I’ve always had a suspicion of “enthusiasts” no matter what they’re enthusing about. Unhealthy fascinations with things, often mechanical, do not translate well to people who do not share the same fascination. So I ventured to Gutshot, one of London’s more salubrious poker dens, for a night playing cards with members of London’s Classic Car Club, hoping for excitement, but fearing enthusiasm.

It was a one-off night organised by The Classic Car Club, an essential club for the man who has nearly everything, but can’t quite afford to own a classic sports car.

Around 20 members had gathered to try their hand and perfect their poker faces. It’s hard to avoid an element of nerdiness when you combine men and cars, but this wasn’t the cloth cap brigade who would coo at the sight of an opened bonnet.

Among the round-the-table banter talk did turn to cars, but there was no mention of big ends or cylinder casings - most just had a common love of classic cars for the way they looked and enjoyed the child-like thrill of being able to drive a different one whenever they wanted, plus the obvious chance to pose while driving an Aston Martin.

Piers Brown, is the company’s sales director in charge of leading the club away from any dull stereotypes. Rubbish at poker, but with a keen eye for spotting a new member, he’ll be hosting a stand at the Erotica show at London’s Olympia this weekend with a shiny Jaguar E-Type in the hope of attracting a new kind of member.

Some members bluffing it at Texas Hold ‘Em did fit the mold of city-boy or IT worker with a healthy disposable income, but the London branch of the club has a number of female members to dissipate the testosterone. The club even has family membership rates. Some of my evening’s poker gang had been with the club since its early days when it was based in a garage in Kings Cross, others were on-off member paying their subs whenever they had the spare cash.

Being a member, however, doesn’t come cheap - one year’s membership starts at £3,250. Members are then given points to spend on the cars, with better cars costing more points. Most said they often didn’t use up their entire annual allowance or had any problems booking the car they wanted. Anyone expecting the cars to be in concourse condition with gleaming exhaust pipes and spotless interiors will be disappointed – these are regularly used cars, although they are well looked after by Classic Car Club's team of mechanics.

The ethos then is more about fun and enjoying driving beautiful pieces of automotive design, with regular events like poker nights all part of the membership package -previous club shindigs have included go-karting, wine-tasting and film nights.

The cars, though, are obviously the main draw. The London branch (there are others in Bath, Edinburgh and New York) has a stable of around 50 vintage vehicles for members to play with. Ignoring the Triumph Dolomite, the garage really is boy’s toys heaven, from an Alfa Romeo GT Junior and Citroen DS to the obligatory Magnum P.I style Ferraris and E-Type Jags.

My chances of winning enough cash from existing members to join the club myself took a knock when I went all in and lost all my chips to a pair a queens. I took my leave from the table and had to settle for the bus home, dreaming of super-cars.

The Classic Car Club will be having an open weekend at their London branch from Friday, December 1 - Sunday, December 3

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