The Fairford Classic Car Club

We know when the end of the year is drawing close as the fun and friendship of the FCCC Christmas dinner has just passed and Bunny’s annual ‘end of season’ run looms large! I recently saw an article which described the ‘dread’ of a member of another club when ‘directed’ to attend their annual Christmas ‘bash’. Well, I hope and don’t think, this is the case with ours. This year, as usual, there was much conversation and merriment, ‘in the best possible taste’ of course and it was good to see new members joining in - certainly a great way to get to know people within the club. Mind you, in the past some have gone away with a somewhat bemused expression on their face after experiencing some of the entertainment!

Since the last newsletter we have experienced a dramatic change in the world as we know it, initiated by the seemingly complete mismanagement, not to say gambling, by some of our financial institutions and the over use of credit by people spending beyond their means. And now our government is saying that the only way out of this mess is to increase borrowings! I do, however, understand the dilemma they are in as if money does not circulate people do not buy goods, resulting in more companies going out of business and high unemployment. I am afraid that the New Year will bring just that.

Which brings me to the state of the worldwide automotive industry. I have just heard the news that Toyota is forecasting its first loss, caused by a 4% fall in sales. Only 4%! This puts the massive problems being faced by GM, Chrysler, Jaguar/Land Rover etc into perspective. So, do governments bail out ailing auto companies, or should they be left to fail? Amongst Classic Car enthusiasts we know that this phenomenon is not new with scores of auto companies going out of business over the past decades. But, Rover aside, I do not think that we have had this serious a situation where so many job losses could occur. It is easy to say that GM and Crysler should ‘suffer for repeatedly not developing cars which can compete in today’s world’ or leave it to Tata to keep Jaguar/Land Rover afloat, but if the factories do close (or go overseas), what happens to the workforce, (future) tax incomes and all the supply companies. However, if government does step in, have they learnt the lessons of the past e.g. when huge amounts of money were thrown at Leyland and then Rover? I doubt it I hear you cry! Maybe we should be like France and state ‘national interest’ and get on with it with no later recriminations? Fortunately we do not have to take these decisions!

Whatever happens, I think we will see, once again, less companies in the market, resulting in less choice. I just hope we can defend and maintain our way of life whereby we can enjoy our classics ‘whilst we may’!

Best wishes from myself and Jill for a Happy and Healthy 2009.

Malcolm Cutler   Jan 2009

To Chairman's Clatter October 2008