears Award Winner
NAMGAR is proud to announce that Bruce Nichols is the 2015 Mac Spears Award winner. Bruce’s efforts spearheaded the creation of the very first NAMGAR Chapter; his vision helped create the present organization which now has 57 Chapters and 7 Interest Groups. He inspired other groups in the US to form their own chapters of NAMGAR and helped to grow the membership by always seeking out owners of MGAs and telling them about NAMGAR.
Bruce introduced a policy of “People First” at the chapter level which has now become a mainstay of NAMGAR’s policy when planning any event. He makes friends and keeps them forever. For many in NAMGAR, Bruce was the first person that made them feel part of the family. Bruce encouraged driving your MGA to meets through his personal example. He realized many members were reluctant to drive great distances and he broke through these early barriers by putting together caravans, tech days, and encouraging fellow enthusiasts to share information. He continues to encourage members to attend events even if they can’t bring their car; as he has said, “I can talk to the person, but I can’t talk to the car”.
Bruce assisted many with repairs and technical advice; he was technical editor of MGA! for two years providing advice on what could be substituted for MGA parts that were not available from British car parts suppliers of the times. He was always ready to lend a hand to an owner in distress by not only providing a necessary repair part but also helping in its installation.
Bruce exhibits an attitude that exemplifies the spirit of Mac Spears and as they were friends that is completely understandable. Both worked to promote NAMGAR and encourage others to do the same. Bruce still remains active at the local level as he continues to hold the position of Chapter Contact. He attends GTs regularly and is always willing to spend time with everyone he meets. Bruce has always been interested in keeping our hobby alive for the next generation. His family has attended many GTs and he has instilled the love of the MGA in daughters, Amy, Shelley, Randi, and Robin and has even extended that love to sons-in-laws, Dave and Geoff, and grandsons, Carter, Cohen and Cooper. You can tell that the love of MGAs runs deep in his family; which also included his deceased wife, Joyce who served as NAMGAR Chairman. One of his first comments after receiving the award was wishing she could have been here to share this with him. You can tell from the picture how excited Robin was!
Congratulations, Bruce. You are truly the “face and spirit of NAMGAR” to many.
Click here for more information on the Mac Spears Award.
