Practically Classics Forum

I don't want to cause a row but I’d like to throw a controversial one in here: I've never done anything for Drive It day as I really hate the whole concept. Hate is a strong word to use, but I’m afraid that's how I feel about it. What follows below isn't meant to be a rant against the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs as they are the best organisation we have to look after our interests at this time, although now I’ve read it through it does look a bit like that - I apologise in advance for this but please bear with me.

As far as I’m aware, Drive it day's role as organised by the FBHVC is to promote the use of classic cars and to highlight and promote the classic car movement - an important movement (and our hobby) that generates many millions of pounds for the UK economy every year and enjoyment for many thousands of enthusiasts and owners.

However, the FHBVC don't recognise those who do high mileages in classics or use them everyday as it weakens the 'we only do a few thousand miles a year therefore it isn't worth you legislating against us' argument that they've used to lobby successive governments for many years. I can understand their position on this, and I recognise that owners who do use their classics everyday are few and far between.

However those who do (like Fuzz for example) remain as thorns in their sides, which is why they prefer to pretend that people like Fuzz simply don't exist. Of course plenty of people like Fuzz do exist and I’m not one of them it has to be said. I'd love to use my Triumph Vitesse as everyday transport, but with a 600 mile weekly commute, I simply can't afford the 24mpgness of it all, especially at almost £1.40 a litre and my laughably crappy wage...

The point I’m making is why do the FBHVC organise a day that encourages people to aimlessly drive around in classic cars? (Or Historic vehicles I should say, as the FBHVC do not recognise cars built after December 31 1972 as being worthy - I’m sure owners of 1975 Jaguar E Types will disagree, but I digress). I think that Drive It day as it stands actually makes our arguments as classic car drivers weaker. Surely the authorities will be keener (under the guise of environmental concern) to stop outright or impose limits on people who drive just for the enjoyment and love of it (like me), rather than those (like Fuzz) who use their car to drive to work.

As the vast majority of classic car owners do use their cars for purely recreational activities (a view promoted to the Government by the Federation) surely this makes controls and legislation against us and this type of usage far more likely? After all, when the oil does start running out it will surely be reserved for essential use like food transportation etc and not for you to drive your classic around for the sake of it. In many European and other countries around the world, ‘Historic’ class vehicles come with mileage and in some cases, date limitations (i.e. can only use for driving to and from shows or on certain days of the year).

Personally i want to drive my car when and where i want, not on a prescribed day or on a limited mileage basis (i only ever go for unlimited mileage insurance polices because of this).

Just a thought…

Also, The name is terrible.

‘Drive It Day’ doesn’t mean anything. Drive what? Which day? It's a nonsence. No one outside of the classic car movement knows what drive it day is. Go on, ask a friend at work with no interest in classic cars if they’ve heard of it – I’ll pretty much guarantee that they haven’t. This means that the whole point of the day is missed – how can this day promote the classic car movement if no-one knows what it is, what it's about or which day it’s on?

I suggest the day is rebranded as British Classic Vehicle day. At least this title (or similar) actually tells people what the day is about. With a simple name like this, the press (outside of the classic car world) can make a story about it and really bring the movement to the fore. People will then know what to expect, and come out to support or view the cars that take part.

Most people love to see classics out and about, and having local events which the public can really understand and get behind on a widely publicised day in which they’ll be guaranteed to see some lovely cars would be fantastic and easy to promote. It may sound like I’m a grump, but I really feel that ‘Drive it day’ as it stands is a weak proposition, and doesn’t achieve what it’s meant to. It does do one good job though – it’s a target date for people to get their cars finished for / back on the road in time for, so I’ll give it that.

I say, lets rethink and rebrand: all hail Classic Vehicle Day, Drive It Day is dead…

What’s everyone think?
Neil

Lol someone annoyed you this morning Neil?

I think I get at what you are saying but surely they have to do something to show that their organisation has active support so as to give weight to them acting as a pressure group to lobby those who must be obeyed.

Name is rubbish true and the '72 cut off is a joke.

A classic day is a far better idea.

Use it or lose it is a good idea. Drive it day is a VERY good idea. I went out on Sunday with ten or 12 other cars from the local Morris Minor club and we had a nice drive- very visible to the public and supported the use of PROPER classic cars.

Supporting the FBHVC is a great idea, as is opposing the evil bureaucratic EU who are our real enemy, not the FBHVC. Those guys are up against it trying their best to defend us against the EU fascist dictatorship.

Ooer Neil!!, I think you've opened the proverbial can here.
I enjoy Drive It Day, it's great to see a group of classic car enthusiasts out in their vehicles, maybe you should try it!
I agree the cut off date is wrong, it should be at least in the '80's, but you are a journalist and in the position to do more in your proffessional capacity than moan about it, do something constructive
Many owners of post '72 cars only tax them for 6 months, purely on economic grounds, but they are still enthusiastic, and many are PC readers.
Tread carefully Neil, practice what you preach.

John Simpson.

It was meant to open a can of worms. I have never preached about Drive It day, i don't do it out of principle as i think the idea in its current form is extremely flawed - all of my friends know that i have an extreme reaction to it as it is now.

I think there are too many do-ers in the Classic Car scene, and not enough thinkers. Have many people really Thought about what drive it day means or stands for, or do they just attend each year and think they're doing their bit, when that bit actually doesn't do anything?

We need to be more savvy as a movement, and Drive It day simply doesn't cut it anymore.

Just have a think about the name - it doesn't mean anything...

By chance I didn't use my classic on this Drive It Day - I was too busy welding it - but I generally ignore it anyway. I drive my classic so regularly I don't need a specified day to do so. But it's just another event that I don't subscribe to, like club meetings or concours competitions. No need to be in favour or against them, they either tickle our fancies or they don't.

I assume John's being tongue in cheek there, but we all have a responsibility to "do something about it", regardless of our professions. But that doesn't extend to supporting every event.

I agree whole heartedly.

and as for

and supported the use of PROPER classic cars.

If that is'nt elite-ism I dont know what is.

To be fair I like moggys and MGB's and Minis and such like.

But to state "Mines a proper classic" is just "Buffalo droppings" in my opinion.

Cars like those mentioned above have pretty much been "restored out of being rare classic's" and are plentyfull enough to be classed as "collectable cars".

Just because a design is old dont make it "Classic" proper or otherwise.

As for FBHVC, they would prefer historic status for cars 30 years or older with the cut off date being changed from 1/01/73 to 1/01/67/8 (depending on which way you look at it)

And they have shown they have no support for those cars supposedly becoming classics and or likely to gain "classic status", as in there minds all classics have chrome bumpers and wire wheels, and preferably driven by pipe smoking flat cappers.

I will drive mine when I like how I like and where I like (within the law), and should the time come where I'm not allowed to drive my cars unless the govt or the ruddy eu says so, I will move to where I can continue my appreciation for my cars in my own way.


Mal.

Right chaps - let's get one thing straight: this is not going to turn into a "what is a classic" discussion. Period.

From now on, any posts in this thread on this specific subject will be deleted, we've all had more than enough of this stupid subject, enough is enough. That includes references to member's cars being "proper" classics (or otherwise), by the way. If you want to bore the pants of everybody with your precious opinions on the subject, there's a thread elsewhere that you can do so.

Sorry to be firm, but this subject just boils my p!ss.

Not just me, by the way, the above goes for ALL the admins on this forum.

Sorry to be firm, but this subject just boils my p!ss.

Sorry Luxo,

Same reason I had a little rant.

Wont happen again.

I've never paid much attention to "Drive it Day". Every day is drive it day for me and my Ami 6, since it's my main (soon to be my only) car. I have not the smallest interest in pottering aimlessly around the countryside with a load of people with whom my only point in common is an interest in elderly vehicles.

I agree about the name, too. If we must have specific days to drive old cars, let's give them a name which actually means something.