Straight Talk July/August 2025
Straight Talk from the “Mann” Cave
Bruce Mann
By the time you read this, the 50th GT held in Traverse City will be in our rear-view mirror.
It was certainly my privilege; beyond anything I could have imagined when I first bought my 1960 MGA roadster in 1961 at 17 years old. Wow what an adventure. To have it at GT-50 was certainly a milestone in all the things I have done in this car.
To be the chairman of such a great organization was an honor and privilege, one I will never forget. This was a great event, and I think everyone had a good time, with lasting memories.
At GT-50 we had 149 registrations, 272 attendees, and 123 cars, on the show field, we also had 45 first timers, with 81 attendees. We had 25 chapters represented by 15 states. It was hosted for the fifth time by Michigan Rowdies.
It’s been 50 years since GT-1 in Harpers Ferry, WV in 1975 attended by 85 members.
What we know is that our founders, Linda and John Wright, Len and Ruth Renkenberger, and Mac and Billie Spears, were all there, and many more who have given so much to NAMGAR over the years. As many of them have passed, we will always remember their contributions to NAMGAR. They helped make the register what it is today. For the first GT, some were concerned if folks would show up well, they did, and we continue to show up.
We had a few people at GT-50 that attended the very first GT and were given an award commemorating the 50th anniversary of NAMGAR.
Michael Crews from West Virginia, who attended GT-1, brought the same car “Pickle” to both GTs. This time it was on a trailer, but it was there.
Rob Mackenzie drove to Traverse City in his Mk11 as did Doug Kniff with his twin cam, they were both at GT-1 as well. Unfortunately, Butch and Judy Smith of Virginia had to cancel their trip due to health issues. They were also in attendance at GT-1 and would have been at GT-50 as well.
There were also five (5) Mgs on the field that were produced in 1955, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the first production MGA vehicle. The cars represented were an MGA owned by Forrest and Leslie Johnson, a 1955 TF owned by Tim and Judy Scheerhorn, three Magnette’s all ZA’s owned by: Steve and Diane Kirby, Dan Suter, and John Golanty. They were all presented with an award celebrating the 70th anniversary of the MGA.
Now we can relax a little and get ready for the next GT which will be held in Sandusky, Ohio in August of 2026. This will be an all-MG event put on by the North American Council of MG registers. For NAMGAR this will be GT-51. We announced GT-52, and it will be held in late May of 2027. The chapter putting on this event in French Lick, Indiana will be hosted by the Hoosier A’s (The Indiana MG Register).
See you all down the road!
Remember the road to success is always under construction
