Nick Larkin
Our Nick proclaims his support for getting youngsters into classics.
As you get older you do learn to seize opportunities, even if there might be some risk. We all regret not doing something years ago, such as asking Nellie Higgins from Class 3B on a date to share a bottle of Cherryade and some Frazzles on the local rec. Even though she was well out of your league.
I wish I had taken a job at The Bournemouth Echo to work alongside one Mr Bill Bryson, bought that £70,000 flat at the former match factory in Bow (half a million plus now) and found an extra £50 to finalise a deal on an excellent Wolseley 6/80 in 1985. But the world didn’t end, and new opportunities open all the time. Which brings me to the chance to partake in an excellent project benefitting the entire classic movement.
I make no apologies for mentioning again the Classic Car Loan Project under which young enthusiasts are able to borrow classics for a year.
Following a highly successful pilot scheme, four cars, their owners and borrowers met at the official launch of the first phase of the CCLP at the British Motor Museum. This time the ’pilot’ car, a 1929 Ford Model A, was back to find a new custodian. It was joined by a 1933 Morgan Super Sports, owned by Andrew Morrison, who admitted: ‘I take ten minutes getting into this car and 15 minutes getting out, so I’m glad to be lending it to a young enthusiast.’
Also in the line-up was a 1960 Vauxhall Victor bequeathed to the owners’ club for the cars in the Nineties. A 1983 Austin Maestro called Millie was the final launch contender, though she will be part of the next phase of classic loans.
Three carefully chosen young custodians were itching to get hands on their new charges, and were given instructions and initial driving practice on the otherwise traffic-free Jaguar Land Rover car park. I wondered whether I might have to feign a broken limb if invited to have a go in the truly wonderful but rather fearsome Morgan, but its new driver, Holly Davies took to the car like the young Stirling Moss to an empty autobahn.
‘My dad is involved with the Prewar Austin Seven Club,’ said Holly before another fluff-free gearchange. If that had been me, the area would be now be awash with oil and bits of white metal.
Safeguarding the future
Successful CCLP candidates are allowed to keep the car for a year and use it how they like, provided they garage the vehicle and keep up with maintenance. The scheme’s project manager is the formidable Bob Wilkinson, chairman of the Ford Model A Owners Club and organiser of the Classic Virgins events for newcomers to the classic scene.
‘We now have the blueprint for something big, said Bob. ‘I would urge anyone to join – we want to help safeguard these cars for the future.’
The scheme has won praise from the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, and the Post Vintage Humber Car Club is one of several now looking for suitable cars. Bob has also been offered a Ford Anglia 100E and a Morris Traveller.
This project should be at the very heart of classic movement activity. I appreciate that clubs have enough to do, but please, all of you, at least consider getting involved. It’s very well organised, and OK, things might not always go perfectly, but that’s surely a risk worth taking. Bob is waiting!