I know my last blog was about cloned registration plates, but it seems things are even worse than I thought. Even people who have never received a fine through the post – deserved or otherwise – are now petrified about being stitched up. it’s now reached the point where it’s spreading to those who don’t even know anyone affected by cloned number plates.
Perhaps it’s the power of the press, but I’m increasingly encountering people who don’t want their classic cars to be identifiable when I photograph them. Bearing in mind that I take pictures of classic cars for several different publications, none of whom ever blank out registrations, that’s a problem!
There was a time when classic car owners would get positively moist at the prospect of seeing their car featured in a magazine – even if it was just a few lines and a small shot in the corner of the page. Now they’re terrified of their car being identifiable, lest their registration should start appearing on similar cars nationwide.
The tragedy is, even owners of ultra-rare or even unique classics are falling into the trap, assuming that only the registration matters – the car itself doesn’t seem to enter the equation. I was talking to someone recently who has a unique car; it’s the sole survivor of just a dozen or so originally built. He’s worried that if I photograph his car and leave the number plate visible, he’ll be the victim of a cloning episode. Are there no bounds to human paranoia?
Perhaps some of those paranoid owners have something more to hide - like Lord Brocket and his Ferrari insurance claim swindle.
Gerry Pollard | 04 Jul 07 - 1:26