...CLASSIC - MOTORING...

has its roots. One of them is Jochen Geiken. Born April 1950 in northern Germany, one could regard him as a typical post-war child. The son of a musician with Eastfrisian ancestors, the mother from East Prussia, here, together with 2 brothers, he grew up.

The first foreign influence arrived via the nearby stationed English military (then part of the allied occupation force) and their radio station. In 1959 the family moved to Frankfurt am Main. There, the strong currents and symbols of the 50's and 60's left a lasting imprint. The also formed his outlook on life.

The majority of the the youth, born after the war, followed English or American ideals. Thus it was not surprising that in the 60's he was mightily impressed by the Austin Healey 3000. In connection with the many photographs from England at the time, the propagation of television, the magazines and the popular music completely absorbed by the young generation, kindled in him the desire to express his identity through such a motor car.

Yes - not todays values regarding engine output, maximum speed, fuel consumption and resale value were the reason for purchase, only the unbelievably important emotion towards the English lifestyle and culture to feel and experience. Without even (at least at this point of time) having been to Great Britain. The financial possibilities then were more than limited. Soon he realised he had not the means to acquire this particular car. But he could not relinquish his dream,and poring over the relevant literature, a decision was made:

It will be a MG. Yes - a MG-A, because that too comes from England. For him the similarity and connection with the Healey was obvious. They were built by the same people in the same factory at the same time and the used ones were significantly lower prized....therefore every advertisement in the newspapers ( the preferred paper then was the "FRANKFURTER RUNDSCHAU") was properly studied on Friday afternoon. The result was a testride in a MG-A 1600 roadster, manufactured 1961, in the Spring of 1969.

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Jochen narrates:
It was a two-line advertisement that caught my attention - and also because of the "moderate" price. The seller was just washing the car as I arrived, by hand, the way it used to be.That, by the way, is the cheapest sellers ruse - dripping wet, the car shines like a new penny. I convinced the seller a testdrive was needed.

Then it happened - he folded the hood, stowed the rods behind the seats and started the motor.... I would sit in the passenger seat. Anyone who, by mistake, has ever opened a shaken, warm familysize bottle of Coca Cola, has experienced only a fraction of the rush in my bloodpressure. Anyone who has any feelings at all, will understand what happened. I know it is impossible to explain the emotions that overpowered me to anybody younger than 50.

Only a junkie with an overdose of a-grade opium could gauge that. Sitting in my seat thruough the testdrive I simply evaporated in bliss. The draft and the raucuos noise suggested the goal of my dreams. It was like riding a motorbike without a helmet. Even better...There was this undescribable emotion - this almost involuntary drifting. Like free falling from an immense height.

After no time at all I called out: I'll buy it! I'll buy it! Most likely an overdose of adrenalin took my mind into this "blanc-checque' mode. The oil smoke coming from the gearbox housing never registered, I was deaf to the rattle of the conrod bearings and did not see the oil pressure barely reaching 40psi. Did not notice the slipping clutch, never saw the damp sump. I did not look under the car or under the bonnet. I even lacked the willpower to haggle about the price. I bought the car.

I paid cash (with borrowed money) and drove (floated) my purchase proud as the Prince of Wales homewards. Unimaginable the rush of blood. Unimaginable how the mind switches off. Despite being at the time in my 3rd year of my apprenticeship as auto electrician in motormechanics workshop, a BOSCH Service Centre and having enough knowledge to assess such faults on customers cars. This knowledge did not function when it came to my very own dream car.
The Lord only knows why??

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