Classic Car Weekly

[Judge]

Just read 'Trade Talk' on page 50 of CCW

[chrisd87]

Could anyone who buys the paper enlighten those of us who don't?

[Judge]

Quote "The ubiquitous Morris Minor has seen something of a fall in popularity lately, as classic car enthusiasts look for something with a bit more pep..."

[gairlochrosie]

Sounds a bit of a contradiction in their statement!

[jonathon]

More a reflection of the people buying, than the car itself. If 'sporty' 'original' performance is their requirement then quite a few other classics will fulfill this role better, for less money than modding a Minor.

[Judge]

Unfortunately, as I have said previously, this does seem to ring true, at least in part, membership of the MMOC is falling, and this was one of my reasons for raising the question about rallies. Another question has to be, are we doing anything to reverse the trend?

[stevey]

If this is true whay arent there more good minors out there for the rest of us?

membership of the MMOC is falling

What else can we do to help boost numbers?

[rayofleamington]

The ubiquitous Morris Minor has seen something of a fall in popularity lately,

I would disagree - for example, the price of Travellers (even ebay scrappers) is a LOT more than it was a couple of years ago.
Maybe due to the usual journalist tendency with a "deadline coming", to make up nonsense?

[Judge]

To be fair Ray they do also say "......although good money is still being seen for the very best examples. Especially if those examples happen to be roofless, have wood at the back, or are of the commercial load-lugging type......."

[jonathon]

Bill,can it be said, that the fall in MMOC members is linked to the ownership of Minors, or just that folk choose not to join the club.
It would seem that even some club members do not support the club ie take an active interest in the major issues facing the future of the Minor. Just look at the attendance of the AGM and the rather disapointing support from the membership for the working party, which is trying to forge new policies.
I think maybe the fall in MMOC owners just reflects a general trend for folk not needing to bond or share their hobbies/interests with others.

[chrisd87]

maybe the fall in MMOC owners just reflects a general trend for folk not needing to bond or share their hobbies/interests with others.

I think the internet may be blame for this, as it's now easier to access expertise and to chat with other Minor owners without going through a local branch.

Performance might not be the only issue why people are put off Minor ownership either (particularly as an everyday car). Quite a few of my friends express concern over safety and also how quickly they rot compared to 'moderns'.

[chickenjohn]

There are a lot of Minor owners who are not members of the club. Make sure your local branch is a fun gathering of people and not overly stuffy is one thing you can do. Our branch (East Kent) is a lot of fun,- and with growing enthusiastic membership, year on year- apparently not all branches are like us.

Also, restore cars rather than scrapping perfectly good cars or breaking them for parts, or disposing of them by some other means. Declining membership is likely due in part to declining numbers of cars on the road.

In summary- make the branches fun again, save the cars and the membership will rise again naturally.

[dunketh]

I'm not a member of any clubs purely because I dont have the free time to devote to it. Its that simple. I was a member of one classic club but let it lapse as in the space of a year never attended one event.
As for the Mnors appeal, I'd take the comments with a very large pinch of salt. Infact I'd even be tempted to suggest I can smell male cow excrememnt in the air.

Everyone I encounter loves the Minor. The main reasons for not owning one themselves being fear of the maintenance involved and a misguided idea that they 'might not be practical these days'.
Certainly in south dorset their numbers appear to be growing.
I like to think I'm helping the cause localy by demonstrating how useful and useable they are.

[Judge]

maybe the fall in MMOC owners just reflects a general trend for folk not needing to bond or share their hobbies/interests with others.

I think the internet may be blame for this, as it's now easier to access expertise and to chat with other Minor owners without going through a local branch.

At this stage I think I should explain that apparently most new members join the MMOC via this website.

[Judge]

I like to think I'm helping the cause localy by demonstrating how useful and useable they are.

I personally think that this is a major factor.

[chrisd87]

At this stage I think I should explain that apparently most new members join the MMOC via this website.

Good point, I joined through the website!

[dunketh]

lol.. what, seeing me driving a Minor is stopping new people from buying them?
I'm single handedly doing for the Minor what Clarkson did for the vectra?

I know two of my mates secretly want one but they cant be persuaded to give up their electric windows and 2.0 redtops.

[jonathon]

So is it just a case of having better communication from the MMOC. This site is so popular and useful largely for its instant and diverse input, both topical and geographical.
I agree with John, that the branches offer a life line to the MMOC, and this messageboard could be considered as being the largest 'branch', it certainly meets often enough.

[Judge]

lol.. what, seeing me driving a Minor is stopping new people from buying them?
I'm single handedly doing for the Minor what Clarkson did for the vectra?

No, I meant that seeing the cars in regular use could encourage ownership

[Judge]

....., and this messageboard could be considered as being the largest 'branch', it certainly meets often enough.

That makes it your round, mines a pint