Special Interest Vehicle Armageddon?
The June/ July issues of NZHRM were interesting in their content around the LVV certification process, and the readers’ responses and commentary. In the August issue, there was the quote (p. 7) from a reader about accountability (I’ve piggybacked on that quote later in this opinion piece) and a letter from a former hot rodder about the dearth of hot rodding due to a number of factors. It seems that we have an issue or two to address and if we are to have a future, we need to embrace the challenges, confront the sticky bits and identify solutions.
As SIV owners, we have so much to lose. Unless we start putting some effort into a comprehensive and robust plan to keep our cars on the road, my fear is that we will become just like that “dirty” oilman on the drive electric advertisement on TV - isolated and on the edge of extinction. Many of the topics raised by organisations or people in the June, July or August issues of the magazine as discussion and/or reader feedback are by association related; hence, affecting every SIV owner in some way.
The views in this opinion piece are mine, but I acknowledge how difficult it is to separate a personal view from the SIVANZ direction and drive to keep our member’s cars on the road. It is passion which drives the SIVANZ team we will continue to speak out. It is important for us all to have opinions because they will start a wider conversation about what the solutions may be. A few of my comments may be perceived as controversial and confronting, but my hope is that SIV owners will think and talk about the wider issues of the SIV environment and take the necessary actions. The talking bit will be easy but moving out of a comfort zone to do something differently will take a little bit of courage. We are all passionate about our cars, clubs, and associations. Any negative comment or perceived threat can evoke an instant emotive reaction to defend and protect. Even with an awareness of that emotional attachment, I think a lot of SIV owners deep down recognise the current SIV environment is faltering and some might argue, is stagnant.
Every SIV related club, organisation or individual SIV owners (who are not in a club or other organised group) are facing a rapidly changing environment. While the latter group may think they are immune to what is happening around the SIV fraternity because of their independence and thinking that it’s a club(s) issue, the reality is that without belonging to a national support organisation they are more exposed to the negative impact on SIVs than any other group. Rather than standing alone, we must stand beside like-minded people with a common cause. That is
