Discussion
I'm an RREC member but not in the BDC (I have a Silver Shadow II and a Bentley S3). Do the BDC run events like trips to the Classic Le Mans, which I understand is happenning this week? I do like the RREC, but would like to do a bit more 'driving' with a club. Secondly, are the BDC only for WO owners, or would I be welcome with an S3 (standard steel)?
Thanks
AP
Thanks
AP
Thanks BG. That's sort of what I had heard too, but always in a roundabout way, never so directly! From looking at their website it would seem that MkVI specials, WO's, R type continentals and to a lesser extent, Derby's are really their target, although I've also seen your pals at Phantom who race their Turbo R's are also held in high esteem.
I think I'll stay in the RREC, where I have been a member for 7 years now and am on my local section committee. I'm neither skint nor titled, but somewhere in between (although closer to the former at the moment after a £5k service bill for my S3!!
Regards
AP
I think I'll stay in the RREC, where I have been a member for 7 years now and am on my local section committee. I'm neither skint nor titled, but somewhere in between (although closer to the former at the moment after a £5k service bill for my S3!!
Regards
AP
The quarterly Review magazine and monthly advertiser/club notes etc are interesting, as well as details of local/National/International meets/events. If the price of the sub isn't a problem, you may as well join up, go to some meets, and make up your own mind. You also get the official Bentley magazine, AKA the 'look at how incredibly poor you are' magazine. More or less 100% advertising for Boodles/Clive Christian/Private islands/Lear jets/Mega Yacht charter etc etc etc. But every now & then they do have an interesting article about a Bentley 
I never joined the BDC when I had my Turbo R but have been in the RREC for 11 years now.
I can only echo 100% what Balmoral Green says. Whilst not from my personal experience of BDC, it describes exactly what others in the RREC, who are also in the BDC, say.
Which RREC section are you in? . . . if Bucks it should be the same as mine (Paulerspury) but from my little sniff around the internet I am guessing/deducing Oxford Section? Reason for asking is just that within the RREC I do know that sections can vary quite a lot on how active they are. We are a particularly active section and try to make sure we mix visit-type events with a suitable number of drive events.
If you don't get everything from your section you would like (and if on the committee you really should!) then come along to neighbouring section events. We are always welcoming of other members and have quite a list of non-section members who we have on our mailing list.
We have formed long-lasting friendships in the RREC and enjoy the eclectic mix of members. Not a snob amongst them (and if anyone gets to much above themselves then the rest of us are quick to alter that situation! - in good humour, of course).
By the way, Balmoral Green, the RREC does have politics within it and I am thrilled to hear that you are unaware of it. Unfortunately, like all large organisations, there is a certain amount of politics going on.
I can only echo 100% what Balmoral Green says. Whilst not from my personal experience of BDC, it describes exactly what others in the RREC, who are also in the BDC, say.
Which RREC section are you in? . . . if Bucks it should be the same as mine (Paulerspury) but from my little sniff around the internet I am guessing/deducing Oxford Section? Reason for asking is just that within the RREC I do know that sections can vary quite a lot on how active they are. We are a particularly active section and try to make sure we mix visit-type events with a suitable number of drive events.
If you don't get everything from your section you would like (and if on the committee you really should!) then come along to neighbouring section events. We are always welcoming of other members and have quite a list of non-section members who we have on our mailing list.
We have formed long-lasting friendships in the RREC and enjoy the eclectic mix of members. Not a snob amongst them (and if anyone gets to much above themselves then the rest of us are quick to alter that situation! - in good humour, of course).
By the way, Balmoral Green, the RREC does have politics within it and I am thrilled to hear that you are unaware of it. Unfortunately, like all large organisations, there is a certain amount of politics going on.
I too went through the same dilemma when I bought a Bentley about 3 years ago and after looking at the
Web sites opted for the RREC. I have never rergrettted it or contemplated the BDC. I recently went to the Monaco classic and came across the BDC on tour in the Fairmont Hotel. There were 3 blower Bentley's draped on the forecourt with about 20 other mouth watering bits of kit but a great shortage of petrol heads ready to talk about the joys of motoring and ther equipment. I don't have a problem with this as our interest must be of a varied nature but they do seem more inclined to social posturing than serious driving and enthusiasm.
Paul
Web sites opted for the RREC. I have never rergrettted it or contemplated the BDC. I recently went to the Monaco classic and came across the BDC on tour in the Fairmont Hotel. There were 3 blower Bentley's draped on the forecourt with about 20 other mouth watering bits of kit but a great shortage of petrol heads ready to talk about the joys of motoring and ther equipment. I don't have a problem with this as our interest must be of a varied nature but they do seem more inclined to social posturing than serious driving and enthusiasm.
Paul
williamp said:
Th BDC sounds a lot like the Aston owners club!
Interesting - I have not joined the AMOC since buying my Aston Martin and am now feeling a little put off the idea. I have heard a couple of comments about that club being a bit snobbish with regards to the newer cars (like the BDC?) There certainly is a real difference between a genuine enthusiast and someone who just wants to look good!Without going way off topic, remember that there are very few Astons made, even today. So there are fewer members. And because the cars were very exclusive until the last 10 years or so, members who had them and, therefore who joined the club tended to have lots of money. And therefore paid someone else to do all the work. When I joined at 14 I was one of very few "cadet" members. When I got mine, I was still in a minority for working on the car myself.
Unlike the porsche club, nobody goes to a club night wearing slim sole'd racing boots. But they do wear blazers, and the women headscarfes. Its the clubs 75 anniversary this year. Rather then have a huge welcome allcomers event with the le mans racing cars, there is: a black-tie ball, a few lunches, a few dinners alongside the other events. The anniversary clothing includes (and I'm not joking here) silk cravat, bow tie, ladies "scrunchie", silk scarf, and of course a regular tie.
Its odd, but as I've got older I'm less enthused about being a member
Unlike the porsche club, nobody goes to a club night wearing slim sole'd racing boots. But they do wear blazers, and the women headscarfes. Its the clubs 75 anniversary this year. Rather then have a huge welcome allcomers event with the le mans racing cars, there is: a black-tie ball, a few lunches, a few dinners alongside the other events. The anniversary clothing includes (and I'm not joking here) silk cravat, bow tie, ladies "scrunchie", silk scarf, and of course a regular tie.
Its odd, but as I've got older I'm less enthused about being a member
sdmurray said:
I have heard a couple of comments about that club being a bit snobbish with regards to the newer cars (like the BDC?)
Actually, the BDC isn't snobbish about the newer cars at all. But they do call a spade a spade (or rather, a RR a RR, or a VW a VW) in a very honest and accepting matter of fact way, which is often misunderstood.Fair enough, Balmoral Green, but let's face it, Bentley did fail as a company after all with RR buying it up to preserve the name.
As for the AMOC comments above, I think you could consider Rolls-Royce motors as being somewhat exclusive too and yet there is a large proportion of members who work on their own cars (or at least as far as they can given time and experience).
I suppose any club is what you put into it yourself. We have heard the same kind of comments talked about here with respect to the old cars versus the newer ones in many clubs now. The Jaguar Drivers' Club is another I have seen it in; even the RREC where there is a term used of "proper" cars to mean pre-monocoque cars but (ideally) pre-war; we mention the BDC in this thread; AMOC has been mentioned here and in the Aston Martin forum.
I guess the more specialised one's interest becomes then there is inevitably a level of belief in what constitutes the purest form of that specialisation and that belief varies depending on demographic of the person.
All any of us can do is join the clubs we fancy being involved with; give them a good shot by attending events and making the effort; and then choose to maintain our allegiances in those that fit us the best. As someone who became a section committee member within a year of joining the RREC; spent four years as Treasurer and two as Chairman I can only say that the best rewards of membership come from a full involvement.
Gosh, didn't I get all philosophical early in the morning?!
As for the AMOC comments above, I think you could consider Rolls-Royce motors as being somewhat exclusive too and yet there is a large proportion of members who work on their own cars (or at least as far as they can given time and experience).
I suppose any club is what you put into it yourself. We have heard the same kind of comments talked about here with respect to the old cars versus the newer ones in many clubs now. The Jaguar Drivers' Club is another I have seen it in; even the RREC where there is a term used of "proper" cars to mean pre-monocoque cars but (ideally) pre-war; we mention the BDC in this thread; AMOC has been mentioned here and in the Aston Martin forum.
I guess the more specialised one's interest becomes then there is inevitably a level of belief in what constitutes the purest form of that specialisation and that belief varies depending on demographic of the person.
All any of us can do is join the clubs we fancy being involved with; give them a good shot by attending events and making the effort; and then choose to maintain our allegiances in those that fit us the best. As someone who became a section committee member within a year of joining the RREC; spent four years as Treasurer and two as Chairman I can only say that the best rewards of membership come from a full involvement.
Gosh, didn't I get all philosophical early in the morning?!
2708420018 said:
I recently went to the Monaco classic and came across the BDC on tour in the Fairmont Hotel. There were 3 blower Bentley's draped on the forecourt with about 20 other mouth watering bits of kit but a great shortage of petrol heads ready to talk about the joys of motoring and ther equipment. Paul
I was at the Fairmont a couple of years ago for the classic and the forecourt was full of modern BMW Z8's driven by what appeared to be a German owners club (all retired). Not a petrolhead in sight! I really wanted to go this year, but my wife told me our 7 yr old had SATS- little did we know it was teacher assessed and not an exam. Bloody government! Am intrigued to find out which section you went with as I would love to go in 2 years time and the hotel said they would put a contingent of RR / B on the forecourt. 2708420018 said:
I too went through the same dilemma when I bought a Bentley about 3 years ago and after looking at the
Web sites opted for the RREC. I have never rergrettted it or contemplated the BDC. I recently went to the Monaco classic and came across the BDC on tour in the Fairmont Hotel. There were 3 blower Bentley's draped on the forecourt with about 20 other mouth watering bits of kit but a great shortage of petrol heads ready to talk about the joys of motoring and ther equipment. I don't have a problem with this as our interest must be of a varied nature but they do seem more inclined to social posturing than serious driving and enthusiasm.
Paul
Did you also see a swb blue blower on display?Web sites opted for the RREC. I have never rergrettted it or contemplated the BDC. I recently went to the Monaco classic and came across the BDC on tour in the Fairmont Hotel. There were 3 blower Bentley's draped on the forecourt with about 20 other mouth watering bits of kit but a great shortage of petrol heads ready to talk about the joys of motoring and ther equipment. I don't have a problem with this as our interest must be of a varied nature but they do seem more inclined to social posturing than serious driving and enthusiasm.
Paul
Simon
I checked out both RREC and BDC when I bought my first Royce some 15 years ago. I've got to say that neither fitted my bill at all, so I've come to the conclusion that the PH forum is probably the best, for me at least.
Whilst I fully recognise that I'm in a minority, it would be nice to see the likes of BDC catering for someone who saved a lot and bought a very cheap Mulsanne Turbo with the intention of carrying out all of the work himself (i.e. me). I'm currently working out how to convert to a 4-speed transmission, which looks like requiring a new cylinder block - there just isn't that sort of stuff going on anywhere.
Whilst I fully recognise that I'm in a minority, it would be nice to see the likes of BDC catering for someone who saved a lot and bought a very cheap Mulsanne Turbo with the intention of carrying out all of the work himself (i.e. me). I'm currently working out how to convert to a 4-speed transmission, which looks like requiring a new cylinder block - there just isn't that sort of stuff going on anywhere.
Prestige Detail said:
2708420018 said:
I too went through the same dilemma when I bought a Bentley about 3 years ago and after looking at the
Web sites opted for the RREC. I have never rergrettted it or contemplated the BDC. I recently went to the Monaco classic and came across the BDC on tour in the Fairmont Hotel. There were 3 blower Bentley's draped on the forecourt with about 20 other mouth watering bits of kit but a great shortage of petrol heads ready to talk about the joys of motoring and ther equipment. I don't have a problem with this as our interest must be of a varied nature but they do seem more inclined to social posturing than serious driving and enthusiasm.
Paul
Did you also see a swb blue blower on display?Web sites opted for the RREC. I have never rergrettted it or contemplated the BDC. I recently went to the Monaco classic and came across the BDC on tour in the Fairmont Hotel. There were 3 blower Bentley's draped on the forecourt with about 20 other mouth watering bits of kit but a great shortage of petrol heads ready to talk about the joys of motoring and ther equipment. I don't have a problem with this as our interest must be of a varied nature but they do seem more inclined to social posturing than serious driving and enthusiasm.
Paul
Simon
Paul
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