Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Uncle Joe]

Quite often at meetings and shows, a classic will have an A4 information sheet in the windscreen giving details of the car.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how a good one would look? What information it should contain?

There are enough people on this forum with artistic abilities to suggest a really ''cool'' design. Maybe one could be used as a bit of free advertising for the forum in some way.

[Rick]

Like this one perhaps??

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/freestuff.htm



I put this on a few years ago, could probably do with updating one day but its on the lines that you suggest!

R
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[Uncle Joe]

I must be getting old to have forgotten that...

Maybe you are correct that it needs an update. Perhaps a section for options?

[peter scott]

Apart from what has already been suggested, for me the element that is generally missing is "what is this vehicle like to drive?" The information panels that used to be part of The Motor and The Autocar road tests were pretty good.

Standing start and between speeds acceleration, mph/1000rpm for each gear, bhp and torque figures, steering turns lock to lock, hill climbing abilities in each gear, fuel consumption, vehicle weight.

Some road tests used to quote axle ratios but I think that's fairly useless unless you happen to carry a calculator about with you.

Price when new is interesting but a bit difficult to relate to given the changing value on money. Probably worth including though.

Peter

[Scotty]

Although a "rivet counter" myself who likes techy stuff I have learned from my time here in the museum that to engage "modern" visitors the label should be all about the experience of owning and driving the vehicle.

It would appear (and the museum has statistics to prove it) that the majority of young adults (12 to 30) are turned off by too much tech detail and want a "wee story" that catches their attention. The accepted professional standard is a 40 word (and not a word more!) description of the social aspect of the vehicle and then if "hooked" the reader will actively decide they want more - in our case by either approaching a member of staff or volunteer.

Our modern labels have generated a much better response to our historic vehicles than the old traditional list of engineering details.

Food for thought perhaps?

Scotty.

[Uncle Joe]

Scotty, perhaps you could post an example of one of the museum labels?

[peter scott]

[Scotty]

Hi UJ,

Certainly, however it'll take a bit of time (I'll post it tonight) as its simpler to photograph one and then transfer it to my image host because there isn't a digital version easily available from file here in this building.

And - I got a slap 'round the back of the head from the vehicle curator, it's 80 words, not 40! I'm getting old, my mind is going, I'm allowed the occasional brain fade - what were we talking about?

Scotty.

[Scotty]

Hi Peter,

I don't think the intention was ever to "force" people to have to seek info, its all about generating interest - something that is essential in ensuring the classic vehicle movement continues to thrive in a growing climate of environmental protection policies.

I fully accept that for some not enough information can be very frustrating (I'm one of them), however for both sides of this discussion, and I do accept your comment about differing audiences, there is still a common committment to enthuse as many visitors as possible at cars shows and museums who may otherwise be totally disinterested in the vehicle in front of them.

Scotty.

[PACresta]

Good point this one, i see so many cars on display, car locked up, nobody around. It would be nice to know some details of the car and its history. I put the following on my motor, along with photo's of the resto etc.


1960 PA CRESTA

The PA production ran from October 1957 to October 1962, in total there were 173,759 PA’s produced. 100,847 were exported and 72,912 sold in the UK. Models available were the Cresta and the “not so well equipped” Velox. The models were marketed as a genuine 6 seater. The early models (Like this one) from 1957 to 1960 were fitted with a 2.2 Litre 6 cylinder engine and a 2.6 Litre was fitted from 1960.
By 1961/62, 14 colour schemes were available, either two tone or single colours.
Engine: 6 Cylinder 2262cc (82bhp
Engine: 6 Cylinder, 2651cc, 113 bhp at 4800rpm.

Gearbox: manual 3 speed with option of Laycock overdrive operated by toggle switch on R/H instrument panel extension, hydraulic clutch. Hydra-matic fully automatic transmission available as an option.

Steering: Recirculating ball bearing type, turning circle 39ft.

Brakes: Lockheed, drums all round. Front disc brakes and servo available as an option.

Wheels: 13” early model & then 14” originally fitted with 5.90 x 14 cross-ply tyres.

Body dimensions: Length 15ft, width 5ft 81/4in, height 4ft 9in.

Fuel consumption: average 20mpg (although I average 26mpg) Fuel tank capacity is 10.75 gallon.

Top speed published was 89mph for the 2.2 & 95mph with a 0 to 60 time of 16.8 sec for the 2.6

Its well worth the effort, after all that is what we are doing, showing off our cars to the general public.


Pete

[Penman]

Hi
Something else which is interesting to look at is an album showing the restoration process, where this is applicable.

Scanned photos on A4 laminated, either comb bound or in a punch hole folder.

[Scotty]

Hi UJ,

This is the example from our Argyll 2 3/4 hp Voiturette -



At the end of the day we'll each have our own preferred method of sharing our vehicle's information with the public, and to me that adds variety to the show. Regardless how its presented I think any kind history / tech detail a great idea because a board of attendance awards or those tiny stuffed children leaning on the front bumper tell me nothing about the vehicle.

Scotty.

[Uncle Joe]

Scotty, thanks for posting that, its given me the idea of what to do now.

[Uncle Joe]

Rick, what is the best way to download your info sheet to be able to edit it?

[Penman]

Hi
Rick may have another way, but if you save it as a jpeg which he suggests on the page the link goes to, you can then open it in your picture editor and add text, font, size and colour of your choice, wherever you want.