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Hello, my name is Jeff Starling.  I was asked to tell something about myself, the formation of the BMCCF and a little about my personal interest in British Cars.

          I am a Wilmington native (rare), married with two children ages 11 and 8.  My wife of 15 years teaches at Myrtle Grove Christian School and I am employed at GE.  I am in the maintenance department and work on their HVAC equipment.

          My addiction to British Cars started before I was 16.  My older brother had a Healey 100-4 and a Sprite.  This was all that was needed to open the floodgate to where I am today, still loving and enjoying these British Autos.  The very first car I purchased (at 16) was a 1964 MGB.  Since then, I have owned and restored many, many little British Cars.  People have asked me just what have I owned… well, here goes as best as I recall:  3 MGA’s, 25 MGB’s, 3 MGC’s, 2 TR3’s, 2 TR4’s, 1 TR6, 3 Sunbeam Tigers, 8 Austin Healey 3000’s, and several American autos.  Presently, I have a 1960 Healey 3000 and a 1966 Mustang GT Convertible.

          Having this craving for cars of the British variety set the trap to form a British car club in Wilmington.  Back in 1998, my friend Mark Deffendall (now residing in Tenn.) and I decided it was high time to form one.  Between the people he knew who owned and loved British cars and my car buddies, we contacted about 2 dozen people in the area.  We had our very first meeting at the K&W Cafeteria on March 3, 1998.  We were off to a good start.  Our first newsletter came out a couple of months later.  It was about a page long and was created and edited by Fran Jamison (now residing in Texas).  She did a lot to get us rolling as a club.  Our first official president and Charter Member was Dale Masters.  It is he who we have to thank for setting up the format the club is in today.  Dale was and is still a real boost for the BMCCF and certainly for getting us going in the right direction.  Dale was not only the President for several years but also our newsletter editor.  He continues to do so much to keep our club strong.  Me?  I even held the office of Treasurer!

          We are now in our 6th year and the club is continuing to improve.  All our members, past and present officers, and spouses are to thank for the super success of the BMCCF.

1960 Healey 3000 Before and After

1966 GT Mustang