AMOC - is it worth joining or a bit like a posh golf club?
Discussion
like most things you get out of it what you put into it. However, as a former member of both PCGB, TIPEC and the AMOC (the latter for 15 years) I'll give a few thoughts:
You dont get people turning up at club nights wearing racing boots in the Amoc (you did at PCGB). You do, however get red trousers.
There are a lot fewer members in the amoc, so a club night might see a dozen members and 4-5 Astons.
The club events reflect their members, so there is a lot of space given over to dinners, fine wines etc and less to driving trips out in the amoc. It was changing more, though as I was leaving ( but the balance was still tipped towards social rather then driving: one story which sums up the approach of a few members: at the annual dinner for the area a member and his wife turned up, enjoyed the food and drink, opined to me that "this is what the club is all about", despite never owning a car (fair enough), not knowing anyhting about the cars (not so) and never attending any other meeting (why?) : he just wanted the kudos of having a meal with aston owners. A bit sad and very snobbish. I thought...)
The people who run the amoc do, in my opinion treat it as their personal play thing (its the reason why I left). And the chair, infamously said it should be a club for millionnaires. The members were inclusive and normally lovely to talk to. I would not call them snobbish. The people at the head office....less so
I expect the level of politics is the same in any club, regardless of marque or size.
You dont get people turning up at club nights wearing racing boots in the Amoc (you did at PCGB). You do, however get red trousers.
There are a lot fewer members in the amoc, so a club night might see a dozen members and 4-5 Astons.
The club events reflect their members, so there is a lot of space given over to dinners, fine wines etc and less to driving trips out in the amoc. It was changing more, though as I was leaving ( but the balance was still tipped towards social rather then driving: one story which sums up the approach of a few members: at the annual dinner for the area a member and his wife turned up, enjoyed the food and drink, opined to me that "this is what the club is all about", despite never owning a car (fair enough), not knowing anyhting about the cars (not so) and never attending any other meeting (why?) : he just wanted the kudos of having a meal with aston owners. A bit sad and very snobbish. I thought...)
The people who run the amoc do, in my opinion treat it as their personal play thing (its the reason why I left). And the chair, infamously said it should be a club for millionnaires. The members were inclusive and normally lovely to talk to. I would not call them snobbish. The people at the head office....less so
I expect the level of politics is the same in any club, regardless of marque or size.
I've never been a member as I thought it might be as you describe OP. As others have mentioned I think it will depend on where you are in the country as to what the locals are like, but I know a few who are/have been members and they seemed happy enough with it.
That said, if you want something a little more informal and more driving orientated than park and polish, you'd be better off turning up to a meet organised on PH. There have been some crackers over the years, Wales, Highlands and the odd euro trip that I can think of, and I've met some good mates as a result. We probably spend more time in the pub now than driving the bloody cars but the ratio is starting to shift back
.
And be careful of the Red Trouser w
keritis, I don't think it's catching but it's not worth the risk IMO 
That said, if you want something a little more informal and more driving orientated than park and polish, you'd be better off turning up to a meet organised on PH. There have been some crackers over the years, Wales, Highlands and the odd euro trip that I can think of, and I've met some good mates as a result. We probably spend more time in the pub now than driving the bloody cars but the ratio is starting to shift back
.And be careful of the Red Trouser w
keritis, I don't think it's catching but it's not worth the risk IMO I'm a member and have found some very nice, knowledgeable members who have advise me on issues and saved me £££.
I try and do the same, researching and posting hopefully useful info.
I don't go to many meets often, as not really into fine wines & meals in that way, I would rather just go with my wife & mates, but each to their own
I got free membership through my insurance, so had nothing to lose, but suggest you join for a year and see what you think.
Yes there are snobs there who are richer than yau(!), but most people I've met seem nice and enthusiastic about the marque.
HTH,
Mark (don't own a pair or red or salmon trousers........yet)
I try and do the same, researching and posting hopefully useful info.
I don't go to many meets often, as not really into fine wines & meals in that way, I would rather just go with my wife & mates, but each to their own
I got free membership through my insurance, so had nothing to lose, but suggest you join for a year and see what you think.
Yes there are snobs there who are richer than yau(!), but most people I've met seem nice and enthusiastic about the marque.
HTH,
Mark (don't own a pair or red or salmon trousers........yet)
HBradley said:
Ex Boy Racer said:
Jon39 said:
Mr. avinalarf has the best answer to your question.
"I would not want to belong to any club, that would have me as a member".
I think Groucho Marx might have said that one first
I am a member of AMOC and has been said you get out what you want. I have been to a couple of meets, not yet worked out how to get on the top table yet but still only wearing black trousers. Some of the trips and shows I have done are good, Sherborne Classics being one where I met a lot of very nice owners.
As for snobby, don't think there are many, as for rich people, yes there are, but no more so than the people telling us on PH that they have just purchased a new AMR Vantage etc etc
As for snobby, don't think there are many, as for rich people, yes there are, but no more so than the people telling us on PH that they have just purchased a new AMR Vantage etc etc
Ex Boy Racer said:
HBradley said:
Ex Boy Racer said:
Jon39 said:
Mr. avinalarf has the best answer to your question.
"I would not want to belong to any club, that would have me as a member".
I think Groucho Marx might have said that one first
Yes, I did know that, but linking it to our very own humourist, who possibly might also be an AMOC member, seemed more appropriate.
Sorry Groucho.
I've been mulling over the same quandary recently, having just changed from a TVR of which I was in the club and attended quite a few local and national meets over a number of years.
There was a small discount on my insurance if I was an AMOC member, as there was with the TVR, but nowhere near enough to make it seem a good financial idea without any other benefits and like the OP the website which is the window to the world doesn't really sell it to me, especially at the price point over double the TVRCC.
It all seems to be down to what you want from the club and your interests but I'm currently tempted to join the SuperCarDrivers club for a year instead, it's even more expensive with no insurance discount carrot but the events are seem much more my thing and more frequent.
There was a small discount on my insurance if I was an AMOC member, as there was with the TVR, but nowhere near enough to make it seem a good financial idea without any other benefits and like the OP the website which is the window to the world doesn't really sell it to me, especially at the price point over double the TVRCC.
It all seems to be down to what you want from the club and your interests but I'm currently tempted to join the SuperCarDrivers club for a year instead, it's even more expensive with no insurance discount carrot but the events are seem much more my thing and more frequent.
I have been a member of AMOC for around 10 years and have been Area Rep for Devon and Cornwall for the last 7. Your perception of the Club is shared by many and all areas have their own personalities. I guess this is very much based upon the Rep themselves.
I can only speak for our Area - which is Area 20 although I have seen 911runner's comment (he is based in Devon) I do not ever remember him attending one of our local events but do not know if he refers to one of ours or another area.
We are different from many areas in that our active members are predominantly owners Gaydon/Bloxham cars rather than the classics, whereas wealthier parts of the country will have a different mix.
We will put on more than 20 events this year including simple Club Evenings, attending car shows, country drives, visiting houses and having lunches. Whilst I have been Rep we have also arranged four foreign tours and had weekends away in the U.K. Each November we hold a planning meeting and come up with a calendar for the next year with the events being organised by members rather than just what the Rep wants to do.
I would agree the new website is a disappointment. It was created to look similar to the AML website and the expectation that the Reps would populate the site with events and reports has not happened across the board. The system is not straight forward to use and as Reps are volunteers they focus their efforts elsewhere. Ours is up to date should you wish to look at it.
In our area we have a real mix of people and our local membership has grown by 20% with lots of people trying us out before they join. I am sure that what we do does not suit everyone but hopefully the mix of events we put on mean that you will find something you want to do.
As others have said go along to an event and see if it is for you or not. By the way you can attend events anywhere in the country, not just your own area. We are regularly joined by members from "up country" when they are visiting Devon.
I can only speak for our Area - which is Area 20 although I have seen 911runner's comment (he is based in Devon) I do not ever remember him attending one of our local events but do not know if he refers to one of ours or another area.
We are different from many areas in that our active members are predominantly owners Gaydon/Bloxham cars rather than the classics, whereas wealthier parts of the country will have a different mix.
We will put on more than 20 events this year including simple Club Evenings, attending car shows, country drives, visiting houses and having lunches. Whilst I have been Rep we have also arranged four foreign tours and had weekends away in the U.K. Each November we hold a planning meeting and come up with a calendar for the next year with the events being organised by members rather than just what the Rep wants to do.
I would agree the new website is a disappointment. It was created to look similar to the AML website and the expectation that the Reps would populate the site with events and reports has not happened across the board. The system is not straight forward to use and as Reps are volunteers they focus their efforts elsewhere. Ours is up to date should you wish to look at it.
In our area we have a real mix of people and our local membership has grown by 20% with lots of people trying us out before they join. I am sure that what we do does not suit everyone but hopefully the mix of events we put on mean that you will find something you want to do.
As others have said go along to an event and see if it is for you or not. By the way you can attend events anywhere in the country, not just your own area. We are regularly joined by members from "up country" when they are visiting Devon.
jarpot said:
would you mind giving dates and venues for a "tester" event in Devon?
I am afraid our remaining event in August is full booked with 56 people attending, a first for us and a joint meeting with BDC.In September we have our Club Evening at Turtley Corn Mill and if you PM me I can give you more information on date and timings.
We would normally have at least one more event in September but the Club is holding its Autumn Concours in Cornwall so we have not arranged another event in Devon as I would think most members would be looking to attend that. A rare occurrence as normally those that like to attend have to go up country to see them.
We have another event in Devon in October but as this is a private visit I will not post on this forum but if you contact me I can give you more info. Look forward to hearing from you.
Jon39 said:
Mr. avinalarf has the best answer to your question.
"I would not want to belong to any club, that would have me as a member".
I was a member several years ago and it was ok.
I wasn't able to attend many events so after a couple of years I left.
People I met were friendly enough......but then ......I wasn't looking for a soulmate.
Edited by avinalarf on Tuesday 22 August 11:21
Not cheap membership - but annually it's just a tank of fuel and a lot less than £1,000 to £1,500 alot of people will pay of tax and insurance (or £1,500 to £2k with a service etc) before you do anything.
If it's your second or third household car, you can spend loads just for keeping it in the garage and taking in and out for cleaning ( I think one V8V near me was doing 250 or so miles a year).
Good events for our area, not too formal, upwards of 20 cars at some monthly meetings and lots of Vantage and DB9 owners to share knowledge of cars and dealers/servicing in area etc. Website/forum not very good at all. Area doesn't do a car show each week like some of Jag clubs, Excellent rep and pretty sociable lot.
So car goes out and is driven a lot more.10 or so local area events a year e.g. pub meet with reserved parking and free beer and burger. If go to Silverstone Classic or etc there's discounted club entry and infield parking (better than walking miles from public car parks),teas and coffees at this and also at AMOC race events plus additional events at Le Mans and Le Mans classic.
If it's your second or third household car, you can spend loads just for keeping it in the garage and taking in and out for cleaning ( I think one V8V near me was doing 250 or so miles a year).
Good events for our area, not too formal, upwards of 20 cars at some monthly meetings and lots of Vantage and DB9 owners to share knowledge of cars and dealers/servicing in area etc. Website/forum not very good at all. Area doesn't do a car show each week like some of Jag clubs, Excellent rep and pretty sociable lot.
So car goes out and is driven a lot more.10 or so local area events a year e.g. pub meet with reserved parking and free beer and burger. If go to Silverstone Classic or etc there's discounted club entry and infield parking (better than walking miles from public car parks),teas and coffees at this and also at AMOC race events plus additional events at Le Mans and Le Mans classic.
It does seem to be very area dependant, and even then it just might be down to the Rep being IT savvy or having enough time to update the public side of the site, some regions pages seem well populated with post and future events, some are completely blank, might give my local meet a try before ruling it out. 
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