she was special ordered from Great Britain. she came by boat to New York. she was a TR3.

the dealer in spruce pine drove to the City to get her.

when he got there he fell in love. or so, the story goes. and as he drove it back to the wnc mountains, he did not want to give her up. but his arm was twisted as he was reminded of the Doctor's contract.

the three of us loaded up to go get her. my memory consists of riding in the back on the jump-seat as we drove back into our neighborhood. five years old. riding in a brand new shiny red Triumph. 1960. a hard top. a soft top. and side curtains. a push button and choke start. a bus man's horn. TLRW.

and the throaty, sexy voice that sears your memory.

no one that we knew had never seen one.

and the Doctor blew the horn loudly as we headed towards our house. the neighbors came out to wave. the five year old's tears streamed down her face as the sound of the engine and the horn was just too much.

that first real memory of a special car. and not just any car. the first car you would ever drive!