Only in California

I had dinner with lily last night after a day driving to the still plentifull roadside stands of fresh produce in Ventura county. We were passing a small barrio of the invisibles who harvest it and something caught my eye among the classic lowriders and old pickup trucks. We stopped and a fading, forlorn hope of a sale sign sat in the window. Man steps out, sharing a different excitement over the car. He extends a hand with the tiresome familiar tribal aggressive FLANAGAN and I notice a ceramic Easter Lily pin on his shirt. KAVANAUGH, my people were 2nd Belfast Brigade, great grandmother an O'Donafin Rossa and  Patrick was a CPl in the San Patricios.
Oh!, and he  leaves off the  Celtic twilight routine and we talk car. I looked it over; no rust or rot, am able to hand turn the engine after pulling the head and the cylinders are clean. I have no money. He takes a SMLE in trade, last of that pursuit and pleasing Lily who knows what we're looking at. An old Chicano friend has a tow truck owes me a favour.
We drop it at David's ( Surrey on Thames) who I once worked for casually picking up and delivering british cars with starter buttons, non synchro gearboxes and right hand drives people were afraid to. He has a sponsored mechanic from Liverpool now doing that. I get a phone call a few minutes ago. CHRISTOPHER!!!! where the B.H. did you find that? My welsh grandfather drove one. I suppose you think I'm going to sort it out? LOVE TO. Lets talk Monday, bring your tea service; Mrs Oliphaunt, remember? lady with the MK V Jag broke down when the Spanish Heinkel 111 flew overhead? She's coming in and I need your help. I'll pay for the digestives.
Lily knew I needed a car;shares my enthusiasm for a british program. It will be a SLOW project. I almost had buyer's regret except she thinks it's Bobs your uncle as david says to the other expat brits.

Sweet ride, Chris. Might have to start calling you "Wheels."

delete

loved Foyles War.  old cars too.  my first conveyance as a young lad was a pos  1965 MG 1100 so I know the thrill of looking at the landscape while the car mutters "tough luck old chap"

My first ever car was  a $50 Hillman in sky blue, now desirable as the Harry Potter flying car. It was followed by a MGA twincam coupe I took years restoring, the last known Austin Mini Cooper S 1100 CC engine, a Jowet Jupiter and the sole non british acquisition; one of two rare Spanish Pegasos found sitting on a Beverly Hills tennis court bought and sold in 72 hours at great profit. I was taught to drive by Nigel Avery, Jaguar LeMans  raceworks mechanic with Graham Hill and almost ran over Charlie Manson on the Old Pass Road by Spahn Ranch playing Pink Floyds DSOTM in the MG and DID run David Carradine ( license plate THE FOOL from the Tarot) in his yellow Ferrari off of Mullholand and Malibu Canyon near the old Wrigley Mansion driving the Mini.
I'm slowly remembering those days of tracking down parts, reaching for Whitworths and more often resolving problems with a #2 irish spanner ( Big f'ing hammer) and half rethinking my decision. But then, then I remember that summer night; stopped at a redlight next to the senior football hero in his 911 daddesy and mummsey bought him with my ex GF beside him, revving his engine. For a moment I was F/O Mitty in my Bolton Paul turret fighter looking back at Adolph Galland. A light went on in my head, seeing a tell tale reflection as the green went on. I didn't move; watching the police cruiser pull the silver Porsche mercury like into it's embrace. I drove past slowly, my engine going ta pocket ta poket ta pocket as a dime bag of ragweed was placed on the roof. This, is going to be 'fun'.