One of the best things about my job as a writer for Cars for Girls is that I get to meet a lot of interesting people when I’m researching articles and looking for information and in doing so, sometimes an idea or an article takes on a life of its’ own and ends up going in a direction I wasn’t expecting.  That said, not long ago, I thought it would be interesting to do a little research on car clubs for women, and that’s where I met Carol Kittson, via my friend Joe Azzarello, who is an avid micro car collector.  Carol is involved in an online car club, but what’s even more interesting is the fact that she has a vested interest in British automobiles, mainly the Morris Minor, and owns not one but three - all in various stages of restoration, which she has done herself (a Morris Minor is a British car, manufactured by the Morris Motor Company from 1928 through 1971).  Carol also has a reproduction 1959 Oldsmobile, of which only 500 were made in the United States.

A native of Kokomo, Indiana, Carol now lives with her husband George in Junction City, Oregon.  I was fortunate enough to email her over the course of a few days to ask questions and pick her brain about car clubs, how she feels about women in the industry, her love of cars and what she’s learned along the way.

Are you involved in an online car group or a local car club or organization in your area?   If it’s a local car organization or club, please feel free to tell me the name and location (city/state) and if it’s an online group, can you share the URL?

Yes, I am involved in an online group.  The groups name is Morris-Motors on Yahoo.  One group is called Arcane Autos, one is called Brittalk and one is called Morris Minor Power.   You can go to Yahoo and type in Morris Motors to join. You have to have a password and user name to get on the sites.  The one that I deal with most is Morris Motors.  Most of the people are pretty helpful, but every once in a while you run across a jerk. The moderator for our club lives in California, but it doesn’t matter where you live.

If your group in gender specific, how many women are in your club, organization or online group?  

The club is not gender specific and I don’t know how many women there are; I don’t know how many men there are, but there are 342 members.

How did you become involved interested in joining the club, organization or online group and how long have you been a member?

Well I have 3 Morris Minors and I looked around for car clubs that deal with British cars, and I came upon Morris Motors, then I asked to join. I have been a member for about a year now and they have been very helpful.

In your opinion, what are the advantages for women who may be interested in joining a car club, organization or group?

Well for one thing, if you don’t know where to get parts for your car,  you can post a message and the moderator sends it out to everyone on the list; most of the time you have 2 or 3 options for whatever problem you might have. 

What vehicles do you now own or have you previously owned (make, model, year).  Which is (was) your favorite and why?

I now own two 1959 Morris Minors - one 2 door and one 4  door, one 1962 Morris Minor convertible, and one reproduction Oldsmobile made in 1959.  Five hundred were made in the United States. I really like old cars and they’re are all my favorites.  George has a 1959 Ford pickup with a Mustang motor. 

What is the greatest obstacle you’ve faced in your automotive hobby?

Money.  The parts for these cars are really expensive and so you have to save up for anything.  I bought 5 pieces of rubber for my convertible and it cost almost $200.00.  Plus, if you get the parts from England, it cast twice as much for whatever you are buying.   

Do you have a background or education/profession in the automotive industry?

No, but my Dad and older brother were always working on something and if they needed help, one of us kids got to help.   So I have learned a lot about cars.  What I don’t know about my cars, well…the mechanic is learning.

Stay Tuned - Part II of the interview tomorrow!

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