VW snobbery

Hi I'm new here but not to VW.
I'm sure that it's not just me that's noticed an element of snobbery, creeping into the car and bus scene.
What I would like to know is where these people get the idea that you don't acknowledge a well restored car because it's not "standard"
or that a well engineered mod is "not right" in a show.
In the bus scene anyone who owns a post '67 VW… isn't a proper VW… WTF! pah!

I bought my VW type 2 '86 T25 because it's the finest rear engined camper that this planet ever made.
I also bought the '90 scirocco scala because of it's amazing ability to make me smile while driving it. I'm now looking at owning a Mk1 golf driver after an amazing test drive in a golf.

Has anyone else experienced this?



Kev

I must admit I've seen it. Not so much in the Mk1 scene but defo in the bus scene.
I've just got rid of my T25 so I'm out of that scene now.

I'm mad on classic cars mainly from the 60's and 70's era and theres some real snobbery in that.
So you're going to get a certain element in every scene you go into, just meet yourself some good people and stick with em.

I tend to just take my family to shows enjoy the time with them. I prefer standard cars, but everyones taste is different so I dont turn my nose up at those who like to do a few mods.

Enjoy the Mk1 if you get it. And welcome.

Reevo

Its always been like that, with the advent of the internet it  is even worse.


I get lambasted for driving my mk1 every day and never washing it, and its got WHAT to do with anyone else ? Nout, feck all, nothing. Move on.

its true, there are certain clubs out there which have their little clicky circles and your about as welcome as a dose of the clap unless your face fits, must say though, ive not seen any of this on here, cracking bunch, you be more than welcome on here whatever the state of mk1

chris n helen

p.s. welcome aboard by the way

You try turning up to a van meet in a T4 if ya want uncomfortable mate… There has always been snobbery in the bus circles, never really noticed it as much in the car ones… I have stopped goin to camping weekends and even sold my T4 cause i found that most big shows were full of cliques, bus snobs or chavvy little shit's in "Ratlook" cars that only have em cause old dubs are "Cool"..

gavsmiggy said

You try turning up to a van meet in a T4 if ya want uncomfortable mate… There has always been snobbery in the bus circles, never really noticed it as much in the car ones… I have stopped goin to camping weekends and even sold my T4 cause i found that most big shows were full of cliques, bus snobs or chavvy little daffodil's in "Ratlook" cars that only have em cause old dubs are "Cool"..

I've stopped going to car shows FULL STOP because of this, final straw was a local classic car meet that wouldn't let me into a ( public ) car park because they didn't like my car. Goodbye.

Would have to agree, seen it creeping in. Think part of it is people being in the scene for the wrong reasons as its "cool" they dont appreciate the cars for what they are and just follow the trend till they get bored and move on to the next cool thing.

Its not just the pre 67 thing either, over the last 2 years have seen this with the pre & post 60's era of vehicles as well. I have owned all manner of vw's air and watercooled for many years and do remember an instance where I was not allowed in a Type 2 display as my own 64 panel van was to late :dontknow:

Well you can use me as a yard stick for this club if you want.  I go to regional meets everytime I can and 90% of people are really friendly.  The AGM was awesome as there was a good mix of modded and standard and it was one of the funniest drunken weekends I've had.  I wave to anything retro even Fords… hardly ever get a wave back by any aircooled stuff.  You will find this club friendly mate… get yourself to some meets  :wink:

I havent been to any shows or meets yet, although I intend to when my car is finished, so cant comment, but I used to own a Delorean and found that quite a few members there were, shall we say, tossers! Personally I appreciate all old cars, especially vw's :-) and although I personally like the standard look, I enjoy looking at all sorts of mod work as well, its all about the person, their story and their car, these people put there heart and souls into these cars, and I really enjoy and appreciate all that work…And my first car was actually a VW so certainly not following any scene :-)

I find water pumper shows are gash and full of snobby bell ends. ED38, Spring/GTI Fest etc.

Have to admit having never owned an aircooled, these are the only shows I go to and truely love. Everyones friendy and I don't come across any form of snobbery whatsoever. Just pure fun and games.

Bring on Big bang and Bug Jam 2011!!  :mrgreen:

I think it's more of an aircooled clique thing rather than a watercooled issue… I very rarely get waves from beetle and t2 folks, but maybe it's because bristol is miserable in general?  

Some very interesting responses there.
I most certainly will be coming to a Mk1 event ASAP. thanks for the welcome..

I hope that this snobbery from older groups and clubs is a passing thing, I'm sure that the recent influx of 'new to VW' owners will make these people feel bad about their inward looking comments

I overheard a judge bemoaning a beaut of a MkI golf.. the engineering was awesome for an amateur, it deserved better than "the DIY content ruins the standard"
I thought he would have admired the owners dedication and manufacturing abilities, not put a yardstick against it.

I've been to loads of shows, aircooled and watercooled etc. The problem boils down to this: cars are designed to be driven. If the event has an element of racing or competition, then everyone can either see which is the best car there, or make their excuses why theirs never did win (I was winning! But then my door flew open/I missed a gear/my winch cable snapped/my tyre fell off, etc).

If you simply get a bunch of cars into a field, park them up and wander around looking at them then it becomes subjective, like some kind of art exhibition or museum gallery. Cars were mainly designed for moving, not being looked at statically.

paul_c said

 Cars were mainly designed for moving, not being looked at statically.

whilst that is true, cars that do look good standing still …attract comment, girls and crowds.

Raul said

I find water pumper shows are gash and full of snobby bell ends. ED38, Spring/GTI Fest etc.

Have to admit having never owned an aircooled, these are the only shows I go to and truely love. Everyones friendy and I don't come across any form of snobbery whatsoever. Just pure fun and games.

Bring on Big bang and Bug Jam 2011!!  :mrgreen:

I went to a meet of all types in Coventry and agree with Raul on them.  The newer car shows tend to be about "scene tax" and stuff…. if you aint got £40,000 to spend on your new Scirocco and toys then it's a no go.  Bug Jam I do enjoy because of the variety and the drag racing.  It's massive though so quite impersonal (great show though).  I dare say if I was on a forum for it they'd talk to me, get banter and meet up at the show.

I find on here we have a love of one mark of car so straight away we're on the same page.  This forum allows you to get to know people then the AGM brings us all together….. it works.  The regional meets are good and I'm lucky that the Milton Keynes boys and girls have become good friends of mine.  It allows you to convoy to places and get to events as a group…. we even now go to curry nights together  :mrgreen:

i couldn't care less about negative comments if i tried.  Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and if they don't like my car for whatever reason then fair enough.  you can tell me if you want, but it won't make a scrap of difference.  my car is MY car.  When i go to shows, i do have a good look around, and i appreciate some things, but then look at others and think that they have driven through halford with a magnet attached to their car.  Not my thing, but i'm sure they don't care that i think their car is gash.  I normally go with the misses or a pal, don't really get involved with the "scene", but always have a good day.  I play with cars because i enjoy it.

I dont get to many shows / meets, due to work commitments, nightshifts, 3 children etc.. etc…. so cant comment
on that side really, but………….

Having owned VW`s for years, one thing I will say is that the ones I have met on the road have been spot on, thumbs up,
give you a wave, flash of the lights etc, when my MK1 broke down a Golf pulled up behind me, group of lads got out walked
towards me, (bugger im gettin mugged :? ) but they offered to help, give me a tow, similar thing happened in my MK3 GTi
and was offered assistance (didnt need it but fair play for stopping).

When I had my XR3`s GTE`s when you broke down, pulled over you used to get called a To**er 8O , so yeah I will
stick to VW`s from now on, and as for forums, you wont find a better one in my opinion.

If you go to a show and they are a bit sniffy, stuff them dont go again, there are plenty of decent people out
there willing to make the effort, at the end of the day its a car, its the people that make the club / show what it is.

Dib.