Rain doesn't stop play: PH Blog
Why real men don't tuck the overpowered RWD weekend toy away just because winter has arrived
But for a nation of car lovers dwelling in such a climate we're surprisingly lacking in enthusiasm when it comes to wet weather driving. A brief glance at the forums before any Sunday Service will reinforce this, with many people muttering "I might bring the tin top if the weather is bad."
But to me though it's a waste to keep a fast car locked up in the garage. Doubly so because, put simply, driving in the wet can be fun.
Jaguar recently loaned us an F-Type R coupe ahead of our Sunday Service with them at Gaydon and I was the lucky so-and-so responsible for driving it to Warwickshire. Inevitably it was also raining for the entire time I had it. The reality of course is that almost any modern car will deliver you safely to your destination if you respect it and leave the driver aids turned on. But if you do press a few buttons, take a few brave pills and approach it sensibly then there is some genuine fun to be had and, with it, a closer bond with your car.
I know I'm not alone in feeling this way, the PHer who turned up at Gaydon in a Porsche Carrera GT proving the point also and in considerably more style. I'm struggling to think of a vehicle accepted wisdom dictates would be as intimidating to drive in the wet, not just because of the car's nature but also courtesy of its value. But the owner arrived grinning and happy, and didn't exactly seem reticent or hard done by as he set off for the journey home either.
This mindset was forced upon me when I worked for Caterham, where I'd be required to drive some extremely high powered, very light and not always very friendly cars whatever the weather. Sadly these sometimes lacked doors and often a roof but, as they say, there is no such thing as bad weather, only poor clothing choices. In a Caterham the only driver aids are the windscreen wipers and indicators, so you're on your own if you like it or not.
But once you get over the initial trepidation you start to relish the challenge, adapt to your environment and rapidly understand where the car's strengths and weaknesses lie. With the limits on a wet road being far lower any 'moments' tend to happen slower than in the dry, giving you a bit longer to correct them and learn how the car reacts. Basically if you can tame a car in the wet, not only will you quickly learn to enjoy it when you get finally drive the car on a dry and sunny day you'll also be able to get the most out of it.
Well, that's the theory anyway.
James
Photos: Ben Lowden, Stewart Writtle
Or maybe because interesting cars tend to have had less R&D funds spent on tedious things like the ability to demist the windscreen. It doesn't make the cars undriveable, but it does tend to make the drive more exhausting and less fun.
Plus some on limited mileage policies (or for whom massive miles = massive depreciation) would probably prefer to save the miles for better conditions. Drive along the M4 in the pouring rain to a car park in Bedford or cruise along the Amalfi coast on an epic road trip. Tricky choice.
I get your point, though
Or maybe because interesting cars tend to have had less R&D funds spent on tedious things like the ability to demist the windscreen. It doesn't make the cars undriveable, but it does tend to make the drive more exhausting and less fun.
Plus some on limited mileage policies (or for whom massive miles = massive depreciation) would probably prefer to save the miles for better conditions. Drive along the M4 in the pouring rain to a car park in Bedford or cruise along the Amalfi coast on an epic road trip. Tricky choice.
(For what it's worth I agree with the article, the Monaro is out in all sorts of weather, I just think the tone of it left a bit to be desired)
So, first thing - keeping a classic in the garage when it's wet is to preserve it. Nothing else. Fun or otherwise. As "fun" as the wet can be, it's also dirty and congested. Yey.. let's go drive. Nah.
Also.. "Real men"? <sigh>
And then there's the chassis. As we all know, TVR chassis' are made from sugar so a drive in the rain will cause the car to immediately dissolve.
It isn't a case of manning up, it's a case of protecting the investment and enjoying every one of the 5000 insured miles with the roof off.
That way I can truly enjoy it when I do drive it on a good dry day in the summer, and be happy knowing it isn't rusting away being driven over the winter. Also, you have to think of the other drivers, higher probability of them running into you in the rain/snow/ice
Also, as for "adapt to your environment and rapidly understand where the car's strengths and weaknesses lie. With the limits on a wet road being far lower any 'moments' tend to happen slower than in the dry", I tried that once, and spun off the road onto a grass verge exiting a roundabout, slowly.
So, first thing - keeping a classic in the garage when it's wet is to preserve it. Nothing else. Fun or otherwise. As "fun" as the wet can be, it's also dirty and congested. Yey.. let's go drive. Nah.
Also.. "Real men"? <sigh>
I actually completely agree with this - In my original version I had a section all about how the "whatever the weather" approach is completely off the cards in anything classic / collectable / not up to the abuse. Sadly this didn't make it past Dan's editing (I can't blame him, it did go on a bit if I'm honest!)
Equally, the "real men" bit didn't come from me, but is clearly a light hearted dig so don't take it too seriously.
Anyway, to clarify the point is that in a country as wet as ours, deciding to drive your pride and joy only in perfect conditions is a bit limiting and should be looked on as a good way to get to know your car. Oh, and that the guy in the Carrera GT is a hero!
JD
Not ideal for safely travelling down the Fosse way at any sort of interesting pace.
I think the main point about the wet weather, for me, is that once I'm at my destination, I'd rather not be a standing in a car park getting soaking wet. The drive there isn't really the issue.
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