Morris Minor Owners Club

I nearly tripped over the chain and fell on a car

Tell ya what, if a "front of chain" car is needed next year then you can use my trav. No one will want to go near it - they'll be worried they might catch something

It wasn't my point to offend anyone - honest!!!!

But as someone on the outside looking in, I thought it best to voice my impression of the stand purely as constructive criticism.

I appreciate that all who were involved in the stand will be eager to defend it, as they no doubt put a lot of hard work and time into it. However I think it would be wise to listen to the opinions of all those who went and saw it - not just the good points. Keep with the good, try to look at the bad (where possible).

It seems that a lot of the criticisms are just beaten off by those involved - not taken on board as constructive - as they are intended.

I think everything needs to be looked at objectively, without bias if possible. For instance, granted you took 23 new memberships, but how many thousands of people visited the stand over the 4 days? And how many of those felt the same way as me - then didnt bother registering?

All I am merely trying to do is point out what I personally think was missing with the stand, in the hope that any criticism is taken on board (with all other good and bad criticism).

My point is was that the stand would have discouraged me from joining the club if I wasnt already a member. Now if it discouraged me (and seemingly a few others on hear were a little disappointed) then potentially there were many more visitors of the stand who felt the same. I am just in the minority of those people who happen to post on the forum.

I have pointed out the good points of the stand (excellent range of cars that is hard to beat, excellent standard of cars!) but please try to take on board the bad points. It the rope is there for a reason, then try to find a way around it. What about trying to get owners who dont mind leaving their cars there without a rope? Surely out of 12,000 we can find at least 6 with a decent motor to show off! I would definitely have mine there on a stand without ropes - and when its finished you can hold me to that!

For instance, granted you took 23 new memberships, but how many thousands of people visited the stand over the 4 days? And how many of those felt the same way as me - then didnt bother registering?My point is was that the stand would have discouraged me from joining the club if I wasnt already a member. Now if it discouraged me (and seemingly a few others on hear were a little disappointed) then potentially there were many more visitors of the stand who felt the same.

I unfortunately couldn't make the NEC, nor did I have any involvement with the Club stand, so am also offering an unbiased opinion. If you're looking at it objectively though, how many visitors to the stand either didn't own a Minor or were already Club members? I imagine quite a high percentage. I've been to similar car shows and I tend to stop and have a look at most club stands. I don't join up though as there would be little point in me paying twenty quid or so to join the Jaguar owners club, for example, as I don't own one and so won't actually get any benefit from being a member of their club. I think that signing up 23 new members is pretty good going as I imagine that quite a few Minor owners visiting the NEC were probably already aware of the Club, even if they weren't members.

Not having attended the NEC Classic show before I don't know whether all the cars on display have to be "show standard" but displaying more "everyday" cars might mean a reduction in chains. However I understand that a car on display (non-minor) got deliberately 'keyed' along one side. My own car already has it's fair share of scratches, and is far from perfect, but even I would object to someone doing that to my car . I can appreciate both points of view regarding the chains but I don't know what the simple solution would be

There were a few barn find cars one complete with chicken nest and eggs !!

there was abarn find mg it made a good comparison to all the shiney metal

Cam on behalf of those of us from the frozen north who find that the NEC is just a littel too far - THANKS - the pictures are great

Many thanks Cam for putting on such a great range of pictures.

For future years, is there any mileage in bringing along some of the 'heroic restorations' together with a portfolio of pictures? Club members are completely brilliant at restoring cars, and this is a real strength of the MMOC. People coming to the stand would not just be looking at a car but at a story of how it was brought back to life. Restorations also highlight the sheer genius of the cars design.

It is so good to see the club demonstrate it's rude health at the NEC.


Harry & Doreen