Keeping the Pontiac Tradition Young & Alive

[bencar]

My comeback to what's it worth, is I'll NEVER get back what I've put into my T/A, and therefore, I don't care what it's worth. For me, it was much like you 'Super', I liked the styling, I liked the way it performed, and I liked the fact that its popularity would insure a good supply of repair parts, so I could keep my T/A running long into the future. I also agree, as I think I've said in one manner or another before, that exposing the younger generation to that which came before them, is one way to keep the Pontiac tradition young. Pointing out Pontiacs the younger generation can afford, is yet another way to keep the Pontiac tradition young. You may not convert every young person to Pontiacs, but each one you do, is one more that can carry the torch into the future, and that can't hurt.

[cjsFiero85]

You'll be interested to know that some clubs have always promoted bringing out cars to show no matter what condition they are in. Since the inception of the Fierorama, hosted by the Northern Illinois Fiero Enthusiasts, the theme has always been a celebration of the daily driver. That's not to say that the show is for daily drivers only. There are mostly (driven) show cars in attendance; however the classes are broken down by mileage. That way, a car with over 100,000 miles will not be competing with a car with 1,000 miles (yes, they still exist for some reason), except for some special classes. This attitude promotes the driving and showing of all Fieros, and it has been well accepted.

Interestingly, a few years after Fierorama began, the Pebble Beach Concour included a class for "original, unrestored" cars; acknowledging the fact that a car is only original once and possess a special value in being unrestored. Now you'll see unrestorer cars at auction bringing as much and sometimes more than restored cars. Most of the cars at Fierorama are original unrestored cars.

I am of the opinion that everybody should be welcome. How many of today's classics started out as just daily drivers. For example, the 1957 Chevy was the least popular of the '55 through '57 Chevys when new, and now it has reached cult status. Also, most of us can not afford many of the most popular cars that appear at shows. So showing what you've got provides you with an entry to participate in the hobby. Presumably we all will either improve the vehicles we have or graduate to better cars when conditions allow. But to shut someone out because they don't have a pristine vehicle is to push them away from the hobby.

[bencar]

Amen brother! My 1960 Plymouth was originally the 'Family Car' before I got it, and served as my 'Daily Driver' for 6 years. My 1976 Trans Am, was my 'Daily Driver' from 1981 to 1991, and so it goes. Even as retired hobby cars, my cars are far from being 100 point cars, but they're nice, and as nice as I'll ever be able to make them. In the Club I run, the 'NY/NJ Slant-Six Club of America', the rule is, if it rolls, bring it. Our annual Meet isn't just about Trophies and honors, its mostly about getting together, sharing knowledge, and enjoying each other's company. Which is why I find the Internet not such a great substitute sometimes for being able to get out, and see other people and their cars. The one advantage the Internet has though, is one need not put gasoline into one's Computer, in order to traverse the Internet.

[50scars]

Been a while since I have looked in here. Last couple months have been tough. Put my mom in assisted living, saw my son off to Afganistan, worked.
Anyhow. Saw someone mention the idea of a meet. I can't do it this year, but I know of a neat place we can go in 2008. There are some added attractions for people to see. Not really great kid stuff to do, but there is a large air and space museum, a decent hotel on the premesis, and lots of parking off street. Being in central Illinois, the prices won't be bad at all, and it is about as close to the largest number of us as possible. If I run it, the rules will be NO OPEN HOODS, unless you are doing needed wrenching. Displays, pictures, memorabilia, and stuff are great. Might even fail to note if you happen to show up in some lesser car.

[bencar]

I like your concept, just unfortunately can't make the trip from Jersey.
I'll hope for only good things for your Son, and tell him for me, I support him. I'm not fond of all these wars of late, but your son, and all like him are still heroes iny book, no mstter what.

[super]

I would be very interested in a get together in Illinois. It would be a fairly central location.

What area of Illinois? I am about 70 miles west of St. Louis, MO.

I believe 2008 would be a good call. This would give everyone time to consider having a meet.

Jeff

[50scars]

I am thinking of the old Chanute Air Force Base at Rantoul, which is just north of Champaign. One of the hangers has a very large museum, and there is just about all the paved space in the world to park, and some of the buildings have been turned into hotels that are used to house teams in training for summer camps, and other activities. Given my contacts in the area, and the lead time, we can tour lots of uncrowded neat little things depending upon how far we want to drive. I'm thinking start the event say Thursday afternoon, and head home Sunday. I'm hosting one for the H. H . Franklin club in Decatur that includes 2 private car museums, and 4 other museums over a 3 day period, including all meals and admissions, costs $85 per person. the hotel costs $75, and it is not Econolodge.

[bencar]

Any chance of something low key in New Jersey? My Slant-Six Club hosts a 'Club Picnic' at a Member's house each year, and though it's not a gala event, it is a nice, low budget way for the Members to get together.

[50scars]

An event can be anywhere someone steps up to bat to host it.

[bencar]

If I could get some help with this, I'm game. We could even try something in one of the local Parks, if I have enough lead time to reserve a grove.

[50scars]

My personal thought is that you need to run for a few days for a national or even regional meet. Just having a 4 hour get together isn't going to draw people from much further than a couple hours drive--it is just another local car show. You need some events for the less than avid car freak who rides along. You need to do something more than just meet in a hot parking lot.

[bencar]

Best I can handle for now, is a low key Get-Together, for as many as can make it for a day trip. I hadn't expected to draw a huge crowd from all over the country, and if necessary, the event could be scheduled in October, in order to avoid the heat. Generally it's still nice enough even by late October for an outdoor event around here. If the event is held in the Summer, the Park I'm thinking of, is located along a River, and there's plenty of shade from the Trees, so that might make a mid-Summer event a bit more tolerable. So, maybe? Not everything need be a huge gala event, just to be a nice day together.

[duncan2plus2]

One idea that I had in mind when I brought up the possibility of holding actual car events was some thing on the order of the Super Chevy Show series, but much smaller of course. When my brother & I first started trying to figure out how to build and set up our show cars we went to the show in Memphis. I think that year (1997?) they held 9-10 shows across the U.S. This year I think they have planned over 20 shows.

It appears the success of this series lies in the number of national sponsors they have been able to get, the locations that make it affordable for people all across the country to attend, and the many varied activites they have during the weekend. I realize fewer Pontiacs were made than Chevys, and even fewer are back on the roads today, but maybe a similar type of "series" event scaled down with 4-6 regional shows would make it workable & affordable for most Pontiac folks to attend.

The biggest issue would be finding people with the time & committment to see something like this through, and to be able to find locations, volunteers, sponsors, etc, etc, etc. In the meantime, $3.40 (CA) a gallon for gas is going to make a single national show pretty hard to swallow for most people like me, not to mention the vacation time needed and the danger involved in hauling or driving my car that distance.

I wonder how many Pontiac people agree with this concept, and if anyone reading knows someone who was or is involved in the Super Chevy Show who could give us an idea of what was/is involved??

[bencar]

I think a smaller scale event is feasible, and I definitely agree with you on the issues of fuel costs, and dangers involved in driving one's hobby vehicle long distances. Beyond that, I suppose there's not much I can do from here for an event outside my area, other than provide moral support for a good concept.

[50scars]

What it takes is someone who will stick their neck out and say "I WILL HOST THIS EVENT, AND THIS IS WHAT I AM GOING TO OFFER" This is a new group. There is no precident, there are no rules, who ever picks up the ball does what he thinks will work, and he can handle, then the next guy can say, "what you did was OK, but I am going to go you a bit better, because I learned from your event.". The people who fail to show up, and especially those who have failed to provide an alternative have no room to bitch about what you do. I'd be quite willing to come to New Jersey, but I am not coming for a 4 hour event. It is a 2 day drive.
I'd be willing to bet that there are some females who are the car nut in this group, and there are males who tag along because "she who must be obeyed says so", as well as the females who like the axuillary stuff like the clothes and the antique paraphenalia. I like the other stuff, too.
If you want to have an event in your area, STAND UP AND SAY THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO; THIS IS THE DATE I WANT TO DO IT;SIGN UP NOW SO I KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING OR NOT. Believe me, the convention bureau will help even if you are only bringing 50 people to town.
I'd be willing to bet that there are other people in your area who would help, but someone has to be the leader. If you want some specific ideas, contact me privately. I appointed you to your POCI job, so if you have not figured out who I am, Larry can tell you.
Anyone who wants to host a get to gether, don't wait for an invitation, STAND UP AND SAY COME TO ME.