Car club
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A car club or
Traditional car clubs
Car clubs have been a form of gathering car aficionados for many years that focus a passion for a certain type of car or driving activity.[1]
Historically, car clubs refer to off-line entities, typically organized as
Many car clubs charge membership fees in exchange for benefits, such as publications and events. The publications typically contain photographs, messages from other members, service and parts advice, items and vehicles wanted and/or for sale, and historical material of interest to the membership. Car clubs often host gatherings (called "meets") which often also welcome interested non-members. Car clubs also may engage in other activities of various types, including
Additionally, some car clubs have a "prospecting" status, where prospective members of the club meet with established club members, to assess their suitability within the club. During this time, prospective members will help work on club cars, attend events, and sometimes perform tasks; such as helping to park cars at a show, or assisting with ticket sales, etc. Upon the completion of their prospect status, members will be "patched in," whereupon they are considered full members of the club. In traditional car clubs in the US, this is typically signified by the awarding of a jacket or T-shirt with the club's name and logo on the back, and the awarding of a metal "drag plate," to be hung on the car, displaying their membership status and club name.
Many (if not most) traditional car clubs have now added online presences, although most of the content typically resides in a
Internet communities
The
Unlike traditional clubs, the content of most online communities is open to all for free. This has facilitated their growth and made them a resource for potential owners or
Most automotive communities were founded by individual enthusiasts/
As with traditional car clubs, some Internet automotive communities sponsor or operate off-line meets. Many of the leading Internet communities feature active directories of regional meets.
Communities have also begun to form around digital media outlets such as YouTube channels and podcasts. Car enthusiasts can comment and share opinions, allowing for an element of connection not found with other media variants. These platforms are being used by smaller studios and individuals to distribute content to a mass audience without needing a large budget. Production value is often high given the technology available to amateurs in the forms of software, cameras, microphones, and other producing equipment.
International
In some countries, notably in
Canadian car clubs have been known to host indoor car meets to avoid harsh weather and to make up for short summer seasons. These events are commonly hosted in a heated parkade, with the car clubs generally facilitating a deal with the operators of the facility.[citation needed]
See also
- Car modding
- Lowrider club
- Motorcycle club
- Kustom Kulture
References
- ^ "A Short History of Car Clubs in the USA". Chilton DIY Manuals. 11 March 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
- ^ Carroll, Gloria (January 2009). "Our History". Southern Arizona Mustang Club. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
- ^ "Car Enthusiast Site coverage". Archived from the original on 14 November 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2006.
External links
This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: The choice of links and their formatting may not be encyclopedic. (April 2023) |
- One Stop Nationwide Information Source For Car Clubs & Shows in the US
- Nancy Marshall and John McWilliams, "Low Country Travelers: An African American Car Club of Charleston County, South Carolina", Southern Spaces, 21 October 2010.