What happened to genuinely posh cars and their targets?
Discussion
ExcitableBoy said:
C70R said:
... you're being overly-dramatic.
It would be hilarious, a bit like the first time nick park put normal conversations to plasticine animals.
RMDB9 said:
What about an extra tax for graduating from Oxford, Cambridge or South Bank University, because these people have an advantage over others and made more money.
I nearly choked when I read that! 
My best mate from school days got his degree from South Bank Poly, but didn't mind finding he later had a Uni degree!
But sadly he really hasn't made much money.
RMDB9 said:
Indeed. Now lets raise the bar, or rather lower it, and tax away the property on the ranks below. If someone has bought a house 30 years ago in a suburb of London, which over the years has become "leafy" and "desirable" and "in the catchment area" of schools, and the house has multipled in value, lets tax the owner for that undeserved wealth.
This idea has people who seriously advocate it. https://www.landvaluetax.org/
RMDB9 said:
MC Bodge said:
Jaguar steve said:
The working classes have nothing to loose and the upper classes have nothing to prove. Neither will give a s
t what anybody thinks of them.
It's only those in the middle desperately aspiring to material success and social status with an image to maintain who'll care what others think.
What is upper class these days?t what anybody thinks of them.It's only those in the middle desperately aspiring to material success and social status with an image to maintain who'll care what others think.
I would suggest that it probably includes very wealthy families who made their money a few generations ago, rather than just aristocrats and royalty.
If it were simply about money then a Romford scrap metal millionaire would be considered more upper class than a Eton educated library assistant.
Jaguar steve said:
It's not. It's more about easy manners and the way in which you conduct yourself and treat others.
If it were simply about money then a Romford scrap metal millionaire would be considered more upper class than a Eton educated library assistant.
It's a fairly meaningless construct. Confidence and manner can come from a number of things, a big one of which is being affluent from birth, to affluent parents, which can lead to a very different life experience and education, peer group, outlook etc. to that of somebody who isn't. If it were simply about money then a Romford scrap metal millionaire would be considered more upper class than a Eton educated library assistant.
MC Bodge said:
Jaguar steve said:
It's not. It's more about easy manners and the way in which you conduct yourself and treat others.
If it were simply about money then a Romford scrap metal millionaire would be considered more upper class than a Eton educated library assistant.
It's a fairly meaningless construct. Confidence and manner can come from a number of things, a big one of which is being affluent from birth, to affluent parents, which can lead to a very different life experience and education, peer group, outlook etc. to that of somebody who isn't. If it were simply about money then a Romford scrap metal millionaire would be considered more upper class than a Eton educated library assistant.
Perhaps the most important thing about wealth is not actually wealth in itself, but that anybody isn't pretentious enough to pretend they're wealthy when they aren't and if they really are are wealthy then they're not vulgar enough to flaunt it at every opportunity.
After all, discretion and subtlety are central to good manners and even discussing wealth is rather common - so with that I'm out.
Harry Flashman said:
This thread, like the best conversations, is veering into lots of topics.
Let it veer, but please do not let us get into discussing watches - please. There is a thread on PH about when the crash in the prices of a certain make will come. Nothing buy sheer, animalistic, greed and cock-crowing. A true sign of the modern age, when even if the shop were open you cannot buy a certain model of watch if you don't buy at least a couple of less-wanted ones. And of course, one must never take it out of the box and wear it. and to think it was considered normal to wear a sheath knife on my belt.lowdrag said:
Let it veer, but please do not let us get into discussing watches - please. There is a thread on PH about when the crash in the prices of a certain make will come. Nothing buy sheer, animalistic, greed and cock-crowing. A true sign of the modern age, when even if the shop were open you cannot buy a certain model of watch if you don't buy at least a couple of less-wanted ones. And of course, one must never take it out of the box and wear it. and to think it was considered normal to wear a sheath knife on my belt.
Indeed. It's akin to endlessly mentioning the value of your old car. 
lowdrag said:
Harry Flashman said:
This thread, like the best conversations, is veering into lots of topics.
Let it veer, but please do not let us get into discussing watches - please. There is a thread on PH about when the crash in the prices of a certain make will come. Nothing buy sheer, animalistic, greed and cock-crowing. A true sign of the modern age, when even if the shop were open you cannot buy a certain model of watch if you don't buy at least a couple of less-wanted ones. And of course, one must never take it out of the box and wear it. and to think it was considered normal to wear a sheath knife on my belt.
NomduJour said:
Sub on tick is an entry requirement for most sales jobs, isn’t it?
I stopped wearing watches about 15 years ago because my industry had become obsessed with noxious man bangles as some form of display of deal making competence when in reality it was making everyone look like shonky used car vendors, or rather revealing a reality. My family were jewellers in central London and I've ended up with some nice watches from APs to Pateks and even a dreaded Rolex but they're all in a deposit box being nothing but part of the pension or a handmedown. I can't envisage ever going back to wearing one as they have been rendered redundant for the purpose of time telling and are merely gold bracelets and I was never any good at darts. A couple of anecdotes to get the thread back on track!
I worked close to Paddington for about 5 years. During this time, one Cheltenham week, the word went out that Princess Anne was on the train, going to the races. As I was leaving the station, there was a blue Flying Spur with a private plate that, I assume, had dropped her off. So, I would venture that the Bentleys and Merc S Class, etc. could well be among the cars of choice for being driven in.
The Phantom, I guess, would be a little more for show, rather than discretion.
On a further note, I have a friend that fits into the "old money" definition - big family house and estate in the country, etc., etc.
Until quite recently, she was driving around in a 1998 Astra that she seemed to have a great deal of affection for. Mrs FTR complained that it was always so hot when given a lift because she had to run the heater at full blast to prevent the engine from overheating. She was too scared to have it looked at in case it was deemed beyond economic repair - I suggested she should probably have a mechanic look at it because it might be quite an easy fix. I think she's got something else now.
But as for the "genuinely posh cars", I think they've disappeared because most people don't aspire to that sort of car any more.
Think of it in terms of Pools winners versus Lottery winners. For those who don't remember, the Football Pools was the biggest cash win (~£1M) you could have before the advent of the National Lottery in 1993.
The classic (cliche) of the Pools winner was to go out and buy a Rolls-Royce because it was the "best" car you could buy. Had he won the Pools, it's what my dad would have done (and, yes, he would have gone in his work clothes - he was a joiner). At least, that's what he would have done until I was old enough to tell him he should get the Bentley instead!
It doesn't feel like Lotto winners buy Rolls-Royces any more - I guess some probably do, but it feels like they're more likely to buy a Porsche/Lambo/Ferrari or Aston.
On one occasion, I was daydreaming about what car I would have as a daily driver if I won the lottery - not the interesting car collection I would inevitably acquire but rather the workhorse for the day-to-day duties. I ended up on some flavour of Range Rover (probably leased), or maybe a Lexus or Volvo SUV - something like this just seems a much better all-round proposition than any big posh saloon.
Anyway, I'm all cliched out now!!
I worked close to Paddington for about 5 years. During this time, one Cheltenham week, the word went out that Princess Anne was on the train, going to the races. As I was leaving the station, there was a blue Flying Spur with a private plate that, I assume, had dropped her off. So, I would venture that the Bentleys and Merc S Class, etc. could well be among the cars of choice for being driven in.
The Phantom, I guess, would be a little more for show, rather than discretion.
On a further note, I have a friend that fits into the "old money" definition - big family house and estate in the country, etc., etc.
Until quite recently, she was driving around in a 1998 Astra that she seemed to have a great deal of affection for. Mrs FTR complained that it was always so hot when given a lift because she had to run the heater at full blast to prevent the engine from overheating. She was too scared to have it looked at in case it was deemed beyond economic repair - I suggested she should probably have a mechanic look at it because it might be quite an easy fix. I think she's got something else now.
But as for the "genuinely posh cars", I think they've disappeared because most people don't aspire to that sort of car any more.
Think of it in terms of Pools winners versus Lottery winners. For those who don't remember, the Football Pools was the biggest cash win (~£1M) you could have before the advent of the National Lottery in 1993.
The classic (cliche) of the Pools winner was to go out and buy a Rolls-Royce because it was the "best" car you could buy. Had he won the Pools, it's what my dad would have done (and, yes, he would have gone in his work clothes - he was a joiner). At least, that's what he would have done until I was old enough to tell him he should get the Bentley instead!
It doesn't feel like Lotto winners buy Rolls-Royces any more - I guess some probably do, but it feels like they're more likely to buy a Porsche/Lambo/Ferrari or Aston.
On one occasion, I was daydreaming about what car I would have as a daily driver if I won the lottery - not the interesting car collection I would inevitably acquire but rather the workhorse for the day-to-day duties. I ended up on some flavour of Range Rover (probably leased), or maybe a Lexus or Volvo SUV - something like this just seems a much better all-round proposition than any big posh saloon.
Anyway, I'm all cliched out now!!
Frankthered said:
She was too scared to have it looked at in case it was deemed beyond economic repair
Sounds like the settlor of her Trust(s) had done a good job of preventing any capital or income being used for the purchase or maintenance of cars.School fees, social clubs, estate management costs - yes; shiny new cars, watches, holidays etc. - no.
‘She’ could always get a job and maintain her car at her own cost; funnily enough probably preferred to sneer at ‘new money’ whilst wondering how to pay for new tyres on whatever heap it was she was driving.
sasha320 said:
Frankthered said:
She was too scared to have it looked at in case it was deemed beyond economic repair
Sounds like the settlor of her Trust(s) had done a good job of preventing any capital or income being used for the purchase or maintenance of cars.School fees, social clubs, estate management costs - yes; shiny new cars, watches, holidays etc. - no.
‘She’ could always get a job and maintain her car at her own cost; funnily enough probably preferred to sneer at ‘new money’ whilst wondering how to pay for new tyres on whatever heap it was she was driving.
She has an Octavia now. (I remembered!)
Frankthered said:
I am not aware of her financial situation, but she does work. I honestly think it's more about using things until they break beyond repair - possibly as a result of her circumstances, but not unique to "posh" people - a chap I worked with back in the 90s couldn't wait for his telly to break so he could buy a new one - he'd bought a Hitachi in 1979 and it was lasting very well. He was intrigued by the "new" technology that was Ceefax!
She has an Octavia now. (I remembered!)
It's something we easily forget in our modern rent and throw away culture that there are still people who don't spend money, despite having it and keep things until they no longer work. And plenty of people driving around in old, plain cars despite being able to drive pretty much whatever they want. She has an Octavia now. (I remembered!)
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