'Classic' lyme today
Published:Sunday | July 18, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Brian Bonitto, Special Assignment Editor
Members of Jamaica Classic Car Club are all revved up for today's Corporate Area roll out.
Their destination - the majestic 129-year-old Devon House in St Andrew.
"We'll be at Devon House's fountain at 3 p.m.," said Merrick Reid, president of Jamaica Classic Car Club. "It's free to the public. So persons can come out and have a look at the island's fair share of classic cars."
Reid, who is in the second year at his group's helm, said his aim is to sensitise Jamaicans about the club.
"We'll be in Great Bay, Treasure Beach, on August 8. We hope to develop more awareness and, hopefully, international recognition," he said.
The president said the club - headquartered at 11 Worthington Avenue in New Kingston - is opened to anyone who owns a classic car.
"Technically, cars 20 years and older are classics. But, there are exception like Ferraris, Chevy Corvettes and Lamborghinis under two years," he said.
He explained once the initial application fee, $4,000, is paid and the applicant is given the green light by the board, that is it.
"A membership fee of $3,000 is paid annually," he added.
The president said club members are entitled to discounts from car-care dealers Andre's Auto and Automotive Art, as well as a "very competitive rate from insurance company ICWI."
The club experienced compatibility issues in recent times with the introduction of the ethanol-based fuel — E10 — in November 2009. And, as a result, the classics were sidelined.
However, the club, through its research and home experiments, overcame the hiccup.
"We've found that various additives, octane boosters and non-alcohol based treatments, tend to lessen the negative effects of the E10," Reid said in a previous interview.
"The CRC fuel stabiliser from Bearings and Seal, as well as the STA-BIL ethanol treatment, works well," he continued.
Reid said one quart of transmission fluid to 15 gallons of E10 is ideal," he said.
Today, the classic car club, which was formed in 1989, boasts 300 members islandwide.
"We are going quite well," the president concluded.