The Messenger At Arms

Why do we collect old British cars?

by Sam Maw

I would imagine that just about when anyone starts to discuss classic British cars that there is a joke or two concerning Joseph Lucasaka “The Prince of Darkness”, oil leaks, or breakdowns. But there is much more to it than those clichés. There are many reasons that people are drawn to the collector hobby, specifically classic British cars. First, many of the classic brits are beautiful examples of craftsmanship. Take a look at the lines of the old Jaguars, Aston Martins, or Austin-Healy's. Those designs have stood the test of time and are recognizable at a glance. Look at some of the trim pieces of a Triumph TR-4, and you would agree that they are industrial art at its best. The wood and leather in some of these older cars are better made than fine furniture. Mechanically, most of the older cars are simple machines, built to last.  Many of the owners are able to work on and maintain the cars themselves,  When they do need professional service, usually there are mechanics to be found in every area that are trained in British cars, many of whom were worked in the old factories or at dealerships back in the day.  One thing I have noticed is that the folks who work on the old cars are passionate about what they do, and do a commendable job for their clients, whether it is a full restoration or a simple tune up. The jokes about these cars and their reliability generally can be traced to poor maintenance.  We had a fellow in our car club who had an MGB with over 300K miles on it, just following the proper maintenance schedules. But more than anything else, I think the main reason people are drawn to the hobby is the camaraderie with their fellow owners.  I have never met such nice and helpful people as are found in the British car collecting hobby.  When we get together at shows like this one, it is a chance to see old friends and make new ones, discuss our cars, help each other solve issues, and share parts and advice.  When you visit the Games, make a point of walking through the car show, ask the owners about their cars, as they love to share knowledge about them, and share stories about their passion.  Maybe after spending some time amongst the old British iron, you too may be bitten by the same bug that got us.

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