Snook’s Dream Cars in Bowling Green, OH has a great collection of classic, collectible and vintage vehicles. Among those great rides are a number of wonderful European cars that Jeff Snook and his father, Bill, have amassed.
A 1952 MG Midget TD is the oldest of these European imports. The T Series Midgets were first introduced in 1936 and were manufactured through 1955. The TD was the fourth generation of the series and was rolled out in 1950 and sported a 1250 cc four cylinder motor that pushed 54 horse power and delivered a recorded top speed of 77 miles per hour. This particular model was restored in 1996 and has been in Bowling Green since 1972.
The oldest of two Jaguars is a 1953 XK 120 FHC fixed head coupe. When this car was first released in 1948 it was the fastest production car on the market with a top speed, according to Jaguar, of 124 miles per hour. Powered by a 3.4 liter straight six with dual overhead valves, this car pushed 160 horse power. This particular model was completely restored in 1985.
Perhaps one of the most unique little European cars ever made was the BMW Isetta. Snook’s has a 1957 Isetta 300 on display. In fact it’s one of the first cars you’ll see when you enter the museum. Like a lot of German companies, BMW was in trouble following WW II. This little single door car weighed under 800 pounds and was perfect for city driving. It had a one cylinder 300 cc rear engine with 13 horse power that gave it a top speed of 40 miles per hour.
A second MG is on display; a 1962 MG A Mk II. Introduced in 1955, this was quite a change from the earlier T Series Midgets. Small, weighing under 2000 pounds, this was a zippy, sporty, fun car to drive, especially on curvy roads. With a 1600 cc four cylinder it had all of 90 horse power but could top out at near 95 miles per hour and got nearly 27 miles per gallon in fuel economy. This particular model was restored in 1986.
One of my favorite cars of all time is represented here as well. A 1963 Jaguar E Type in British racing green is a true wonder to behold as well as drive. A 3.8 liter six cylinder engine generates 265 horse power to push a car that weighs less than 2500 pounds and literally hugs the road on even the most unforgiving curves. The first time I talked with Jeff Snook, he had just driven this car up to Toledo to dinner the night before. I’m sure it was a wonderful ride.
The newest of the European cars is a 1966 Morris Mini Cooper S Mk 1. Since “resurrected” as a BMW, the original was first introduced in 1959 up until 2000. Small, economical and a bit more roomy than you would think on first glance, the Mini was seen as the perfect car for sporting about. It wasn’t designed to go fast with its 1250 cc four cylinder engine that generated all of 75 horse power. But with a curb weight of under 1500 pounds that was more than enough to get people around.
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