Car enthusiasts’ armchair autumn calendar

It’s not been an easy year for anyone, and for classic and collectable car enthusiasts it’s a been a calendar of mostly cancelled and postponed events. 

Despite a few highlights, the end of the summer weather and a dwindling opportunity to gather in significant numbers means that we’re all going to have to find ways to fuel our passion for all things automotive until the New Year. 

The good news is that there’s plenty of car stuff to get your teeth into, all of which can be savoured from the comfort of your favourite chair. 

No REVS limit 

The REVS events were started by Footman James Classic Community Champion Adam Gompertz, with a focus on support through a shared interest. In a short space of time they’ve generated a huge number of fans just through word of mouth and great content. 

Starting with three virtual gatherings carried out between May and September, there’s a great library of videos to catch up on, with everything from racing cars to design icons, turn-of-the-century electric cars to more accessible classics. The last event even included test-track action and museum tours. 

Join the REVS facebook group to see what’s been shared to date and find out what upcoming interviews and events are planned. 

Traveling without moving 

See some of the finest cars that Germany has ever produced, without packing your passport. It turns out that the magnificent Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart can be marvelled from afar, thanks to a cracking virtual tour.  

While you’re on the move, why not pop over to Japan and have a wander around the Honda Collection Hall virtual tour? Covering the company’s automotive and racing creations it affords you the chance to learn all about the business that Soichiro Honda founded. 

These are just two of the better virtual tours, but many of the world’s car museums offer some form of online interaction so pick some of your favourite marques and get Googling.   

Go clubbing 

In the face of adversity, some car clubs are prepared to go the extra mile when it comes to looking after its members. The more imaginative ones have run their own virtual events, ranging from social media meets to livestream broadcasts.  

One of the most prolific has been the Porsche Club GB, which has held a variety of activities for members including advanced driving tuition, talks on historic motorsport and Q&A sessions. 

Many clubs allow non-members owners, so think about a manufacture you feel passionate about and visit their website. We have a list of clubs that you can see on our website here. 

The power of print 

With all this online activity, you might be overlooking good old-fashioned print magazines. Many publications have been pushing the boat out to keep readers entertained. You should always check out the likes of Classic Car Weekly, Classic Cars, Classic and Sports Car, Octane, Motorsport and the other mainstream magazines, either as a physical magazine or via a reader app on a tablet, but also consider some of the newer titles. 

The likes of Private Motor Club and Road Rat have forged their own routes with larger, more involved physical magazines and content that you won’t find online. These hefty celebrations of publishing are not in a local newsagents but can be delivered direct to your door mat. Check their websites for pricing and subscription details. 

Have you got any hints and tips for getting your motoring fix through to the end of the year? Share them below in the comments section.