It isn't often that I participate in so-called "lucky draws," especially those where the first prize is a brand-new million dollar+ home. What would I, a bachelor of considerable years, do in an 8-room house, anyway? I could barely afford the taxes let alone the services of a cleaning lady. Of course if it came with a private road race circuit leading past the front door, I'd be sorely tempted to purchase a few tickets.

But here's a lucky draw that attracts me and, I hope, you, too. The winner gets this beautiful 1974 MGB-GT, complete with air conditioning and overdrive, with the benefits going to the British Transportation Museum, an arm of the Society for the Preservation of british Transportation in America. A non-profit organisation, it is raising funds for a building to permanently house the museum in the Dayton, Ohio area. The building will have a display area for British transportation vehicles, an art gallery, a library of parts, repair and maintenance manuals along with books and magazines featuring British marques, and a gift and memorabilia outlet.

Tickets are priced at a reasonable $20.00 each or six for $100.00. The MGB is in superb condition, featuring a new Moss Motors interior, rebuilt carbs and front suspension, rebuilt brake system converted to DOT5 fluid, a one-of-a-kind handcrafted wood steering wheel, and a Covercraft car cover. Drawing will be held at the 7th annual "British Car Meet at the Market" car show on May 15, 2010, or as soon as all 1000 tickets have been sold.

The draw is being managed by Macy's Garage, a reputable firm with a history going back to 1932, now totally devoted to the maintenance of fine British automobiles (a noble endeavor if ever there was one). So if owning an MGB-GT tickles your fancy, try risking twenty bucks or even go for a hundred. If I should win I'll enjoy the long drive from Ohio to my home in BC, just in time for Vancouver's All British show.