thor64
Rover Fanatic
Posts: 138
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Post by thor64 on May 14, 2020 15:08:25 GMT
Hi I have been able to identify the badge on my grille by looking up on Google images. I have discovered it is given to drivers from "The Veteran Motorist Club". I was wondering does anyone remember this club? I must admit I am too young to know. The badge is for 20 years. Attachments:
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Post by harvey on May 14, 2020 15:39:46 GMT
I have the later one, that has a plastic blue badge with the number, which is the number of years driven, the one on mine being 54.
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thor64
Rover Fanatic
Posts: 138
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Post by thor64 on May 14, 2020 17:36:36 GMT
Hi does that mean you have been driving for 54 years or was it on the car? Who were the VMC and why do they give out driving badges?
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Post by harvey on May 14, 2020 18:50:06 GMT
Hi does that mean you have been driving for 54 years or was it on the car? Who were the VMC and why do they give out driving badges? I haven't been driving for 54 years, only 45, and it belonged to my granddad who stopped driving after 54 years and he gave me the badge when he sold his car. Every year you renewed your VMC membership you got a new centre badge with one year more on it. VMC was just a club for the, how shall I say, more mature driver.
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Post by ray on May 14, 2020 20:05:01 GMT
I do remember those. They badged a driver who for "X" number of years had not been involved in an accident. The "X" was the number in the badge they displayed, in that little star. We used to say; "they hadn't been involved in one ...but had seen hundreds in their rear view mirrors! cheers Ray
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Post by p5andrew on May 14, 2020 20:07:36 GMT
Back in the late 1970's I bought a P5 coupe which I loved dearly and had for several years and I only wish I still had it. The car came with a VMC radiator badge for 50 years membership which I left in place. The chap I purchased the car from (His Serene Highness Prince Nugent - not the sort of thing you easily forget!) had decided to give up driving due to his advanced age and had begun selling off his car collection of which the P5 was one. I had no idea of the significance of the badge until I was tackled by a lovely elderly lady driver in our village who very politely asked why my car was carrying the badge! I cannot now remember my response though as far as I can remember the badge remained in place.
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Post by Phil Nottingham on May 14, 2020 21:18:15 GMT
The club is now GEM (Guild of Experienced Motorists) I am still a member they used to do the yearly sticker for the V badge. Mine should say 50 at present
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thor64
Rover Fanatic
Posts: 138
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Post by thor64 on May 16, 2020 17:57:55 GMT
Maybe not everybody is interested in this information but I am fascinated by these bits of history. It adds to the restoration process finding out about the car's past life and then passing it over to the new owners. I am going to invest in one of these Veteran Motorist Badges as the car did not come with one.
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thor64
Rover Fanatic
Posts: 138
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Post by thor64 on Jun 7, 2020 12:26:24 GMT
I've managed to find and restore a 25 year badge. I hope it goes well on the radiator.
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Post by Brendan69 on Jun 7, 2020 15:24:46 GMT
I've managed to find and restore a 25 year badge. I hope it goes well on the radiator. Well done, looks great and will grace any classic cars front grill.
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