WELCOME TO THE WORKSHOP

Where the team lets off some steam as the kettle boils

‘I’ve put gin in the tea… it’s the only way to get through this.’ Lisamarie ‘Ginwife’ Johnson ‘I still can’t get a tune out of this thing.’ Danny ‘Dad’ Hopkins ‘Tea-break dancing. Yes, I made it up myself.’ James ‘Quirky Man’ Walshe ‘My mug is bigger than yours Matt, look.’ Matt ‘Muggle’ Tomkins ‘Yeah but my Talbot Express is bigger than your ‘rig’ Tomkins.’ Matt ‘Wookie’ George ‘Motherrrr… the liquorice tastes a bit funny!’ Theo ‘Grandad’ Gillam

Upgrading your classic is simple and very effective, but why should you bother? If the scaremongers are to be believed we will all be off the road by 2040. But is that really true? Really? The real-world evidence says otherwise.

Time and again we have been warned of impending doom by screaming headlines regarding unleaded petrol, seat belt laws, emissions zones, stricter Mots, insurance hikes, EU rulings, parts droughts, parts quality, DVLA problems, older age driving bans (we were guilty of that one) and now the end of diesel and petrol sales (not use) in 2040. We’ve been ‘doomed’ repeatedly, and yet here we are, still driving, still working on our classic cars – unhindered. Tax exemption is rolling again and the industry is growing. All the above are issues to be watched and fought against, but… just take a second or two and just look at what we’ve got. A full and fulfilling pastime. The love of older cars is absolutely thriving.

So, keep revelling in the hobby you love. A lot of motivated and well-connected individuals are looking after our interests in all the important places and there is a bright future for us if we remain enthusiastic and vigilant. The keys are on the side… let’s get on and use them.