The National Rally & BKV - does it really exist ?

[minesa240x3]

I should imagine not to dissimilare to this although knowwhere near as many cars to cater for but something along these lines maybe.
I'm very pleased to hear that non members can park thier cars near to where members cars are,I have always understood that they shouldn't be judged but being so near all the lovely looking cars just might encourage a few to enter the following year?

I initially thought that only 700 series non members would be allowed as it was for a particulare event the 30th anniversary.I think there were about three 700 cars last year and the year before none,Which is why I asked if an acception could be made.No other reason.Just a one off to help the cause.
I turned up in my Limo to the first Midlands 120 meet just to show support and increase numbers attending.I don't own a 120 or know much about them but I had a thoroughly good day and some good chatter with very informative folks.Oh and I won my first and last award for the best under thirty year car..

Ok it was by default as all the others were older than thirty years but I was gobsmacked.So you never know we may just add a new categorie?Maybe a "Most keen volvo owner" or "Nice car against all odds" I could even win that one Lol.

Regards Brian.

[sunnyvic]

Last year me and my 740 was parked by the marquee as to wet to get my M/scooter out of the car the year before had Family commitments the year before that was lined up alongside an Freg 745 and the 780 ,i stood and watched the judgeing of the 3 cars my E reg and the F reg were just given a glance over not even looked at inside in fact there is no longer anything given for age of car but the 780 was inspected from top to bottom a nice car but inported,at lunch time the F reg left to go home as he said no incentive to stay if i can get accomadation i shall come this year but we will have to wait and see..regards sunnyvic

[TheJoyOfSix]

I suppose it depends on what you want out the weekend. If you want a fun weekend with things to do, meet like minded Volvo fans, have a natter and generally socialise then hopefully this year will be better than previous years. If, however, you see the National Rally as purely the BKV competition then (I imagine) you would be disappointed if your car just got a cursory glance from the judges.

I see the weekend as the former, and whilst I like to have a nice tidy car I don't tend to get too het up about the BKV or take it too seriously. I have entered it for a bit of fun more than anything else, but also out of a sense of participation and 'not letting the side down'. If I win a prize (and I have won the odd one, normally runner up in my class) I consider it a bonus on a weekend more about the social aspect of things than a concourse competition. Let's face it, the BKV is not a serious concourse competition, otherwise we'd have a team of professional outside judges who go around with a micrometer checking the depth of paint. i think people tend to concentrate too much on the BKV part and not the National Rally part of the proceedings.

However, each to their own.....

[mrmeringo]

Originally Posted by TheJoyOfSix

I suppose it depends on what you want out the weekend. If you want a fun weekend with things to do, meet like minded Volvo fans, have a natter and generally socialise then hopefully this year will be better than previous years. If, however, you see the National Rally as purely the BKV competition then (I imagine) you would be disappointed if your car just got a cursory glance from the judges.

I see the weekend as the former, and whilst I like to have a nice tidy car I don't tend to get too het up about the BKV or take it too seriously. I have entered it for a bit of fun more than anything else, but also out of a sense of participation and 'not letting the side down'. If I win a prize (and I have won the odd one, normally runner up in my class) I consider it a bonus on a weekend more about the social aspect of things than a concourse competition. Let's face it, the BKV is not a serious concourse competition, otherwise we'd have a team of professional outside judges who go around with a micrometer checking the depth of paint. i think people tend to concentrate too much on the BKV part and not the National Rally part of the proceedings.

However, each to their own.....

I agree, although i am only attending on the Sunday, I am purely going for a good day out and to meet other members. No one could judge my car anyway, as to me, its "THE BEST VOLVO 740" there is

[andy_d]

It ,for me , is refreshing to see the Social/fun side of it meantioned more than the "competition side".
Nothing , not a Thing at all, against those dedicated souls who can make a car look like it has never seen a drip of rain or worse, and rebuild/restore cars to Better than showroom condition, its a thing id look at appreciate, but not for me ta.

my car ,,its my car, it gets cleaned when dirty it gets any parts it needs/might need in a bit..but its in use, it has "trolly dinks/stone chips/etc" ,,and it has mucky engine bay
the social side, with the meeting most of you lot (yeah its ok you can cuss n swear n walk away when you realise it IS me,, i dunt mind) would be the main "why" for me going,, and to see what other S40 peeps have managed to do to there to make them look better/go better / etc.

have a Good ol chin wag, and as blokes do a good ol moan about "they dont build em like they used to " esp the lovely 940/960 series...

[minesa240x3]

As I already said somewhere on here.I'd like one day to have a few more awards like,Most enthusiastic,Most used(unclean)or even best modified or non original but is still a volvo underneath Lol.
Maybe we should ask for a few suggestions just to see what the Members want,The award needn't be anything expensive just a small plastic plaque.
Of coarse this would be subject to running any ideas pass the board.

None of my cars would be considered concours and never will be.I wash the engine bay when I first get them and then just a wipe round every now and again.As for trim and paint.I like cleaning and polishing but despite the paint being rough on all mine they still look good and I get compliments from workmates.A clean car is a looked after car.I don't touch up paint and the laquer on my 740 is like sandpaper especially the roof.

I go in the hope I can bore the pants off someone but usually swap remedies for car related problems.I suggested we have a practical setup for certain models.Maybe a how to change rear dampers and springs?Or Timing belt change or brake pad removal for those who aren't used to beating things with a hammer Lol..All things I find easy but an awful lot of members on here don't have an incling.
I just wish I had decent tools and time to do this as I really feel it would be appreciated.

Really looking forward to this one.
Just a thought as I'm bringing my 740 for the 30th anniversary would it be possible to tow it there with the Limo?using a towing dolly?No trailer.


I seem to remember no trailered cars allowed or something like that.
Regards Brian.

[mrmeringo]

Originally Posted by minesa240x3

As I already said somewhere on here.I'd like one day to have a few more awards like,Most enthusiastic,Most used(unclean)or even best modified or non original but is still a volvo underneath Lol.
Maybe we should ask for a few suggestions just to see what the Members want,The award needn't be anything expensive just a small plastic plaque.
Of coarse this would be subject to running any ideas pass the board.

None of my cars would be considered concours and never will be.I wash the engine bay when I first get them and then just a wipe round every now and again.As for trim and paint.I like cleaning and polishing but despite the paint being rough on all mine they still look good and I get compliments from workmates.A clean car is a looked after car.I don't touch up paint and the laquer on my 740 is like sandpaper especially the roof.

I go in the hope I can bore the pants off someone but usually swap remedies for car related problems.I suggested we have a practical setup for certain models.Maybe a how to change rear dampers and springs?Or Timing belt change or brake pad removal for those who aren't used to beating things with a hammer Lol..All things I find easy but an awful lot of members on here don't have an incling.
I just wish I had decent tools and time to do this as I really feel it would be appreciated.

Really looking forward to this one.
Just a thought as I'm bringing my 740 for the 30th anniversary would it be possible to tow it there with the Limo?using a towing dolly?No trailer.


I seem to remember no trailered cars allowed or something like that.
Regards Brian.

Hey Brian,
I could bring all the parts mine needs and we can set up a section of our own and i watch whilst you do all the jobsHaha

[arcturus]

Just to clarify, You need to show your membership card to obtain an entry form for the "best kept" competition, or have in the past

[mrmeringo]

Originally Posted by arcturus

Just to clarify, You need to show your membership card to obtain an entry form for the "best kept" competition, or have in the past

What if it doesn't arrive in the post in time? I've been told it can take some time to arrive???

[sunnyvic]

I personally dont come to a BKV to compete i come because i love volvo cars and like to see them in all there glory i dint line up merely for competions sake 3 years ago ,i lined up mainly to make up the number of 7series ie 3 of us.
My first experience of a BKV was at Leamington Spa back in 1975 and i have only missed about 4 since then ,,over the years i have met a lot of members and met a lot of people that i like to call freinds,most people i have met over the years no longer come and some have passed on into a volvo heaven,most people will see me around the site on my 4 wheeled mobility scooter.I dont go to a lot of local meets because i have prefered to the main event of the year the BKV but i also dont do the driveing as i have in the past,last year for instance my car done 517miles between mots.
A number of allowances that used to be allowed on older cars are no longer aplicable so that in itself does not give incentive to compete ,,i will weather permitting come to Calne but its no fun when on arrival its wet and miserable and you cant get the M/scooter out of the car to get around the site.Except for two ocasions over all these years 37 ,i havent entered a BKV once 3years ago and once at an origanal Southern BKV ,,12 years ago..cheers to all sunnyvic