by Rachelle de Bretagne

Created on: April 06, 2007   Last Updated: April 11, 2007

Classic car meets are very popular in Europe, and regularly during the Summer months, there are advertisements in the newspaper that will lead you into the world of yesterday to see Vintage motor vehicles in all their glory, congregated for the public to see and enjoy.

LOOKING

Most owners are proud of their vehicles, and members of the public sometimes do not appreciate the amount of work that has gone into the preparation of those vehicles for show. They are there to be looked at and enjoyed, though members of the public should respect the owners by not touching the paintwork that has been polished to it's best shine, in order to give you a view of their classic car.

Many people let their enthusiasm run away with themselves, and etiquette at an exhibition of cars is essential. Don't think that you can just let yourself into the driving seat because the door is open. Ask the owner and respect their wishes, since the car will have been worked on, and appreciation for the owner's skill of presentation should at all times be the first priority.

CHILDREN

If you visit exhibitions with children, do ensure that they understand that the vehicles are there to be looked at, rather than touched. A careless ice-cream rubbed up against a nice shiny bumper doesn't go down well at meets such as this. Letting children too near to the vehicle is not wise, and explaining to them the value of what essentially is something extremely rare may help. Keep smaller children with you. Hold their hands, and be informative, though instill the rules that they may look and not touch.

ANIMALS

Dogs are a particular hazard. Keep your dogs on a leash, and do not let them enter the vehicles, as they may damage the valuable cloth of the interiors.

SOCIAL ETIQUETTE

A day out at a vintage car rally can be an enjoyable adventure. Usually there are owners that are prepared to take the risk of taking passengers around the stadium and if you are fortunate enough to get a chance, do listen to the owner for safety tips. Never smoke in a vintage car. Never take food that may spill, and only allow children in the vehicle if the owner says that they can enter. Beware that children must get rid of chewing gum, as this really can cause havoc with upholstery.

Do ask if you want to photograph a vehicle. It is respectful, and you never know, they may even want a copy. Asking an owner if it is alright to take snaps is appreciated, and usually owners are very helpful with taking successful ones. Don't assume you can close doors, or open doors for photographs. Do ask. Owners are usually proud to show off their work, though don't appreciate people taking it for granted that they can just step in and do what they like without the courtesy of asking.

ENJOY

Most of the rules are common sense ones of decency and respect. Admiring a person's work adds to the joy of the work they put in to provide you with an exhibition, and never being afraid to give a complement where one is due goes a long way to cutting down barriers between enthusiasts and visitors.

Enjoy their work, but do respect it.

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