Post by magnet on Aug 22, 2015 11:19:44 GMT 1
I thought it might be worth starting a new thread to follow on from Mark's good point of being alerted to shows closer to the locality. Having being involved with the "classic" car movement for over 35 years, it is fair to say that the show scene has changed significantly in that time.
Interestingly, a high percentage of the shows attended in the late 70s early 80s were locally organised shows which made it easy for pre war cars to attend, and indeed encouraged renovation of cars of that era. The show progression then moved to large national shows and club "nationals". The number of pre war cars attending "ordinary" shows now? Just a small percentage compared with 30 years ago. Do they still exist? One guesses so, but I think it is fair to consider that an ageing ownership are now less likely to travel distances in them than they did.
Now of course, it might be easy to think well, that applies to pre war cars rather than post war, but simple arithmetic shows the current age of the post war cars is now the same as that of the pre war ones were in the late 70's.
The point I am coming to, but not very well ! is - are the days of the large national shows numbered, as owners become less inclined to join today's traffic to travel fairly long distances? Appreciating of course that a large national show us always going to local to some!
Are we heading for a full circle here, where smaller local shows will again become more popular? If the days of the large national shows are numbered (longer term) will the same apply to club nationals, and are we likely to see a greater percentage of cars being trailered to such shows?
Perhaps some of these points will raise some useful comment.
Although I started out talking about pre war cars, it might help debate to know that as well as a couple 1930's Standards, I also have a long term ownership 50's car as well, which although far more tractable, can sometimes also be a bit of a liability set amongst today's traffic and long distance trips are not as enjoyable as they were.
The opinions of an ageing enthusiast perhaps? - but it might be worth noting that when I view the crowd queuing to get into Beaulieu next month, grey hair predominates our sphere of interest!
Just some thoughts, and thanks for reading,
Gareth.
Interestingly, a high percentage of the shows attended in the late 70s early 80s were locally organised shows which made it easy for pre war cars to attend, and indeed encouraged renovation of cars of that era. The show progression then moved to large national shows and club "nationals". The number of pre war cars attending "ordinary" shows now? Just a small percentage compared with 30 years ago. Do they still exist? One guesses so, but I think it is fair to consider that an ageing ownership are now less likely to travel distances in them than they did.
Now of course, it might be easy to think well, that applies to pre war cars rather than post war, but simple arithmetic shows the current age of the post war cars is now the same as that of the pre war ones were in the late 70's.
The point I am coming to, but not very well ! is - are the days of the large national shows numbered, as owners become less inclined to join today's traffic to travel fairly long distances? Appreciating of course that a large national show us always going to local to some!
Are we heading for a full circle here, where smaller local shows will again become more popular? If the days of the large national shows are numbered (longer term) will the same apply to club nationals, and are we likely to see a greater percentage of cars being trailered to such shows?
Perhaps some of these points will raise some useful comment.
Although I started out talking about pre war cars, it might help debate to know that as well as a couple 1930's Standards, I also have a long term ownership 50's car as well, which although far more tractable, can sometimes also be a bit of a liability set amongst today's traffic and long distance trips are not as enjoyable as they were.
The opinions of an ageing enthusiast perhaps? - but it might be worth noting that when I view the crowd queuing to get into Beaulieu next month, grey hair predominates our sphere of interest!
Just some thoughts, and thanks for reading,
Gareth.