Classic & Vintage Commercials Magazine Vol.19 No.7 BEAUTIFUL BEDFORDS Back Issue

THE show season is well under way and that’s great, by me. I’ve already
been to a few events – some truckrelated, others with no lorries – and they really are my thing. As I’ve said in the past (probably to the point of boredom), I just love nostalgia and it doesn’t matter if it’s old trucks, cars, vans, bikes, guitars, radios, buses, trains, juke boxes and just about anything else you care to mention that’s gathered a bit of dust and
has the fragrance of aged character, it holds my interest.
This job does have its perks and one is getting hold of tickets for events.
Great. However, I’m always happy to fork out, because these events wouldn’t exist without takings at the gate. That is a case of hard financial fact. Indeed, money does, unfortunately, play a significant role in the classic vehicle movement and it can put a few noses
out of joint.
One of the most vexed points regards owners paying to enter their vehicles, a subject I raised an issue or two ago. On the one hand, organizers say they need the money, otherwise the shows wouldn’t take place. On the other, owners say they are paying enough as it is for maintenance, fuel etc without any extra burdens. My view is that
professionally-run events, organized for profit, should not charge, but a show laid on by enthusiasts for the fun of it is entitled to charge to cover hire of the venue, insurance, marshals and all the rest of it that goes with such occasions. Whatever the case, during the past few weeks, I have once again been amazed at the dedication of enthusiasts who have brought their vehicles along for the delectation of spectators. Running any classic can be hard work and costs a bit, so to go to the lengths that owners do just for the pleasure of others is laudable. I mean that, this isn’t some treacly compliment to make you think I might be a good bloke. So, without wasting words, well done.