IMPORT SAGA FOR RETIREMENT FUN

Retirement has arrived - or, as I like to put it, I'm in the fortunate position of not having to work. I'd always wanted two things in my retirement: to move somewhere warm, and to build a kit car. 

My wife and I bought a villa near Dénia, on the northern Costa Blanca in Spain, and we started our new life in the sun.

Next up was building a car. The only issue was that I first had this dream back in the '80s, when there were myriad kit cars to choose from. Today, with modern cars going on and on, the kit-car market has almost dried up. So my next thought was: 'How about running a classic sports car?' I'd had a few as a young man, from a Triumph TR5 (why didn't I keep that?) to an MG Midget.

The car needed to be left-hand drive and, after some research, there seemed to be a number of dealers in The Netherlands with a good selection. I located a 1973 ex-California Mk3 MG Midget that appeared to be in great condition. My wife had always wanted a city break to Amsterdam, so in August 2019 a trip was arranged, including a drive up-country to the dealer, Hofman Leek. The car was just as good as it was described, a deal was done and the MG was duly transported to me in Spain.