The Ford Barn

Kevin in NJ · 08-31-2010, 10:18 AM

In response to Dan and the reprinting of the information.

The reality is a lot has changed.

None of the old how to paint info is correct.

A lot of thoughts on how the car was assembled have been replaced with facts researched in the archives.

The methods of restoration have changed as quality reproduction parts have been brought on to the market.

Most of the better articles have been reprinted in the how to restore. A lot of no longer apply articles are in those same books. Not to mention some of the info has changed.

There is no easy answer.

Too much resistance to change and the cash flow model is based on old technology (money from printed matter).

As I understand it the Model T club is growing and is very active with an influx of younger members. I believe Brent has been pointing this out. I would think the clubs need to look toward the T clubs and find out what they do to allow this to happen. I would also look towards what goes on in the Mustang club as it seems a lot of people with A's also own Mustangs.

In the end, the change comes from club members doing as the board members are there to oversee the big picture and help the members make their club theirs.

msmaron · 08-31-2010, 11:36 AM

Get rid of the old and bring in the NEW..New ideas, Formats, tours, get rid of the old advice from OLD Board members that don't belong. You had your chance and now pass it on, lets stop hearing :we did that before, we were there, why change that, this is the problem with both.. it is time to start over and start with a new attitude and release all the bitterness between the 2 clubs. I believe having a meet in San Diego is the first step toward a start, get the west coast people involved in MARC and get the east coast out there, and stop complaining about it already!!!
Good Luck you got my votes

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 08-31-2010, 11:52 AM

Some of these opinions cause me to question where the reality is. The deal about brass-era cars being long gone is definitely not an accurate statement. Heck you cannot even touch a brass-era car in the 'teens' any longer and when you find a fairly priced car, they are snapped up in a hurry. Don't believe me, click HERE or ask around. Brass is back!!

As far as proponents of the web, we here are all like minded but how many current members (or potential members) have not made that transition? Also, is it possible that many Restorer/M.A.N. readers are no longer interested in doing the work themselves? Look at how many restoration shops and service providers are available now. So maybe more tech articles would take away from why many join the club?

The one thing regarding the judging issue that I am seeing is apparently the two clubs do not share the same sentiment on how a car is to be evaluated. Maybe this is not the case but to me it appears one club is all about striving to use whatever resources are available to name the best car at that venue which most examplifies a car as it was originally manufactured, ...and the other club is more about setting a certain level of what should be considered authentic and then rewarding all of those who achieve that minimum level and beyond. I am not saying one is right or wrong, but just an observation why the two clubs merging would be difficult.

.

1930artdeco · 08-31-2010, 11:52 AM

Hi All,

Here are my three thoughts on the subject.

1) Slowly merge the two organizations back together. They already share the same judging standards (car and clothing). I don't know of any other club that has two different groups doing the same thing. I also realize people don't like to lose jobs/power.

2) Get the younger generation involved. I am the youngest in my club and I jsut turned 40

. Granted I got my car from my father as a grad present. But I think that people may see these cars as very expensive to buy and then restore. My reflection from the Vancouver meet is that the avg. age was somewhere-well way above my age

. Sorry folks but it is and I think when people see someone in their 20's-30's driving the car then they think-'hey if they can, I can'.

3) Get out in the publics eye. Unfortunately, we live in a media driven world now. I used to do WW II reenacting and last time I checked there was a home front and people still used Model A's and T's to get around. So maybe some clubs can partner up with other clubs to provide cars for display or rides? Here in the Bay Area we have the Gatsby Picnic put on by the Art Deco Society and I see many A's and other period cars on the grounds.

Just the thoughts of a rambler.....

Mike

WTSHNN · 08-31-2010, 12:26 PM

There are two clubs for the same reason that there is Coke and Pepsi. Why a simple Fordbarn thread about "what type of oil is best" can lead to five pages of responses and spark a huge debate. There are people in this world who want an option and who feel that if they don't have an option, they're being pushed towards something they might not like.

So what will everyone demand when the two clubs merge and then the loyalists from MARC and the loyalists from MAFCA go off and create their own new Model A clubs and now we have three national Model A clubs?

-Tim

Bob/Kansas City · 08-31-2010, 01:58 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

[QUOTE=Jeff/Illinois;70723]I agree pretty much with Brent and ForeverFour. The V-8 Times is a great club magazine, not packed with stories of someone's pancake breakfast or other eating venue or what underwear your Granny would have worn in the Model A era, but actual technical articles. Real 'meat' the stuff we need to know. /QUOTE]

I agree wholeheartedly with the above. Make the publications from MARC and MAFCA more meaningful and helpful.
Articles with photos on member restorations similar to what "Hemmings Classic Car" does. How to articles, with photos, on topics that all Model A'ers are facing in their restorations.
Yes, many have already done their brakes, transmissions, rebuilt engines or whatever and for them it may be old stuff but there are always new people coming into the hobby that don't have their level of experience and need some help or at least a general exposure to things they will encounter in their restorations to get them started in the right direction.

Maybe post the member anniversaries, chapter news, etc on the respective websites and better utilize the print space for topics of more interest to restorers.

I sincerely hope no one takes offense but I just can't help but shake my head at a 4 (!) page article on cigar boxes in a Model A Ford publication.
Just my opinion!

Thank goodness for The Ford Barn forum and the wealth of information available here!

marc hildebrant · 08-31-2010, 02:02 PM

As a new Model A owner and new MAFCA member, I agree with many of the past comments. I would suggest a section in each magazine (and available on line) that covers the basics. For example, brakes, timing, etc.

Marc

RonC · 08-31-2010, 02:15 PM

If both national clubs get merged together then I vote for a magazine every month.

WTSHNN · 08-31-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

I sincerely hope no one takes offense but I just can't help but shake my head at a 4 (!) page article on cigar boxes in a Model A Ford publication.
Just my opinion!

Bob. I felt that way too but didn't want to say anything.

I tried to 'get into' the article but had to turn the page, I didn't see anything there that was even remotely interesting.

The article was cool but contained a tremendous amount of detail that wasn't of interest (to me) in a Model A magazine. However, the author still took the time to write something and submit it. Something the national is constantly struggling with. So I won't knock him for doing that!

-Tim

MCHinson · 08-31-2010, 02:21 PM

Wow, what a can of worms you have opened up. I will probably make many people upset with this but here it goes…

I have been a member of MAFCA as well as AACA for 15 years or so. A couple of years ago, I also joined MARC, hoping to go to a MARC meet in Williamsburg. Unfortunately work prevented me from making it to Williamsburg. I have read a little bit on Fordbarn over the years. After 30 years of law enforcement, I retired in July and subsequently joined the new Fordbarn. To understand my point of reference, I have a wife who retired on disability over 10 years ago. I have a college age son. I have a middle school aged daughter. I am 49 years old.

I have never attended a National MAFCA or National MARC event. I have attended AACA Meets and Tours all over the East Coast. I also agree that there is no need for two different National Model A Clubs, but it will be a very difficult thing to do. There is too much politics involved in both clubs. Too many people want to argue and hold grudges.

I actually prefer MAFCA’s magazine but get the impression that since I do not live on the West Coast I am not really important to MAFCA. This is probably an unfair characterization, but MAFCA just “seems” to be too California centered. MARC does not seem quite as “slick” as MAFCA to me. In spite of recent upgrades, both MAFCA’s and MARC’s websites do not seem to be as useful as they could be. Giving credit where credit is due, the MAFCA site’s technical tips section was very helpful to me once in 2006.

In contrast, AACA has a website with a rather successful discussion forum. Unfortunately, there are very few Model A folks participating in that site, probably because of this site and the other Model A specific sites. AACA also has multiple meets as well as touring opportunities each year within reasonable distances from me here in Southeastern North Carolina.

There are quite a few Model A owners in our local AACA Chapter. A few of us here in Wilmington have attempted for a couple of years to get the local area Model A owners interested in forming a local Model A Club. We have had a few successful local tours and meals and garage tours, but we struggle to get enough of those folks to join either National Club to enable us to become a chapter or region of one of the national clubs. There are over 40 Model A owner’s here in our local area and we can’t get a group of 5 that are national club members. I don’t know what the answer to that problem is, but combining the national clubs into one national club might help.

I would suggest that a concentrated effort to combine the two clubs, create a nationwide organization of local chapter/regions, with regional events held across the entire US and run by a geographically diverse board of directors would be a vast improvement. One of the strengths of AACA is the diverse geographical area that the Directors come from and that some directors are assigned responsibility for development and support in each of the different geographical divisions.

Development of Annual Division Tours, so that folks have the opportunity to drive their Model A’s in different areas of the country would be a fun and visible way to promote the Model A Hobby. If the only major way to participate in MAFCA is Fine Point Judging, fewer and fewer people are going to be interested in joining. Touring is a way to get young families involved. The bottom line is that there has to be different opportunities and those opportunities have to be available in different areas of the country and the have to be scheduled and organized so that they are convenient for young families, and those activities have got to be planned so that there is some fun involved. If we take ourselves too seriously, the hobby suffers.

Tacoma Bob · 08-31-2010, 02:24 PM

Yup I made a decision several years ago to dump MARC. I couldn't justify belonging to both for the sake of magazine coverage with mostly the same advertising and the all too familiar thread about restoring Aunt so-n-so's leatherback whatever. I really don't care what happened 50 odd years ago and who peed in who's cheerio's. The only way the grass roots folks will have a prayer is to boycott both clubs for a year and watch how fast things come together. But as long as everyone keeps reading about ol aunt-so-n-so;s leatherback it simply ain't gunna happen

.

Steve Plucker · 08-31-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacoma Bob

Yup I made a decision several years ago to dump MARC. I couldn't justify belonging to both for the sake of magazine coverage with mostly the same advertising and the all too familiar thread about restoring Aunt so-n-so's leatherback whatever. I really don't care what happened 50 odd years ago and who peed in who's cheerio's. The only way the grass roots folks will have a prayer is to boycott both clubs for a year and watch how fast things come together. But as long as everyone keeps reading about ol aunt-so-n-so;s leatherback it simply ain't gunna happen

.

TB,

You just craked me up!

Pluck

Brentwood Bob · 08-31-2010, 03:03 PM

One way to get more technical articles is to write them. A second way is to do what Mafca has done recently, and look to the chapter newsletters for articles of interest that could be developed into good, informative stuff for the rest of the country to read.
I always liked the fact that there was a lot of experience available thru the guys in my club, or in my region, that I could tap to help me thru a problem. Fordbarn fills that void, but alot of people are not getting the type of help given freely here.
As for having the old fogeys, like me, step aside: I have never understood the me first rule. A smarter way is to make some friendships that will endure. None of us want the knowledge we have to not be passed on. Adopt a promising youngster, get him interested by letting him drive your car, the bug will bite him.
I believe the best way to keep the hobby going is the one-on-one technique. Put the gruffness, the quick terse response, the don't touch my car attitude in your back pocket. Help someone thru a problem, and then see what happens. Bob La Follette

Mike V. Florida · 08-31-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonC

Of all the clubs in this country only a handfull have donated to the program.

To the defense of the other clubs, some promote the hobby to the youth from within when money allows. Our club used to do this when we had the funds. Since the funds are short there is no longer that kind of donation being made hense my suggestion on how to build funds.

And as for fashion, as long as it does not overwhelm the magazine why not? It is part of the culture. I often dress the part when I go to shows and the like. I find history fascinating, all of it!

Chris in WNC · 08-31-2010, 03:31 PM

MERGE.

one national club is enough in the 21st century.

I have no interest in being a national board member, but I would gladly volunteer to serve on an advisory committee to merge MAFCA & MARC.

2manycars · 08-31-2010, 03:33 PM

That article about the cigar boxes had me wondering who was smoking what at the magazine. I noticed that there was a 4 page spread on the restoration of a car done by a friend of the editor. I sent in two articles, with photos. One was public interest, the other technical. they received less than a page, and the photos were so tiny it was nearly impossible to see and appreciate what was being presented. I tried, I give up. I have belonged to both clubs for many years. The local CT club requires national membership, and I have been affiliated with that club for 50 years. I guess 50 years is enough. I too am tired of reading several pages of tales of club news, when in fact it is mostly drivel. The fashion news is almost all women's fashions, and how often does someone wear that stuff anyway? I can read the whole magazine in a few minutes. Anybody who belongs to the AACA can tell you what a good magazine looks like. As for there being two clubs, that seems redundant. I doubt it will change, the people who run the clubs and the magazines want to protect their jobs, and will likely not vote to merge. I enjoy this site, and mostly I just enjoy driving my cars in the evening, with no particular place to go.

2manycars · 08-31-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

[I just enjoy driving my cars in the evening, with no particular place to go.

...so we're off to the Kokomo?? I like that song, wasn't it Chuck Berry??[/QUOTE]

You win the cigar for the correct answer. I am glad someone got the reference. Contact the guy who wrote the cigar box article to claim your prize.

It's cooling off now, so I am taking the roadster out for a ride on the back roads.

Jerry Parr WI · 08-31-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forever4

Mark,
Either one of them could use the Early V8 Ford Club of America as a Model of how to publish an excellent and compelling bi-monthly magazine with interesting popular interest and technical interest that is not filled with 4 month old chapter chatter, fashion discussion, and excessive/predominant paid advertising.

Also the V8 Club is a model of how to put out a useful annual roster of members for free, and how to put on a National (Grand and Regional) Meet and Convention consistently well. All for the same ~$40 level of annual national dues.

Different strokes. I dropped the V8 membership after a number of years because most of the articles were of little interest to me. Although I visited the swap at a couple of Grand Nationals while I belonged most of the events were of no interest to me so I had little more than a casual interest in the meets. Point being what one person finds as a great operation may not be to others.

I do believe the national clubs should offer much more assistance with the meets. As currently structured the National has a list of demands that must be met, but no help with getting there.

MCHinson · 08-31-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forever4

So why not just have a local Model A club? There is no reason or requirement to have everyone join a national. So what if you are not a 'chapter' of a national? What do you think you would be missing out on?

Just create your local Model A club, and do whatever it is you guys want to do. THere is not much benefit to joining a national except to go/show at national events, and to receive the bi monthly magazine.

That is where we are now. We are a loosely organized group doing stuff every few months now. We do local events, but would like to be affiliated with a national club so new people moving here would easily find us from a national club website link. That is about the only reason for us to affiliate with a national club.

'29wagon · 08-31-2010, 10:51 PM

Actually Mark. I did call you in regards to joining your club and well I did leave several messages and not once did I hear back from you, sure I was told you're a very busy man and now since you've asked, Well returning phone calls might be a start.
The scene in at Hart Park in the spring is great and if nothing else, keep that going.
I sat next to a guy who won three times and I sat there empty handed.
So i've decided not to follow the rules and trade for what ever fits. Thanks and good luck with the merge.

08-31-2010, 10:18 AM	#21
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby In response to Dan and the reprinting of the information. The reality is a lot has changed. None of the old how to paint info is correct. A lot of thoughts on how the car was assembled have been replaced with facts researched in the archives. The methods of restoration have changed as quality reproduction parts have been brought on to the market. Most of the better articles have been reprinted in the how to restore. A lot of no longer apply articles are in those same books. Not to mention some of the info has changed. There is no easy answer. Too much resistance to change and the cash flow model is based on old technology (money from printed matter). As I understand it the Model T club is growing and is very active with an influx of younger members. I believe Brent has been pointing this out. I would think the clubs need to look toward the T clubs and find out what they do to allow this to happen. I would also look towards what goes on in the Mustang club as it seems a lot of people with A's also own Mustangs. In the end, the change comes from club members doing as the board members are there to oversee the big picture and help the members make their club theirs.

08-31-2010, 11:36 AM	#22
msmaron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 3,604	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby Get rid of the old and bring in the NEW..New ideas, Formats, tours, get rid of the old advice from OLD Board members that don't belong. You had your chance and now pass it on, lets stop hearing :we did that before, we were there, why change that, this is the problem with both.. it is time to start over and start with a new attitude and release all the bitterness between the 2 clubs. I believe having a meet in San Diego is the first step toward a start, get the west coast people involved in MARC and get the east coast out there, and stop complaining about it already!!! Good Luck you got my votes __________________ A7191-Sport Coupe 29 Roadster 29-Town Sedan 29-Original Special Coupe

08-31-2010, 11:52 AM	#23
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,972	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby Some of these opinions cause me to question where the reality is. The deal about brass-era cars being long gone is definitely not an accurate statement. Heck you cannot even touch a brass-era car in the 'teens' any longer and when you find a fairly priced car, they are snapped up in a hurry. Don't believe me, click HERE or ask around. Brass is back!! As far as proponents of the web, we here are all like minded but how many current members (or potential members) have not made that transition? Also, is it possible that many Restorer/M.A.N. readers are no longer interested in doing the work themselves? Look at how many restoration shops and service providers are available now. So maybe more tech articles would take away from why many join the club? The one thing regarding the judging issue that I am seeing is apparently the two clubs do not share the same sentiment on how a car is to be evaluated. Maybe this is not the case but to me it appears one club is all about striving to use whatever resources are available to name the best car at that venue which most examplifies a car as it was originally manufactured, ...and the other club is more about setting a certain level of what should be considered authentic and then rewarding all of those who achieve that minimum level and beyond. I am not saying one is right or wrong, but just an observation why the two clubs merging would be difficult. . __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

08-31-2010, 11:52 AM	#24
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,777	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby Hi All, Here are my three thoughts on the subject. 1) Slowly merge the two organizations back together. They already share the same judging standards (car and clothing). I don't know of any other club that has two different groups doing the same thing. I also realize people don't like to lose jobs/power. 2) Get the younger generation involved. I am the youngest in my club and I jsut turned 40. Granted I got my car from my father as a grad present. But I think that people may see these cars as very expensive to buy and then restore. My reflection from the Vancouver meet is that the avg. age was somewhere-well way above my age. Sorry folks but it is and I think when people see someone in their 20's-30's driving the car then they think-'hey if they can, I can'. 3) Get out in the publics eye. Unfortunately, we live in a media driven world now. I used to do WW II reenacting and last time I checked there was a home front and people still used Model A's and T's to get around. So maybe some clubs can partner up with other clubs to provide cars for display or rides? Here in the Bay Area we have the Gatsby Picnic put on by the Art Deco Society and I see many A's and other period cars on the grounds. Just the thoughts of a rambler..... Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

08-31-2010, 12:26 PM	#25
WTSHNN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,489	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby There are two clubs for the same reason that there is Coke and Pepsi. Why a simple Fordbarn thread about "what type of oil is best" can lead to five pages of responses and spark a huge debate. There are people in this world who want an option and who feel that if they don't have an option, they're being pushed towards something they might not like. So what will everyone demand when the two clubs merge and then the loyalists from MARC and the loyalists from MAFCA go off and create their own new Model A clubs and now we have three national Model A clubs? -Tim

08-31-2010, 01:58 PM	#26
Bob/Kansas City Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lees Summit, MO Posts: 340	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) [QUOTE=Jeff/Illinois;70723]I agree pretty much with Brent and ForeverFour. The V-8 Times is a great club magazine, not packed with stories of someone's pancake breakfast or other eating venue or what underwear your Granny would have worn in the Model A era, but actual technical articles. Real 'meat' the stuff we need to know. /QUOTE] I agree wholeheartedly with the above. Make the publications from MARC and MAFCA more meaningful and helpful. Articles with photos on member restorations similar to what "Hemmings Classic Car" does. How to articles, with photos, on topics that all Model A'ers are facing in their restorations. Yes, many have already done their brakes, transmissions, rebuilt engines or whatever and for them it may be old stuff but there are always new people coming into the hobby that don't have their level of experience and need some help or at least a general exposure to things they will encounter in their restorations to get them started in the right direction. Maybe post the member anniversaries, chapter news, etc on the respective websites and better utilize the print space for topics of more interest to restorers. I sincerely hope no one takes offense but I just can't help but shake my head at a 4 (!) page article on cigar boxes in a Model A Ford publication. Just my opinion! Thank goodness for The Ford Barn forum and the wealth of information available here!

08-31-2010, 02:02 PM	#27
marc hildebrant Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 1,128	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby As a new Model A owner and new MAFCA member, I agree with many of the past comments. I would suggest a section in each magazine (and available on line) that covers the basics. For example, brakes, timing, etc. Marc

08-31-2010, 02:15 PM	#28
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby If both national clubs get merged together then I vote for a magazine every month.

08-31-2010, 02:21 PM	#30
MCHinson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 401	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby Wow, what a can of worms you have opened up. I will probably make many people upset with this but here it goes… I have been a member of MAFCA as well as AACA for 15 years or so. A couple of years ago, I also joined MARC, hoping to go to a MARC meet in Williamsburg. Unfortunately work prevented me from making it to Williamsburg. I have read a little bit on Fordbarn over the years. After 30 years of law enforcement, I retired in July and subsequently joined the new Fordbarn. To understand my point of reference, I have a wife who retired on disability over 10 years ago. I have a college age son. I have a middle school aged daughter. I am 49 years old. I have never attended a National MAFCA or National MARC event. I have attended AACA Meets and Tours all over the East Coast. I also agree that there is no need for two different National Model A Clubs, but it will be a very difficult thing to do. There is too much politics involved in both clubs. Too many people want to argue and hold grudges. I actually prefer MAFCA’s magazine but get the impression that since I do not live on the West Coast I am not really important to MAFCA. This is probably an unfair characterization, but MAFCA just “seems” to be too California centered. MARC does not seem quite as “slick” as MAFCA to me. In spite of recent upgrades, both MAFCA’s and MARC’s websites do not seem to be as useful as they could be. Giving credit where credit is due, the MAFCA site’s technical tips section was very helpful to me once in 2006. In contrast, AACA has a website with a rather successful discussion forum. Unfortunately, there are very few Model A folks participating in that site, probably because of this site and the other Model A specific sites. AACA also has multiple meets as well as touring opportunities each year within reasonable distances from me here in Southeastern North Carolina. There are quite a few Model A owners in our local AACA Chapter. A few of us here in Wilmington have attempted for a couple of years to get the local area Model A owners interested in forming a local Model A Club. We have had a few successful local tours and meals and garage tours, but we struggle to get enough of those folks to join either National Club to enable us to become a chapter or region of one of the national clubs. There are over 40 Model A owner’s here in our local area and we can’t get a group of 5 that are national club members. I don’t know what the answer to that problem is, but combining the national clubs into one national club might help. I would suggest that a concentrated effort to combine the two clubs, create a nationwide organization of local chapter/regions, with regional events held across the entire US and run by a geographically diverse board of directors would be a vast improvement. One of the strengths of AACA is the diverse geographical area that the Directors come from and that some directors are assigned responsibility for development and support in each of the different geographical divisions. Development of Annual Division Tours, so that folks have the opportunity to drive their Model A’s in different areas of the country would be a fun and visible way to promote the Model A Hobby. If the only major way to participate in MAFCA is Fine Point Judging, fewer and fewer people are going to be interested in joining. Touring is a way to get young families involved. The bottom line is that there has to be different opportunities and those opportunities have to be available in different areas of the country and the have to be scheduled and organized so that they are convenient for young families, and those activities have got to be planned so that there is some fun involved. If we take ourselves too seriously, the hobby suffers. Last edited by MCHinson; 08-31-2010 at 03:01 PM.

08-31-2010, 02:24 PM	#31
Tacoma Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 1,040	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby Yup I made a decision several years ago to dump MARC. I couldn't justify belonging to both for the sake of magazine coverage with mostly the same advertising and the all too familiar thread about restoring Aunt so-n-so's leatherback whatever. I really don't care what happened 50 odd years ago and who peed in who's cheerio's. The only way the grass roots folks will have a prayer is to boycott both clubs for a year and watch how fast things come together. But as long as everyone keeps reading about ol aunt-so-n-so;s leatherback it simply ain't gunna happen.

08-31-2010, 03:03 PM	#33
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,420	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby One way to get more technical articles is to write them. A second way is to do what Mafca has done recently, and look to the chapter newsletters for articles of interest that could be developed into good, informative stuff for the rest of the country to read. I always liked the fact that there was a lot of experience available thru the guys in my club, or in my region, that I could tap to help me thru a problem. Fordbarn fills that void, but alot of people are not getting the type of help given freely here. As for having the old fogeys, like me, step aside: I have never understood the me first rule. A smarter way is to make some friendships that will endure. None of us want the knowledge we have to not be passed on. Adopt a promising youngster, get him interested by letting him drive your car, the bug will bite him. I believe the best way to keep the hobby going is the one-on-one technique. Put the gruffness, the quick terse response, the don't touch my car attitude in your back pocket. Help someone thru a problem, and then see what happens. Bob La Follette

08-31-2010, 03:31 PM	#35
Chris in WNC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Spruce Pine, NC Posts: 1,498	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby MERGE. one national club is enough in the 21st century. I have no interest in being a national board member, but I would gladly volunteer to serve on an advisory committee to merge MAFCA & MARC.

08-31-2010, 03:33 PM	#36
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby That article about the cigar boxes had me wondering who was smoking what at the magazine. I noticed that there was a 4 page spread on the restoration of a car done by a friend of the editor. I sent in two articles, with photos. One was public interest, the other technical. they received less than a page, and the photos were so tiny it was nearly impossible to see and appreciate what was being presented. I tried, I give up. I have belonged to both clubs for many years. The local CT club requires national membership, and I have been affiliated with that club for 50 years. I guess 50 years is enough. I too am tired of reading several pages of tales of club news, when in fact it is mostly drivel. The fashion news is almost all women's fashions, and how often does someone wear that stuff anyway? I can read the whole magazine in a few minutes. Anybody who belongs to the AACA can tell you what a good magazine looks like. As for there being two clubs, that seems redundant. I doubt it will change, the people who run the clubs and the magazines want to protect their jobs, and will likely not vote to merge. I enjoy this site, and mostly I just enjoy driving my cars in the evening, with no particular place to go.

08-31-2010, 10:51 PM	#40
'29wagon Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: H.B. California Posts: 451	Re: What Can MAFCA and MARC Do to Improve the Hobby Actually Mark. I did call you in regards to joining your club and well I did leave several messages and not once did I hear back from you, sure I was told you're a very busy man and now since you've asked, Well returning phone calls might be a start. The scene in at Hart Park in the spring is great and if nothing else, keep that going. I sat next to a guy who won three times and I sat there empty handed. So i've decided not to follow the rules and trade for what ever fits. Thanks and good luck with the merge.