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Having recently semi-retired after some 40 odd years following various adventures within the automotive industry, including time working not only within the UK, but also Europe, South America and Japan. It's now time to enjoy the additional freedom and hopefully maybe the long summers I remember from times past to be out in the Tiger, or as it is affectionally known... 'Hooligan'.

I had hankered after a 7 Type car for many years, but in the meantime became involved in photography, sailing and gliding latterly for some ten years. Then in April 2002 I bit the bullet and purchased a full S6 kit including all donor parts. Building what became 'Hooligan' was pure therapy, and following a first time SVA pass we were on the road for the 1st May the following year.

In the meantime I had joined EATOC, as both myself and my partner Marylyn wanted to become involved with other like minded folk for gatherings, shows and runs out. Our first event was at Kimbolton, and we both came away after a totally enjoyable day out having made a great bunch of new friends.

This is my third year as Chairman, and my only comment would be that EATOC is a club run by its members for its members. It's an open forum, so let's hear from each and every one of you. Any Committee member is contactable, and your comments, views and suggestions will always be heard.

EATOC is your club, use it and enjoy it.

I have been involved from almost the formation of the club which is now over 9 years. The reason behind my role as the newsletter editor was the founder of the club wanted to get somebody else to write a monthly newsletter and I happened to be the only person who had written an article other than the editor. Sometimes though getting copy is a slightly challenging task.

Since then I have produced almost 80 newsletters of which I must have written just under half the words. Apart from running this website for the club, I also have a personal site at www.gilescooper.co.uk which has details of my Tiger.

When not involved in cars or clubs I work as a Network Engineer playing with Cisco equipment for an insurance broker (meerkats...) and also indulge my other hobby of photography. I have had some photos published in magazines but not enough to allow me to give up the day job.

Email: newsletters@eatoc.org.uk

Born 1947 at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire. I am officially a Brocket Baby, one of some 3000 babies born at Brocket Hall.

I grew up in Tottenham, although I am an avid Arsenal supporter. I left there at age 9 to live in Potters Bar, Herts.

At seventeen I had a Lambretta scooter and was a very proud Mod. Unfortunately I could not make up my mind and also had a Triumph Tiger 110. My first Tiger?

I trained as an electrical engineer and have continued in that vein, working mostly in London, until last year when I gave up all the stress of business and rail travel to work locally in Cambridge. I had always been involved with cars as my father worked for Connelly Brothers Leather Ltd, producers of leather for most of the cars produced in UK and Europe at that time. He regularly brought wonderful cars home on the pretext of testing them before he purchased them for the staff. I always had a ride in them after dinner, Vauxhall Cresta's, MGB's, Austin Princesses, Lotus Cortina's, all sorts, oh, and a Daimler Dart!

Whilst at School I was assigned a project to design a road going car, it looked remarkably like the Dart when it was finished. So the seeds were sown I guess.

The decision to build a kit car was made. This was followed by many months of reading and looking and finally by a visit to the Stoneleigh show in 1991. I had focussed in on a Robin Hood, as it appeared to be great value for money. It was only after having walked around the Tiger stand for the third time and speaking to the wildly enthusiastic Jim Dudley that I had a rethink and gave Jim the cheque for the deposit.

My youngest daughter Ceili and my Super Six were delivered in the same week in October 1991. By June the following year she (Tiger) was ready for the MOT test and the drive to Peterborough for the registration examination Tiger Super Six chassis no T52, was born. Oh for the days before SVA etc.

Newark was the first outing where I quickly learned of the Tigers fragility, as the alternator bracket broke into several pieces. A few hours of redesigning and fabricating later and a new bracket was born, it must have been reasonable as it is still on the car today. To date we have had trips to Le Mans, France, Belgium and Holland.

Many years later, my daughter now drives her own car and the Tiger has covered over 14,000 miles. The car never fails to excite and the sheer exhilaration of riding with your backside 100 mm above the road is an experience not to be missed. That is, until you pass an HGV and realise that you are at eye level with the wheel nuts!

I have been a member of EATOC for many years and I can honestly say that they are a great bunch of like minded enthusiasts, no primadonna's or tyre kickers allowed.

I have worked in Ladies Hairdressing ever since I left school, including lecturing at the local colleges and running my own business for more years than I wish to remember. Since 1990 I have also specialized in fitting, cutting and styling of wigs and toupees to people who have hair loss, cross dressers,tranvestites,amateur dramatics and anyone else who wishes to change their image!!!

The reason for buying my Super 6, 5 years ago, was that I owned a 1970 Lotus 7 which I had before I met my wife, not deterred by this we are still married 28 years later!!! When our first son was imminent the car had to go, no room for the baby!!!!

Although the Super 6 is factory built(in 1992) I have, with the help of my youngest son and Steve 'E', changed and modified parts on the car. This has also been made possible thanks to EATOC members past and present who have been so friendly and enthusiastic.

My dad was an Avionics Engineer and I had ambitions of becomming an aircraft engineer too, it never happened. Instead I took to mucking about with motor bikes!

My first car was an Austin Healey bug-eyed sprite bought in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and was bought from a Ferrari Grand Prix Team mechanic who lived in South Africa. This was not a standard factory car! Next came a 1954 Pontiac Stratochief, some difference. I have owned everthing from a very secondhand Reliant Robin to a brand new Renault 25, including four different models of Ford Cortina. So a good range of vehicles to mess about with, except the 25 which I let the main dealers look after, it lasted me 14 years and did well over 200,000 miles.

Now I have a 1970 Mercedes Benz 250CE and of course my Cat E1 which I hammered together myself, this included a full engine rebuild to "as new" spec, except for the carb and an exhaust manifold as supplied by Tiger. My cat hit the road in September 2002 and has since covered 15000 miles. It has been well used, taking me to Le Mans twice and recently took my wife and myself on a 2000 mile tour around western France.

I have now relocated to France but still remain a member of the club.