Our video this week comes from the Sunday Times Driving section and goes by the very long title of “I inherited and MGA: How a Classic Car Changed How I Looked at Motoring”. As the lead-in to the article in the Times says:
When her beloved grandfather passed away this year, Charlotte Vowden was bestowed his 1960 MGA sports car. Now driving means a lot more to the 29-year-old. Now driving means a lot more to the 29-year-old.
Part of what is relayed in this video and the accompanying article goes back to our video from last week – passing on the love of the cars and the hobby to others. To a younger generation. Since these great old cars are not seen on the road much anymore, it falls to us to take others for rides, to show off the cars, to actively pass on the love of these classic machines.
I guess what I am getting at is that this passion shouldn’t be passive. Much like any relationship, if we don’t actively work on the passion and passing it along then it will die. Now some of us may enjoy working on the cars, others love driving, others love writing articles and posting pictures, and maybe some like polishing fenders at shows. Whatever you enjoy doing, you need to pass that enjoyment on. Spread the joy.
Let’s face it, if we don’t spread the joy of this hobby, the cars will either go into museums or be set aside to rust away. As transportation moves to a more automated future, less driver intervention, and far less personal maintenance, it will take more and more effort to show the joys of motoring and classic cars to upcoming generations. Just as I (don’t hate me) see no reason to own and take care of a horse, future generations will see no reason to own, be held responsible for, and maintain a cantankerous old car. It is our job as enthusiasts to show them why they should. It is our act of passion to do so.
Ok, off the soapbox for now. Enjoy the video and article and let us know what you think.
Michael Carnell is the editor and founder of the Just British Online Motoring Magazine. As a lifelong British car enthusiast, he has owned or driven British cars of all ages from Austins and MGs to Jaguars and Triumphs. He currently owns a 1966 Vanden Plas Princess 1100 and a 1977 MGB. But there is always room for more - no matter what his wife says.
Great to hear someone who has discovered the fun of classic car ownership. I am sure she will build an ever widening circle of friends from enthusiasts of MG and other marques by driving her MGA and going to classic car events. If she wants to cruise the Western USA roads she could come over and attend the annual GoF West MG gathering one year (its in Arizona this year not California but will migrate back in a couple of years) or one of the other GoF* gatherings that take place in other parts of the USA
*GoF is Gathering of the Faithful or Friends depending on the area and brings together MG enthusiasts from all over North America.