from MG Type, Sacramento Valley MG Car Club newsletter.

Once upon a time, when I was a young man, sports cars roamed the earth in their natural state, driven daily by people who thought of them as fun cars and real wheels. These were generally happy people - who wouldn't be happy on a nice day with the top down, open roads and the roar of the exhaust in one's ear? These people knew something others could only guess at, namely, that driving is fun and a good thing, and there is more to the journey than the destination. On a given day one would see not only MGs but also Sprites, Triumphs, Porsches, Alfas, cars by Jaguar, Morgan, Healey, Fiat, Datsun, and even the occasional Lotus, Elva, Cobra, and others - too many to remember.

The drivers of these cars knew they were involved in something very special, and they knew the other drivers of these cars also knew this. From these special feelings grew a brotherhood and, yes, even a sense of conspiracy, knowing we were different from the people in "sedans" (possibly leading directly to latter attempts of the 60s generation to form into communes, and the whole flower power generation etc.). This camaraderie was acknowledged by waving to one another - a practice which seems to have largely died out in the last 25 or 50 years.

In the ensuing years, the sports car "wave" has become under used, nay, unused and unappreciated. I have done some field research, and it seems no one will return a "wave" these days. I feel the "wave" should be reintroduced into the world. In the "Good Old Days," the "wave" was widely practiced, learned, and used by each new owner of a sports car. As with most things in the human world, as time went on the "wave" was refined and evolved into a highly ritualized salute between car owners. In its highest evolution, there were even articles written about appropriate waving between owners of differing makes of automobiles (quite likely in Road & Track magazine, among others). Since we are a club of sports car owners and users, it is up to us and others like us to step up and revive this grand tradition. So I propose to discuss the "wave," its use, and application.

First, when driving a sports car, it is appropriate to "wave" at any oncoming sports car, or one that is stopped next to you at a stop sign or light. If the other driver can see you, give him or her a "wave". A sports car, for purposes of identification, is any car with its top down and less than 4 doors, or seats, or any other car you recognize as a sports car. All MGs are sports cars, all Ferraris, Maseratis, and Porsches are sports cars, not all Jags are sports cars. Corvettes are your call (the editors refused to add a note here). No Buick, Cadillac, DeSoto, or Lincoln is a sports car. Thunderbirds with 2 seats didn't use to be sports cars, but we need all of the help we can get these days. Vipers are definitely sports cars.

Second, the "wave" is hierarchical - the obligation to initiate the "wave" starts with the lesser car and is returned by the greater car. It is understood that some cars are greater (more desirable) than others. Thus Sprites are to initiate the "wave" to MGs, MGs to Healeys, Healeys to Jags, Jags to Ferraris - you get the idea. Everyone initiates the "Wave" to Ferraris, Cobras, and Lotuses. Generally speaking, if you would trade cars with the other guy, then you should initiate the "wave." Younger cars initiate the "wave" to older cars, if you can tell the difference in ages, Everyone should initiate the "wave" to MGTCs; MGBs initiate to MGAs, etc.

Third, the "wave" itself. Recognizing the hierarchy above, the "wave" between equals is a hand raised from the steering wheel (you are driving with both hands on the wheel?) with the palm facing the oncoming car and all fingers pressed together and extended fully (as opposed to the way some folks do it on the freeway). The hand only needs to be raised a few inches from the wheel. In the event one needs to extend the "wave" to someone up or down the social scale, the "wave" is more or less energetic or exaggerated. Thus, if a Sprite encounters a Cobra, the Sprite driver is expected to initiate the "wave" and may stand up on the driver's seat and wave both hands over his head energetically. The Cobra driver may properly raise a single index finger to acknowledge the Sprite. Although this may be an exaggeration, that's the idea. Thus, when driving your MG, and encountering another MG, "wave"-to it as equals; when encountering an Austin Healey "wave" with the hand a little higher and with a little more enthusiasm; raise your hand higher still and "wave" it side to side when you see an XKE, and so forth.

Fourth, all sports cars are to be waved at. Even those from "other countries," including the German ones. Yes, the Japanese cars should be waved at.

Fifth, since the habit has withered away and it is necessary to reintroduce it to the world at large, I suggest we temporarily rat-hole all of the distinctions as to what to do to what car and "wave" at all sports cars. At some time in the distant future the ritualization of hierarchical status will undoubtedly creep back into the practice. But for now, take the initiative and "wave" to everything with the top down. Democratize the process and expose someone to another of the joys of sports car ownership. Remember that not everyone has had the blessings that we have and forgive them if they don't know the rules. People driving Miatas, Z-mobiles, and Porsches haven't been properly introduced to what sports cars are all about; they thought they were buying a car, or transportation, or even status (may God help them!) when they should have been buying into a lifestyle.