auto cafe in London? In town on "bidness".... | FerrariChat
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auto cafe in London? In town on "bidness"....

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by lukek, Jan 24, 2007.

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  1. lukek

    lukek Formula 3

    May 2, 2003
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    #1 lukek, Jan 24, 2007
    I must be putting in the wrong keywords because google is not helping. What is the name/location of the most famous auto club/cafe in London? I read about its collection of memorabillia, atmosphere, and the fact that it is open to the public.
    I will be in London from Jan 29 to Feb 3. I hail from northern california, where I play with cars throughout the seasons: a vintage Ferrari, classic Cadillac, and a modern Maserati.

    Thanks in advance
    Luke
     
  2. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

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    #2 greyboxer, Jan 25, 2007
    Hmmm - not sure about this - nothing is currently coming to mind

    The Steering Wheel CLub shut about 20 years ago

    The Grand Prix Cafe in Mayfair went bust a couple of years ago

    Anyone anything else ?

    Enjoy your trip anyway !
     
  3. autofocus

    autofocus Karting

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    #3 autofocus, Jan 25, 2007
  4. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
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    #4 Andy 308GTB, Jan 25, 2007
  5. JamesP F355

    JamesP F355 Rookie

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    #5 JamesP F355, Jan 25, 2007
    Maybe the RAC Club on Pall Mall. I am not sure whether or how much of it is open to the public as I have only ever been there once and that was as a guest of a member.
     
  6. Seth

    Seth Formula 3

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    #6 Seth, Jan 25, 2007
  7. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
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    #7 Andy 308GTB, Jan 25, 2007

    I think its pretty impossible to become a member of the Club let alone wander in and have a look around. I have been there once, like you, as a guest. It was for a Le Mans Dinner hosted by Simon Taylor.
    The RAC Club has little or no connection these days with the RAC Motoring Organisation - even so, flash your AA Membership around and you will exit the building without your feet touching the floor :D
     
  8. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
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    #8 Andy 308GTB, Jan 25, 2007
    I used to eat there occassionaly (when I lived in East London + was rich...), as I recall the ground floor has a noticeable slope on it towards the road. A throwback from when they used to roll the tyres from the back of the shop for fitting.
     
  9. lukek

    lukek Formula 3

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    #9 lukek, Jan 25, 2007
    Thanks for the pointers, much obliged.
    It was the Mayfair one....too bad it is shut. The Ace Cafe bills itself as a bit of a biker bar, but with plenty of car events, so it should be worth a visit. One of the lawyers I am meeting is a car nut. I will drag him there...
    :)
     
  10. JamesP F355

    JamesP F355 Rookie

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    #10 JamesP F355, Jan 26, 2007
    I think you need to be nominated by 2 existing members to be eligible and persumably there is an overall limit on numbers as well.
     
  11. Andy 308GTB

    Andy 308GTB F1 Rookie
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    #11 Andy 308GTB, Jan 26, 2007
    I would expect it to generally be a case of 'dead mans shoes'. They have the Pall Mall Club plus a place in the country if my memory serves me correctly. The facilities are superb.
    I think it got sold off a few years ago. A colleague had been a member for years but did not rejoin for personal reasons. 3 months later the sale was announced - the club members all got a substantial cash payout (as they were deemed to be shareholders). My colleague frantically tried to convince the RAC that his membership had lapsed due to an oversight on his part... :D - they were having none of it.
     

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