Letters from readers, April 1943

Sir,

On page 25 of the February issue you state that the northern section of the Vintage Sports Car Club demanded a small separate subscription from members. This is not quite correct, as the fee in question was devoted to the supply of the Northern “Bulletin”, each issue of which included a real photograph, which might be detached with ease and inserted in the family album; and although most of these pictures were of northern members’ cars, they were of very high quality, and therefore expensive.

Another activity of the northern section was the monthly forgathering for technical discussions, etc., usually taking the form of’ a rally to some rural licensee. In order to prevent these visits becoming what the Autocar so horridly calls “drinking bouts”, a limit was, placed on the amount permitted to be spent by any individual member during the evening, this being arranged by means of a” kitty”, any balance from which went to the northern section’s funds; there was always a balance. The sum in question was usually as little as half-a,crown, which makes you think, warlike “wallop” costing what it doth. . . .

I often wonder what will be regarded as “vintage” after the war: pre-1931 cars will be rare indeed; I understand that the club’s original policy was to admit cars five or more years old, but in view of the probable length of the present bother, this idea (which had, of course, been shelved long before the war) would tend to include rather too many motors with hydraulic suspension, etc. I have no doubt that some workable solution will be provided.

I am, Yours etc.,

W. G. S. Wike.