Discover CharlestonVintage Car Enthusiasts: Finding Resources & Comrades in Charleston, SC

There is a good definition for getting older:  When the cars of your youth become classics of today you can be sure of what is termed “generational slip ” aka, youth has now receded into your past.  Those cars though may still be around and as America has a love affair with the automobile why not embrace the idea?  Old classic cars are easy to find, simple to drive, fun to own and mostly easy to fix.  Charleston has a great sunny climate for driving in and no wintertime salt on the roads to corrode your pride and joy.

My particular bent is for the European automakers, a nod to the fact that I am Welsh and only allowed here by fortune of marrying a beautiful Texan and thereby also earning a prized Green Card!  Across the Atlantic the cars of my youth were smaller, more nimble, focused on speed and road holding in preference to the size and sheer horsepower of contemporary American muscle. The similarity is that they also smelled of oil, gas and brake pads though it went mostly unnoticed at the time.

If you happen to be a follower of our Pinterest page, you may have an easier understanding of why it is often a jumble of “pinned ” automotive images and parts – as I am usually involved in some stage of rebuilding and restoring (currently working on a vintage 1934 Alfa Romeo Monza).  So, if like me, you have indulged in your mid-life crisis and now own a Alvis and Austin or an Aston, a BMC or a Bentley, a Caterham or a Clan – you are going to need some local friends to guide you through the inevitable maintenance. Remember,  British electrical component maker, “Lucas CAV ” was nicknamed the “Lord of all Darkness ” for very good reason.

I have four quick tips for the avid car enthusiast or recent owner, on local resources and groups that can be a great place to seek help, share stories or simply admire the passion and workmanship of others.  The list is not extensive, and my apologies for any I’ve omitted along the way.

• Firstly join the British Car Club of Charleston SC. They are a fun, knowledgeable bunch and hold regular meetings or “tech sessions ” to meet and learn.
• The Motor Elite – Robert Morey – Canadian transplant with a penchant for the odd and unusual.  Last I visited he had an Aston Martin DBR2 in bits in the garage and worth more than the average house.  (email: motorelite@live.com)
• British Import Automotive – Daryl Beech – larger operation with really great technicians. Tucked behind some nondescript strip shops in North Charleston, they fixed my problem with carburetors on a pre-war Jaguar that had evaded no less than four previous attempts by others. (tel: 843.552.6555)
• Attend the many small car events around town.  Mt Pleasant and Kiawah Island have a regular “Cars and Coffee ” events, Bessingers on Hwy I17 South does a really fun “meet and greet ” the first Wednesday of each (warm) month!

Now if you fancy making a longer drive, Columbia, Hilton Head, SC and Amelia Island, GA and others also have some pretty good car events that are very easy to find in this age of the internet. Additionally, if your penchant runs for American classics, whether be Fords, like the Mustang, Chevy’s like the Corvette or the Camaro, or even something by Chrysler, you can rest assured that those models are well represented in the local car clubs as well.