Classic car owners who aren't club members and dont attend shows

Silvera

Do you know of any classic car owners who aren't members of a classic/vintage club, and/or don't bring their cars to shows?

Two examples I have recently come across -

- The owner of a 1983 (original-Irish reg) Opel Ascona 1.6S saloon. He is the second owner of the car of the car and was driving it daily until 1997. It's in his garage now and only he takes it out on the road for a few weeks in the summer. He isn't a member of any club and I'd say he rarely if ever attends a classic car show...even as a spectator.

- I also know of a farmer who has a 1990 Audi 80 in dry storage. It's driven around his yard now and again and put back into the garage.

1983 Opel Ascona saloon like this.....

peasant

Well ..if a 1990 car is considered a classic ..then I'm one of the described owners

maidhc

Me!

1974 Capri. Never really get the time to go to shows/meetings. It isn't exactly a "show standard" car anyway, maybe in about 10 years!

carchaeologist

Yep,fair point,i reckon for every car at a show theres around 4 in storage!!A mechanic friend of mine has alot of older stuff,mercs,vws etc most of which never gets driven to shows,another friend has a few more other cars(Datsun120y,Triumph toledo) that rarely see road,another guy has a mk1(irish) and 2 escort(RS) and a tidy twin cam AE86 he doesnt drive at all.
I have an irish capri,Astra GTE and an 86 irish reg corsa stuffed away also,and they wont be seeing road anytime soon.
Im sure alot of the lads on here have much the same setup,old cars are like heroin,one hit is never enough!!!:D

Max_Damage

carchaeologist wrote: »

Im sure alot of the lads on here have much the same setup,old cars are like heroin,one hit is never enough!!!:D

Ha! That's one way of describing it!

Max_Damage

I think the reason alot of these cars aren't out in shows is that many owners (like the guy with the Ascona mentioned above) probably don't think they are 'classic' cars. It's a shame really, because I myself much prefer to look at old everyday cars from the 70's and 80's than the likes of Ferrari's or Porsche's or any of that.

trevorbrady

Max_Damage wrote: »

I myself much prefer to look at old everyday cars from the 70's and 80's than the likes of Ferrari's or Porsche's or any of that.

+1

You expect Porsches and Ferraris to be well kept or well restored. When you see a family hack from 30+ years ago that's survived well it's something special.

Lauder

I know a couple of guys with very nice collections who arent in any Club and dont bring their toys to shows.

A neighbour has a XK140 (former Le Mans car), unrestored, totally original and immaculate never seen at shows.

A friend of my fathers has a rather large collection in Cork including and orginal porsche 356 speedster, bmw 2002tii, e30 M3, mark1 GTi, saab 99EMS, an early yellow 911 and a few others I cant remember. they just sit in his garage barely used for more than 100miles a year.
WILL GET A FEW PHOTOS OVER AUGUST

I bring mine to everything (too much spare time haha)

--amadeus--

Been to Teranure a couple of times (only took the car once) and didn't bother this year. Not in a club either but drive a 68 Elan +2 (for sale ) and it's my 4th consecutive classic, all used daily.

I looked into clubs but I drive teh cars because I love them, I'm not that worried about meeting people so why bother?

carchaeologist

Max_Damage wrote: »

I think the reason alot of these cars aren't out in shows is that many owners (like the guy with the Ascona mentioned above) probably don't think they are 'classic' cars. It's a shame really, because I myself much prefer to look at old everyday cars from the 70's and 80's than the likes of Ferrari's or Porsche's or any of that.

I totally agree, i got a bit of stick on another forum from a lad who reckoned his citroen was the one and only classic and all else was sh1t.Reckoned 70s toyotas and datsuns were crap.
Kinda annoyed me a bit,each to their own,if you like it for whatever reasons then its fine by me,just dont go mouthing off that its better than mine or whatever.If we all drove citroens or porsches it would be some boring world.At the end of ther day they are all just steel boxes with engines in them,maybe some were better put together than others,but that doesnt make the cheaper cars any less interesting.
Personally i wouldntnt even see a porsche beside a 30 year old ascona,but thats just me!!:D

Rant over....:)

Max_Damage

I hate arrogant twats like that. Most of them are fanboys anyway, loyal to one brand only.

I myself always found that the crappier the car, the more interesting it is.

carchaeologist

Max_Damage wrote: »

I myself always found the crappier the car, the more interesting it is.

Yep,well put.And the more original the better like this...

This...

And even this...

manta mad

carchaeologist wrote: »

Yep,well put.And the more original the better like this...

now i like that
& id say that 2 door cortina is rare !

carchaeologist

Yeah,the ascona(july80)was very tidy,mint inside too.As for the cortina,an irish one is rare indeed,reg is 1974 longford.

corktina

two door Cortinas are reasonably rare and very sought after...hadnt seen that one before....dont like the wheels much but then I have 15" wolfies on mine....where was pic taken Archie?

MercMad

I see it from both sides. I was heavily involved with the Mercedes Club, just trying to establish it in Southern Ireland, and put owners in touch with eachother. This has worked very well and we've made lots of friends and good contacts for repairs and parts, which is a Club strong point.

However I also see the other side, keeping to oneself. It only takes a fraction of a second, a stray comment or something, to put people off coming to a Club meeting or Car Show.

One of the first shows I went to someone criticised my 230SL, which wasn't perfect by any means, but I felt like saying "Fvck you............what have you got !" Anyway being thick skinned I persevered, but in the early days I always went on my own before we kicked things off with the Club. It is great to meet like minded people but certainly some car Clubs can have a very "whiffy sniffy" air to them which we try to avoid like the plague by keeping things very casual.

I also agree that it is fascinating to see old Irish reg "family" cars. It just conjurs up so many memories which a flash E-Type Jaguar never will for most of us.

One thing I do find strange is the amount of hoarders out there, folk with rusting hulks that they "have plans for" or collections of prestigious cars that nobody ever sees. I know several of the later BTW !

There's a place for us all I suppose !

Dades

I do like going to the odd show, but I'm finding less and less time these days. Instead I just love the drive the bloody thing! Any excuse for a roadtrip of sorts even if it's to B&Q. Inevitably you'll end up chatting to some punter in a car park who had one years ago or wants to get one...

It's cars in garages that never see sunlight that I don't fathom.

Silvera wrote: »

- I also know of a farmer who has a 1990 Audi 80 in dry storage. It's driven around his yard now and again and put back into the garage.

I had an '89 for years and absolutely loved it!

mustang68

The shows for me are a focal point, or a goal to get things done with the car by X date, a bit like having people over to your house, you've got to fix the toilet and change that lightswitch. The shows do get a bit repetitive after the first few.

As for clubs, I've been in a few and there are a lot of clubs that really have nothing to do with the cars, there are no tech sessions, no one will offer advice on how to fix/improve something, unless you are one of the founding members, or you wear the jacket/hat whatever. I think moreso for having an american car, some of the clubs make me cringe with their YankTalk(tm) etc.

I better stop now
*gets down off soap box*

hi5

I know of at least 2 classic cars in Kilkenny both driven daily by their owners,1 is a blue volkswagen beetle WIP XXX driven by a lady who lives near Bennettsbridge,the second is a red Ford Cortina mk 4, 180 BIP used by a farmer to tow a cow box to the mart,both are in very good condition.I've never seen either at a show.

gogs2006

MercMad wrote: »

One of the first shows I went to someone criticised my 230SL, which wasn't perfect by any means, but I felt like saying "Fvck you............what have you got !" Anyway being thick skinned I persevered, but in the early days I always went on my own before we kicked things off with the Club. It is great to meet like minded people but certainly some car Clubs can have a very "whiffy sniffy" air to them which we try to avoid like the plague by keeping things very casual.

I totally agree with you..
I think a certain Snobbery element has crept in.
Myself and my father were regular members in a local club..On a road run It was routine to stop at certain bars for refreshments etc and a session would start:D
The club committee changed and they put a stop to our pit stops by arranging lunches at golf courses and upmarket hotels:(

We got so bored listening to talk about property and golf that we just gave up going along with a large number of other club members:rolleyes:

Most of the newer members knew nothing about their cars and just went out and bought any vintage car for the sake of it...

ianobrien

We've got a '77 Escort at home, not quite concours, but bloody near. I never go to shows in it and I'm not a member of a classic car club. I've got the car because I love it, and love driving it. While the car is used, it's cleaned all the time, and it's not a static show piece. Cars are meant to be driven, not parked for ever...

I am a member of www.everyfordireland.com and my local motor club, and I use the car for enjoyment, and the odd retrospective rally......

I've also got a '88 Citroen AX GT Sportif at home. Now, that's not a classic yet, it's just something to have for driving, FAST!

Sabre Man

I've got a '86 Chrysler LeBaron convertible, only taxed for the summer. Got to use it twice last "summer". Hoping to get a date for NCT for early August (it seems it's almost impossible to get any appointments anywhere at the moment) so I can use it for a few months if the weather is OK. Not in show worthy condition at the moment .

I like going to shows but only if the weather is reasonably nice and they're reasonably near. Don't fancy trekking all the way to Dublin. Also busy with family on many weekends but would be happy to meet up with likeminded individuals in County Cork or thereabout.

carchaeologist

corktina wrote: »

two door Cortinas are reasonably rare and very sought after...hadnt seen that one before....dont like the wheels much but then I have 15" wolfies on mine....where was pic taken Archie?

Archie?Ha,thats a good one!!

The pic of the cortina was taken at a ford run that stopped overnight at the earl of desmond hotel in tralee in may(i think)2005.I took the pic because it was an irish car and looked mostly original. I dont like the wheels much either,they look like orion ghia or injection wheels.Still,its a nice car.

On the subject of cortinas,theres a guy in tralee with a 2.3 mk5 crayford,now theres a rarity.Im sure you know of him corktina!!:)

carchaeologist

Dades wrote: »

I do like going to the odd show, but I'm finding less and less time these days. Instead I just love the drive the bloody thing! Any excuse for a roadtrip of sorts even if it's to B&Q. Inevitably you'll end up chatting to some punter in a car park who had one years ago or wants to get one...

A fair point,driving them is what its all about!!My datsun,small as it is always attracts conversation everytime i take her out!!Maybe its the yellow paint?!:D
Its always interesting to hear stories from people who had one back in the day,though inevitably they will say how it fell apart from tinworm!!:)

Dirty1

How many of us with classics that attent shows, also leave one or 2 in the shed at home??

I had to take my 62 Beetle off the road as it needs welding and dont have my other project done (Manx Buggy) so I didnt want to miss having a car on the road! As the sterling was so good, I went and bought my Oval! Took it to loas of shows already but have nearly overdosed at this stage, Terenure was my last for a while now!

My beetle is a visually stock 54 apart being lowered and it draws attention and waves where ever i go, far more than any modern car!

Why do American car owners insist on revving their cars at shows, to me most of the motors seem stock and dont even have loud pipes? If a boy racer did it, the olds would be down on them! I wouldnt mind but the stinger on my 62 is louder than most yank tanks!

Gary ITR

Dirty1 wrote: »

Why do American car owners insist on revving their cars at shows, to me most of the motors seem stock and dont even have loud pipes? If a boy racer did it, the olds would be down on them! I wouldnt mind but the stinger on my 62 is louder than most yank tanks!

Didn't make terenure this year myself but when I was there last year it seemed that the yank tank owners were being asked to rev their engines.

Kevin_Herron

mustang68 wrote: »

I think moreso for having an american car, some of the clubs make me cringe with their YankTalk(tm) etc.

I really couldnt agree with you more.

Kevin_Herron

Dirty1 wrote: »

Why do American car owners insist on revving their cars at shows, to me most of the motors seem stock and dont even have loud pipes? If a boy racer did it, the olds would be down on them! I wouldnt mind but the stinger on my 62 is louder than most yank tanks!

I really wish I knew the answer to this.

--amadeus--

I was in Westport for work last week. I had to take the Lotus out of an underground carpark that had a really steep ramp. As it tends to stall at low revs I had to keep it spinning at a fair rate and then scoot out into a gap in traffic.

I heard someone on teh pavement say "Fix your exhaust!"

It's a 60s sports car, it's supposed to sound like that!!

Dades

Dirty1 wrote: »

Why do American car owners insist on revving their cars at shows, to me most of the motors seem stock and dont even have loud pipes?

I love the sound of old American V8s being revved! You might as well ask why bring a car to a show?

My euro V8 doesn't have half the rumble of a US 'stock' block.

Max_Damage

Dades wrote: »

I love the sound of old American V8s being revved! You might as well ask why bring a car to a show?

My euro V8 doesn't have half the rumble of a US 'stock' block.

+1

The best part of the American cars is listening to a 429 cubic inch V8 being revved. I also like hearing the tree huggers giving out about it!

MercMad

Yeah but theres a limit to it. The odd "blip" or even a minute or two is fine but there was a clown at a few of the shows last year with a Mustang, either a Boss or Mach.....whatever. He revved the cr4p out of it for ages................really annoyed everyone.

Nobody could hear anything and my daughter wanted to go home. We'd only been there 15 minutes !!

I prayed he'd throw a leg outa bed to be honest !!

Kevin_Herron

I agree. I have American cars and have no problem starting them up only if somebody asked, letting them tick over and as you say the odd 'blip'. But not getting into a 'who has the loudest exhaust' competion.

carchaeologist

MercMad wrote: »

I prayed he'd throw a leg outa bed to be honest !!

:D:DHavent heard someone say that for years!!

airnwater

Agree with previous couple posters re Yanks at shows...
few blips is ok but a few guys persist ..gets annoying

Bit unfortunate muscle cars in particular seem to attract the older boyracer
& the " Yank talk " does grate a bit ........

Cool cars in standard form though !

S.I.R

i have a mate with a harley from the mid 60's, imported by him in the 80's and hasnt seen a show ro anything since ( not a car i know but still ) completely mint, 4k on the clock since he bought it !!

another fella about 5 mins down the road has a green 911, fully un-restored, just kept in the garage as he has a 04 911 to riip about in... I always tell both of these to bring em along but the both ofthem say " why show off ?? isnt the joy of owning a * insert cars name here * enough ?? The heads on some guys eh ? " :rolleyes:

Redjeep!

I've got an '89 Mercedes SL500 that's only ever been to one show in it's life and that was when it was brand new. It one of the first in the UK and was used at one of the major car shows that year.

I've had it about 10 years and really really should get it out more often. It's still done less than 70 k miles.

Max_Damage

Redjeep! wrote: »

I've got an '89 Mercedes SL500

Shouldn't that be 500SL?

Just out of curiosity, is it the R107 ('72 - '89) or R129 ('89 - '02) model?

Redjeep!

Yeh, you're right, but I've always called it that.

It's the R129 and was just about the first one in the UK.

Still stunningly fast even today. Only problem is that everybody wants to race you.

Dustpuppy

What is classic on a 500SL from '89? Only because it's a big Merc?
That is something i don't understand. On the classic shows are lot of cars that are not classic.
Regarding exhausts and sound. I have a 1967 Beetle, that has more sound then a lot of the Boy Racers rice cookers and the exhaust is made by straight out going 4 pipes.

Wishbone Ash

Very interesting thread!

MercMad wrote: »

I also see the other side, keeping to oneself. It only takes a fraction of a second, a stray comment or something, to put people off coming to a Club meeting or Car Show

gogs2006 wrote: »

I think a certain Snobbery element has crept in

A friend of mine has restored some tractors - MF 35, MF65, MF 135 etc. He used to bring them to shows but doesn't bother anymore. There are a couple of main reasons.

1. Theft. His tractors are all obviously cabless and there is always someone willing to help themselves to a detachable part. Unless one is prepared to spend all day minding them, it's difficult to avoid.

2. The 'anorack' brigade who ready to make the most minute criticism of any piece that is not original. My friend makes a very good job of his projects but sometimes it is not possible or it's prohibitively expensive to obtain original parts. Comments like "no, no no - they didn't introduce that type of starter motor until the end of March 1971" or "but there were no cable ties in the 135". :rolleyes:

Don't get me wrong. The knowledge these people have is very useful but they should not use it to denegrate others unless their opinions are sought.

3. Bringing several tractors to a show usually involves the expense of hiring of a low loader.



I also think that there is a certain snobbery among many classic car owners towards those who prefer Agri and Commercial Classics. They seem to think that owning a classic tractor or truck is in some way beneath owning a car even though they require a lot more commitment and finance and can't be used for everyday use.

I also agree with the many posters who find an 'ordinary' car much more interesting. A Hillman Avenger which has spent half of it's life on a farm towing a box is a lot more interesting to see, at a show, than a Rolls which was chauffer driven for 10 miles a week and garaged for the remainder of it.

maidhc

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I also think that there is a certain snobbery among many classic car owners towards those who prefer Agri and Commercial Classics. They seem to think that owning a classic tractor or truck is in some way beneath owning a car even though they require a lot more commitment and finance and can't be used for everyday use.

True. Funnily enough though the market for classic tractors is FAR stronger than the one for classic cars at the moment.

Mind you though I have a 1968 Ford 4000 tractor that, unlike the Capri I have, actually earns its keep!

eamon234

Went to a show the local club was organising as I'd just gotten an MGB and was interested in joining TBH I found them very snobby and they hardly let me in and when I did get in most of them would hardly talk to you.. Put me off going to shows.

Redjeep!

What is classic on a 500SL from '89? Only because it's a big Merc?

I guess this is probably a good example of why I don't take it to shows - the narrowminded "I've got a more classic car than you" attitude.

Max_Damage

Dustpuppy wrote: »

That is something i don't understand. On the classic shows are lot of cars that are not classic.

As I mentioned before, at the Terenure show 2 weeks ago, there was a Peugeot 405 and a Nissan Sunny on display! I'd say give it another 10 years maybe before they should be let into a classic car event.

Max_Damage

Redjeep! wrote: »

I guess this is probably a good example of why I don't take it to shows - the narrowminded "I've got a more classic car than you" attitude.

Everyone's definition of a classic car is different, some may say an '89 Mercedes is a classic, other not. I personally think not. Give it another 5-10 years, and yes, it probably will be, when they become more rarer on the roads.

It would probably take 15-20 years before my Micra is considered a 'classic'!

maidhc

Max_Damage wrote: »

As I mentioned before, at the Terenure show 2 weeks ago, there was a Peugeot 405 and a Nissan Sunny on display! I'd say give it another 10 years maybe before they should be let into a classic car event.

I think I have to agree here. A Peugeot 405 is lots of things, but it is definately not a classic, yet.

I think 25-30 years is a fair guide. Any car that has lasted that long deserves to be considered a classic irrespective of its "pedigree"

Wishbone Ash

maidhc wrote: »

A Peugeot 405 is lots of things

The only thing that I can think of is that it's French!

maidhc wrote:

I think 25-30 years is a fair guide. Any car that has lasted that long deserves to be considered a classic irrespective of its "pedigree"

Depending of course on what else has lasted as long. I was in San Francisco recently and the Merc W123s are everwhere. There seems to be one parked on every street. I somehow doubt that they would be considered a 'classic' there!

unkel

Looks like we need a dedicated thread on what is a classic car and what is not. Here

ds20prefecture

carchaeologist wrote: »

I totally agree, i got a bit of stick on another forum from a lad who reckoned his citroen was the one and only classic and all else was sh1t.Reckoned 70s toyotas and datsuns were crap.
Kinda annoyed me a bit,each to their own,if you like it for whatever reasons then its fine by me,just dont go mouthing off that its better than mine or whatever.

I hope that wasn't me. If it was, I'd appreciate a link to it, because I can't find it.

For what it's worth, I don't reckon the DS is the one and only classic, nor that all else is sh1t. I do reckon the DS is one of the finest cars ever made. One of. Give me a Tatra T77 over a DS any day. Or a Maserati Bora. Or... oh never mind, I'm obviously just an "arrogant twat" fanboy :mad:

The 70s toyotas and Nissans that I have experienced were dreadful cars IMO, but as you say - each to their own. Most people think everything French is crap too, so one develops a thick skin.

It's amazing to see a cherry as well preserved as yours.

Max_Damage

ds20prefecture wrote: »

I hope that wasn't me. If it was, I'd appreciate a link to it, because I can't find it.

For what it's worth, I don't reckon the DS is the one and only classic, nor that all else is sh1t. I do reckon the DS is one of the finest cars ever made. One of. Give me a Tatra T77 over a DS any day. Or a Maserati Bora. Or... oh never mind, I'm obviously just an "arrogant twat" fanboy :mad:

The 70s toyotas and Nissans that I have experienced were dreadful cars IMO, but as you say - each to their own. Most people think everything French is crap too, so one develops a thick skin.

It's amazing to see a cherry as well preserved as yours.

Where did this come out of?