Forum participation

[Bob Parmenter]

Dave, I feel like I've come to "know" you reasonably well over the past few years.......at least as well as a cyber familiarity will support. Most of the comments above advance legitimate observations, and with each additional post more factors can be added. It must be some part of human nature to seek "the reason". We hear it frequently when someone wants to identify causes for concerns, they'll say something like "THE problem is...............". But I think it's more a range of things than any single factor.

I agree with your basic premise to some degree, probably moreso than not. But in part the concern comes from your and my unmet expectations..................and when we perceive a "problem" it means our expectations are out of line with reality. I suspect for we older guys who no longer have a work environment to provide mental stimulous, we seek a substitute. We're no longer in the intense input environment that our former career process imposed on us.

Like you I'd like to see more exchanges that interest me here, but that's not happening so I just take what comes along. Are we suffering another National malaise? Yeah, and it impacts a lot more of human interaction than I think most people realize. Hang tough, keep seeking fulfillment, it will appear in time if you keep at it.

[shine]

what i love is pictures of a build. seeing it progress . what is even better is when it is a novice and we can help. that's what it is about.
all i'm good for is making them straight and shiny and putting them together. i'm dumber than a tree stump on rebuilding engines and such. i'm pretty good on the tune of the ones i build. holley is all i can work on.
i've been too snowed under to work on my shop truck or inderweed but i'm getting there. i've been without a car since 94 . well i did get to drive my 37 almost 300 miles before edward bought it in 2004.

[deckofficer]

I'm a new guy and don't plan to fade away. If you guys can tolerate my vision of hot rods, i.e. Track nose Ts, Cobras, GT40s, V-series Cads, (all manual transmissions) and hot rod electric vehicles then I'll be posting new stuff on a regular basis. Since a lot of long time members of this forum posted to this thread, let me include this, if this forum takes on the junior high school mentality of the HAMB, I'm history. Any forum with cliques, the popular group, and "long history with forum, thus I am king" type of make-up, that just doesn't suit me. We all should have equal standing and respect.

I'm now off the soapbox, this is a good forum, the HAMB is what I described above.

[Rickomatic]

I agree Bob (deckoficer), cliques do suck on a board. The one thing I have liked about this site is that if you like it and you want to build it and drive it, there are several here that want to support you. No one will fit in a "perfect box". We all have our own box we live in and if they overlap a little, we should be able to enjoy the connection. Other than the garbage dumpster car, I can't think of a car posted on this site that I didn't like in some way.

[shine]

i dont live inside the box.................. they keep me in the pasture with the cows .......

[Bob Parmenter]

well, that's better than the padded room.............................

[jyardgirl]

bob (deck) that is really a great looking car.

[Trjohn57]

You can find a lot of answers on this site.

[glennsexton]

This is a pretty telling and interesting thread. I think there are several real good reasons why participation has waned a bit, i.e., economy, time of year, and perhaps most important to some of us, time of life.

I like to read most all of the posts here – don’t comment on a lot, but throw my two cents in where I believe I can add value. I am voracious with documentation and have a lot of articles from bygone eras that from time-to-time I’ll resurrect when people are looking for help with a Carter AFB or Super T-10. If I can add a sketch or help to “pictorially” clarify, I’ll give it a go in hopes of being able to help someone get a bit further in their problem resolution. I know a fair bit about Edelbrock carburetors and will chime in on the setup and tuning when asked.

I’ll be the first one to admit my knowledge of paint, upholstery, EFI, etc., etc., is much less than most on this site and as such, I really enjoy seeing others projects come together. I’d love to be able to craft a frame or bend sheet metal the way some here can. And let’s not forget what a trooper Barb is with her thread on putting that nasty ol’ Caddie motor in her Monte Carlo! What an accomplishment. Her tenacity is admirable and she’s one sharp lady in my book for not only attempting the transplant – but for seeing it through to completion! I am impressed.

I have the utmost respect for those on this site who “do this for a living.” People like Pat McCarthy (and a host of others) are truly a wealth of information and I always learn something from reading their posts. Will I ever build a 500 plus horsepower big block? Not likely – but if I was going to attempt it, I’d listen carefully to Pat’s advice.

My wife often reminds me that, “this (your hot rods) is supposed to be a hobby and you’re supposed to have fun.” She also encourages me to take a break and look at things realistically as I’m not 29 years old anymore and cannot accomplish as much in a given period of time as I was once able to. As such, I tend to pick a project apart and try and accomplish it in stages now and it’s a lot more rewarding. The “Good Lord knows” how I’ve drug my feet with this little ’63 Nova and how much I’d like to get it finished so I can drive it! I’ll get there – maybe this year!

The biggest reason I continue to participate is for the encouragement I get and hopefully, pass some on to those on this site. The PM’s and nice comments received from people on this site really lift my spirits and while I’ve met very few of you face-to-face, I feel (as has been said above) that I have come to know many of you well as a part of this big “cyber family” called Club Hot Rod. And, Dave – you are one of the ones that says “right-things-on-a-regular-basis” and I for one appreciate your participation. (I too get a bit tired of those who ask, “is this a cool cam for my 350…”), but what the hey – we were all kids once and I’m glad there were some pretty patient adults around for me when I was cramming Duntov 30-30 cams into stock 265 motors and wondering why it ran like a pig..

If it’s a season of life we’re passing through – then let’s encourage one another to “keep on keepin’ on”. I still think this is one of the best forums and I’ll be hanging out here..

Regards All,
Glenn

[cffisher]

Well I don't do this (build hotrods) for a living you might say its the other way around. Since I retired I have built a few. I enjoy the chalange and then to drive them. I never seem to keep any???? Sombody always hits the magic number and off it goes... BUT thats how I finance the next one.. I get answers here and sometimes try to give them. I have noticed the decline in partisapation lately but in my eyes it dose this every year. Maybe more this year than in the past as $$$$$ are farther apart than before. It just takes longer. I'm putting 2 together now and I just go back and forth. That way my brain stays thinking. With out counting I'd say in the past 17yrs.I have restored or built 10 or 12 cars or trucks. It keeps me from going crazy and this forum helps with that too. I have other hobbies that take some of my time ham radio and collecting and running trains.

[deckofficer]

If you ask me, seems like the forum is alive and well. I'll post a few past and current rides to give an idea that my hot rod flavor is just about any flavor.

The older ride's pictures are of course scanned because no digital cameras back then. I'll throw in one of past non-hot rod activity just so you can see I have a screw loose.

[34_40]

Once again, GlennnSexton says it straight! I can't say it any better! Thanks Glenn...

[cffisher]

Deckofficer
Love the vett.

[glennsexton]

Hey Bob - that KUNI Cadillac in Beaverton Oregon??

[deckofficer]

Hey Bob - that KUNI Cadillac in Beaverton Oregon??

Nope, Sack of Tomatoes, California (Sacramento)