The History of the M.G. T-Party . . .
and other interesting facts
Our earliest records show that a small group of people from Maine and New
Hampshire started talks about forming a chapter in late 1975. The committee
consisted of Frank Cangiano, Earle Vaughan and Phil Glaser. They formed the board of the club with the intent of getting a club constitution formed and
approved, selection of a club name etc.
This group met a few times over the next year with the club’s growth at a slow pace. There were events such as tours, picnics and rallyes,
car shows, along with mini-GOF type weekend events to attend.
Through1977 the club members attempted to correct the inactivity but to no
avail. By 1978 the group tried again. The report of that meeting is presented
below:
“The MG T-PARTY saw its [restart] beginnings in a gathering of nine enthusiasts
on February 18, 1978 at the home of Frank and Anne Cangiano in Hillsboro, N.H.
These people met to discuss the possibility of forming a new group for the New
Hampshire area, since the Maine-New Hampshire Chapter had been dissolved by the
Register for inactivity. (The demise of that group was largely due to the
inability of members from such a huge geographical area to come together for
"local" meetings.) A proposed Constitution was drawn up at this time.
Bron and Linda Prokuski hosted the next gathering, which attracted twenty-four
MG die-hards to Amherst on a Friday night (March 10). Some organizational
matters were discussed on the side, but the main purpose was just to get
together and test the interest. We had a little tech session in which Hugh
Giffin showed us how to transport a T-Series front suspension/steering into a
kitchen without dripping grease on the floor. He also demonstrated, in addition
to the repair how-to's, that it is fruitless to try to wipe grease off your
hands with a wet shop rag.
Prior to the next gathering, which proved to be the actual organizational
meeting, Bron mailed out some background material, including the proposed
Constitution and an interesting questionnaire, along with an invitation to
attend the meeting in Nashua at Ken and Jeanne Mayo's. April 15 came to be a
fine day for such a gathering, with one TD and six TC's showing up. Two of the
TC's were Toyotas-a Crown and a Corolla. (Actually, that was Judith's line, but
she's likely forgotten it by now.) Jeanne set out some pretty good cookies to
sustain us through the meeting, and we got down to the business of naming our
group. After quite a few good laughs, we settled on MG "T" PARTY and moved on
the election of officers (who I presume are listed elsewhere in this paper),
and the new Chairman made his appointments. We had considerable discussion over
the need for becoming a Chapter of the Register. Eventually, we decided that
"chaptership" was in our best interest, since it provides us with another voice
and with a special insurance which we don't have to pay for and which is
otherwise unavailable to us. We ran through our planned events schedule as best
we could at that point, and then more-or-less adjourned for dinner. We feel we
have a strong group of avid enthusiasts, and thus far we have developed an
active once-a-month event schedule.”
And so the T-Party was reborn. A charter was approved and submitted to the
Register. Officers were elected and a name was picked. These enthusiasts hosted
some diabolical rallyes, cookouts, and a host of other events. Mailings were
sent to those T series owners in the area and the membership grew. It was not
unusual to have 30 or more people show up at an event.
Throughout the 1980s the club continued to grow with new members being signed up
using a “bounty” system. In those years there were scavenger hunts, lobster bakes, picnics and
tech sessions for members to attend. By the time the 1990’s arrived, the club was an established Chapter of the Register and members enjoy
the benefits of being affiliated with the national Register. Also in the 1990s
we helped to host two GOFs held in Nashua, NH. When asked, the club members
stepped up and helped out with all that is required to run a successful GOF.
Chapter events included Halloween parties, Holiday parties, covered bridge
tours, and trips to the top of Mount Washington...there is always something new
to try.
So if you are interested in a unique experience — being part of a dynamic, friendly group of M.G. T series enthusiasts — come give us a try.
2008 Membership Statistics of Cities and States
Ahmerst
Bedford
Belmont
Canterbury
Derry
Freedom
Goffstown
Hanover
Harrisville
Hopkinton
Londonderry
Manchester
Moultonborough
Nashua
New London
Newton
Plaistow
Plymouth
Walpole
Wilton
Wolfeboro
Brunswick
Kittery Point
Lincoln
Rockport
Rockport
S. Freeport
Waldoboro
Wells
Yarmouth
York
Acton
Bolton
Brookline
Burlington
Chelmsford
Danvers
Dedham
Dover
Gardner
Gloucester
Groton
Hamilton
Hinsdale
Lexington
Marlborough
Medfield
Medway
Milford
Newton
North Adams
North Attleboro
North Reading
New Fairfield
Little Compton
N Kingstown
Hertford
Sneads Ferry
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Ashburn
Nashville
Bedford
Clinton
Pittsford
Syracuse
