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This Club was founded by Graaff-Reinet car enthusiasts in the year 2000 in order to enable old car and collectable car owners to obtain some fulfilment out of the ownership of their cars, find a regular use for their cars in a social and community orientated employment of their chosen hobby and hard earned knowledge and skills. Further more to meet like-minded people and to be able to share resources with enthusiasts from other clubs and towns. This all to better promote the preservation and appreciation of old vehicles and enjoyment and excitement offered by the ownership or restoration and use of any special form of transport, be it cars, commercials, tractors and stationary engines, motorcycles, in fact, any classic or specialist form of transportation. It is the special stated mission of this club to actively seek out any vehicle of 25 years and older that has survived, as well as their current owners, to inspire them to preserve these vehicles and make sure that they, should they come on the market, find an appreciative new owner through the network of old car clubs, rather than to end up as cheap and expendable transport, destroyed by uncaring drivers. It is generally agreed that vehicles manufactured after 1970 are likely to contain too many plastic and electronic components that are unlikely to be possible for the individual restorer to repair or make from scratch. These components will also become less obtainable and affordable bringing about a planned obsolescence that dooms virtually all post Seventies to non-collectabily for all but the very rich. In this light it has become imperative to save pre-Seventies vehicles, even though they may be still regarded as less desirable. In a world of escalating rebuild costs and rapidly disappearing craftsmen, it is well worth the effort, not to mention the favourable price of still very usable jalopies that can still be found in perfect condition. Apart from these practical considerations, there are many a good thrill to be had in owning a vehicle out of your personal or family history, your youth and childhood, or maybe one that was out of financial or practical reach way back then! Car clubs are not only about the machinery - they are primarily about the people. That special type of person that revels in using his hands, practising his skills, indulging in nostalgia or just plain collecting. These individuals - that is what they are - are often more collectable than the cars they own. They are caring and sharing, careful with all they own and knowing, skilful in their hobbies - frugal and self-contained - the true gems of society. You find them in cities, you find them in the towns, you find them on farms. The city types have access to established automobile clubs - the same ones that the more dyed in the wool enthusiasts in the towns belong to in order to have their cars dated, qualify for reduced rates for special annual license, belong to the SAVVA insurance schemes, qualify to enter in national events. But all too many find belonging to distant clubs run by unknown people unfulfilling. The social benefits are lost to them, and so most of the other club amenities. They therefore do not belong to any old car organisations, and the old car movement is all the poorer for that. These are the die-hards - often highly skilled and knowledgeable - they simply have to be to survive on their own. Not only do they know their way about their cars - they know where to find spares and useful bits and pieces are to be found all over the towns and farms. The Midland Car
Club aspires to gather all these country enthusiasts under its
wings. Wherever at least one old car person lives in a country town,
we would like him or her to cast their lot in with us - form you own
cell of the Midland Car Club, adopt our logo with your town name on
it, meet on the first Saturday of each month, share our year program
as far as practical, meet with other cells from adjacent towns -
lets enjoy our cars and each other's company - we have a lot to
share and enjoy.
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