The story behind women’s car clubs is simple: today’s women can and want to get their hands dirty, and many can fix cars just as well as men, so what’s the problem?
The slogan is; ”We can do it, we are going to start our own ‘women-only’ car club.”
ClipArt Library of a girl in a red Corvette with flames coming out of the exhaust
- Could my story start by noticing more and more women-only car club ads on Facebook or the web? Or could it have started closer to home like a “men’s only” car club, ‘which, by the way, you can’t even say out loud?’
So friends, I’ll start this article a little closer to home at our own car club.
Having been a club member for many years, and in the auto trade for even more, I can tell you that every so often, a woman will show interest in joining our club, usually to learn and fix their own “beaters.” As memory serves me, we had a full roster at these times of inquiries and didn’t have any vacancies; however, it did raise the issue of women joining.
There’s no doubt that, since the beginning of hot rods and classic cars, the hobby has been ‘’dominated’’ by men, but ”I do feel a change in the wind.”
- For those not sure where this car movement began, here’s a little history of classic cars and rat rods.
As the story goes, the whole movement started with bored soldiers returning from the war. Back then, there was no shortage of decommissioned military equipment destined for the scrapyard. There were jeeps, trucks of all shapes and sizes, and all kinds of gear up for grabs before being melted down into pots and pans for your kitchen. It was not uncommon back then to find a Ford Flathead V8 from an army tank in a rat rod.
Back in the day, it was a picker’s dream, and that my friends, is where the “rat rod” term was born. And the car movement’s ‘need for speed’ began right at that time.
Fast forward to my high school auto class: it was mostly male students, with few, if any, women interested. Could that old mindset of “getting dirty and proving it with many scars on my hand” it have started back then? Maybe.
But things have changed. Today’s world is different, and women want in on the fun.
It’s not uncommon now to see stories of famous women in stock car racing, drag racing, or even on TV shows like, ‘All Girls Garage.’ The list of women’s achievements in fields once dominated by men keeps growing. These pioneers changed the landscape for women and their way of thinking.
Research shows that enrollment in trade schools for women mechanics and engineers has risen in recent years and is expected to continue to rise. Trade schools are reporting a 60 percent rise in women participating in programs once dominated by men.’
And let’s not forget that during the war, women kept the home front running, building war machinery, flying untested aircraft fresh off the assembly line, and being moms. So folks, there is no doubt that women today are a ‘’force to be reckoned with.’
Now, in all fairness, the term ”dominated by men” sounds a bit harsh. Men were simply groomed for heavy, dirty grunt work. Women, as a rule, were more refined and played different roles in society. Fixing cars just wasn’t one of them.
But today is a different day. Take for example, the term “ladies,” that word is not politically correct today and it’s now been changed to “women.” And maybe that’s not totally correct, ‘’woman spelled with a.’’ So sorry, folks, for the confusion, but I’m confused and not totally sure what would be the correct term. *** However, in today’s world, women don’t mind getting their hands dirty, and that part, is a fact.
So, as I’ve swayed a bit from my original point, women’s car clubs are definitely on the rise.
Our car club was formed over 70 years ago, it has in the past many inquiries from women wanting to join. As we tossed the idea around, a few practical concerns came up. We’re in changing times, and our mindset needs to change with it. Washroom facilities and accommodations would need to be addressed, among other things.
Nobody in the club ever suggested that women couldn’t fix cars as well as men. In fact, a few could probably put some of our members to shame with their knowledge and perseverance.
But that’s not an issue in my mind. Though some of us still have that “old way of thinking,” and I still like to use the word lady occasionally, but that’s not politically correct.
- Having some concerns and a change of attitude, I ran the idea of a woman joining “men-only car clubs” by a woman I knew would give me an honest and straight answer, my daughter. “There would be problems!” she said bluntly.
But in the same breath: “Why don’t they start a ”girls-only car club?”
Well, folks, that brings me full circle to the start of my article and researching women’s car clubs.
The first thing I noticed, almost like a warning, is that these clubs make no bones about it: “Women only need to apply.”
Many clubs aim to empower women and challenge perceptions about their role in the car world.
Digging deeper, I found tons of information. These clubs often have tighter rules and regulations than some of their male counterparts.
Take Women in Wheels, for example. Their slogan is:
**** “Connecting Through Cars and Community.” ****
Cars have long been symbols of freedom, adventure, and expression, but for many women, they represent something deeper: community.
At Women in Wheels, they celebrate the bond among female car enthusiasts who share a passion for luxury vehicles and the open road.
Their club isn’t just about driving — it’s about connecting, empowering, and fostering belonging among women from all walks of life.
And another example:
‘’Ladies on Wheels, Slogan: “It’s more than cars; it’s a big family.”
They’re a group of women passionate about all things automotive, helping women pursue a passion traditionally associated with men.
They now boast to have over 1,700 members and are determined to prove that women can rise to the occasion. The group has helped many women flourish and build lifelong friendships along the way.
On Closing
- My story of Women-Only Car Clubs did sway a bit, and I apologize, but the punch line is, ”the world of cars is no longer just a “man’s garage.” Whether it’s tuning engines, restoring classics, or just meeting for weekend cruises, there’s plenty of room for women who share the same passion for horsepower, heritage and classic cars.
If you’re thinking of joining a ladies-only, I mean *** ‘’women’s only car club,’’ *** do your research for your area, there are many women’s clubs on the hunt for good members.
“Written by Dave Wettlaufer, long-time car enthusiast and club member.” Watch for my other article, ‘Women Rising in the Trucking Industry: Are They Breaking Barriers Along The Way?’
Training Programs for Women
There are several trade schools offer programs for women in automotive mechanics, such as the Women Ready to Work in Automotive program by Women Building Futures, which includes a paid work placement. Other options include general pre-apprenticeship or skilled trades programs at colleges like Conestoga College and Mohawk College, which often have dedicated support for women and hands-on training for automotive service and other trades. For a more general search, check for programs offered through organizations like Skills Ontario or the Women’s Economic Security Program (WESP).
If you found my article amusing, entertaining or even helpful, please consider sharing and or donating. I really appreciate any help you can provide. Thank you, Dave/paint man
