Where are my Cambridge Car People?
Where are my Cambridge Car People?
Author
Discussion

speedstar99

Original Poster:

6 posts

228 months

Saturday 6th June
quotequote all
I know Cambridge has a bit of a reputation for being green and a scourge on anyone wanting to enjoy their cars, but...

Are there any people around that enjoy cars and enjoy driving them?

I visit the Barrington monthly car meet and there is clearly a community of petrolheads around here. But I don't know any of them and would love to meet people interested in cars and driving.

For what its worth, M36, 986 Boxster S and Clio 182 Trophy.

hungry_hog

2,850 posts

215 months

Saturday 6th June
quotequote all
Not really a car hotspot.

City of about 150k, of which 25k are students

Students of University of Cambridge not allowed to keep cars in college (apart from Prince Charles about 50 years ago!)
Not sure how many ARU students keep cars, can't imagine it's many.

City centre not practical for cars. Tiny roads, limited parking. Much of it cut off.
Local council doesn't like cars.
Most of the city centre owned by Uni, or its colleges. Uni also doesn't like cars, mostly left leaning academics.

Property prices astronomical (similar to a nice London suburb), so people don't have spare cash for cars, which they can't use anyway!


Foss62

1,857 posts

92 months

Saturday 6th June
quotequote all
I tend to agree with Hungry_hog. However heading south into the ‘stockbroker belt’ where the three counties of Cambs, Herts and Essex meet, there are large numbers of classics that can be seen out on any Sunday. Quite TR heavy for some reason.
Historically, Motorcycles were the thing in Cambridge. In the 70s there were at least six dealerships I can think of in Cambridge itself, and some real biker pubs (The Locomotive in Mill Road. and The Rose in Stapleford being just a couple that spring to mind).
Going North and East into the fens, there was a big American car (and Rockabilly, Confed flags etc.) scene. The cars were originally imported by US servicemen and then sold into the local market.

speedstar99

Original Poster:

6 posts

228 months

Sunday 7th June
quotequote all
Yep, and this is where I'm situated. Just south of the city. The Barrington Classics meet every month is always packed and with people of all ages.
I just haven't wormed my way in to a social circle since moving here!

n3il123

2,808 posts

240 months

Thursday 11th June
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There is a monthly meet at the pike and eel in needingworth, not massive but worth a couple of hours and they do tea and bacon rolls.

M138

1,181 posts

18 months

Tuesday 16th June
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Foss62 said:
I tend to agree with Hungry_hog. However heading south into the stockbroker belt where the three counties of Cambs, Herts and Essex meet, there are large numbers of classics that can be seen out on any Sunday. Quite TR heavy for some reason.
Historically, Motorcycles were the thing in Cambridge. In the 70s there were at least six dealerships I can think of in Cambridge itself, and some real biker pubs (The Locomotive in Mill Road. and The Rose in Stapleford being just a couple that spring to mind).
Going North and East into the fens, there was a big American car (and Rockabilly, Confed flags etc.) scene. The cars were originally imported by US servicemen and then sold into the local market.
The Locomotive up Mill Road, that takes me back to my biker days. The rock disco at the Burleigh Arms on a Monday. Eccles up at Chesterton for my Triumph parts.
Going back to the op, there are quite a few events when you venture out of Cambridge, Croydon nr Royston) Sunday just gone, most months a car and bike meet at Eversden, July 5th I think is the next one. Just do a search there's plenty on.

speedstar99

Original Poster:

6 posts

228 months

Tuesday 16th June
quotequote all
Thanks for the insights!

Events aren't really the issue for me... its people. Turning up to those events alone gets a bit tedious, and really I'd like to meet some people locally who would enjoy a Sunday drive or a beer...