Staff Profile
Rob Camblin
Rob Camblin
NAMGAR Advertising Manager
How the heck did I get here? A statement I’m sure we’ve all made at one time or another when we realize that a commitment we’ve made becomes an integral part of our lives. So it was for me years ago when I realized that keeping cars older than me in running condition was something I wanted to do and enjoy. I’m not saying this epiphany was reached in one golden moment, but rather in looking back over the years and realizing that the amount of scars, nicks, and grease spotted clothes that have accumulated on me and in my closet helped me reach this golden moment over time. In thinking of my circle of friends, they include people I’ve worked with over the years, school chums, members of the military, and of course other fellow enthusiasts, some of whom even own Triumphs and those newfangled modern MGBs.
Yes, overall, getting to where I am today, writing a Staff Sketch for the NAMGAR Magazine, has been a very long and winding road. I won’t bore you with the old adage, “I was born in a time and place where I had to walk up hill both ways to get to school.” Actually, I was born in Long Beach, CA and raised in San Diego, CA. There I learned sailing and seamanship at an early age, joined the Marines, and bought my first car. Since then, I’ve lived in many locales and visited many locations throughout the Pacific. And now I reside in Independence, MO, just outside of Kansas City.
My wife and I have accumulated a couple of cars that we enjoy driving whenever we can, and as most will tell you, distance is not a problem.
We’ve enjoyed the Sedona Valley scenery, the beautiful lighthouses of Michigan, the twisty roads of Gatlinburg, and our all-time favorite, the warm white sands of Key West. This is really where we were introduced to the NAMGAR family. Our first visit came about after reading about someone’s idea to host an event in Key West, which was in 2002, if memory serves me correctly. So with our trusty Grey A, Moss Catalog, and VISA card, we made the trip that first year. Upon arriving, we knew no one at first, except Dennis and Lisa Scanlan from St. Louis. By the time we left, we had found new friends that we still cherish getting with today. I think this is also the first time I heard the saying, “It’s the cars that get you here, but it’s the people that bring you back,” and in NAMGAR this is so true. Since that time, we’ve enjoyed attending the GTs and participating in all the Key West gatherings. We are also involved with the Kansas City MG Car Club, where my wife and I have served in various positions over the years and continue to support it and other clubs in the local area.
So when the opportunity became available to give back to NAMGAR just a little of what NAMGAR has given to me, I couldn’t say no, I could only say “Yes, be glad to help out.”