often look for one of the small lakes to add atmosphere to the evening.

On a Friday in the middle of January, we were following the usual practice. The sun had just set, and we were driving along the north side of Branched Oak Lake when a deer jumped from a brush filled canyon and ran directly in front of us. Martha did a masterful job of threshold braking, but we were unable to avoid the animal. The deer rolled on its side on the bonnet, fell to the pavement, got up, shook its head and ran away. The bonnet, lights, grille, radiator support and the radiator were all damaged. Score it Bambi 1, Bob 0.

Fearing the worst I took the Sterling to Terry Worrick the next morning to get an estimate of the damage. We feared that the car might be getting close to a total, and in considering options I faced the prospect that I might have to replace the car.

The Sterling is 11 years old now, with 177,000 miles. There is some rust in the doors and the rear fenders, is the places where Hondas, Accuras and Sterlings often develop rust. The leather on the front seats is beginning

to show wear, and the headliner is drooping in spots. There was a time a few years back that I would have jumped at the excuse to buy a newer car, say a Jaguar or a BMW. But the possibility did not excite me.

Perhaps it is middle age. I have heard middle age described a the point when thoughts of passion turn to thoughts of pension. There may be some truth to this thought, for if I am to be honest I must admit that part of my desire to keep the Sterling was the based in the wish to put more money into a tax-deferred annuity. But there was more to it than this. The Sterling is a unique car. It has an unusual combination of being able to cruise all day at 80 miles per hour and return 30 miles per gallon or better. It will out handle any of my sports cars, and its taxes and license are less than $100 per year. Additionally, the insurance on this car is quite reasonable, and it has been years since it was paid for. I wanted to keep this car, or at worst, find another similar to it.

After discussing my dilemma with Ben Anderson he copied a list of Sterlings listed in Atlantic British's parts

publication (Thanks again Ben) for my consideration. Other friends told me of Jim Woods at Specialty Auto Sales, and his possession of a Sterling or two. It was worth a look.

It turned out that Jim is a British Car guy. He races a TR8 coupe, and has in his collection a TR7 convertible, a Europa, a TR8 convertible, an Elan, part of an Esprit (engine fire with the corresponding damage) and 4 Sterlings. The Sterlings are all for sale. One of the cars, an 825 SL, was very tempting to me. If State Farm had chosen to total my car, that car would have replaced it.

However I was delighted to learn that State Farm was willing to rebuild my car (Yes! No sales tax!) It is now back on the road, better than new thanks to State Farm, Terry, and Jim who sold me some parts from a parts car. An added bonus is Jim is thinking of joining FWAHC. I have another British car friend, and I know of some Sterlings which need a good home in a proper British car garage. Score it Bambi 1 Bob 1.