VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Name Change?

"Vintage" applies to cars, aircraft, boats and other things such as wines , whilst one would hardly want to swish around the tongue and past the palate an "Antique" wine.
I suppose Antique and Vintage are generaly applied to things as desired according as to whom is doing it. All of us others can object without effect.
I shall call mine Vintage, and you may call yours Antique as we each see fit.

I see some value and understanding in several replies, as usual, chevgene to mention just one.

In attempting to recruit new members over the past few months I have been blind-sided by the word "Vintage" especially in younger guys. And lets face it, we NEED them, they are fun, know a heck of a lot about cars, enjoy the hobby, make substantial investments in the hobby, have a lot of contagious energy and they are our future.

So were I going to vote for a name change that would connect to more potential members I believe I would vote for "Classic Chevrolet Club of America" With a side bar, [i][/i]All Vintage & Classic Chevrolets Welcome.

Michael41

Name may be to close to the Classic Chevy International, a club for 1955-57 Chevies and also a parts business.In the antique car world no Chevrolets are considered a classic.Thats a description used for large expensive vintage cars.May be something with colector would be more appropriate.
I am not promoting a name change-just doing a little brain storming.
Not to kick up more trouble but as far as a logo goes, either a logo with no car would be safe or about a 1930 and a 1970 together wuold show the spread.Three years would make the vehicles in the logo to small and crowded.
Hope the above dosen't cause any members to have a stroke. :cry:

At least a year ago I started a thread about changing the logo. I was immediately and totally shouted down by those who know nothing about advertising and marketing and image and so on.

I will simply say, one of the club's biggest problems in attracting new members is the logo. NO one with a 70 Chevelle would possibly be interested in this club BASED ON JUST THE LOGO.

In fact, the logo misrepresents the club. This club is NOT just old teen cars, or whatever the car in the logo depicts. This club is about ALL Chevrolets. And judging of Chevrolets that are 25 years or older.

There is NO WAY anybody would get that from the current logo.

Period.

Bill.

Yes, we need younger members, they are active, fun have good ideas , they are up to date on the newest attractions, they have new priorities too. I really don't think we upset too many that agree with our efforts to preserve and restore by the current logo, I doubt that a logo or a new logo is what keeps members around year after year. A new logo can't take their kids to activities that are organized for school age children, a logo can't work the second and third job many of them have in order to pay for the plasma TV, the cable and cell phone monthly charges, taxes, the 401K, the mortage, the college tuition, the camera cell phone, the new lawn mower, the hundreds of other things they seek for themselves and their familys. Nor can a logo provide the time for them to attend more meetings,new events and the great amounts of money and time required to restore a Chevrolet even a 1970 Chevelle like Dad's and Uncle Jim's to polish up and drive in tours and to show in car shows.
We need to face the fact that our hobby is not the highest priority most younger couples with jobs and children consider.

Here's some research via Marketing & Advertising industries publications regarding ages 28-38, men & women.

Seems younger guys and girls are in love with the "old car hobby." And it's growing faster in the past 3 years than the previous 10. And it's expected to grow at this rate or higher for 5-9 years.

Additional news, Men, ages 35-45 are getting into the car hobby at alarming high rates. Report calls them "equity buyers" people who have homes with tons of equity, borrow on that as a way of purchasing a classic car or hot rod, thus the payments are small and tax deductible.

And then a note from the city manager of a large mid western town, "One of our largest priorities is to find and secure properly a location {s} for the car nuts to congregate on Friday & Saturday mornings or evenings." He sent it to aprox. 30 messages to other city mangers, who sent to them people they know, and he received over 290 replies from other city managers all agreeing with him.

There are currently over 2,500 TV, Radio & print ads selling food that use old cars, old music and "drive-in's image showing young people congregating, having fun and showing off cars.

I also ran across this: Of the top 30 cars makers, 22 shoot for younger buyers {24-34} with messages connecting the love of "old cars", Nostalgia, classic old music and 1950 & 1960's images.

So there you have it guys, We are still popular, the hobby is still growing, Old Cars are still popular and always will be.

As far as a possible name change I have a couple thoughts.
One, always plan your "marketing" 5 years in advance. Meaning, so you can connect to what will be needed, wanted and valuable 5 years down the road.

Two, As I see it, a name change would NOT change anything about vintage cars, old cars, pre-war cars, post-war cars or classic cars. Because if a name change did take place, we get to carry ALL the fun, joys, knowledge, information & values of our cars into the new name. That way a new member benefits and we benefit. A win-win.

Michael41

I just wonder, do you have any numbers on these Men and their family status? The mortgage foreclosures tell an entirely different story, but stories are just that, a story.

I know that there are many more clubs that allow all makes and manner of sport cars, other clubs for all manner of street rods, rat rods, hotrods and a club for almost every odd-ball and orphan cars or trucks, even a club for Hudson pickups.

VCCA seems to be the only club that actively preserves and restores Chevrolet vehicles '..to original stock condition , as they were delivered new by the Chevrolet dealer."
I really hope we keep VCCA going down that straight and narrow road. We have been filling a special nitch for only 46 years and the cars we preserve and restore are up to 96 years old. Please consider honoring our club founders by continueing the straight and narrow road.

I say Amen to Mr. Mack. Let's keep it STOCK AS DELIVERED.

Mr Mack,
While I respect your request I have not seen any post suggesting that we should deviate from restoration and preservation, so I am a little confused by it.

I have made the same observation in the hobby that Michael's statistics reflect. While the interest might not be there for the earlier cars their is a still a strong interest in by men in the 45-35 year of age range. While some people suggested that the logo and name be changed we need to keep in mind that the Anitque Automobile Club of America uses a Duryea on their logo and the membership has been rising. They are by far the largest club reflective of the "mission of restoration and preservation" and are pretty much a good indicator of the direction of the hobby. So the question really needs to be asked how come the logo and the name has not hurt their growth? There are a ton of AACA members who are Chevrolet owners who don't even really know about us at all, Why is that? I do think a lot of it is that there are strong regions with many activities and many members which they belong to.

We have about 8,000 members, with only about 1,500 active (participating in regions, tours, and meets) Where are the other 6,500? Do they participate somewhere else? Or at all?

John

Seems to me, if I am reading these messages correctly, some people do not want any changes and or feel any changes would be wrong. And they have a perfect right to that view.

To me stock is cool. I have no problem with "stock." I drive one & love it.

But I do not seem to understand the word "disrespect" being used. That is not clear to me.

Now about where my info comes from. It's from industry reports/news papers/magazines & web sites authored by large ad agencies, PR firms, financial institutions & Business trade publications, as they pertain todays standards, practices and facts. Make that FACTS. As easy or difficult as they may be to swallow, they are facts & trends.

As far as foreclosures go, If someone had/has there home foreclosed they would NOT be in the report because they would not have any equity to borrow on. Hello!?

Other reviews of the car hobby growth are reported in Haggerty's mag. and other car parts or service companies. Seems at times the car hobby is growing big time but not VCCA. Could that be true ?

Respect: IF any sort of name change WERE to take place and the BOD/members voted it in or how ever that works, I'm sure it would be done with the utmost respect to any and all original members. To me, along with respect for the club and it's founding principals also comes the responsibilities of respecting the "management" the club for the future. Or it would be like a guy takes over a biz, and the senior partners say, "Now what ever you do just leave things alone regardless of the problems, challenges or changes that arise." Wouldn't make since to travel that path. Not if you have any respect for the founders.

On that issue IF VCCA were to find itself in a place to "expand" the club it could ONLY be with RESPECT or "last one out get the lights." Because I heard that in the past few years VCCA has lost money by losing members and not replacing them. That is not a promising path, or a respectful one.

So IF we are not getting enough new members and the BOD decides along with the members to "keep it stock" and not change the club, we might be in for some big membership costs increases.

I am NOT advocating any name change at all. I like VCCA. But it is NOT about me, it's about what may be best for the club and the future.

But clearly improvements and modification's will have to take place if the club wants to keep pace with tomorrow potential members. It's the same reason Banks are open Saturday, to please the customer and be more competitive. and I do not disrespect the old banker because this happened. Just part of life in my view.

Michael41

john; fyi, there are currently 16K plus members of NCRS, of which only 500 or so would meet your definition of "active" members. the other 15K plus ncrs members belong , in my opinion, to get the magazidnes NCRS publishes. what the other 15K+ members do in their spare time, besides reading the mags, god only knows. watch a BJ mauction and listen for "NCRS" when a Corvette drives on the block. NCRS's reputation for judging attracts the BJ crowd, some of whom join NCRS. Gotta get VCCA's name bantered about like NCRS and the membership will grow. regards, mike.PS you goin to the classic chevy national in Hagerstown md this summer?

This will kill ya, Financial Business Practice News: "Over the past 4 years, Banks and Lenders, Mortgage co.'s. have loaned OVER *$6.1 billion dollars to existing home owners for "Improvements, Family Needs, Life style Changes {hobbies} & Investments."

If [i][/i]only .1% of that is going to the car hobby, that's a chunk of change. With 1% of that I could do everything I wanted to my 41. Now that would be fun.

Michael41

John,
I think that having 1500 active of 8000 total is not bad when most of us consider "active members" to be members of Regions. I know many that are somewhat active, but not as members of a region, come to swap meets, car shows, and enter discussions here on VCCA CHAT don't have any desire to participate in the "politics' and social aspects of the club, many of them really consider VCCA a means of subscribing to the G&D, for leads on buying and selling vehicles and parts, which to them = VCCA.
I think that when we demonstrate our really good family style fellowship and the way we work as a close friendly unit, without any discrimination of gender, lifestyles, or ethnic origin that is an incentive for others to join. We have only one common trait, the love of restoreing and preserveing old Chevrolets and associating with those that also have that trait.

Ouote:Anyone wanting to join VCCA should abide by or rules and regulations. If they want to modify or add to their cars they should join a club that fits their desires. There are a lot of older members (the core of the club) that feel the same as I do. If the younger people want to join they should buy a "Vintage" chevrolet and restore it to original not try to change the club.
I hope the BD has not went too far already.
I know the club wants new members but we should not contaminate an outstanding club

Lets talk about respect!!!!

I have been a member of the VCCA for over 25 years, of those 25 years I have held an elected office in my local region for 20 years and worked dilligentely to support the VCCA and my local region. Yes I have been known not to always toe the line and I have owned and driven Chevrolets that were modified to some members but they never complain when I volunteer to step up and do the work that needs to be done. Very seldom do I see their hands go up in the back of the room when someone is asking for volunteers.
Take those members that go to a meeting every month and contribute to their region and the VCCA that own and drive Chevrolets that do not abide by the rules and regulations out of those 1500 active members and I think that number would be a lot smaller.

I am sorry that I have contaminated an outstanding club.

DD

Oh Dandy, I'm splitting my sides laughing at your great put down of the fundies. Better yet, I should call them phoneys. As has been said in here on many occasions, even the finest examples of restored-to-original cars are 'modified.' Changed internal parts. Painted with modern paint. And more....

So what if "they" don't like your modified car with pipes or even, god forbid, a different engine or whatever.

I can just see some of them bitching about your modified cars while you're holding an office or working on a club project or some other effort for your region. All the while flapping their mouths; but sitting on their hands. Phoneys!


What an entertaining put down. For the sake of your region, I hope you keep contaminating your region by working and holding office and so on.

Thanks for writing a great post.....

Bill.

I'll say it again -

nobody is proposing to change ANYTHING about the Club with respect to "modified" versus "stock." That's not the subject of this string.

In fact, nobody is proposing to change anything at all. We're just talking about ideas.

The VCCA is, and always has been, about stock Chevrolets.

Having known dandyd for most of his time in the VCCA I can tell you all that he definately is a credit to the VCCA. We need more like him. Only wish he and I were 30 year younger so we could help the VCCA many years into the future. There are many members that appreciate both original and updated Chevys and the VCCA is better with them as members too. Sure would be a booooorrrrinnnnnnng organization if we were all original only clones.

I am sorry I ever started this discussion. My question was if we should change our name after bringing the new vehicles in. It is very hard to stay on the subject in this chat room at times.

Was doing fine for a time but then the wheels fell off when it started to get personal.

I apologize to all the good members of this site for lowering my usual high standards to the low level of others.

Well, I think some contamination isn't so bad, contamination by using some other parts on a car for tours, parades, personal pleasures isn't harmeful, even when we place the car or truck on the judging field and realize we should not expect to score as high with our 49 car with a 56 235, an alternator as the car next to ours that has been restored by someone that must have everything with the exact original parts. I accept vehicle contamination. What is sad is having a contaminated mind.

I bought a Chevrolet with the idea of building a mild custom street rod, with a high performance engine a late model TH400 A/C and many other custom features such as interior and paint. I would drive the car on local tours, to meetings, parades, I joined a club of mostly street rods and found out it would not be allowed on the street rod field in the State meet because it was newer than a 1948, that blew my mind!

Back Roads, it isn't your fault that your discussion got personal and off thread, It is because we have some contaminated minds...

By the way, I don't see the need to change the logo, the club name or the ideology to get anyone to join the club. (IMHO)

I think the efforts of the BOD to make adjustments and evelotional changes within the club will have a positive effect. There is a lot of things that can be changed without going beyond our traditional goals.

Dont be sorry for starting this thread Back Roads. Like Gene stated, it was going fine until it got personel. This is a topic that NEEDS to be discused. The future of this club depends on this topic. There will ALWAYS be resistance to change. Everyone will not be happy no matter what changes to the club take place in the future. The key to all of this is to mix the best of the old with the best of the new. I am 43. A "youngster" in my local region. Yet I probley have more in common, "car wise" with my 70yr old club friends, then with friends my own age. I respect there views, and there opinions because they were there when the club was founded. They have "EARNED" all of our respect. We all have benifited from there expertise on this web site at one time or another. I am lucky enough to be friends with one of the most knowledable men on this web site. I for one can only hope to learn a 1/4 of what he knows. Its up to us younger members to honor the older members values, and mix our passions, and new ideas to build a club they would be proud of. Its up to us to EARN there respect by our actions in the club.

What a remarkable bunch of reasonable replies.

"Everyone will not be happy no matter what changes to the club take place".
{i.e." PAE's}

"I respect there views & opinions because they were there when the club was founded."

"They have "EARNED" all of our respect."

"Its up to us younger members to honor the values, of the a club......" May I ride those remarks and more by saying, Amen !

That said, there are clearly those people on this site that rather enjoy stirring the pot, so to speak & moving the messages off center. At times a some what reasonable position, albeit annoying process. But that's a behavioral issue,
at least to me.

Yet the remarks of most {90%} are, as always, passionate, respectful and understanding. So to all your 90%-ers, it makes me proud to be a VCCA member.
To the 10%-ers I say, "..........." Oops, I can't say that here.

Thanks,
Michael41

Speaking of Oops! I was reminded that my position is/was not clear. So a brief response.

My info, and a we bit of my worry about the future is VCCA comes from 2 primary positions.

1. Form the info/data I received during my anniversary campaign efforts.
2. My experience in Marketing research.

I have only been a member for 3 years so I am still well within my learning curve about VCCA. But 1. & 2. have me worried. Maybe concerned is a better word. And with this experience and data from the "market place" , I am dutifully worried about the future.

But actually there's #3, my own efforts to recruit new members. Thus far I am 2 for 22. Not a stellar rating, nor one I am happy about. Especially the remarks or reasoning of the potential members.

So there. That's where I'm coming from on "possible changes & or improvements in VCCA. And I assure all of you, my position is based on respect for any one's views. Well, almost any one.

OK, now really let me have it !! But before you do a cautionary note; I was introduced to a group of folks as "A fun & passionate speaker who shoots back"
I think that was a compliment, Wasn't it ??

Michael41