Motoring Clubs

I have been focusing on the unexplained need to form and join a club if you own a car or motorbike. Within the United Kingdom there are thousands of clubs, of which I have been a member of two.

I have been a member of Essex Goldwings Club, and during my time with the club I thoroughly enjoyed trips out when 500 thundering bikes would go on a run. Normally we would have police escorts to manage such a large group, which could have been a lot worse because there a thousands of Goldwing enthusiasts about.

Now, I no longer have the bike, which became too heavy for me. I now drive a Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign which is one of the classics of the Jaguar line. For those people who live within a reasonable radius of their club's head office they have built a complete life-style around their cars. We see them often pictured at a stop for lunch. Everybody always looks so happy.

What is the psychology involved in forming car clubs? In the U.K. there are classic car clubs that involve many brands; and then there are specific brand name clubs where owners celebrate the quality workmanship that has gone into their beloved machine. These machines, whether motorcycles or cars or trucks are the genius of other people, but we find ourselves tenderly caressing them with great pride.  All we have to do is just watch a person when they are cleaning their vehicle and we will see how lovingly and protectively we go about the task at hand.

I often say that we men should treat our women with even a percentage of the tender loving care we reserve for our automobiles and we would be well appreciated. Its as though when we buy a particular brand of car we become a member of that tribe. I certainly think that some Volvo drivers let the side down. They are few in number, and that's a good thing because I expect a certain decorum from my fellow Volvo drivers.

In thinking about this I see that communities build together in many ways. People buy and wear apparel that is made by this or that designer. In doing so we often try to set ourselves apart and above  the ordinary consumer. When I say that I am a member of the Jaguar Enthusiast Club, am I suggesting that I am above the Ford Owners Club of America; or do I feel the next level to reach is that of member of the Maserati Member's Circle?

I'm sure that some of this is inspired, and even funded by commercial interests. After all, group activity drives brand loyalty, and that brings in even more buyers and members, but on the whole it does seem to be a thing in general that we need to belong.

Perhaps I'm overthinking the subject. No-one else seems to be guilty of doing that. They just belong and are happy that they do.

I'll let you know when I enter the Maserati circle.

Copyright (c) 2016
Eugene Carmichael