Wimbledon’s Southside Hustle has grown from intimate get-together into thriving monthly social event. Alex Goy goes along for the ride
I f you ever find yourself near London’s Wimbledon Common fairly early in the morning on the first Sunday of the month, there’s a good chance you’ll bump into a truly eclectic mix of cars. Everything from Alpinas and MX-5s to Ferrari Daytonas and even colossal classic Rolls-Royces find their way to the Southside Hustle – and with them come the crowds.
The Southside Hustle was born, as so many of today’s things were, out of Covid lockdown and the need for socially distanced fun. Cofounder Jamie Wheatley explains: “[Co-founder, the late] Charles Evans and I started meeting up at Wimbledon Village for a coffee, then going for a drive. As time went on, more joined: there would be six of us there, then a couple of months later we would say: ‘Why don’t a few more of us come along?’ And then it turned into 12 people, then it became a monthly thing. It became too big for Wimbledon Village, so we moved it onto the Southside… It’s grown really from word of mouth and from Instagram.”
The day starts at around 8am, but the super-keen arrive at 7.30am to ensure they get a good spot away from the double-yellow lines. As the first hour rolls on, the street fills with not only the sound of interesting engines but also chat, laughter and mid-hug back-pats. The event’s origins begin to ring true: this isn’t showing off in smart motors, it’s about connecting with like-minded people.
Local and regular Hustle-goer Tony Parrack reflects on why he attends: “It’s grown organically, it isn’t driven by commercial reasons and it has no one direction other than the respect and enjoyment of each other’s company. It’s not by any means just for petrolheads, although there are some. Cars are a hook and a chance for a chat with lovely people – which is why other halves, kids and often lots of dogs come along.”
Speaking with attendees, the theme of people crops up above anything else. A beautifully looked-after 1960s 911 can trundle by, or a well-loved Hummer H1 might drive over the nearest house, but other than an approving nod or two, most people will be engrossed in their conversations, be they about life, the universe or how easily Hummers can demolish overpriced south-west London property.
The Hustle takes place on a public road and starts early on a weekend morning, so there are neighbours to consid
