History
The club was founded in 1978 to cater for the needs of "Old Car" people in
the West of Scotland, where, up to that time, no vintage / classic club
existed, although several had been founded in the east of Scotland.
The S.W.T.V.C. held its first car rally in 1979, when about 30 vintage type
cars took part in what became our traditional June rally, that one taking in
the splendours of the Trossachs scenery.
One of the early aims of the club's founders was the concept that the annual
rally should be a mobile event, slanted for the enjoyment of members with
their cars, and not a static concours type of event. The rally therefore
usually incorporates regularity and observation sections, and even a
navigation element sometimes.
The club has continued to meet the needs of its members for over quarter of
a century.
Of the original band of enthusiasts, a remarkable number still remain in the
Club, which, since 1996 has been a Limited Company run by a board of
volunteer directors.
Numbers grew steadily over the first decade, from a band of 10, to reach
just over 200, and we still enjoy that level of support as we approach our
third decade.
The objects of the SWTVC have remained constant and are :-
- The promotion of interest and enthusiasm for vehicles manufactured prior to December 31st 1972.
- The use, maintenance, preservation and restoration of such vehicles.
- The promotion of rallies, competitions etc.
- The holding of social events.
The cost of the Club events has traditionally been subsidised by the profits
made at our annual Autojumble. This event took place for many years at
Doune, the site of the motor Museum. After that closed we moved to a number
of different locations, even having to cancel one year's event due to the
outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
At the last review of our membership list, members with pre-war cars
outnumber those with post-war vehicles, just!
Ownership of an 'eligible' vehicle is not essential, several of our members
simply have an interest in older vehicles, and that is all that you require
to join our number.
Benefits of membership include a monthly 'Bulletin', subsidised events
throughout the year, these can include coach trip outings to car restoration
companies or museums, video / film night. April autojumble, June rally,
barbecue runs in the summer and autumn social nights. In addition to all
these, if you are not already on it, your name as a member of the SWTVC,
would go on the circulation list of the Scottish Vintage Vehicle Federation's year Book, the bible of motoring events in Scotland.
All in all just about the best value for twelve quid you are likely to have
this year.
We hope that the above details will be of interest and invite anyone who shares our interest in old vehicles to become a member of the club.