The owners club is a staple of the British car scene - we met up with the Abarth Owners' Club Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire to find out why you should join one
“Chippenham, in Wiltshire!” he beams. “Every time they ask me how long it’s taken me to get to a meeting here in the south-east, I say ‘two hours’.”Behind every successful car club is a solid band of dedicated enthusiasts; people prepared to give up their time to organise meets, maintain the club website and keep the flame alive. Although he wouldn’t thank me for saying so and, indeed, insists the club has no hierarchy, John Wildey is one of those people on whom the AOCSSH depends.
Is there nothing these people don’t know about Abarths? Actually, I reckon one of them knows even less than me. Looking like a nervous newbie at a Mormon study class, Stam admits he doesn’t own an Abarth but is thinking of buying one. “My current car is aSR but my friends say the Abarth is much better.” Said friends, standing alongside him, nod in unison. “I have a mildly uprated 595,” says Nick. “I love the Abarth community.
It’s been fun but it’s time to go. In the few days that I’ve had my Abarth, I’ve become very fond of it. I can’t believe I’m writing this but I reckon joining a club such as the AOCSSH and attending the occasional meet would give me an Abarth ‘booster’ to match that of the car’s turbo . They can keep their Penguins, though. Can’t stand ’em.