Do people in the UK have the same love of classic cars as we do in the U.S?

Question

We have appreciation for all makes, both American made and foreign made. My first car was a 1952 MG-TD. It is worth around $10000 today. Most classics here don't operate on the road (too valuable), but do Brits drive their classic Jags, MG's, RR's Aston Martin's daily, or keep them in museums and only bring them out for shows?

Answer 1

Yes we do and are mad about classic cars. Every year there is a run day called the London to Brighton classic car run 35 miles. All entrants cars must be pre 1918 i think. Thats just one of many. We have specific classic car days for Mini's or Jags & American classics, Custom cars etc... depending on the meet.

Some people run their classics what ever the weather. Some don't. If you like MG you should search the British MG owners club website. Not sure of the address.

The only cars you won't see are Australian coz they couldn't make a car to save their lives !!! And the ones they do have are copies based on other countries...

Come on England in the Ashes !! ( Thats Cricket )

Regards
Jex

Answer 2

there have been incredibly some different innovations to degree the "quickest" one advance into from a standing start as much as a distance of one / 4 mile, yet in a special way a motorcar could be spoke of as "quickest" advance into the perfect velocity it may desire to realize. From what I easily have heard and regarded and experienced the a million/4 mile had incredibly some contenders for suitable slot. i'm now no longer on the subject of replaced autos, basically immediately production autos, The Hemi s have been a stress to be reckoned with yet so have been the Pontiacs. Ford had some definitely floor pounders as nicely. Chevy had the Camaro, the Chevell and contained interior the mid to previous due 60 s the little Nova advance into available contained interior the SS trim equipment which secure the in call for 396 CI huge block, returned a wicked journey. as far as suitable end is going the large cruisers have been those to hold optimal of that glory, Buick had the Wildcat, Pontiac had the Bonneville there advance into Fords 460 CI contained interior the Lincoln and Cadillac had a 518 CI monster. I don t understand if each and every physique motorcar could desire to ever be hailed because of the fact the "quickest" yet guy what an era!

Answer 3

Some do, unfortunately we don't always get the best of the weather in the UK. Most classic owners tend to run their cars on the road from April to October and spend the Winter working on restoration or improvements.

For love at first sight try the GT 40, worldwide fame and a finatical following, a real work of art. It's not the sort of car you keep in the garage for long when the sun is out. It always turns a lot of heads even when most motorists don't realise what it is.

Answer 4

Nearly fifty years ago. I read a children's book from America called "The Yellow MG." I never forgot it and it was about TC's and TD's. Are you familiar with it?
We do have classic car clubs here and I was on a ferry from Dover a year or two ago and met a group of MG drivers. TC's, TD's Magnettes, G types, MGB's and my favourite, the MGA, I think they were all going to Le Mans. The main problem here for any car is the damp so I should think that is why so few of them are used daily. The British government has abolished road tax on cars over twenty-five years of age, perhaps to encourage them.

Answer 5

Well - if you're lucky enough to live in the sunny Cali then i'll make driving a classic daily a heck of a lot easier than it is in the UK. I drive a 1994 Lotus Esprit about 2 times a week in the summer but less so in the winter grime. Its far too pretty to get dirty.

Answer 6

I'm thinking they do. I have a 74 MGB that I'm restoring and a lot of the books I've got on how to do it are written by British authors. There sure seem to be a lot of UK-based MG clubs in the MGB webring.

A friend of mine I commute with has a 67 MGB, and he's an English transplant to California. He drives it a couple of days a week to our nearby train station. I know it wasn't running for a while earlier this year, but he got it back together.

Answer 7

its a bit of both, there are some people who spend all of their time polishing their cars and trailer them to a show and never drive them in case they get dirty (concourse).

There is a growing interest in tuning classic cars, especially since trackdays came about. might be partly because a most older cars are rwd so make it more interesting.

many people (including me) drive their classics everyday.

i think the main difference between the uk and us (especially the hotter parts) is rust. a car in calafornia can be 40 years old and rust free, here they are often rusty after 10. my car is a constant battle against rust with the rain and salt on the roads in winter.

Check out the goodwood revival race weekend if you want to see everything from minis and mustangs to million pound 1930s formula one cars racing (and crashing) as they were supposed to be driven.
theres probably some videos on the internet.

Answer 8

I would say that they do as they do have a lot of clubs. However their idea of a classic would probably be a Morris mini or minor. The next most often classic would be rapiers and sunbeams. The more famous makes unlike here in America are the most expensive in UK.

Answer 9

They definetly drive classic european cars. But very few like american classic cars, or american cars, for that matter. Why do you think all of the british car programs that come on TV reviewed them? They were stunned that we came out with a car that showed them how to race.

Answer 10

I love them - I don't own any myself, but I really admire old jags etc....

However, I like classic american cars even more, whenever I am in america I love to go to car showrooms - my favourite are old cadillacs