greg2001
Mar 7th, 05, 11:42 AM
Good morning all,
I am writing this post to inquire about the interest in starting a new national Chevelle orgainization that would cater to restored to original/unrestored cars along with mildly modified true "day 2" cars. Many of you guys remember the National Chevelle Owners Association (now defunct) that Mark Meekins ran. This origainization catered to all Chevelles but in reality was manily interested in the concourse or restored to original cars. When the club went out of business nothing was left catering to these cars.
I know in talking to others there seems to be a considerable amount of interest in restored to original cars, and it seems a shame not to have a group that caters to this. I think it is long overdue to continue to not have a nationally recognized group that would cater to this aspect of the Chevelle community.
What I'm proposing is a nationally orgainized group made up of anyone that appreciates restored to original or unrestored cars. I propose that there be a group of enthusiast all sharing a common goal..the preservation of the 1964-1977 Chevelle, Monte Carlo, and El Camino as it appeared when leaving the factory or as a "day 2" car...vintage speed parts only. This group will further the historical knowledge, the correctness, and the preservation of these cars. It will be made up of MANY people, whose opinions, experience, expertise, and knowledge are both appreciated and considered. This ISN'T about just me or about a few people. It will never work that way. In talking to people noone wants a dictatorship and it shouldn't be expected or tolerated.
I know the old NCOA had many faults, but one of the most promising things was the expectation of a Chevellle owner that they could show their car among peers and have the car judged for factory correctness. This is sorely missed today. The only thing that comes close is the Diamond Certification process currently being done by Chris White and Jeff Dotterer. While these 2 gentleman are extremely well respected and their opinions are held with the highest regard, there isn't a national governing body to turn to. What I'm proposing would take the best of the Diamond Certification process and combine it with elements from the old NCOA and other nationally recognized car clubs. Thereby creating a nationally recognized group that not only judges for originality, but also would act as a clearing house for knowledge and info.
The group would establish guidelines for judging that were considered rigid enough to create a standard, but not inflexible enough to exclude the idea that these cars were mass produced. In other words there are no "cookie cutter" cars, but there are acceptable standards. A judging comittee would establish and publish guidelines and expectaions that would then be used to assist restorers and car owners. The judging would be based on a point system and adminastered with impartiality and fairness. No cliques, no back stabing, no BS..just fair judging by knowlegeable people who share the same interest.
What I'm asking here is there enough interest to all get together and come up with something that most agree is needed? I've already spoken to Chuck Hanson of ACES. Chuck brought up some very valid points about the feasibility of a club devoted to restored to original and unrestored cars. In talking to him he was very gracious and pointed out somethings that will need to be discussed. He also agreed to entertain, depending on logisitcs, scope of the club, etc., a way to combine in some form the goals of both his group at ACES and a new club with a narrower focus. This is a huge postive, if and when it can be worked out.
I would like to enlist everyone's help here...Let me go on record and say that for me to be affilaited with anything it has to be all inclusive..No one will be left out due to personal differences, past history, etc. I fully would like to include everyone that wants to contribute their input..including those that are already involved with the Diamond Certification Process. Whether or not people participate or not depends on them..not me or others.
Just so everyone knows upfront..I didn't really want to be the chair or person that initates this, but someone needs to step up and take the reigns. I am not inquiring for personal gain or profit. This has nothing to do with "me" but with what like minded others and myself feel is a needed change in our community. Those that know me know I'm not about personal gain.
In closing I think this is a great opportunity for like minded people to get together and do something that needs to happen. It would increase awareness, make restoration cost more recoupable post restoration (currently something hard to do with a Chevelle), foster the transfer of knowledge, establish standards for the hobby, estalish nationally recognized restoration levels and standards, validate owners/restorers hard work and efforts, allow more participation, and above all create a more enjoyable hobby.
What is your feedback? Please fell free to email me at gregory_carlson@countrywide.com or call me at either 800-669-5834 or 804-314-7732.
Thanks
I am writing this post to inquire about the interest in starting a new national Chevelle orgainization that would cater to restored to original/unrestored cars along with mildly modified true "day 2" cars. Many of you guys remember the National Chevelle Owners Association (now defunct) that Mark Meekins ran. This origainization catered to all Chevelles but in reality was manily interested in the concourse or restored to original cars. When the club went out of business nothing was left catering to these cars.
I know in talking to others there seems to be a considerable amount of interest in restored to original cars, and it seems a shame not to have a group that caters to this. I think it is long overdue to continue to not have a nationally recognized group that would cater to this aspect of the Chevelle community.
What I'm proposing is a nationally orgainized group made up of anyone that appreciates restored to original or unrestored cars. I propose that there be a group of enthusiast all sharing a common goal..the preservation of the 1964-1977 Chevelle, Monte Carlo, and El Camino as it appeared when leaving the factory or as a "day 2" car...vintage speed parts only. This group will further the historical knowledge, the correctness, and the preservation of these cars. It will be made up of MANY people, whose opinions, experience, expertise, and knowledge are both appreciated and considered. This ISN'T about just me or about a few people. It will never work that way. In talking to people noone wants a dictatorship and it shouldn't be expected or tolerated.
I know the old NCOA had many faults, but one of the most promising things was the expectation of a Chevellle owner that they could show their car among peers and have the car judged for factory correctness. This is sorely missed today. The only thing that comes close is the Diamond Certification process currently being done by Chris White and Jeff Dotterer. While these 2 gentleman are extremely well respected and their opinions are held with the highest regard, there isn't a national governing body to turn to. What I'm proposing would take the best of the Diamond Certification process and combine it with elements from the old NCOA and other nationally recognized car clubs. Thereby creating a nationally recognized group that not only judges for originality, but also would act as a clearing house for knowledge and info.
The group would establish guidelines for judging that were considered rigid enough to create a standard, but not inflexible enough to exclude the idea that these cars were mass produced. In other words there are no "cookie cutter" cars, but there are acceptable standards. A judging comittee would establish and publish guidelines and expectaions that would then be used to assist restorers and car owners. The judging would be based on a point system and adminastered with impartiality and fairness. No cliques, no back stabing, no BS..just fair judging by knowlegeable people who share the same interest.
What I'm asking here is there enough interest to all get together and come up with something that most agree is needed? I've already spoken to Chuck Hanson of ACES. Chuck brought up some very valid points about the feasibility of a club devoted to restored to original and unrestored cars. In talking to him he was very gracious and pointed out somethings that will need to be discussed. He also agreed to entertain, depending on logisitcs, scope of the club, etc., a way to combine in some form the goals of both his group at ACES and a new club with a narrower focus. This is a huge postive, if and when it can be worked out.
I would like to enlist everyone's help here...Let me go on record and say that for me to be affilaited with anything it has to be all inclusive..No one will be left out due to personal differences, past history, etc. I fully would like to include everyone that wants to contribute their input..including those that are already involved with the Diamond Certification Process. Whether or not people participate or not depends on them..not me or others.
Just so everyone knows upfront..I didn't really want to be the chair or person that initates this, but someone needs to step up and take the reigns. I am not inquiring for personal gain or profit. This has nothing to do with "me" but with what like minded others and myself feel is a needed change in our community. Those that know me know I'm not about personal gain.
In closing I think this is a great opportunity for like minded people to get together and do something that needs to happen. It would increase awareness, make restoration cost more recoupable post restoration (currently something hard to do with a Chevelle), foster the transfer of knowledge, establish standards for the hobby, estalish nationally recognized restoration levels and standards, validate owners/restorers hard work and efforts, allow more participation, and above all create a more enjoyable hobby.
What is your feedback? Please fell free to email me at gregory_carlson@countrywide.com or call me at either 800-669-5834 or 804-314-7732.
Thanks