NEC Classic Car Show

[Ian_Fearn]

Just arrived back from the NEC, was a great event and was even better to meet up with the BXClub boys!

Unfortunatly we had the displeasure to meet a certain member of the CCC who appeared to be so rude it was unreal! Hopefully he doesnt have internet access!!

Billy, there was the worlds most MINT, ie better than showroom condition E reg Chavalier SR i 130 hatch. It was SOOOOO sexy in the absence of any BX's. Also on that stand was an ultra rare special order 2 door Opel Ascona SR from around 87-88. It had a personal plate on it.

I have to say the Lotus Carlton was the car of the show for me. I think i need to invest some pennies.......... in a model..........

[Ian_Fearn]

Sorry...... I couldnt resist! I nearly had full release over it (i dont get out much)

[Philip Chidlow]

OK, OFF TOPIC

So, upseting the CCC IS, after all, a good idea? I used to be a member and have let my membership lapse because, to be honest, I didn't get much from the magazine (I'm interested in Citroens, not 'car mechanics', so much), and there was IMO little (other that gatherings at a pub) in the way of family 'Club Activity'. I reckon if we could get a trip to the Cotswolds Motor Museum (qv) or hopefully Le Mans, next year, that'd be a great start for BX Club. Trouble is with clubs is cliques (spelling ok?). I don't like them. The most friendly, approachable chaps I've met in a motor rally environment are the Military Vehicles lot. Even got a cuppa! (Cue Vera Lynn!)

Anyway. Back to topic, then...

[cavmad]

Blinking flippity heck I missed out by not going. Mixed emotions as I adore, yes, adore SRi 130 Cav`s with a passion and dream about Lotus Carlton`s but also remember my dad`s series two Chrysler Awful, sorry, Alpine.
In the great tradition of all Chryslers I remember from the time it sounded like a skeleton break dancing on a tin roof whenever the engine was running and did so from new.
I learnt to drive in it too but just couldn`t love it no matter how I tried. Luckily, for me, the next company car he got was the now ultra rare Cavalier SR (pre injection) which started my love affair with Cavaliers.
Did I ever mention that I like them?

[tim leech]

Just come back myself, was best one for many a year and nice to see some normal cars including that lovely SRi Cavaier, ANy reason why no bx models on the ccc? Hows about we do a stand next year guys? Im up for it

Tim

[Ian_Fearn]

I wouldnt say upsetting the CCC is a good idea, its just inevitable!!

Theres loads of really good people in the CCC (hell, i'm in it!!!)

You just need to avoid the oddities......

[jeremy]

What is it with some classic car clubs. i speak with a little experience having been a member of the jaguar drivers Club many years ago and while it had its share of polishers i must say they were damn good at it and would produce these absolutely immaculate cars and were decent people and good for a laugh. I had a Truimph Stag and duly went to a meetimg of theirs but after about 15 minutes we decided that Church was more fun and made our excuses and left.

On acquiring my BX (6 years ago) I duly joined the CCC and enjoyed their magazine and especially the contributions form David Woolard and also the adventurers of Sally. I let the membership slip on renewal as they didn't really do a lot for me and there seemed to be little social activity in my area or events that were really of interest like autojumbles or even regular pub meets. (I know that if I'd mentioned it I'd probably have got the correct answer which is 'if you want it - organise it') but to be perfectly honest I thought the Club looked down on BX but wasn't really sure wich group they were interested in.

So here I am - I am clubable - I met Jon, DLM, Tom and a couple of others at the Dolphin in Southampton (OK its 300 yds from home) and will turn up for events after my present job expires on 23rd December (no problems - I know what I'm going to do).

What surprises me is that there should be animosity between the CCC and other bodys of Citroen enthusiasts. We're on the same side aren't we? We all like cars made by the same manufacturer don't we? I'd have thought that the policy of the CCC should be inclusive rather than exclusive, and for example they should be encourageing the web presence rather than looking down on us.

Surely the expertise available here and on other boards must be unrivalled and should be something the CCC is seeking to harness for the benefit of their members rather than opposing?

Maybe I've missed the point but Citroen have always been trendsetters in their designs and never afraid of innovation so being a simple person I'd expect their enthusiasts club to have a similar approach.

jeremy

[Ian_Fearn]

We've had this debate before!!

Its not worth the effort on the keyboard.....

Lets crack on with more interesting subjects!

[cavmad]

Good thinking Ian. How`s that lovely 4x4 of yours?

[mat_fenwick]

Great show, there was a very interesting 4 door DS convertable with the SM Maserati engine

Only downside was I left my phone in the car so couldn't meet up with the other BX club members

[M]

Well I enjoyed it, cars I would most like to sneak out under my coat included the Orange Talbot Alpine, The Primrose Yelow Jag and probably the Green Wedge Princess - though there was rather a lot of BLMC stuff I could quite happily given space too.

It was a bit sad that the CCC stand seemed to have a zillion Traction Avants, the only 80's car there was a GS, no BX, Visa not even the LNA (yet Talbot had the Samba displayed and Pug had a souped up and slightyly rusty 104 displayed). Whilst members will undoubtedly argue till the cows come home what constitutes a classic there is little doubt that these cars form part of what made the company what it is today, and our motoring culture. Cars from the 70's and 80's do it for me as these are what I grew up with as a child, my mate Bob feels anything newer than a 60's car isnt really a classic, but he is of a different generation and for him cars of the 30's and 40's are what he grew up with.

Anyway I have said enough - it was a smashing day out, the ZX performed faultlessly ferrying three big blokes from Preston to Brum & back - though I did break out into a sweat when using the toll road. And it was nice to meet up with Jon & Ian again.

When I can be arsed to resize & upload them I will post some pictures - though my camera packed up after just 20 shots

[cavmad]

Whole heartedly agree with you there Marty. Whilst I freely admit there`s plenty of cars I don`t like it`s a case of beauty being in the eye of the beer holder and all that.
Some are often suprised when people mention cars like the wedge Princess, Maxi, Austin Cambridge and ADO16 but I think they are true classics because so many people owned one and they were the bread and butter of the everyday motorist.
I too was a child of the seventies and eighties and I love BL cars, Vauxhalls and quite a few Fords too, and a lot of them the more basic the better. I spent a great deal of time at the local classic car show recently admiring Allegros and sixties Vauxhalls and even my kids were awed by Morris Minors and 1100/1300s.
Early Minis are a good example i.m.h.o-there`s something so pure about a basic very early Mini that I just love.

[mnde]

I have to agree with you there cavmad. I went to the Peterborough BL day a couple of years ago (in a friends Allegro estate!) and my favourite cars there were:

Austin/Morris/Wolsley Princess 'Wedge's
early Rover SD1s
Marinas

Also went to Bromley Pageant that year (in another Allegro!) and about my favourite car there was an immaculate early Chrysler Horizon in orange.

I also love 70s cars, and not necessarily the hi-spec ones: there's something about a basic late-70s Fiesta or late Escort Mk II that appeals to me. I love all the Sweeney cars though: the Granadas etc. etc. And there was a lovely CX on Bergerac once...

Anyway, I'm glad to see bread-and-butter cars being represented at the NEC. Quite often these cars, especially the BL ones, get a lot of stick!

Mark.

[Ian_Fearn]

Havent really used the 4x4 much yet Billy (its been raining and it doesnt come out in the rain!!)