Where have all the classics gone!

[Mick Lynch]

I’ve just returned from my first visit to the UK in nearly ten years.

I’ve noticed some big changes on the roads. Firstly the traffic volume has doubled since 2012. Secondly the amount of traffic calming, traffic lights and reductions of speed limits on roads that were previously 40 or 50 mph zones has exploded, and finally, in four weeks from mid August to mid September I only saw three BMC style minis a series iii Landrover and a rubber bumper midget.

No Morris Minors!

Where have all the classics gone?

[philthehill]

I do not know where you visited but there appear to be plenty of classics on the roads of North Hampshire.

[Chipper]

You're right, certainly the traffic nowadays is never-ending, not to mention roadworks everywhere you look!

I still occasionally drive my 1970 Morris Minor Traveller, but even with a 1275cc conversion, it's only barely capable of keeping up with most of the modern-day stuff constantly hurtling about at break-neck speeds wherever it can, even lorries and vans apparently capable of quite astonishing turns of speed!

[Grumpy21]

I'd have to agree with some of your observations.

I live in North Wales and here the motorist is treated with contempt and suppression by the authorities. Theres a constant movement to oppress motoring activities here, endless speed bumps, traffic cameras, traffic lights on roundabouts and most recently four way lights at crossroads.

Many decent driving roads are now limited to 50 or 40mph where previously they have been at national speed limits, these are now monitored by average speed cameras or traffic safety vans hidden from view until the last moment.

Theres an impending blanket speed limit reduction from 30 to 20mph.

And a national law giving priority to unlicensed lycra louts who now need 1.5m clearance to be overtaken.

I'm not a speeder (no points in over 40 years driving - touch wood) but I enjoy driving whichever car I'm in control of. These days I seem to spend more of my attention looking for traps and bumps and less watching out for hazards and road conditions.

Motorists are voters too!

However my little club are quite active and can regularly muster 20-30 cars on an outing, later I'm going to an informal meet of maybe 250 cars and more people. Popularity of the hobby seems to continue to be strong despite the restrictions placed upon us.

[rocco]

Sadly I think the number who are in to classic car ownership is only ever going to dwindle. Youngsters of the X-Box generation have no general interest in motors - including my own. Although they do all know the basic principles of the internal combustion engine, I just never figured out how to get them a bit more interested. I'm hoping that now the Minor is a family member, they will get a bit more involved, even if it's just helping me lift the heavy stuff.

One also has to appreciate the rising cost of owning a classic, not least the bogus fuel price hikes being disingenuously blamed on Mr P. Add to that the ludicrously low speed limits, road humps and cameras and the hobby quickly loses its attraction. I'm lucky that there are very few such annoyances where I live and very many superb country roads to enjoy - especially on 2-wheels.

Still, a Sunday afternoon trip to the lake for a picnic can now cost as much as a 3-course meal eaten locally in fuel alone - and at a restaurant there's no washing up to do!

[ManyMinors]

I still occasionally drive my 1970 Morris Minor Traveller, but even with a 1275cc conversion, it's only barely capable of keeping up with most of the modern-day stuff constantly hurtling about at break-neck speeds wherever it can, even lorries and vans apparently capable of quite astonishing turns of speed!

I find almost the opposite - I drove a 50 mile round trip last week on mixed roads in my 948cc Minor and was constantly held up by modern cars which seemed to be dawdling along for no good reason - and braking every time a bend approached despite going slowly anyway Journey times are MUCH slower now than they ever used to be due to a variety of factors.
Going back to the title of this thread, I do agree that there are fewer classic cars in regular use now. Still plenty of them exist, but the bulk only come out on sunny, special occasions.

[myoldjalopy]

25 years ago plus, I would frequently see a Minor when I was out on the road - and there used to be quite a few seemingly abandoned Minors rotting away in driveways, fields, front gardens etc. I suppose a number of them have been scrapped.
Now it is an extremely rare event to see one - so much so that people sometimes ask me what sort of car it is!
A couple of years ago, driving across the Lizard peninsula, a blue Minor pick-up followed me for quite a few miles through circuitous lanes until I realised the driver wanted to speak to me, so I stopped and we had a chat.....that wouldn't have happened when they were commonly seen. If Paul is reading this then "Hello"

[PhilipW1039]

I see quite a few classics around though never Minors and generally only on sunny Sundays.

Re the driving in modern traffic though, I think it's about driving style and mindset. I live in Milton Keynes, where most roads are 60, yet I don't have any problems. BUT I'll drive happily between 40 and 50 and I approach roundabouts the IAM way (position, speed, gear) which makes a big difference. I don't try to keep up.

I'm driving mine daily and even use it for work, taking it to a client recently on a 140 mile round trip. Again, fine with the right attitude. Yes, hills were a challenge, yes a get overtaken a lot. But who cares?! Just enjoy the drive....

[Myrtles Man]

Might this have had something to do with it? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_scrappage_scheme

[sid]

possibly because a lot of Classic owners are retired now,and don't use their car's to commute? my now grown up kid's have no interest in classics but still time for my 7y.o. grandson to get involved! i am just in the process of buying an Austin A40 farina,so will be taking Max out for plenty of local trips

[Monty-4]

I would say young people are far less likely to have the money, space or time to buy, keep and maintain a classic.

Car prices, rents, house prices, insurance and fuel have all gone up relative to incomes. It has increasingly become a hobby of those who bought their houses years ago and the well-off. I looked up some stats for houses on my street the other day - they sold for £90k in 2001 - now £425k. People aren't earning 4x more, the hobbys have to be sacrificed to afford to live!

Objectively somebody in their twenties is better off buying something like a K11 Micra, which retro now I suppose, and running that as cheaply as possible!

I await the tirade of "these snowflakes shouldn't buy so many avocados, lattes and Netflix subscriptions" from the Daily Mail readers.

[john newton]

watching the ever informative u tube i latched onto banger racing recent events, 12 months, entrees included rover humber rolls royce A60 and quite afew other large uns unde heavy paint.would the goverment be sponsoring these races.. re john.

[irmscher]

People have paid stupid inflated prices for them and cant risk driving them only to shows

[kevin s]

I use one of my 4 classics for work but now I only go in 1 day a week so I hardly use them, there must be plenty of others in a similar position. Around here (chelmsford) local traffic is still quite a bit lighter than before covid because we are now a London commuter town and most of London is still only in the office 2 or 3 days week.

[Maurice_Minor]

I’ve just returned from my first visit to the UK in nearly ten years.

I’ve noticed some big changes on the roads. Firstly the traffic volume has doubled since 2012. Secondly the amount of traffic calming, traffic lights and reductions of speed limits on roads that were previously 40 or 50 mph zones has exploded, and finally, in four weeks from mid August to mid September I only saw three BMC style minis a series iii Landrover and a rubber bumper midget.

No Morris Minors!

Where have all the classics gone?

They are all lurking in garages. It is not pleasant driving a classic car in todays endless grid lock, so you'll usually find them emerging on Sunday mornings. Actually the authorities have been quite kind to us. We are now afforded the mantle of "Keepers of our Heritage" & we can swan around paying neither tax or having to have MOT's (I get mine done anyway)
However it is true, the authorities & petroleum companies are waging all out war on the drivers of fossil fuel powered cars.They pay for everything & get spat on in return.
I heard a US Senator use a brilliant term for our current situation, "Predatory capitalism".
I think the owners of classic cars are safe for the time being, at least until the authorities wake up to the fact that our cars are incredibly recyclable, mostly steel & iron & can all be melted down & used to make the hulls for the yachts of the World's billionaire cabal who are gallantly leading our battle against climate change!

billionaires

yacht.png (464.2 KiB) Viewed 3023 times

[The Scotmoose]

The scrappage scheme has a lot to answer for - Back in the day a lot of people took advantage of a £500 car being worth £2000 when trading it in against a new computer on wheels and I can fully understand that, but a whole lot of cars were instantly gone. There should have been a plethora of parts for all kinds of older cars, but no, there are problems getting spares for a number of makes and models - We are fortunate to have a very active Owners Club and a few very good suppliers who specialise in these wonderful cars. How many of these lovely shiny cars rolling off the production line today will last half the time of The Moggy and others of similar vintage - NOT MANY?