Classic car enthusiasts were really quite privileged in 2020 but I think we still need to realize this in full.
The Swiss online magazine Zwischengas.com has conducted a survey which clearly showed that we have driven less in 2020. By “we” I mean us car enthusiasts as a broad group, and it is reasonable to assume that this roughly corresponds to the readers of Zwischengas.com, which is a rather enthusiastic website with a hefty slant towards the classic cars (and in case you did not know the website it is hereby highly recommended). They asked their readers in October, and 278 of them answered as follows:
17.6% drove more than the year before
27.7% drove about the same
25.9% drove a little less
26.3% drove clearly less
2.5% didn’t know
Overall more than half answered that they drove less, and although the way of asking does not say exactly how much or whether the 17.6% who drove more equal or even outperform those who drove less (very theoretical, but technically possible), it does say however, that more than half of the classic enthusiasts reduced the use of their classic car in 2020.
Now, there are usually no right or wrong answers in these kinds of surveys, but I think in a way there is in this one. For the 17.6% who drove more have actually got got it completely right: In a season full of bad news, restrictions, more or less thought through temporary (or permanent) laws as well as Big Brother-like scare campaigns, there has never been a ban on enjoying your classic car.
At least not in Denmark – and while I am aware not all countries were so lucky even countries with stricter definitions of “lockdown” have still given time to take out the classic. Or maybe rather: Allowed the opportunity to take that time.
And my point is just that you have to keep doing just that. Or in fact even do as the 17.6%: Give it even more pedal in 2021!
Of course most events were cancelled in 2020 and already now it looks rather unsecure how events will go forward in 2021 too. But you don’t necessarily need an event to go to in order to enjoy your classic: Behind the wheel of your old trusty one the world feels not just like it always has, but ideally even a bit better. And that’s actually a rather nice thing these days.
