“British cars are history,” he said matter-of-factly. I could feel my ancestry being poked awake, my inner Brit ready to lunge forward. My blood boiled like a kettle ready to make some hot tea, and my heart thudded like the powerful bongs of Big Ben. I repressed my overwhelming feelings to politely ask him if he’d like to “make a wager about that, good sir” and kept my dukes from waving in front of my face in an old-timey fashion. It was my girlfriend’s father who said that after all. I’d really like to keep seeing his daughter, so it really wasn’t worth it to me.

I seem to get into this conversation with people more often than I’d like. Yes, I’m aware that almost none of the most noteworthy British car companies are British-owned. They are still British-engineered, and built by British people. Jaguar is now owned by Tata Motors, which is an Indian company. The Italian behind Bugatti and a Malaysian company own Lotus. Bentley and Rolls Royce are both owned by the automotive umbrella known as Volkswagen, which is German. Aston Martin is still partly British-owned, but an American banker and an Arab and Italian investment firm have also bought in.

They may have some different people overseeing where the money is going, but these cars are born in Britain. It’s like saying that the United States is done for because Obama is an African American. “Well, might as well call it The United States of African America now!” See how stupid that sounds? Sure, some may have German or American engines in them, but they are manufactured, engineered, and packaged on UK soil. I mean, Jaguars are built in a place called Castle Bromwich. If that isn’t the most British thing you’ve heard all week, I don’t know what is.

I am a self-professed Japanese car lover, but British cars will always hold a special place in my heart. My great uncle, who still lives in Manchester, builds old MGs in his garage to this day. So, go ahead. Tell me that my Jaguars are Indian cars now or that Astons are just glorified Fords. I’ll challenge you to a duel, good sir, and I will be home in time for tea.