Thanks to Pete for this piece:
A few weeks ago, I had a knock on my door from a neighbour whose uncle was visiting from Australia. He asked if I would let him look at my MGs.
His name is John Prime, and he had a fascinating story to tell.
I left Abingdon for Australia as a “Ten Pound Pom” with my family in 1975 aged 34 years.
I started at the MG factory when I was 16 years old as a storeman/tea boy.
When I was 18, I went onto the production line for the Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite & subsequently, due to the lack of orders moved onto the Morris Van. Due to a downturn in the market, I left & went to work at AERE Harwell for 3 years.
In 1964 I had a recall from the MG factory & went back to work on the Austin Healey Sprite & from there to the MGC production line & when that finished I went onto the MGB assembly.
My memories of working at the MG’s was one of being very family orientated with my brother, brother in law & uncles all worked there too.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time there & as an original “£10 Pom” anything to do with MG’s & Abingdon will always hold a special place in my heart.
As a complete surprise for John I took him out for a spin in my MG RV8 convertible (built at Cowley in the 1990’s) & I arranged to take him down to the MG Car Club in Cemetery Road to meet Colin Grant & archivist Pete Neal who showed him around Kimber House. My thanks to Colin & Pete.
The photo of John is with my modified MGB GT (known as an RV8 GT) I think the transformation surprised him when he recalled his days of working on the MGB, he could not believe it when he saw the car battery located under the bonnet.
The photo shows John Prime with Pete’s modified MGB GT (known as an RV8 GT).
