What the fuck is it with classic car types?

[andrew e]

Do you allow radial tyres Hirst? Or would this be classed as modifications?

[seth]

6) Beards/moustaches must be neatly trimmed

7) Smart blazer/pressed trousers combo must be worn at meets - no t-shirts, jeans, etc.

Not car related but I'm a member of the Antiquarian Horological Society and go along to some of the "main meetings" (there are provincial meetings, you know, out in the country, but the main ones are obviously in London). Its actually a bit like that though there is a bit of wild "Einstein" hair on display sometimes. I tend to drop the average age in the room somewhat.

[254575]

 

6) Beards/moustaches must be neatly trimmed

7) Smart blazer/pressed trousers combo must be worn at meets - no t-shirts, jeans, etc.

Not car related but I'm a member of the Antiquarian Horological Society and go along to some of the "main meetings" (there are provincial meetings, you know, out in the country, but the main ones are obviously in London). Its actually a bit like that though there is a bit of wild "Einstein" hair on display sometimes. I tend to drop the average age in the room somewhat.

where do you find the time?

 

(sorry poor joke )

[Rocket88]

The only club I've ever been a member of is the Autobahnstormers. Interestingly, they have a website exactly like the one M'Coli describes.

 

A bit clique-y TBH, and Lotus-Carlton-centric (the original members who liked the cars I had - 2 Opel Rekords and a Mk1 Senator - have either retired from the club or have no day-to-day hand in running it),

 

I used to be a member of the above, but found it full of willy waving Lotus Carlton owners [nice cars, mind you] my Royale convertible [one of only 7 made] was sneered at as a home built chop job, until I produced the build spec from the German coachbuilder who did them, much shuffling of feet and half mumbled apologies............

[r.welfare]

I used to be a member of the above, but found it full of willy waving Lotus Carlton owners

LOL! The "grand fromage" of the club at the time I felt to be a bit like that (and a serial LC owner); if I recall correctly there was a massive fallout and large numbers of people leaving the Committee as he saw fit to print his wedding photos in the centre spread of the club mag; egotistical or wot?Interestingly I bought a load of parts from Charley Brighton once who I believe set up the club, and lives not far away. Nice bloke; never asked him why he'd split from the club, but I think it may have been the shift in focus from the Royale/Senator A early straight six cars to the LC and suchlike. They incorporated the "pre-1980 Opel Club" which is why I joined with the Rekords, I believe I increased the number of Rekords in the club by 100%...

[AnthonyG]

 

Not car related but I'm a member of the Antiquarian Horological Society and go along to some of the "main meetings" (there are provincial meetings, you know, out in the country, but the main ones are obviously in London). Its actually a bit like that though there is a bit of wild "Einstein" hair on display sometimes. I tend to drop the average age in the room somewhat.

If you go wearing a quartz watch do they look at you like you just dropped one?

 

'OMG NOT ROLEX BREITLING OMEGA SPEEDMASTER CHRONOGRAPH HARDCORE MANUAL WINDUP ACTION'

 

Anyone sport a Casio with a tiny 'My other watch is an Audemars Piguet' sticker on it ?

[seth]

Whats all this talk of modern overpriced Swiss shite?! English watches man! Its not old unless its 18th century...

[michiel]

I quite like The Original Old Japanese Car and Vehicle Society, we only have a few rules:1) No modified rubbish allowed2) Vehicle must be pre-1978 or pre-1982 if Datsun, no Subarus allowed at all3) Must have received 5 local show rosettes or equivalent to be on the OJC stand at formal gatherings4) No Bluebird 910 Wagons due to "hooligan" image5) Drivers must have clean UK driving licence with no points6) Beards/moustaches must be neatly trimmed7) Smart blazer/pressed trousers combo must be worn at meets - no t-shirts, jeans, etc. New members must supply two references, one from a member of authority (judge, police officer, headteacher)9) Members must attend all formal gatherings in the calendar or be expelled from the club - this includes all tea dances, tombolas and beetle drives

I kind of liked the sound of this club, but what the heck, no Subarus allowed at all? Fascists!

[pogweasel]

YO HIRST.

 

I am gonna rock up to your club in this:

WOT U GONNA DO ABOUT IT?

[Guest]

I'll storm into the marquee and cause a hullabaloo.

[pandamonium]

I'm a member of the Nightmares. We have no rules. At all.But you mustnt be afraid of lowering your car!

[reallyloud]

Decent Classic cars clubs are the ones that can survive and adapt with their changing ownership profiles - I've not been a member of many clubs but those I investigated were instrumental in what car I chose to buy. I feel that the internet forum is the only way to go. This is where Retro rides came in and excelled at - when I first looked into the forum there were no dictatorships, rudeness, bad organisation, reluctance to open your mind, arguements over coffee cup graphics, clipboard sizes etc etc. The problem with a real club is basically people. At least with an internet forum, you have the choice to become a contributor or simply lurk, its non-commital and as seen here on the tolerant Autoshite works really well.The only thing I'm wondering is how long a internet classic car forum can last, as at the end of the day its the users and contributors that makes it work. One forum I used to haunt and contribute to was the 106rallye forum (don't laugh, I've had grief for it already) but it started off as a useful place to sort out the electronic engine management issues, best types of oil etc. I took the pludge and attended a meet, again lots of decent like minded people who liked their rallyes. Then something happened, the ownership profile started to change. I feel most out of place these days, despite the fact that I still own the car. I plan on rejoining the forum in 10 years time, when it will hopefully attract owners of the Simca, 205 and Samba rallyes as well.

[Justin Case]

All these originality freaks should be taken by the scruff of the neck and dragged along to a Vintage Sports Car Club meeting such as the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb. Wrong year wheel nuts my *rse; you will see folk turn up with vintage Bentleys with a couple of feet chopped off the chassis, a 4 1/2 litre engine where a 3 litre originally lived, and a minimalist body replacing the original tourer one, and no-one gives a hoot.Last year I came across a group VSCC members having a lunchtime pint (of real ale of course, they would rather drink their own urine than Australian lager) and they kindly showed me the modifications they had made to their 70-80 year old cars, uprated suspension etc to make them go a bit faster. Beards seemed as compulsory as matching sweatshirts with logos at a Ford club do, but they were definitely a mark of eccentricity rather than anorakness (my new word for this month ).Now, where can I find a really shitey 1927 Lea-Francis

[reallyloud]

I once met the wonderful John Peel at one of those vintage classic sports car hill climbs, I can't recall which one but it might have been at Prescott Hill. Not only did he sport a beard, but was no stranger to ale and colourful sweaters. I didn't speak to him much, as he was clearly enjoying the meet. That was great fun, really opened my eyes - as did the historic vinatge racers at Mallory park a few years back (again connected to a RR meet) Bugatti racers next to home made bathtub specials being thrashed within inches of their lives. Great stuff.

[Albert Ross]

I used to Marshal at Cadwell Park. One Vintage meet, we had really hot weather, and the particular corner we were at, was getting VERY slippery as it was in a dip, with no cooling for the fresh tarmac. One lap, a prewar Aston Martin came together with a freshly restored Connaught. Touching wheels and a bit of bashing, no more serious, they both slid into the grassy infield, got out, checked for damage, shook hands, got back in and floored it. I seem to remember they were both in the points. Half a million punds worth of cars being used correctly. There was also an Aero engined 1914 or summat Vauxhall doing the rounds. Beastly!

[Justin Case]

How about turning up at the Old Original Japanese Car and Vehicle Club in this:

 

 

Started life as a Delage limousine, now with 27 litre Hispano-Suiza WW1 aircraft engine and slightly modified bodywork.

To avoid offending anyone or feeling out of place, should the blazer be single- or double-breasted?