Well its pointless for a 'representitive' making any further comments on the actions themselves. I have done what I feel was demanded by the situation.
As for Dave's comment, I understand it entirely. He runs a Trust dedicated to protect artifacts with an up to date cross referenced set of records and a website and newsheet. In the main they are donated by owners into the Trust's care, for free, sometimes delivered, even with cash donation to aid conservation. Such an organisition relies on the belief that donations will be looked after for the long term, not broken up, or sold off for profit like Beaulieu. So effective is our buddy, he gets non Trojan gifts, too. Clearly his being associated, and effective accounted as owner, of a rare car broken up can seriously damage the success of what he is doing now, by calling his trustworthiness with rare cars into doubt. Therefore the record requires to be straightened out, as he was long out of the car's ownership when it was chosen to part it up. This should be quite simple and part of that record straightening is for it to be a matter of public record so the wrong records cannot be buried. So here it is. (I am particularly motivated here as much the same situation exists with respect to myself and some club records, they remain unchanged despite I had to resign position, as I was voted in to represent the Members of the Club, not the Members of the Committee. Such a position now existing could effect my private business, as well as theirs. I am not taking the risk and in this event the papers and records exist to prove my non participation and, indeed, attempts to resolve the situation, refused in favour of a cover up. I am now very much more careful about who I link finances with, and their published record keeping.)
Dave is not really interested in what happened after he sold the car, though he remains adamant the vehicle could have been restored. I agree, but by whom. Even today the cost would probably be more than the value of sale restored. So only the motivated need apply. No one will argue that point, theory and practical demands do not follow the same paths, always.
Interestingly there was another offer on the Powerdrive. Admittedly as a seconded to the Astra Van. I again was only representative here, asked to lease with Root and so Tony, but the two parties failed to do business, as my chum took exception to the idea that as a fine woodcraft constructor working on vintage boats and cars, he might take the engines to put in boats. His incredulous comment, 'But they are not marine engines!' tells all. Like many of the original Microcar people he is a most unusual and uncompromising character, so lines hardened despite the offer being that, which was at the time, acceptable. Its a shame, as his workmanship is beautiful to behold, when he is motivated to use his skills. Maybe my connection with the deal was the problem. However I do not doubt that both cars would have been restored in time, and one might even have been at Hatton, since that is about as near to the 52 acre wood on the Welsh boarder that our man lives in. That might tip a few folk as to who I am talking about. But only if you hung around the fire late into the night at early rallies. That lot tended to be the most interesting characters, representing the far eccentric excess that Briton can be proud of. Happy nights before I got to involved.
