VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Commercial Vehicles Should I renew my membersip or not ??

I am still looking at this VCCA renewal form........ It expires on 8-01-03.
Lets see.......... I get my G&D by snail mail [Way too late to move on parts in the classifieds section].
I tried to get http://www.oldgmctrucks.com
involved here & he was driven out. I am still not sure if it is worth the $30 to be a member.


What do y'all think ??

MT, there are several ways to look at this question. Why did I join in the first place? Did I get my money's worth? Do I consider it an advantage to be a voteing member? Do I have anything to offer as a member that will help me feel better about giveing some young buck a little helpful advise? Do I enjoy any aspect of membership? Should I just walk and not look back? Will we get over our old resentment we encountered and get on with the improvement, whatever it is, for our chosen hobby? What else of equal value would I realize from the $30. Maybe some day I might attend one of the VCCA meets or tours and meet someone that thinks as I do about this hobby? It is your call, buddy, most of us here think you have something of value to offer, and hope we also offer you something of value. Sometimes friendships develope in strange ways between strange folks....That is about all I can think to say. Like I said before "it is your call." Go or stay?

May be he dosen'tlike us.After all we are the "club"-not a magazine :love:

MT,,,I find it difficult to imagine anyone who likes old cars would even think of not staying in VCCA. The $30. dues at todays prices is probably the best bargin around. The G&D mgazine is worth twice the amount of the dues. Even if you get it too late to buy parts it is still the best magazine going. I have not attended very many meets (I did go the Springfied, IL) but I can attend as a member if I choose . You spend $30. or more on a meal,a ticket, etc. and what do you have? If you can find a better club, people, dues,magazine ,etc. let me know. I would like to join.

VCCA #01273 JIM

Alright.... Ya gotta point there. I guess I'll stick around. $30 is on the way tomorrow. Maybe I will have better luck if I only sell in the G&D ??

There are many different aspects to VCCA some of which appeal and some that don't. For myself, I enjoy this site immensely and I also enjoy the magazine. I probably will never be that interested in the judging aspects but I have never seen such a well run organization, and I have been a part of a number over the years. One of the many things that I really like about this site is the focus on keeping the vehicle original.

Yes, the G&D is nice and the editors do a good job but I have a stack of un-read magazines. I like going to events and seeing other club member's "toys". I like talking with others who have similar interests. I have a lot of pre war Chevys. Some restored, Some parts cars, Some original and Some driven as daily transportation. I would never own a Cobra but would respect the rights of those who do as fellow car hobbyist.
. Most of the VCCA members I have met have been pleasant. Unfortunately a few of the officers berate my unaltered Chevys. This, to the point of denying my attending a tour based on the condition of my car. .
. Because of these few rotten apples, I could not honestly recommend the VCCA to any one.
. I went to get some parts north of Reno and the fellow noticed my pre-war Chevy truck that made it over Donner Summit on such a hot day (114F). He mentioned an officer tried to buy his 34 Phæton that was in original condition. The officer offered him half what it was worth and then wouldn't let him attend club events, to devalue his car. He torched his Phæton lengthwise and told the officer he could have it at half price, but only the right half or left half.
. When I was an officer, I made sure all guest felt welcome, No one was left behind on a tour, Got the news letter out on time, Stepped in to halp were needed. . The VCCA is the only club that recognizes unhot-rodded pre war Chevys, and that is the only reason I'm a member. As long as those officers remain who make disparaging remarks about members vehicles, I could not in good conscience recommend the VCCA to anyone.

I've only been in the old car hobby for 25 years,but I think the snobbery Lou has seen is slowly dissipating. Point in case,the Historical Preservation class.
At more and more shows,people are starting to recognize unaltered, original vehicles. Don't get me wrong,some still don't understand why my 1950 pickup shows up with it's 53 year old, chipped, worn and faded original paint and 50 years of dings and dangs from life on the farm, but some do appreciate the fact it's still original. I still get asked all the time if I'm going to restore it, but I simply say no. I'm having too much fun just tinkering with it and not having to hold my breath everytime someone gets too close to it.
Another good example happened at last years Iola,Wis. show. The theme car was the Model A. I don't know the count but suffice it to say there were a lot of them show up. The ones that always seemed to have a crowd around them were the ones in original,unrestored condition. I believe everyone sort of gets tired of looking at row upon row of overrestored vehicles. They all begin to look the same. It's the character that only 50 or 60 years can add that make them unique.
Perhaps this is just a trend or something that the younger generation is more in to.(I'm in my early 40's)The same thing has been going on with street rods,(a lot of the younger guys are into the old time,patina look),so it seems to be spread across the hobby.
As far as belonging to the VCCA is concerned, I don't take part in many functions at the present. Between work and family,I just don't have the time to go on tours or meets. I do really enjoy the G&D and this forum and do look forward to the day (probably after I retire in about 15 years)when I'm able to enjoy more of the club functions.I originally joined the club in the late 80's,but due to some hard times and other commitments,I had to let my membership lapse after a few years.I now wish I would have stuck it out but I won't let that happen again.

Sad to say there can be bad apples in any barrel. If so it is important to get them out so they don't spoil the entire crop. All officers of the club are elected by the membership. They can be removed from office if enough members complain and there are issues that justify removal. They also can encouraged not to run for re-election. The best way to get them aside is for someone else to run for the office and get elected. Since the deadline for application for the Board of Directors is aproaching, see July issue for application form, now is the time to decide to run or recruit someone. If you can not find an application let me know by email and I will send you one. I can assure you that the time required to be a good Board Member is not excessive and can be very rewarding.

I think those that beride someone for having and keeping their old Chevy in its "natural" condition should never be elected as even a dogcatcher for this club,
what do you JYD's think about that?......... I bet I know what those puppies think about a dogcatcher, ARF! ARF!Right now I don't know enough bad things about the powers to be to vote against, let alone run against. But I do enjoy being informed by E-mail, then I check out the story and make up my own mind.... ARF! BOW WoW!
:eek:

Dog catcher??!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! BOW WOW BOW WOW!!

Yes, true Junkyard Dogs love all original cars and they are fun to drive as well. I once had the pleasure to drive a 1934 roadster. It was a nice car but kind of a beater. Talk about fun, we had a blast in that thing! Dudes were in the rumble seat, and dudes were riding on the running boards. I was the driver and the owner was one of the guys standing on the running board. We drove the car into the woods and down and old horse path to the river. Thought more of it as a Jeep than a '34 Chevy roadster since that car would go anywhere. What a blast......most fun I've ever had in a vintage Chevy. Everyone had a great time that day as well. The car would even appear at VCCA events from time to time and everyone loved it......except the trophy collectors of course. Then the owner totally restored the car, and it never saw the woods or dirt trails again. It was a great looking car, but even the owner remarked that he didn't have the fun in it like he did before the car was restored. :( :(


As Chipper Dipper says, all of the officers are elected by the membership......except for the president. As I understand it, the president is elected by the board of directors.

Well spank my behind and call me red*** that is what cars are for...DRIVEING! Oh! well I also like to L@@k at them too and other pretty thangs that I am forbidden to touch! they don't even need gas, oil batterys etc. to look good cars or other pretty thangs!

Civics VCCA 101

Oh JYD! I thought the members elect Directors some from your Region and also some At-Large, then they get together and elect the officers, and their President appoints Committee Chairs to operate the outfit. Am I wrong?

Mac, you get a 100% on that civics paper. Technically the Board forms the committees and the President selects the Chair. Anyway now is the time to do something about any problems that the membership has with the way the VCCA operates or is run. Though the deadline for motion submission has recently been passed I am sure that worthy issues will still get some consideration. And any member with three years in good standing can run for a Board position. I encourage anyone that might have any thoughts about running to either submit an application to Jim Farris or contact me. I will tell them what is involved as a Board Member. The Board always needs 'new blood' and communications from members in order to do what is best for the VCCA.

The reason I got involved in the VCCA was because I got tired of hot rod & street rod butchered trucks. Dont get me wrong..... I can appreciate a $50,000 street rod just as much as I can appreciate a meticulously restored original truck.
Anyone can make a street rod using a torch & all the aftermarket kits avaliable.
It is another thing when a guy goes through the research to find out what is correct for orginality, not to mention the tricky search for NOS parts for the restoration. It takes a special kinda person the seek out NOS parts & not repo. parts cranked out in Taiwan.

Well said M.T.

When my teenage boys see a rodded truck and find out it took the guy less than a year to build,they give me a hard time about how long it's taking me to do my 51.
I simply respond by telling them I just can't whip out the plastic and call 1-800-Repro!

Amen brother(s). And it takes a lot more skill and dedication to do it yourself than to write the checks.

Yep.....!

Well said MT! It sure does take a long time to get it right. I also like checking out the rods, but when ya consider we are trying to fix what's broken or replace what's missing with the genuine parts, ya gotta feel good about it. Anybody can build a rod given enough money to play with.

So, MT... it would appear that based upon your very first question that started this thread, that my answer goes something like....

"The value in belonging to the VCCA is that it connects me with a group of other people (worldwide!!) who appreciate the challenge of finding the exact correct part or specifications for restoring a Vintage Chevrolet to as close to original factory condition as possible. And of course, the older the car, the less likely that there are reproduction parts available, which further adds to the challenge. It's not that there isn't an appreciate of other craftsman and their work (and results) on other makes, models or rodded configurations... it's just that it's so much more personally rewarding to use your intellect, skills, and sweat to accomplish a project, rather than just depending upon your wallet."

Can you imagine someone restoring a 10 million year old dinosaur and putting some modern elephant bones in it, just to fill it in? The point is, if you enjoy recreating history, then you need to stay "true" to it. THAT's the challenge!! And it becomes even more addicting once you get smitten.

As the years go by, I don't have to ask myself whether it's worth the annual membership. I just look upon the friendships that I've made and I realize that this affiliation with the VCCA has paid me back many times over what the annual dues are.

Now pardon me while I get back to repairing my fuel pump. I know that an electric one would work better, but I want to experience driving my Chev-ro-let just the way my grandfather did. You see, I always wanted to own a time machine, and it's taken me many years to realize that, I Do!!

Yep, Billy Boy BaRRker you shore got a gift of gab! like you said birds of a feather flock together for other reasons than just to stay warm?...... I guess you also mean don't put nuttin' on your car dat don't fit? and den drive'em like you stole'em?... Yeah dat will work fer me!

On another note......$33.00 US is = 2 $58.91 CN. Did I care about that when I renewed two weeks ago?.....guess not! MT and other US folk, get it for cheap.

So, MT... it would appear that based upon your very first question that started this thread, that my answer goes something like....

"The value in belonging to the VCCA is that it connects me with a group of other people (worldwide!!) who appreciate the challenge of finding the exact correct part or specifications for restoring a Vintage Chevrolet to as close to original factory condition as possible. And of course, the older the car, the less likely that there are reproduction parts available, which further adds to the challenge. It's not that there isn't an appreciate of other craftsman and their work (and results) on other makes, models or rodded configurations... it's just that it's so much more personally rewarding to use your intellect, skills, and sweat to accomplish a project, rather than just depending upon your wallet."

Jeez Bill ,you coulda posted this like 3 weeks ago.

ha ha... just laying back in the weeds observing.

M.T.,maybe a certain "cough man" could give you some new insights on why to renew!!

M.T.: I'm glad you're still here.

Well if this ain't a H@@T! I practicaly agreed with all of these guys, one way or the other. This $30.00US dues for VCCA was worth much more to me than the $30 I dropped at the Casino last June! I should have tried to buy out Walt Davenport's used parts stash!

If it weren't for bad luck I would have no luck at all......