Hi! I’m Monica Lago-Kaytis and I am a new member of AHASC. My father-in-law, who most of you know, Dex Kaytis, introduced me to the beauty that is the Austin-Healey – not only the big Healey’s but the Sprites too. He let me drive both of his cars and I fell in love with his Bugeye. When he died, his big Healey went to his son, my husband Clay Kaytis, and his Bugeye went to his niece.
So, what’s a girl to do? Find her own! I posted on a FaceBook page for Bugeye and Sprite lovers saying I was in search of a Bugeye in good driving condition. Almost immediately, one of the admins responded, saying he had a good friend, Brian MacDonald, who restored a 1958 Bugeye. Sadly, Brian had died in April and his widow, Jackie, was looking for a buyer.
It was kismet. Jackie and I had so much in common. It was as if this little car (named Maggie by Brian) was meant just for me. I picked up Maggie, and on Saturday, August 3rd attended my first car show, not as a spectator but as a registered European car owner.
Clay, in his big Healey, and I, in my Bugeye, traveled to meet Phil Caliva and Tim McNiff at Elysian Park so that we could form up and enter the L.A.P.D Cops4Tots Car Show at the Police Academy. After registering at the “door”, we parked and got some breakfast burritos. (I also eyed a pizza truck that I would hit up later for lunch. It was good!) It was a beautiful day, but hot. The veterans, Phil and Tim, immediately put their chairs in the shade and Clay and I followed suit. Who knew we would end up chasing shade for the next 6 hours? It was worth every minute. There were over 400 cars there, plus live music and a DJ.
Sitting in the shade, a little breeze on our faces, talking stories with Phil and Tim was epic.
When I saw the judges by my baby I asked if it really would make a difference if I opened my hood to reveal my engine, since I was a newbie. Their response, “Well, if it’s a tie and the other car is showing their engine...” that was all I needed to hear. I opened the hood and let them all see the goods. Did I expect to win anything? Nah, but it was worth a shot.
As the award ceremony started, Phil decided to hit the road.
Tim, Clay and I stayed behind to hear the winners and boy am I glad we did. Guess who won Best Import? Me, that’s who! I still can’t believe it. So, what’s the first thing I did? I called Jackie. We were both so happy and proud. I can’t help but think Brian is proud too.