Hepner wins vintage car just like the one he had in 1953

SHARON — Charles Hepner has won the Kent Memorial Library’s annual raffle and its prize: a restored 1952 red MG TD automobile.

Library volunteer Susan Forbes chose Hepner’s ticket from a batch of 4,000 in a drawing on Oct. 31.

Hepner, who lives in Sharon with his wife, Anne, only purchased one ticket.

The car has enormous sentimental value.

“I was serving in the Navy and, while I was walking down the street with a friend of mine in 1953, we saw the same type of car as this, at an auto dealer,â€� Hepner said. “We both fell in love with it and we purchased it together. He got transferred away and I purchased his remaining share of the car. The only difference  between this car and my old car is the color. The old one was green and this one is red.â€�

Hepner said he has great memories of his old car.

“I had my first date with Anne in it,� he said. “I also drove it around theWest Coast and back to Connecticut after I was released from active duty.�

He said he always regretted selling that original MG TD.

“I was driving around Providence and I saw this used Jaguar XT,� Hepner said. “I purchased the Jaguar for $1,300 and sold a friend my MG TD.�

Hepner said he is thrilled to have won a car that reminds him of that happy time from his youth.

But, he noted, “This car is definitely for fair weather driving only.�