Is it me (do I need to change my deodorant)!!
Discussion
Well, I've owned my first TVR for a little over a year now and apart from some minor problems when new and a bloody annoying engine problem which took a couple of months to resolve I have really enjoyed the experience. In fact somebody asked me the other day if I would have another TVR and the answer was YES DEFINITELY.
I have also been a member of the TVR Car Club for about 16 months and if it wasn't for the excellent Sprint magazine I would not have bothered renewing my membership for a second year having visited a couple of my regional group meetings.....what an antisocial bunch they turned out to be.
The first time I went with my son, they were meeting at a local dealers and I introduced myself to the RO who did speak to me for about five minutes before leaving me without any introduction to other members. But, fair play he was busy.
The second time, my wife, my son and I went in two cars (including the Tiv) to their regular meeting place. Parked the car outside and went in, got a couple of sideways looks from one of the two fraternities sat round a table but nothing more. Got a couple of drinks and decided to introduce myself...."Hello, I'm a new TVR owner and this is my second time at a regional meeting" ......"Oh hello" and carry on with their conversation. Eventually a couple from the second fraternity clustered round the bar did come over and speak to us.....many thanks to them.
That was the welcome we received and my wife has sworn never to attend anything to do with the TVR Car Club again....."if I want to be ignored I can do that without wasting my Sunday afternoon"...my son has decided it was a complete waste of time and it will be a long time before I bother again.
In fairness to the RO he wasn't around on our second visit. What really annoys me is that these are probably some of the same people who wave happily from their TVRs as we pass each other!!!
So, has anyone else encountered this warm and friendly welcome from their regional group or do I need to change my deodorant?
I have also been a member of the TVR Car Club for about 16 months and if it wasn't for the excellent Sprint magazine I would not have bothered renewing my membership for a second year having visited a couple of my regional group meetings.....what an antisocial bunch they turned out to be.
The first time I went with my son, they were meeting at a local dealers and I introduced myself to the RO who did speak to me for about five minutes before leaving me without any introduction to other members. But, fair play he was busy.
The second time, my wife, my son and I went in two cars (including the Tiv) to their regular meeting place. Parked the car outside and went in, got a couple of sideways looks from one of the two fraternities sat round a table but nothing more. Got a couple of drinks and decided to introduce myself...."Hello, I'm a new TVR owner and this is my second time at a regional meeting" ......"Oh hello" and carry on with their conversation. Eventually a couple from the second fraternity clustered round the bar did come over and speak to us.....many thanks to them.
That was the welcome we received and my wife has sworn never to attend anything to do with the TVR Car Club again....."if I want to be ignored I can do that without wasting my Sunday afternoon"...my son has decided it was a complete waste of time and it will be a long time before I bother again.
In fairness to the RO he wasn't around on our second visit. What really annoys me is that these are probably some of the same people who wave happily from their TVRs as we pass each other!!!
So, has anyone else encountered this warm and friendly welcome from their regional group or do I need to change my deodorant?
My first club meeting a couple of months back (East Sussex) was great! Managed to get chatting quite easily, had a good nose around the other cars, and got an introduction to a number of members from RO Andy Davies.
Circumstances beyond my control (work and breakdown of Griff!) have prevented me from attending the last two meetings, but I'm hoping to go up in convoy to Duxford in 2 weeks with others from the region (provided the car is fixed in time
).
Sounds like you had a bad experience, maybe give them one last chance before writing them off?
Circumstances beyond my control (work and breakdown of Griff!) have prevented me from attending the last two meetings, but I'm hoping to go up in convoy to Duxford in 2 weeks with others from the region (provided the car is fixed in time
). Sounds like you had a bad experience, maybe give them one last chance before writing them off?
Hey FP.
Do you honestly believe you can categorise a car-marque owner group with a single descrption?
Go out and find yourself another group. If they are dull then drive on to somewhere else but don't let it change your perception of the club. There's some great people with lots of good advice to chat to.
A cynical person might think it was you, not the club members...
Do you honestly believe you can categorise a car-marque owner group with a single descrption?
Go out and find yourself another group. If they are dull then drive on to somewhere else but don't let it change your perception of the club. There's some great people with lots of good advice to chat to.
A cynical person might think it was you, not the club members...
quote:
I'll probably need a flame suit, but is it only me that finds the whole idea of these meets a little anorakish ?
Im with you on this , i mean ok you have the car what do you want a pat on the back from other owners , i don`t really understand this whole car club thing .
I would think in the past it could have been of help with problems but has now been made obsolete by sites like this
I was in at the start when the harrogate area set up (now north yorkshire or something I think) .. and richard abbott did a great job (and still does .. cheerz mr gemini old bean) of getting like minded people together.
i don't find the idea of clubs anorakish at all, although there are certain anorak type people in the clubs .. and I'm one of them (!) but that's only cos I adore TVRs, and why not?
you also find two distinct types of car club enthusiast though, those that like the cars and getting their hands dirty, the type of people who will talk for ages about changing their cambers and regreasing their rear UJs. they're the people I like... and they're the people who are most likely to introduce themselves to a new member and genuinely want to learn about you and your experiences with the car.
the other type of club member is the one who talks about doing the run to bordeau and how they picked up seventy squadzillion cases of wine, trundled down to monaco for the GP, how their wedge attracted more attention than a 355 GTS but can't tell you when they last checked the oil and didn't realise it had to have antifreeze in all year round. those are the ones who won't talk to anyone who doesn't fit with their image of club life. who's to say which is right and which is wrong, all i can say is I know which type I prefer and if you call in at my workshop anytime you'll get a bloody awful cup of coffee and a very long chat!
welcome to the car club.
i don't find the idea of clubs anorakish at all, although there are certain anorak type people in the clubs .. and I'm one of them (!) but that's only cos I adore TVRs, and why not?
you also find two distinct types of car club enthusiast though, those that like the cars and getting their hands dirty, the type of people who will talk for ages about changing their cambers and regreasing their rear UJs. they're the people I like... and they're the people who are most likely to introduce themselves to a new member and genuinely want to learn about you and your experiences with the car.
the other type of club member is the one who talks about doing the run to bordeau and how they picked up seventy squadzillion cases of wine, trundled down to monaco for the GP, how their wedge attracted more attention than a 355 GTS but can't tell you when they last checked the oil and didn't realise it had to have antifreeze in all year round. those are the ones who won't talk to anyone who doesn't fit with their image of club life. who's to say which is right and which is wrong, all i can say is I know which type I prefer and if you call in at my workshop anytime you'll get a bloody awful cup of coffee and a very long chat!
welcome to the car club.
Regions are run very differently. It's definitely worth trying your neighbouring regions before you give up on club meets.
Here in Bristol, Sarah runs informal, relaxed meetings. No subs, no membership, no adgenda. This is a style that is bound to annoy some people who want things to 'happen', but appeal to others. Sarah's meetings are well attended and we get people travelling into the region to come to the meets. Check out our website to see what we get up to www.tvrcc-bristol.co.uk
I know of other regions which are run like 'proper' clubs; highly organised, tropies and everything. They are still good meets, but appeal to a different sort of person.
And yes - I'm afraid there are also regions out there which, for whatever reason, have poorly supported meets.
Here in Bristol, Sarah runs informal, relaxed meetings. No subs, no membership, no adgenda. This is a style that is bound to annoy some people who want things to 'happen', but appeal to others. Sarah's meetings are well attended and we get people travelling into the region to come to the meets. Check out our website to see what we get up to www.tvrcc-bristol.co.uk
I know of other regions which are run like 'proper' clubs; highly organised, tropies and everything. They are still good meets, but appeal to a different sort of person.
And yes - I'm afraid there are also regions out there which, for whatever reason, have poorly supported meets.
I have to say, in the 18 months I have had a TVR and been a memebr of TVRCC, I have only been to two club meetings, and that was the last two at Ripley with the Surrey club.
I thought it was great fun, it was nice to meet like minded people, and see all the cars in all the combination of colours and learn more about the cars.
I am not a Joolz in that I cannot discuss the bis inside, as I do not know that much, until I had a TVR I did not care what happened under the hood, but now I am slowly learning and find it an interesting topic.
David
I thought it was great fun, it was nice to meet like minded people, and see all the cars in all the combination of colours and learn more about the cars.
I am not a Joolz in that I cannot discuss the bis inside, as I do not know that much, until I had a TVR I did not care what happened under the hood, but now I am slowly learning and find it an interesting topic.
David
I can see why you might find it anorakish but I'm with joolz on this, I love Tiv's and enjoy walking round the pub car park, pint in hand, looking at and discussing the cars and what the owners have done to them. There are odd people, cliquish people, rude people at these as there are in any circle of society, but there is also a bunch of like minded individuals who enjoy a piss up at LeMans or anywhere else for that matter and I call them mates (I'll get me anorak)
so, if Cambs is not too far John, get yerself down there
>> Edited by apache on Monday 29th July 11:16
so, if Cambs is not too far John, get yerself down there
>> Edited by apache on Monday 29th July 11:16
quote:
I'll probably need a flame suit, but is it only me that finds the whole idea of these meets a little anorakish ?
I think this depends on the car. (and your perception of the car) The TVR club in my experience attracts people who are generally down to earth enthusiasts all of which would be glad to pass on experiences and advice, and the events are a great laugh. As Nacnud said take a look at the Bristol Club site and take a look at the photos, specifically of the 'gorge rumble', not a single anorak in site
. My perception is that the Allegro club is full of nerdy geeks with elastoplast around there glasses, but they probably have a Great xmas party. (ok maybe thats going a bit far
) Cheers Dan
I'm off to my first meet this Sunday which should be an interesting experience. Just becuase we all drive TVRs it doesn't change the fact that we are, after all, ordinary people who happen to love TVRs. My rule in life is simple, the least you expect from others the better off you are as other people may not live up to your expectations which also includes TVRCC people.
Provided you don't come across a crowd who think they are better off than you becuase they seemingly have the better car and have an attitude to prove it, then from my perspective there won't be a problem.
I'll let you know my views next Monday.
Provided you don't come across a crowd who think they are better off than you becuase they seemingly have the better car and have an attitude to prove it, then from my perspective there won't be a problem.
I'll let you know my views next Monday.
Alternatively go along to the TVRCC City Region meet next Monday - possibly the lowest TVR to members ratio in the country. 
If you can I suggest you treat it like buying the TVR in the first place: go along to a number of different regions meetings and find a bunch of people you like.
>> Edited by jeremyc on Monday 29th July 14:56
If you can I suggest you treat it like buying the TVR in the first place: go along to a number of different regions meetings and find a bunch of people you like.
>> Edited by jeremyc on Monday 29th July 14:56
quote:
Alternatively go along to the TVRCC City Region meet next Monday - possibly the lowest TVR to members ratio in the country.
If you can I suggest you treat it like buying the TVR in the first place: go along to a number of different regions meetings and find a bunch of people you like.
>> Edited by jeremyc on Monday 29th July 14:56
Jeremy, do you got to the city owners meets then?
Matt.
quote:Yes, fairly frequently. Someone has to remind them what a TVR looks & sounds like.
Jeremy, do you got to the city owners meets then?
I'd recommend them if you can get along - much beer, the occasional curry (at the legendary 'Dil Chad') and plenty of tales of exploits on racing circuits around the country.
The City RO slacker bod (without a TVR, naturally) is spnracing here on PH.
quote:
a little anorakish ?
quote:
i don`t really understand this whole car club thing.
quote:
I would think in the past it could have been of help with problems but has now been made obsolete by sites like this
Crikey - I know which I'd prefer - you choose:
i. getting your arse out to new and interesting places, meeting new friends (hi Duncan, Dan, Claire etc etc
), talking face to face with people who actually impart a certain passion about subjects. Driving behind (and in front of!) other TVRs at HUGE speeds though blinding countryside, Sharing a pint (or two - or whisky...you know who you are!) I'll keep it short. 
ii. sat in dark room with no one else, typing.
John - Go to Bristol.
>> Edited by scruff400 on Monday 29th July 15:16
quote:
Dil Chad? Is that on Brick Lane?
No, its on a side street just off Bishopsgate - staggering distance from DD's - which Jeremy quite rightly points out is the venue for the TVRCC City Region meeting on Monday August 5th.
We're actually considering banning TVR owners altogether in an attempt to get a more balanced cross section of the public attending...
Peter N
Slacker City RO Bod
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