Discussion
MarkM3Evoplus said:
The forum has saved me £1000s in maintenance costs, so AMOC membership definitely been worth it for me!
Fair enough, but I would venture that Pistonheads is about as good if not better for Gaydon-era cars. Google results are what got me to join here after all.AMOC membership just doesn't offer anything of value besides the forum for members who are not in the UK. I don't even get where the 100 quid membership fee is going, surely the quarterly magazine can't cost that much. Unless it's beer money for our area rep, he sure doesn't organize any meetings, outings or the likes.
mrgoodkat said:
AMOC membership just doesn't offer anything of value besides the forum for members who are not in the UK. I don't even get where the 100 quid membership fee is going, surely the quarterly magazine can't cost that much. Unless it's beer money for our area rep, he sure doesn't organize any meetings, outings or the likes.
The idea that officials were creaming money plagued the club when there was one full time member of staff let alone the several staff it has now. When I was involved in the running of the club - sorry, Club, capital C - there was a move to pay each Committee Member a £10 allowance for attending a Committee of Management Meeting. The uproar had to be witnessed to be believed. Outrageous! A sandwich and a cup of tea had sustained generations of Committee Members, why now did they need an allowance? Mainly because the Club HQ had moved to Ely and no one was local anymore. Ten quid wasn't a lot of money.One evening I left work in Newbury, drove to Ely, listened for hours to the newly appointed Chairman plotting revenge - "Don't minute this!" - then drove home, arriving at 1.30. Then up at six for work.
It's not all beer and skittles for the volunteers. In fact it's mostly a pain In the arse.
I do understand the feeling, in the age of the internet forum, whether the club as conceived by Mort Goodall in the 30s is relevant anymore.
Again I'm talking about when I was involved but any breakaway groups and clubs were found, courted and absorbed back into the AMOC. Perhaps it's time for a complete change. Althoigh things not mentioned in this thread have been the race meetings, the AMOC was and may still be the only one make car club licensed to run RAC MSA meetings, and the Archive. For these you need the Club.
If the Club is worth saving, instead of complaining about it and its administration, get involved and have a go at changing it through the proper channels of discussion, lobbying and voting at the AGM.
/wide ranging response
I decided not to rejoin a few years ago as other than Locktons it gave me nothing. Locktons said they couldn’t renew my insurance at the AMOC rate so I went elsewhere. The thing i miss was that my 2 sons who were 25 and 26 at the time could no longer be insured on it but it wasn’t the end of the world.
Went to one club meet and was completely ignored but hey, probs had nothing in common with the lot that were there! Seemed a bunch of stuck up tossers!
I wrote to some person a few times at AMOC and even rang them, didn’t even have the courtesy to acknowledge my suggestions for improvement, especially those suggested for full and partial memberships!
I think the issues go much deeper that the car models, in this elitist clised shop organisation but if it to survive it will eventually have to change its attitude.
As for the cost, it’s ridiculous. I am in the Detomaso owners club which has a far better magazine and it is a fraction of the cost which shows it can be done.
Before any of the die hard pre Gaydon lot weigh in with size 10 boots, this is my personal experience so nothing can change that.
Went to one club meet and was completely ignored but hey, probs had nothing in common with the lot that were there! Seemed a bunch of stuck up tossers!
I wrote to some person a few times at AMOC and even rang them, didn’t even have the courtesy to acknowledge my suggestions for improvement, especially those suggested for full and partial memberships!
I think the issues go much deeper that the car models, in this elitist clised shop organisation but if it to survive it will eventually have to change its attitude.
As for the cost, it’s ridiculous. I am in the Detomaso owners club which has a far better magazine and it is a fraction of the cost which shows it can be done.
Before any of the die hard pre Gaydon lot weigh in with size 10 boots, this is my personal experience so nothing can change that.
Dicky - I hear what you say. But I think you’ve perhaps unintentionally identified the problem
You say people should volunteer to ‘save’ AMOC. But for that to happen people need to value it in the first place, they have to want to see it saved.
And this is no blue whale or orangutan.
I suspect very few non-members care a jot whether it exists in this modern era of free forums like PH. Indeed I would argue that it might be better if AMOC failed such that a new Aston Martin Owners Club, properly backed by AML and fit for purpose could rise, Phoenix like, from the ashes.
So it’s difficult to see any but the AMOC inner sanctum rushing to volunteer to help. Don’t get me wrong, I think Anne has the best of intentions. But maybe it’s all too little too late?
You say people should volunteer to ‘save’ AMOC. But for that to happen people need to value it in the first place, they have to want to see it saved.
And this is no blue whale or orangutan.
I suspect very few non-members care a jot whether it exists in this modern era of free forums like PH. Indeed I would argue that it might be better if AMOC failed such that a new Aston Martin Owners Club, properly backed by AML and fit for purpose could rise, Phoenix like, from the ashes.
So it’s difficult to see any but the AMOC inner sanctum rushing to volunteer to help. Don’t get me wrong, I think Anne has the best of intentions. But maybe it’s all too little too late?
Thanks, Rob. Particularly for raising the debate above the Us Good Guys and Them Tossers level.
I can't remember why I didn't complete it but I started to write an article about Them and Us when the DB7 came out amid tumultuous debate. The article criticised the car, the company and the likely owners and made uncomfortable reading. I actually lifted it wholesale from an AMOC Magazine article in the Fifties by a prewar enthusiast talking about the DB2.
Them and Us. It's an old problem.
'They' aren't all bad. Persevere with the club until you find people you like is my advice.
I can't remember why I didn't complete it but I started to write an article about Them and Us when the DB7 came out amid tumultuous debate. The article criticised the car, the company and the likely owners and made uncomfortable reading. I actually lifted it wholesale from an AMOC Magazine article in the Fifties by a prewar enthusiast talking about the DB2.
Them and Us. It's an old problem.
'They' aren't all bad. Persevere with the club until you find people you like is my advice.
One does wonder where 7000 x £100 (fag packet maths
) does go to pa. The local areas are all managed by unpaid volunteers after all. I also found it quite lazy the way they piggy back others' events rather than organise them themselves (extra cost concours excepted). The fabulous Burleigh 'record attendance' event certainly hasn't happened again as the kind volunteer bought a bloody Land Rover after the last one 
But Ed proved the interest was there in spades...
Horses/courses as I say - I have zero interest in AMOC other than to hope it might one day offer a true enthusiast something of value and interest. I know our local area 'nipper' rep tried to refresh it here once, and I did go, but it still felt like going out with your parents
) does go to pa. The local areas are all managed by unpaid volunteers after all. I also found it quite lazy the way they piggy back others' events rather than organise them themselves (extra cost concours excepted). The fabulous Burleigh 'record attendance' event certainly hasn't happened again as the kind volunteer bought a bloody Land Rover after the last one But Ed proved the interest was there in spades...Horses/courses as I say - I have zero interest in AMOC other than to hope it might one day offer a true enthusiast something of value and interest. I know our local area 'nipper' rep tried to refresh it here once, and I did go, but it still felt like going out with your parents
DickyC said:
..... I can't remember why I didn't complete it but I started to write an article about Them and Us when the DB7 came out amid tumultuous debate. The article criticised the car, the company and the likely owners and made uncomfortable reading. I actually lifted it wholesale from an AMOC Magazine article in the Fifties by a prewar enthusiast talking about the DB2.
Them and Us. It's an old problem.
An interesting observation Richard. Them and Us. It's an old problem.
The DB2 has a metal roof. "Swipe me, what ever next?"
That makes me think about the next Them and Us.
When there is an increase in Gaydon 2003 to 2017 era AMOC members, the following generation will be Andy Palmers new Vantage "younger wealthy buyers". We have seen them on YouTube, driving, smiling and talking, wearing Tour de France sunglasses. I think they are called Vloggers. Perhaps Area meetings would then need a Play Station corner, to make them feel welcome.
- Please don't take this seriously.Would agree the forum is better here. But its just a forum!
But really there is sod all events on here and it seems more gripes and more resentment than in the past. IMO just being honest.
So like driving the AM and loads of local AMOC area events, and worth it for LM Classic, race meetings and Silverstone Classic etc, also go to other stuff and other forum events.
But really there is sod all events on here and it seems more gripes and more resentment than in the past. IMO just being honest.
So like driving the AM and loads of local AMOC area events, and worth it for LM Classic, race meetings and Silverstone Classic etc, also go to other stuff and other forum events.
I think some of you guys are being a little unfair.
Yes, there is more owners of pre-Gaydon cars as owners, but I think its pretty normal that car clubs tend to be the preserve of older models that tend to be kept for a long time not just a couple of years.
The latest AM quarterly had articles on 'A Geeks guide to the DBS Volante, (with plenty of build stats), and one on a photo session at Gaydon with a Vulcan, Valkayrie, new Vantage and DBS Superleggera, can't get much more current than that.
Having said that (and having been a member for over 20 years) AMOC definitely has its issues. The politics at the top really turns the ordinary membership off.
Anyway, my local dealer in Edinburgh gives an AMOC discount on serving and parts, that more than makes up for the subscription
Yes, there is more owners of pre-Gaydon cars as owners, but I think its pretty normal that car clubs tend to be the preserve of older models that tend to be kept for a long time not just a couple of years.
The latest AM quarterly had articles on 'A Geeks guide to the DBS Volante, (with plenty of build stats), and one on a photo session at Gaydon with a Vulcan, Valkayrie, new Vantage and DBS Superleggera, can't get much more current than that.
Having said that (and having been a member for over 20 years) AMOC definitely has its issues. The politics at the top really turns the ordinary membership off.
Anyway, my local dealer in Edinburgh gives an AMOC discount on serving and parts, that more than makes up for the subscription
For a small outlay, it is possible to support the marque and be a member of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust. Modesty forbids me from recommending its highly-rated annual ASTON, published just in time for Christmas.
Contents in 2018 ranged from a single pre-War feature to one on the latest DB11 testing prototypes, now on view at the Museum in Oxfordshire.
Contents in 2018 ranged from a single pre-War feature to one on the latest DB11 testing prototypes, now on view at the Museum in Oxfordshire.
stevewak said:
For a small outlay, it is possible to support the marque and be a member of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust. Modesty forbids me from recommending its highly-rated annual ASTON, published just in time for Christmas.
Contents in 2018 ranged from a single pre-War feature to one on the latest DB11 testing prototypes, now on view at the Museum in Oxfordshire.
Ah, yes, but, as I said earlier, I paid a chunk to be a Life Member of AMHT and get nothing. When I enquire about this sorry state of affairs I am assured everything possible will be done but nothing happens.Contents in 2018 ranged from a single pre-War feature to one on the latest DB11 testing prototypes, now on view at the Museum in Oxfordshire.
DickyC said:
Ah, yes, but, as I said earlier, I paid a chunk to be a Life Member of AMHT and get nothing. When I enquire about this sorry state of affairs I am assured everything possible will be done but nothing happens.
If you have not received ASTON 20 - late 2018 - please PM me and I will investigate. The annual is 'something'. stevewak said:
If you have not received ASTON 20 - late 2018 - please PM me and I will investigate. The annual is 'something'.
I haven't received anything for years and presumed they thought I'd died. And then, out of the blue, I received a call asking if I'd take the Ulster to a car show! I mentioned this anomaly at the time.RichB said:
i had it for long weekend at Goodwood a few years ago, enjoyed it so much I wound up buying my '33 Lagonda.
Throttle pedal in the middle and a mirrored gear change gate (compared to now), no synchromesh, external handbrake and no indicators. I have never concentrated that hard on my driving. Midsummer's Day it was. Marvellous. And don't people love to see it?DickyC said:
Throttle pedal in the middle and a mirrored gear change gate (compared to now), no synchromesh, external handbrake and no indicators. I have never concentrated that hard on my driving. Midsummer's Day it was. Marvellous. And don't people love to see it?
Indeed, and it's an identical arrangement on my Lagonda except to add to the issue the mirrored gear change lever is beside one's right leg! 
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