In the early 1990's I took my fully restored '64 Beetle to several classic car rallies up here in Scotland. I had mixed reactions to it; some spectators loved it, and would stop by to reminisce about their own ownership experiences with a Beetle.For me that was a real highlight to my day.
Others would walk by, ignoring it.
However things became much more obvious when my car began to win it's class at these shows, the organisers were faced with other disgruntled participants saying things like "that's not a real car", "how could you let that thing win". It never deterred me however, I kept taking it along. For me it was a day out in good company, a chance to show the car, and moreover to show what I've always believed, the Beetle, and other older VW's have a rightful place in the overall classic car scene.
Without my support, and I'm sure the support of others on this website who show their cars at non-VW meetings, the British classic car scene wouldn't be nearly so varied, and some of these events might not still be ongoing.
(I have to add that I did laugh up my sleeve when my 'humble' little car beat more prestigious marques at what were then very serious events!).
Pretentious, moi?