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"All Souped Up and Nowhere To Go"There had been
no real 'club' scene in Bristol since the early days of The Renegades, a full
on club that was started by the pioneer of rodding and customising in Bristol,
Ian Furey-King. In the latter days of The Renegades era, a break-away
group of diehard pre '49ers set up the Bristol Area Street Rods, but after this
group faded away, not a lot happened - although the friendships that came with
being in these Bristol clubs continues to this day. |
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With no scene as
such, we all continued to meet up for the Billing Fun Run, the Hot Rod
Supernationals, and other events large and small, plus the regular lads' meet
at Merv Barnett's garage on Wednesday nights. Although the interest and support
was there, we never actually got around to organising anything, so I decided to
bite the bullet and try to get things started. I came up with Bristol Hotrods
as a name - because that's what we were all about - and designed our logo,
which was supported by whoever was at Merv's on that particular Wednesday
night. Then we just needed a meeting place.
Traditionally, Tuesday night
in Bristol was car night, going right back to Renegade times and the Tuesday
nights at the well-known 'Springer' pub in Bristol. So the Tuesday nights
continued (and still do).
Our first regular venue was the Sk8 & Ride
indoor skate park in central Bristol, where we spent a busy and often packed
first period. We had some serious interest from post '49 owners, so a secondary
group became Bristol Hotrods and Customs. This group still remains but to a
lesser extent. We eventually moved away from Sk8 & ride due to site
redevelopment, and an aggressive wheel clamping company who didn't like anyone
parking in their spaces even at night when they were closed. |
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Merv's garage and 'XFB 9T' - late 1970s |
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So off we went
to a new venue at Bradley Stoke - a modern pub with a large car park and quiet
Tuesday nights. Although the car park became busy the landlady was
uninterested, with locals getting serving priority. This also became their
busiest week night - word was getting around, and old and new faces were
turning up.
The following year we moved on to the Folly Pub at
Westerleigh where the Tuesday night became a local attraction, with joe public
turning up to see the cars. On one memorable night the Apple County Boys turned
up to make a great evening, and again the car park became rammed and too small
for us.
The following year I found The Golden Heart where a very
enthusiastic landlord wanted us at his pub, which had a large car park plus an
overspill area. Unfortunately this guy was relieved of his post (shame) and
although the new landlord liked the idea of us being there, promises of outside
lights and extra bar staff didn't materialise. It was often difficult to get a
drink because again Tuesdays had become such a popular night. We had all sorts
turning up - I even remember in later years, a lady who must have been drawing
her pension turning up on a Gold Wing trike - and a gentleman in his seventies
in a '67 Mustang, on original ARE's, that he had owned for over 20 years - but
again the pub seemed uninterested.
Tuesday nights at all of these venues
became the pub's busiest week night - so you would think they would be more
supportive, but as in so many previous years, we are now looking for a new
venue for the coming year, so WATCH THIS SPACE... |
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The Club TodayWe have become a close-knit bunch,
and our ranks stay keen. We invite new people in when they show an interest in
the way we are; it is not a free for all 'club', but certainly not elite. We
have serious 'members' (for want of a better word) in Swansea, Newport Pagnell,
Yeovil, Frome, Falmouth and Florida!
There is no committee, no money
involved and hopefully no politics. We have a definite leaning towards certain
vehicles - pre '49 glass or steel, post '49 Chevy trucks, Tri-Chevys and the
like.
However 'club' nights are open to anybody in the spirit of having
fun with cars, and we get a large cross section of vehicles on our Tuesday
meets - including vintage, classics, bikes and scooters.
At some time in
the future we would like to hold our own event for charity - this could
possibly happen this year or next. Meanwhile, Phil Mitchell has worked very
hard in building up a strong relationship with the guys at The Bristol Classic
Car Show where many Bristol cars and others can be seen. We also have a strong
turnout at two local events, the Bristol Volksfest and the Oldland 'Roadster'
Show.
Of course, our biggest claim to fame is winning the music quiz at
the Billing Fun Run in 2004 - we worked on this with help from Newport Pagnell
Nervous Crew and the Swansea boyos. Our victory was a combined effort - we won
fair and square with Keith Harman coming second - our winning had nothing to do
with only two forms being handed in.......lol! |
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Rod Rich's coupe under the BHR banner at a recent
show |
| Rod Rich,
2007 |
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