When I received an invitation to the Veteran Car Club's HQ in Hertfordshire – and more importantly was offered a nose around its famously well-stocked library – there was no way I was going to miss it.
Zipped up there in the Lotus Elan +2, was treated to a hearty lunch – pie and mash was perfect for the occasion – and then given some briefing on current and future plans before heading home.
All in all a very gratifying and very satisfying experience.
Not only is the clubhouse itself – converted from a derelict barn and tastefully fitted out for the 1300-odd members of the VCC – rather splendid, but it is kitted out fantastically.
There's an original F Gordon Crosby on one wall while any wallspace are festooned with historically important items such as the flag from the pilot car for the Emancipation Run.
Everything is in its way fascinating, even the stuff without any motoring content such as pictures of the club's first annual dinner way back in 1932.
But the library… wow!
Any enthusiast who has spent a lifetime accumulating magazines (sadly many of mine have now gone due to space constraints) would be bowled over by the immense runs of Motor Sport, The Autocar and The Motor.
But, as you work your way through the shelves stacked with literature, it is often the shorter runs of long-dead or overseas publications that hold the biggest draw.
Librarian and archivist Simon Moss is a superb guide to these historical publications with their wonderful and exotic names referring to horseless carriages et al.
The bank of standard office-issue filing cabinets (above) at first sight offers little clue of the treasures within, but when you pull open a door randomly and find no fewer than 10 original brochures for Metalurgiques you know you are on to something special.
