THE JAMAICA CLASSIC CAR CLUB

The idea of forming a Classic Car Club in Jamaica had been a long-cherished dream of scores of classic car owners in this country. The dream became a reality in about September 1989 when four of the the founding members, none of whom knew each other well before that propitious period, met and discovered that they shared the same passion and knew others who also had the same dream.It didn't take them long to decide to connect with other classic car owners through newspaper advertisements and to plan a meeting in Kingston. Enthusiasts from six parishes responded to the advertisements and so the first public meeting was held October 13, 1989. It was a meeting that could only be appreciated by people who share a common passion and who find themselves in a roomful of like-minded individuals. It is indicative of the energetic spirit which characterizes the membership of the dynamic Jamaica Classic Car Club that one of the main items on the agenda of that first meeting was the plan to stage a Classic Car Show. However there were other preliminary details to be decided first, so a steering committee was formed to guide the formalization of the club. A series of meeting were held at the YMCA as the club rapidly took form. The founding members included Andre Hylton, Carmen Richards, Joan Williams, Gerald Tyndale, Vincent Lee, Mario Hernandez, Ronald Chang, Richard Causewell, Garth Ramsay and Steve Solomon.

 

Definition

The question as to what exactly would be considered by the JCCC as a classic car occupied several meetings and it was not until some time after the club had been officially launched that the members devised their own definition. It should be noted that while there is no official, global definition of a classic car, there are definitive characteristics of classics which are globally recognized. Within the past 20 years, the classic car environment has undergone some major changes, as a result of which the accepted definitions and characterizations have become much more formalized.

 

Nostalgia
Within weeks, the club had outgrown the meeting facilities of the YMCA and, through sponsorship from Raol Mitchell of Mitchell's Auto Supplies, began meeting at the then Jamaica Pegasus hotel. As a precursor to the 'Mother-of-all-Car-Shows' planned by the club, a mini-show was held on the grounds opposite to the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Sunday, December 3, 1989. The primary aim was to conduct a major membership drive. It was a smashing success; a virtual carnival of automobilia. Scores of enthusiasts as well as curious onlookers were on hand to view the 25 cars on show. People from all across the island, including far-flung parishes such as St. James, Manchester and St. Mary, came for the the show. Nostalgia and admiration spiced the festive atmosphere and there was a live radio broadcast on RJR.

The cars spanned some 60 years and ranged from a 1920s Ford, though to MGs of different periods, Jaguars, Austin Healey, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo and the famous bullet-proof Cadillac limousine, owned by a former Panamanian head-of-state, which he presented to the late Michael Manley during the 1970s. On the heels of that successful show the club had its glitzy, official launch, but not before it had received the consent of the Governor General to be its patron-for-life.

 

"Living History"
A formidable agenda of activities was planned for the first club year and beyond, the largest and most ambitious of which was a National Classic Car Show. On March 1, 1991, an historic and mammoth car show was opened at the National Arena, as the Jamaica Classic Car Club took the unprecedented step of showcasing Jamaica's rich heritage of classic cars. Dubbed "Living History," some 70 beautifully restored Jamaican classics, ranging from 1904-1970s, many of which continue to be highly sought after by international collectors, were on display over the period March 1-3, 1991. This remains the highlight of the club's achievements to date.

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Benefits

Under the leadership of its ten presidents to date, including Garth Ramsay, Andre Hylton, Keith Davis, Ronald Chang, Mario Hernandez, Tony Henry, William Potopsingh, Merrick Reid, Nigel McFarlane and Shane Angus. The club has secured a number of benefits for its members. These include the successful lobby for the inclusion of a Classic Car Policy as part of the National Motor Vehicle Import Policy, which became effective May 1995; and the acquisition of an attractive insurance policy for classic cars from the Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI).As part of its regular activities, the club undertakes various "runs" to historic and leisure spots across Jamaica, to which the members and their friends travel in a motorcade. This remains a feature of the club.

 

A number of fund-raisers also have been held, as part of the club's mandate to provide to use its influence and resources to preserve, protect and promote the classic cars of Jamaica, as well as to endorse and support selected charities and socially conscious programs and projects.

 

Tourism Product
The Jamaica Classic Car Club is more than just an enthusiasts' club. The mandate of the JCCC is to preserve, protect and promote Jamaica's rich heritage of classic cars, their beauty of form and workmanship; and to help the wider society to understand that care and maintenance of motor vehicles is directly related to automotive and road safety and respect for human lives and property. The club focuses on helping to care for senior citizens through existing charities and has been assisting in the restoration of the historic, 18th century St. Peter's Church in Port Royal. The Jamaica Classic Car Club (JCCC) comprises over 100 classic and collectible car lovers island wide. Over the years the club has held numerous auto care and road safety awareness activities for the public and continues to identify with all road safety and auto care promotions.

A cherished long-term plan of the club is to establish a permanent clubhouse and Classic Car Museum. The latter will definitely add to Jamaica's tourism product. Membership of the Jamaica Classic Car Club is open to any citizen who loves classic cars.

 

Officers and Directors

President
Naresh Potopsingh

1st Vice President
Richard Simpson

2nd Vice President
Nigel McFarlane

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Treasurer
Paul Gammon

Assistant Treasurer
Wade Marsh

Secretary

Imani Williams

Assistant Secretary
Nicholas Chang

Executive Members
William Potopsingh
Cecil Beharie
Paul MacKay
Gerald Cameron
Omar Sweeney
Raymond Shields
Richard Hylton
Marcel Brandon
Neville Marsh
Douglas Ewbanks
Shane Angus
Gregory Webster
Rae Parchment