Letters from readers, March 1943

Sir,

I feel that in my letter, published in January, I have not made myself quite clear as to what is in my mind.

I acknowledge the fact that there has been no general attempt in the past to exclude members of the Motor Trade from club activities, but the editorial in the December issue, quoting from an article in the J.C.C. Gazette, includes a paragraph as follows:

“The kind of place we have in mind would be set up in the West End, and would not be under the auspices of any one motor firm, who might be suspected of advertising motives.”

To my mind, this remark definitely shows a slight suspicion that any member of the Trade who might possess any idea of forming an enthusiasts club would do so with the idea at the back of his head that it would increase the amount of rupees coming in to the kitty. I can assure the Editor that any person who carries out his ideas with these thoughts at the back of them is a hopeless optimist! Lads who wish to buy a car will come and see you anyway, if you have the car that they want in stock, and the lads that come to chat do not want to buy.

Furthermore, some little dicky bird told me that immediately my letter was published there might be a few people who would think that it was somewhat of an advertising move, hence the lines: “The cars shown are well known in their class and are not for sale.” The cars referred to are laid up for the duration, and are being stored on my premises, and would, with the owners’ consent, be available to be viewed by members of the sporting fraternity, for their amusement.

These cars cover a wide variety of types and there are some well-known record holders among them. Finally, although I am not mentioning them, I have quite a varied selection of sports and racing cars for sale, and having, as I do, quite a collection of visitors over the week-ends who come down to “browse around,” I always make a point of never offering any car for sale during the weekend unless especially requested for particulars of the car by any interested person.

Thus, I can be an ordinary enthusiast myself at the week-ends, and can talk motor cars as an enthusiast and not as a motor dealerI Finally, may I say that Marcus Chambers’s offer to give advice to Bentley owners is in my opinion very sporting of him, particularly in view of the small amount of leisure time that the calls of the Service must leave him.

I am, Yours etc.,

Ian Metcalfe, Eton Motors

Shepperton, Middlesex.