There's One In The Boot

A gathering of Ford's Finest, waiting for The Usual Suspect for over half an hour in the car park of The Huntsman, Downend, before going on to take part in a local show.

The South Gloucestershire Capri Owner's Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month in a small room at the back of a social club in Patchway, Bristol, and the man behind it is Bob, whose apparent ability to conjure up Capri paraphernalia out of thin air has given rise to the saying 'Bob's got one in the boot'.

Benefits of membership include access to discounts at several auto-shops, an opportunity to enter your pride and joy on the club's stand at shows throughout the year, and the chance to share knowledge and enthusiasm with other devotees while getting an eyeful of some of the most stunning motors ever to roll off the production line.

If you've ever seen a group of Capris parked up together, while their owners shuffle around them making small talk and periodically checking their watches, the chances are you've seen us waiting at a pre-arranged meeting point for one of the most dependable of our number (who can be relied upon to be late every time), before we set off in a cavalcade for the latest show.

There can be few better feelings than the one generated by travelling in a convoy of Capris. Traffic seems to part for us so that we can keep together as we make our way to the next venue, while bystanders stare in awe as we pass by, one after another. Then they stare all over again as we all head back in the opposite direction. Navigation isn't Bob's strong point…

Of course, to those of us afflicted by the mania, all this just means that we get to pose around our cars for a bit longer, and I'd probably be the last person to complain about having to spend extra time actually on the road in a Capri. Once at the show, however, the day can seem to be a bit of a stretch, as you have to arrive early to set the cars up and often can't pull out again 'til the end of the event. There are only so many times you can walk round the showground, and it can also prove a bit pricey if you have kids in tow.

Best of all about the club are the other people involved (including The Latecomer). It's difficult to put into words the buzz I get in the company of others who feel much the same way about what's basically a lump of metal as I do, but after listening to a few hours of Capri talk with pint in hand, the first time I left that back room in Patchway I felt like I'd just glimpsed the insides of Heaven. I only wish I could show up a bit more often.

For further details of The South Gloucestershire Capri Owner's Club, ring Bob on 0117 9851481.