Brits Abroad: USA

by Paul Sweeney

This is the first of a new feature focusing on members with pre-85 Brits living outside the United Kingdom - in this case, the USA.
​My sincere thanks to those who took up the challenge and sent in their car photos and some information.

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Member: ​Timothy Olson

"I started collecting British cars because I loved the interesting variety of companies and models of cars. I started collecting American and German cars but then decided to focus on British cars that are rarely seen in the USA. I have owned 18 different British cars, but now I have ten and all are drop heads.

That seems like a good number for me right now. I am able to fit eight cars in my garage and in the summer I rent two neighbors garages for the others. In the winter my garage is heated and two are stored in a secure and heated facility. In the summer I like to get all the cars out and running with the help of a number of friends who take turns driving the different cars.

​The most difficult car to drive is the 1934 Austin 7. I give an award for bravery for anyone who drives the car. We live in a beautiful area and our drives take us north often along the shore of Lake Michigan.

I bought the Triumph Herald that had been stored in a garage for 25 years. This car is the only one that I restored myself. It took almost 3 years. It was my first and last restoration. The car was featured in the Wall Street Journal.
Pictures of my current cars can be seen at www.britcars.us"

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Member: Mike Eder

"I am a retired Moravian pastor and current police chaplain who stumbled upon a Jensen Interceptor MK II in a shed it had inhabited for more than 30 years (disassembled). I realized that in 2019 it would be the 50th anniversary of the MK II model. I decided to build my car as if Jensen were still in business and they would release a "5oth Anniversary Special Edition" Interceptor.

Same Italian design lines and proportions, same hand crafted coachwork, same American muscle (490 hp custom LS motor). 21st century bells & whistles; fuel injection, 6-speed automatic, keyless, power boot, ground effects, 17" alloy wheels, navigation, blue tooth, rear camera, etc."

Here is a video for more pictures, etc