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Petrol Head's views - December 2004

Frankly, I found Autoglym Concours bit in last months edition rather disturbing.

I can't understand why any bloke wants to spent most of his spare time polishing his car to the point where if it got the tiniest speck of dust on it, he would probably suffer a nervous breakdown. Still, I suppose the chance of such a terrible occurrence is millions to one as the cars would never be left outside anyway!

Come on guys, it's a machine. Weren't they meant to be driven on the roads and now that they are old machines, aren't they meant to be driven and enjoyed?

Some of these individuals even clean the tyre treads and inside the exhaust pipe!!

More to the point, did you see what some of them take to shows? Each to their own, but come on you guys, some of those cars shouldn't be at a classic car show. They were nasty when new so how can that make them a classic now? Get real!

I'm not into concours, just in case you were wondering.

If those guys are so desperate for a silver salver or whatever to go on the mantelpiece, then why not take the missus for a morning out at the local car boot and spend a fiver on an ornament. It gives her a trip out and and if you work it right, then you can still be in the pub for lunchtime.

The concours scene as they call it, was a topic of conversation at my local pub recently.

We sat at the bar watching the barmaid pulling pints, as you do.

This poor old girl is of fifties vintage, and must have spent hours applying her make-up, and she had a chest that was pushed up under her chin.

Now, why can't she just accept she's past it, and grow old gracefully?

Cars are very similar. If they are old, then why do people spend ages polishing them up to make them look like they should be sitting in a car showroom?

One of the yuppy types in the bar had spend almost five thousand quid having his cars interior re-trimmed. He then told me that in a few years, when it had mellowed and got a few nice creases in the leather, it would have that patina of age!

A mate who runs a few vintage motors claims that every dent, scrape, or blemish tells a story. He runs those old cars in all weathers and other than throw a bucket of water over them now and then, that's as far as it goes. They look well used, but more to the point, they look their age.

Take a look at some of the Vintage Sports Car Club folk. They treat their cars as they were designed to be treated, as machines that are driven.

I take my hat off to Peter Giles for putting his ancient Rover to use it was intended, now that guy is what I call a true enthusiast. His articles over the last few issues show the real spirit of classic car motoring.

Read 'em and weep you anorak brigade types with your sheepskin polishing mittens and your inflatable bubbles to house your precious works of automotive art.

People, ask yourselves who's got it right. The anoraks or the true die hard motorists?

Living out here in the sticks, I believe that the scourge of the countryside are horse riders.

They expect you to slow down and give them plenty of room, and then they give you a regal wave as if they own the roads. If you don't slow down, then you run the risk of getting your car kicked in by the horse.

Do they pay road tax? No they don't but they should!

Last month I voiced my views on the latest idea from the government who are proposing that we should have to pay for the privilege of having an old motor registered under the SORN (Statutory Off Road Notice).

It seems that I'm far from alone in my views. Thanks to all of you who took the trouble to email with your support. I am actually wearing that support now and it works.

If you really want to make a stand, then email the DVLA (contact me for the email address) and tell them what you think.

Last month I mentioned Fords plans for Jaguar.

This month, the rumour is that the once great company who gave us such all time greats as the E-type and the Mk2 is to have a new managing director.....a woman!

The current XJ is to have a new flagship Daimler badged model launched in the Spring.

No doubt the top spec all singing all dancing model will feature lip stick holders, vanity mirrors for the driver and all passengers, and a choice of headlining from the Laura Ashley range.

What would Sir William Lyons be thinking of this one?

Another piece of wonderful news concerning MG Rover.

Two more great names that will hopefully be saved forever and remain part of our Great British motoring heritage.

I'm told that a new partnership is to be born between MG Rover and the Shanghai Automotive Corporation.

MG Rover......As traditional as roast beef and water chestnuts.

What is this world coming to?

Petrol Head

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The views represented here are those of 'Petrol Head' and do not necessarily reflect those of Classic Car Times.