windrush:
I can concour that many ‘punters’ at shows are not interested in looking at vehicles that were made before their living memory, they just cannot relate to them but like to see vehicles they remember their family etc owning.Pete.
Yes, I’ve noticed this in people too. To a certain extent I do it myself, tending to gravitate to the vehicles of my youth and early driving days.
ERF-NGC-European:
windrush:
I can concour that many ‘punters’ at shows are not interested in looking at vehicles that were made before their living memory, they just cannot relate to them but like to see vehicles they remember their family etc owning.Pete.
Yes, I’ve noticed this in people too. To a certain extent I do it myself, tending to gravitate to the vehicles of my youth and early driving days.
Attitudes have changed over the 51 years I’ve owned and shown my Albion, I think it’s all about what they grew up with. It was 32 years old and already archaic when I got it, and I at 22 was probably the youngest vehicle-owning member of the HCVS (then HCVC) when attending the monthly London meetings. The other members would tend to watch me driving critically, you could see them listening for a crashed gear, and one actually said to me once when he was talking to me as I was setting off on a run “now off you go, and don’t slip that clutch”.
Typically at a rally I’d be approached by somebody of about 40-50 who would say “I used to drive one of those”. Over the years it became “my dad used to drive one of those”, then “I think that’s the same as the one my grandad had”. Nowadays they either glance disinterestedly, walk straight past and ogle the F10 or whatever next door as they feel no connection, and it’s mainly the the younger drivers, 20s/30s with little kids want to know all about it, sit in the cab and sit the little one in the driving seat and are absolutely in awe of the spartan cab, the uncomfortable seat, mouth hanging open at the thought of handle start and best of all their faces when they see the throttle is in the middle.
A lot of them say they’d love to own it and drive it although the reality is that for most of them it would be impossible, storage has always been a problem with lorries, and maintenance unless they can do it themselves, with the reducing numbers of proper mechanics. Then my take, I think it’ll get that we’ll be restricted as to where we can go, suitable fuel will be hard to get, and they’ll become static museum pieces, but the museums will be chokka and turning them away so it’ll be the scrapman - unless you want to convert to electric but what’s the point in that?
Now in my case, I don’t know what will happen to it when I’m done, as I have no kids and none of my many nieces/nephews are in a position to have it. Maybe I’ll be past caring by then?
Bernard
Interesting and salient topic, given the current climate (sic).
I genuflect to the lovely folks who restore, salvage, show and even operate old kit. It seems to me that the wider aspect of history and heritage is on the wax and not the wane. Examples abound but the stunning example is the success of The Repair Shop, essential viewing in my opinion. I also note a groundswell in attendance at museums, heritage events and places, remembrance services (pre Covid) and all things yesteryear. Quite a shock to view weapons and equipment I was issued with at the IWM!!
However my point is this - where there is a will there is a way. It may well be, as previously stated in the topic thread, that vehicles are moved to events by non fossil fuel means. It may also be that static displays are somewhat inevitable but I fervently hope that is far off in the distance. I also agree that the heritage folks have to be inventive artisans to at least get the motors up and running again. Cant find a a part? they make them.
The point made about electric vehicles is an interesting one as well - all good making them but they need power obviously. The bigger issue we have is whatever powers them, parking will still be a problem. How the lads and lasses today find anywhere to park, eat and wash these days in the UK is beyond me. Keep the faith Ro!!