Originally Posted by Larry Gumpert
Back in the late '50's I was in my mid teens. My older brother owned a Jag XK-140 Drop-top. I loved tagging along with him and his buddies who were members of a local British auto club. Waves were always exchanged between passing sports cars. Of course most highways in this area were two lanes, sometimes four so it was easier to get the attention of an on-comming driver. I can remember around this time I would thumb through or should I say "palm" through his Playboy Magazines. There was an article in one issue with the protocol of sports car waving. As I remember the lesser waved first and was promptly acknowledged. There was also a Playboy cartoon of that era which depicted two sports cars being towed in opposite directions, their owners giving the wave.
Can you remember then, in the 50's -70's in Britain if you were a Member of the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) or the AA (Automobile Association), when the rescue cars/vans were parked at the side of the road with the RAC/AA driver waiting for a rescue call, would be leaning against his car with his company hat on. You were told that he had to salute to, by touching his hat, and if he didn't, you were to stop and ask him why. He would not salute you if there was a police car or a radar trap in the area, giving you the hint to SLOW DOWN. In them days it was the Car Club guys that turned up, AND RAPIDLY, now it is all Contract Wreckers. Granted a LOT more cars on the road now. Memories !!!!! Mind you I am an OLD Fart.