Classics in Queen Square

[splodge s4]

Police are defiantly targeting this now, they seem to turn up every week but this week they were 'having a word' with owners of card with illegal plates, not just misplaced lettering but even normal plates that dont have the tiny British standard blah blah codes on them.

[NFox]

First time I have actually made it to a Queen Square meet actually at Queen Square. I enjoyed the variety of cars and met some really great people.

My video from the day for anyone interested: https://youtu.be/n2DoPI49nFo

[Matt97]

Not sure if it's been posted already but it appears they're organising a meet in February at Castle Combe...

https://castlecombecircuit.co.uk/other-events/quee...

[Evangelion]

Well I used to attend this every month without fail when I was in Bristol, but am now unable to, due to living 180 miles away.

I don't think I'd like it any more though, seems dominated by moderns these days.

[NFox]

Little promo for the 4th Feb at castle combe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnvCl_mBb3Y

[Z0m81e]

I think its a shame a lot of the older cars are being driven out by the more modern stuff, and I say that as the owner of a vxr8. In reality though I think the meet was never intended as a classics gathering the website says "Be it classic, modern, a car or a motorcycle (although the wearing of leather romper suits is discouraged) you’re welcome here". I think the bigger problem is the size of the square and the fact there isn't room for everyone coupled with the fact there are inevitably more of the modern cars around to turn up.

Certainly the thing I turn up for is the range of cars. If that goes away that'll probably be the point I stop going and if more and more classic owners decide not to turn up due to the rise of the modern cars that'll be the way it ends up going. One way for all you classic car owners to solve this problem would be to get up extra early and fill the square with classics before the 'moderns' get out of bed

[F1 ASBO]

Z0m81e said:

In reality though I think the meet was never intended as a classics gathering the website says "Be it classic, modern, a car or a motorcycle One way for all you classic car owners to solve this problem would be to get up extra early and fill the square with classics before the 'moderns' get out of bed

I'm sorry to have to tell you that are you are wrong on both points there! The meet was originally started by the Tony and friends at the ADC (Avenue Drivers Club) a classic car group (primarily) and was started a LONG time before the Facebook crowd tagged on to it. It was at one point only classics with no modern stuff at all but once the 'boy racers' (my not words but the words of others) found out about it and started turning up that was the thin end on the wedge. Then of course the newer machinery owners started playing up a little with their engine revving etc and that caused more trouble so a lot of the classics guys started to drift away (no pun intended). The meet was never was a Facebook meet, they basically hijacked it over time that's all.

As for the classics guys getting out of bed earlier, the original start time I believe was 9am, the only reason it got earlier was because more and more cars started turning up (mostly modern) and it got to the point that if you were not there by 8am you would not get a space! Have you tried starting a classic car really early on a cold morning!!!!

Sadly the meet has been a victim of it's own success in a way. The Facebook crowd would have you believe that this is their meet (they even gave it their own name - Breakfast Club etc) but it is simply not true. Even my kit car mates now rarely go due to it being the same old scene most months (we asked the ADC and were invited to attend - you know, the way things should be done!!) I have to say I like the meet still, just a shame there are not as many classics as there use to be.

The recent FB Brekkie club meet at Rybrook cars was very popular and if meets like that continue I could possibly see the moderns drifting away from Queen Square (you will defo get arrested for that!) and maybe with luck the classics moving back in, that is if the council don't ban it altogether which is on the cards as a direct result of the noise problem from supercars and moderns. Fingers crossed it all works out well for all car kinds 'cos that would be the best result of all right??

Merry Christmas to all you car nuts from whichever branch you favour!!!

Edited by F1 ASBO on Sunday 18th December 16:27

Edited by F1 ASBO on Sunday 18th December 16:29

[Ivor Bryant]

I picked this from the Avenue Drivers website, so it looks like it stared as cars that will reach 100 mph rather than general classic cars.

Quote:

The Avenue drivers club was formed in 2009 by a small group of classic car enthusiasts and devotees of the Avenue Cafe, who serve the best coffee in Bristol.



We’re not ‘Petrolheads’, we’re individual Gentlemen (and Ladies) with a passion for anything motorised that will do at least 100mph. The purpose of the club is to give the enthusiasts an opportunity to meet on a regular basis with likeminded individuals and drive their classics at least once a month!

The members of the club meet at the cafe, situated on the corner of historic Queens Square in Bristol on the morning of the second Sunday of every month ( See map for Avenue Cafe address )



We have organised that Costas and Bob, joint owners of the Cafe will open early at 9:00am for coffee and breakfast, and that the staff will provide the normal banter and abuse reserved for regular customers.



Be it classic, modern, a car or a motorcycle (although the wearing of leather romper suits is discouraged) you’re welcome here. Enjoy the hospitality, inspect the vehicles that turn up and meet other enthusiasts.



If this sounds good, put some Castrol R in your pipe, send the children up the chimney and recline in the wing backed Chesterfield that is the Avenue Drivers Club.

End of quote.


I sometimes go in a 1938 Ford 8hp, sometimes a 1953 Anglia, barely capable of doing 50 mph or a 2006 Morgan 4/4.
I perceive it as being a select group from the website but it has become a free for all.
The modern cars( many of which I consider classics) have outnumbered the old classics.... say pre 1975.
Maybe the moderns should gather at the Cribbs Causeway showrooms the older stuff at Queen Square.

[Doyal]

2016 is the first year I've been during all 12 months.. Great "meet" and whilst it has clearly evolved (even during the last 12 months..) it is still very enjoyable as a car enthusiast.

[NFox]

Id agree with the above, I only started attending during last year so can't comment on before but it has always had a great atmosphere since I have attended. You get some really interesting cars and people and its a great location.

Here's my video from today for anyone interested:

https://youtu.be/EkmdFBeu8qI

[petrolpat]

Good turn out on Sunday despite the cold and damp. Think the local BIB had a good time too !

[NFox]

Yes very cold on sunday indeed, couldn't feel my hands filming! Regardless managed to chuck a quick video together of the day https://youtu.be/I8ysV0mJc34

Really great again to meet so many new people, and interestingly not just locals but people from Swindon, Surrey and Exeter too!

[Evangelion]

That was the sensible video.

Now here's the idiots:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBZABbfEbkg

[F1 ASBO]

Evangelion said:

That was the sensible video.

Now here's the idiots:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBZABbfEbkg

Yet another nail in the coffin of a once FANTASTIC event. You could count the number of classics on two hands almost. I love the exotica etc (and even a few of the boring old tin tops ) but the mix of the event is now all out of balance I feel. A real shame

[CobraChris]

Classics in Queen Square 1st Sunday of the month anyone?

[Japveesix]

To be honest if the Classic crowd haven't already started an alternative event they really ought to as Queen Sq isn't going to get any better. There's still a lot of interesting stuff there but the proportion of bellends in slightly poorly modified STs, golfs and various BMW does seem to be growing every time.

Leave them to it and take your more peaceful meet elsewhere. Going by that vid it's only a matter of time before someone writes of theirs, and probably someone elses, car by ragging it down that exit road (with cars regularly pulling out of the junction on the right).

[Huff]

F1 ASBO said:

Yet another nail in the coffin of a once FANTASTIC event.

Quite; I stopped attending over 2yrs ago given the %ge wker-by-volume was outgrowing the venue, and my interest in attending (and I only live in Bath...)

The linked vid above really saddens me - it shows there's nothing free & intended to be quietly enjoyed by ALL that can't be completely buggered-up by sheer thoughtlessness and selfishness: 'look at me' 'Look at me!'; 'Look at meee!'; no, dammit its not about you selfish pricks, it never was.

Edited by Huff on Wednesday 15th February 21:27

[Six Fiend]

Agree totally. I've been pondering reviving the ADC as it was. Tony did a great job and the classics made for a gentle trip back to my childhood and beyond.

Will get head scratching in earnest and chat with some like minded souls to see what might work.

[F1 ASBO]

Huff said:

The linked vid above really saddens me - it shows there's nothing free & intended to be quietly enjoyed by ALL that can't be completely buggered-up by sheer thoughtlessness and selfishness: 'look at me' 'Look at me!'; 'Look at meee!'; no, dammit its not about you selfish pricks, it never was.

Edited by Huff on Wednesday 15th February 21:27

Yep, that about sums it up for me too Huff

[Ex Boy Racer]

I have to agree that it has changed beyond all recognition.

It would be great to get a 'classics' event going as an alternative. I have thought in the past that an event in a nice Cotswold town/village (Chipping Sodbury, Sherston or somewhere like that) would work.

Nice trip out for the cars
Little appeal to yoofs as it's a quiet, quaint place
Probably welcomed for the tourism aspect

The cars would look great there too