It is with great sadness that we must report the passing of another great member of our hobby, Ken Smith. Ken was a founding member of the North American MGB Register (NAMGBR) and served as the first editor for the MGB Driver Magazine. Later he also served as editor for Classic MG Magazine.
Ken was one of the most recognized people in the Little British Car (LBC) world. Along with his wife, Barby, Ken shared his passion for the MG Marque throughout the world for most of his 80+ years on earth. Ken worked at Moss Motors for 25 years and, with Barby at his side, traveled across the country for many years supporting British car events and representing Moss.
Ken was the author of Aspects of Abingdon. This book, which is now in its second edition, is a tribute to the workers who built the MGB’s, MGC’s and Midgets at the MG factory in Abingdon-on-Thames, based on interviews with those workers.
Ken was inducted into the British Sports Car Hall of Fame in 2017.
Ken Smith passed away in early January. His wife, Barby, and his two sons, Trevor and Kevin, were by his side. He will be sadly missed by us all.
Michael Carnell is the editor and founder of the Just British Online Motoring Magazine. As a lifelong British car enthusiast, he has owned or driven British cars of all ages from Austins and MGs to Jaguars and Triumphs. He currently owns a 1966 Vanden Plas Princess 1100 and a 1977 MGB. But there is always room for more - no matter what his wife says.
So sad to hear this. We first met Ken and Barby at the national AMGBA meet in Abingdon, Illinois many years ago then reconnected a year or two later at the Kansas City All British Meet where he talked me into joining NAMGBR in its first year. Also bought a wonderful wood MG logo from him there. Truly a wonderful ambassador for the marque and one who’ll be sorely missed.