Morris Minor Rallies

[Judge]

I actually posted this under a previous topic but as it did not receive much of a response I thought I would post it again.

With last years Southern Regional Rally in mind (and the 7 page article this achieved in Classic Car Mart), that formed a part of the Uffington White Horse Show, which in turn attracted almost 15,000 visitors, I would like to ask a question. How many of you feel that more of our events should be combined with larger, more general shows?

[mal]

Do's that mean I have to write my relpy out all over again Bill

Mal

[Judge]

YES!!!!!!

[mal]

QUICK ENOUGH

Good question Bill..
Most of the shows I attend are multi-marque shows and usually have a good if not very good turnout of Moggys, one 'main' show is what I would say is the best in the North East is held at Newby Hall in July, this usually attracts in excess of 1500 classics, with a cut of date being 1972 so all the cars are from 1900-72, I'm already booked in again for my 8th year Morris's have their own roped off area and it's usually very full and a great day is usually had by all. I think it's also nice to see all the other cars ( if you have time )
On a personal note, I prefer to see a good selection of 'classics' and not just one marque, I used to go to the MG Northern Nationals at Newby in my MG but got very bored looking at the same cars and did tend to just enjoy the gardens etc;etc; so you could really have a valid point in your question..

Mal

[Rob_Jennings]

It's nice to have the options of both.

I agree that mixed marque shows are on the whole more interesting from a wander round and looking point of view.

It is also nice to see a field full of minors too, as the local and national rally provide. But if the event gets too small it can feel a little bit of a disappointing day.

The better organised shows that group similar cars together seems to be the way forward, you get the best of both then. You can turn up and snuggle in with you brother and sisters but there is still plenty to see and encourages all classic car owners to mix in together.

[chickenjohn]

The Kent Branches Hop (I will be posting details of this years event soon) is a multi- marque show. Its the regional rally for the three Kent branches and we also invite and encourage other types of classic car owners to enter. There is no cut-off date as such.

probably due to the geographical nature of the region (look at the map, Kent is surrounded by sea on three sides) the show tends to be 100-150 cars in size. Quite small, but a nice day out nonetheless.

[mal]

It is also nice to see a field full of minors too,

Yes but if it's a big enough, well supported show it feels like the Moggys are in a field all to themselves

There is no cut-off date as such.

I think it's a good idea to have a cut off point, it makes for more interesting cars and stops the later so-called classics encroaching... I had a Volvo 340 'B' reg parked next to me at an open show last year what a t*****

Still, nice to have a little bit of agreement regarding open shows, come to think of it, I don't go to any one marque shows anymore..

Just a link to a few photo's of Newby Hall show to give you an idea of a good selection of classics
http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse. ... id=1858569
Mal

[chickenjohn]

Mal, I agree with you on the cut off date for the reasons above. 1972 is a good date as its the historic cut off for tax purposes. However, the Kent Branches HOP does not have a cut off date- we will have anyone who wants to come, such is the reality of running a small classic car show. Luckily most cars (95%) that enter are pre 1972 "historic vehicle" classics.

[Rob_Jennings]

I think 72 is a bit restrictive as a cut off date, I think applying a 25 year old rule is better. All the classic had to start as a young car at some point ;-) and it encourages 'new blood'

[mal]

Thought it was to good people agreeing with me
As far as I'm concerned Rob, if it aint got 'Historic vehicle' on the tax disc it aint a classic if you want to sit beside 1984 cars that's your choice

Mal

[Rob_Jennings]

some cars from the 80's are far rarer than the minor (marina, cortina etc....) and as long as a show has areas for each I don't see a problem. Afterall it did used to be a 25 year old rule and the last minors only just get in on the 72 rule. We should be accepting of new classics otherwise we risk becoming 'vintage' ourselves ;-)

let us not forget what Douglas Adams has said on the subject of ages...

Anything that is in the world when you're born is normal and ordinary and is just a natural part of the way the world works.

Anything that's invented between when you're fifteen and thirty-five is new and exciting and revolutionary and you can probably get a career in it.

Anything invented after you're thirty-five is against the natural order of things.

;-) ;-)

[chickenjohn]

Rob, Douglas Adams was right, as allways, hence we have no cut-off date in the Kent Branches Hop- all are welcome. The newest car we had was a 2004 Fiesta . I agree with Douglas Adams especially on Apple Mac computers. However, a car that was rubbish in its day doesn't get better with age so does not deserve to be a classic. OTOH, some 80's cars were very fine machines and deserve classic status. EG, my non Morris Minor car.

The trouble with many 80's hatchbacks is that they are not that different to 90's and 00's cars, just worse cars so why should they be classics???

A Moggie, however, in many ways is superior to modern cars and is definitely a classic.

[jonathon]

Surely a 25 year old car deserves 'classic' status. It may well not be the best of designs but its the age that makes it a classic not its design.

[plastic_orange]

A club local to me started a large event at Glamis Castle back in 1973 (I think) with a 25 year cut off. They changed this after about 2 years to pre 1956 (again I think). The result was that you saw the same cars every year without fail - hardly interesting after a couple of years. Move on a few years and the show was taken over by almost car boot sale traders and the same cars that always attended. They then started club stands and this started to attract the newer vehicle, and perhaps encouraged a bit of interest.
This show is still a major draw for the public (still too car booty for me though) and goes from strength to strength.
Remember that everyones idea of a classic car is different, and perhaps by allowing 'borderline' cars to attend, these folk will maybe move over to something else.
Look at the retro scene just now - positively booming - and it's the younger people this is attracting - in my opinion a great thing as it keeps our heritage alive - how many Chrysler 180's, VW K70's etc etc have you seen lately, never mind the more 'common' chevettes, avengers, Maxis and so on. The more variety the better I say.

Pete

[chrisd87]

The trouble with many 80's hatchbacks is that they are not that different to 90's and 00's cars

The Volvo 340 was RWD (I think) which makes it different to most small cars today (in a good way).

A 1984 car is a few years older than I am, so it's definitely an emerging classic as far as I'm concerned. In fact I remember about 10-15 years ago when a friend of my mum's opened the door on their Volvo 340, it fell off!

[dp]

I think the older you are, the longer it takes for something to seem a classic. If you are 17, a 1990's car might remind you of your childhood; be what your dad used to drive etc. If you're my age, (41) 1990 seems like last week. I think a rolling date makes more sense but as to the period, that's another matter. I'd go for a rolling 20 or 25 years myself.

[mal]

Well that livened a few people up

Mal

[aupickup]

personally i like to see other makes of cars and commercial at shows

we have one in eastbourne called the festival of transport and the cars range from veteran, historic and clasic all the way up to modern

makes a change from a field of minors
i can see a minor any day of the week but not a 1900 whatever roller or whatever

[simmitc]

IMHO a rally needs to have something other than Minors ("sacrilege" they cry) to attract families. The best Natiuonal I can recall for ages was at Lichfield where there was another show and the town centre within walking distance. I've been Minor Rallying for over 20 years, and there really are only so many variations on a theme that can be interesting. I still attend, but would prefer to be able to look at other things as well.

I understand the reasoning for having the National in the Midlands, and think that the team does a greta job, but for my money variation is important. This year and next year are only a few miles apart. I'd rather go to the seaside or Devon for a change!

There you go, Bill, hopefully that will stir a few comments.

[mal]

IMHO a rally needs to have something other than Minors ("sacrilege" they cry) to attract families

I think this is becoming a general thought now, for the younger families it's great to encourage their kids to enjoy the shows and therefore carry on with the classic scene. I've noticed over the years that the ammount of young families attending seem to be on the increase which is a good thing.

Mal