why does it stink? Other clubs do this, you can't even get much further than the title page on the cav and chevette owners club site, and £25 is not much to pay....it roughly works out at 50p a week. It also helps prevent less than savoury persons snapping up a bargain and flogging it on ebay at an inflated price, which in turn helps keep the vivas where they should be, in the hands of enthusiasts, enthusiasts who don't mind spending 50p a week to be part of a club.
I'm sure the decision to restrict some pages to 'members only' was not taken lightly, and i'm sure it was not taken without much discussion and speculation as to the ramifications of said decision. Admin have their reasons, and I am fully confident that those reasons were for the good of the club, they are, after all, in charge of the club, and do a sterling job, this is a good club, it is worth 50p a week of my money, and I suspect that every other fully paid up member feels the same way.
You also say how can you find a viva now? You've found loads previously and posted them up on the site by your own admission, so... erm ....keep looking?
If you love your vivas, join the club, it is, as small rodents are wont to say, 'simples'