Part of the NCRS problem....

[Bob G.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

WOW I'am ignorant and funny because I like to drive my cars. This is not what I thought being a member was all about.
Bob

[Greg C.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

In the same vein...

I am in the process of looking for/purchasing my first Corvette.... its a process as I am getting rid of the stuff of life that doesn't matter anymore and trying to save up enough coin to get a C1/C2.

Anyway, that may take a little while longer (though I feel I am pretty close), so I thought, "Hey, I should start a collection of Corvette Club T-shirts!". I was browsing around the net and saw some Really cool Corvette Clubs that I thought would have neat t-shirts. Cape Fear Corvette Club, Death Valley Corvette Club, BeachCombers Corvette Club... etc etc.

I am kind of amazed at how many Clubs either don't have a T-shirt, or if they do, its not available to non members. Make a T-shirt for $10 sell it to ANYBODY for $20, and your club now has $10... AND somebody in wearing your club logo around the world (in my case, Germany).

Its the little opportunities that you have to grasp and make the most of.

[Jerry P.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

.... and what was the final bid?????????????......... little hard to understand here in CA.....

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

Not bad. I made this post using speech recognition software.

Must be some good software to understand you!

[Dick W.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

Must be some good software to understand you!

Dragon Naturally Speaking. It is still having problems with a few words. People that I know that use it tell me after about four hour of use, it is over 99% accurate

[Bill B.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

I have owned many corvettes since 1969 (currently have five). In the beginning at about age nine I would watch a beautiful 57 4-spd fuelie leave my bus stop every morning--still vividly remember. When I would get home after school I spent zillions of dollars buying and building every Corvette AMT model I could get or spent many hours just watching local old-timers restoring their old antiques in the garage. The patience as it seemed several of those viewings took years and years to finally see it leave the garage and hit the road. Over the years, my cousin owned a couple, my neighbor had one, my high school buddies had them, and my fraternaty brothers had them too. Poor me, the only car my Dad could afford for me was a 59 factory 4-spd 3x2 4:11 348 Impalla. But someday, I am going to buy my own Corvette!

So, from my perspective, all my early Corvettes were for driving (and finding girls didn't hurt). But, in my older age, the restoration nature of just wanting to rescue a basketcase project meets my needs. Keeps me busy, interested and content. I cannot imagine that this same compulsion is what my two late 30's sons are all about. Each of them owns a Corvette and just wants to drive it. They are perfect candidates for the NCRS but they just don't show any interest. In their discussions with me, the NCRS seems pretty much like a tired, tenured, closed society and doesn't move at lighting speeds--maybe they see that in me? Maybe all should just look in the mirror.

[George J.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

You're funny...in an ignorant sort of way.

Mark,
I don't think he's ignorant at all. I would say it a little differently, but I agree with his message. I would say that to truly and fully enjoy these cars you must drive them. I bought my '65 fi coupe in '97 at the age of 30 because it was one of the highest performing sixties cars, and I wanted to experience that. People want to bring younger memebers to the fold, and to me one of the easiest and best ways to promote that is for a young person to see our cars on the road.

George

[Bruce B.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

George,

Thanks for your comment.
I must be ignorant because I don't get Mark Donnallys point..........

Bruce B

[Mark D.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

George,

Here is what I am hearing from you and those like you. "I, (Your name), will decide for all others how you enjoy your car. You must do as I tell you or you cannot enjoy your car. It's only my way...any other way is wrong and you cannot enjoy your car."

Sounds like a card carrying liberal telling everybody how they should live, what they can enjoy, what size Slurpee they can purchase.

isn't it hilarious how the folks that collect but don't drive never go on, ad nauseum, to the rest about how they should behave but, you guys freely serve up your view about how it should be?

I'll give you my point of view, mind your own business, live and let live...you wanna drive, drive. Maybe as long as your driving, you won't have time to sit around and think about dictating to others how they should live.

BTW, HAND,

Mark

[Joe C.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

I enjoy driving my Corvettes and agree in principle with George and Bruce. I realize and appreciate that there are some who enjoy preserving and looking at their Corvettes. I look at this as being the same as those who collect stamps and coins, although neither of these are meant to be driven. I believe in "live and let live", and "to each his own", and in the USA, that is your right. I feel that most of you who behave this way are delusional, in that many believe that their Corvettes will continue to appreciate in the years beyond our twilight and death. I can't empathize with you, but I do have sympathy for you, because beyond delusion, the behavior is classic OCD.

Let's keep political persuasion out of this discussion. It is not pertinent at all.

[Warren F.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

I have enjoyed following this post. I've been with NCRS for some time as well. I've owned and driven 8 early C3's. Currently have two 1971 models. They sit for the most part in the garage, mostly because there aren't any other similar models around my area to mingle with. My friend is in the same situation with two 1972 LT-1's also sitting in the garage. If there were any Corvette events for the C3 generation cars we would most likely attend and get way more active. Both of us are looking forward to the Lake Tahoe regional next year and will be there with our cars, just wish there were a lot more activities available to hang out with the 1968 through 1972 Corvette crowd.

[Paul J.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

I don't think you should all be stressing out so much about low turnouts. I belong to 4 different car clubs, and at any meeting, cruise, or event there are hardly ever more than about 20% of the registered and paid members that show up. These clubs range from mostly older classics, like NCRS and Baby T-Bird clubs, to mostly late model cars like Corvette, Mustang/Shelby and Mopar clubs. And it is not always the same 20% or so, some people like to do different things than others, have more interest in some events than others, and many are just plain busy with their lives if they are not retired.

Absolutely right!!!

[Stephen B.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

Bill
Like many I see our beloved hobby Graying. I too am Graying ,but I refuse to use that as an excuse to sit at home when there are car activity's. My knees mess with me every day, I can't walk as far or fast as last year or the year before,and I never pass a port-a-potty without at least considering stopping.
I took on the challenge of running the One Lap of America back in May. I along with a co-driver took a modified 2000 Corvette on a 4200 mile trip on public roads to 8 race tracks in 8 days and ran 19 speed events. All this was done on one set of Michelin Pilots,while pulling a trailer, getting 4 to 6 hours of sleep ,and popping cold medication. My co driver and I are both 65 and the gentlemen that talked me into this adventure drove an 88 Corvette and were 65 and 70. I'm not trying to brag,just making the point that you can participate in your passions or you can sit on the couch and make excuses.
My passion is all things automotive and especially Corvette. Someday I will be unable to continue this pace,but right now NO Way.My enthusiasm includes trying to encourage younger people to get involved every chance I get. Reach out embrace those that are 30,40,50 and don't quite have your skill level or experience. I love younger people than myself that take an interest in our hobby.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

That is no kidding! A year ago I was talking to a guy at breakfast at the restaurant near the entrance to the salt. He told us he had been running the lakes and salt since the 50's and thought that year might be his last. He said early on he lied about his age on the lake and thought he might have to lie about his age in another year or two if he wanted to keep running! he keeps passing the physical, though. I didn't make it this year but hope he was running.

I wonder what the age range is in the ACD Club, Studebaker, Graham, etc? By the way, I saw a great dark blue Graham P coupe heading east on I about 20 miles east of Dallas yesterday. Driver looked to be in 40's.

I still belong to the ACD club & While they do have some older members than me, because a lot have died, there are a lot that are my age & way younger. I had A1936 Cord Phaeton & loved the look of it but it drove like a log wagon. Each generation has cars that the grew up with & love. A few cars cross the generations & Corvette is one of them. These cars will always be admired as great automobiles & works of art

[Pat M.]

Re: Part of the NCRS problem....

Yesterday some members of the Queen City NCRS Chapter participated in a road tour (about 35 Miles each way) to the ECTA land speed trials at Wilmington Ohio.
Out of a membership of approximately 119, 6 (six) cars made the trip.
The weather was perfect, the racing was great and we had a great time.
To bad some of the other 113 members could not attend. Obviously there are many good reasons some could not participate but the overall participation was rather pathetic.
Do we belong to NCRS to preserve and enjoy our cars or just do it as an investment, or what?
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Bruce I joined NCRS to learn about my cars and to make them as correct as I can. The ultimate test of that is having them judged, and I have/will, and that's why I go to meets. But I don't look at meets as social events, to me they're almost like a pleasant school setting in a subject you really like - but it's still school, at least to me. I would also add that preparing for and going to meets - with the loading, logistics, travel, money spent, and judging stress - can be the antithesis of relaxation, again, at least to me.

But just because I don't go to tons of meets or on big road trips doesn't mean I don't "enjoy" my cars. In fact I'm enjoying one today, and do so as much as I can in pleasant weather. I just don't feel the need to congregate with other car enthusiasts to enjoy my cars. I'm not against that, I just don't require it.

None of this is a knock on our meets, or road trips, or other gatherings, or on those who love to participate in them. The NCRS meets I've been to were extremely well done and pleasant, they're just not what I would normally do for relaxation. I'm just mentioning this to perhaps explain why some like me do not participate as much as others choose to. To each his own, and JMHO.