Carl: The Bounty mutineers ended up on Pitcairn Island, and those faithful to Bligh ended up (after a 6-week sail in a 23 foot boat) on Timor Island, 3,600 miles to the West.
Gordon---maybe you have also but I have spoken with Fletcher Christian---grandson or great grandson of the mutineer from CT to Pitcarin Island on Ham radio.
As one of the more outspoken proponents of banishing SAS from the ranks of "Makers" on the SOC and also not accepting any money from them for ads, I'll give these points from BOBG a go:
1. It seems to be (correct me if I am wrong) that based on a legion of reports from SAS customers and perusal of the public record, that Mr. Lawing conducts his business in a manner that leaves many of his customers less than pleased (ironic understatement) with him and his company. Seems to me you are right, pretty much. There was a time when he did produce and deliver cars, and I have seen a few of them from that era, and they are remarkable machines. It seems he is capable of doing excellent work. However, things seem to have gone to hell in a handbasket at SAS, and the business these days more resembles a Ponzi scheme, IMHO.
2. Some customers voice support for SAS , but it seems (again, correct me if I am wrong) that the satisfied are greatly outnumbered by the dissatisfied. Not at all sure about this. We'd have to know how many cars he has actually delivered over all time and compare that with the length of his current build que. Certainly, there are some satisfied customers from days of yore. I know a couple.
3. This site seems to be the preeminent place for replica speedster enthusiasts to gather and discuss various aspects of the hobby, making it a superior marketing venue for makers of these cars. The site has value to those wanting to sell to the relatively small number of people who are in the hobby or want to be in the hobby. No doubt about that.
4. Many of us are what amounts to sustaining members of this site through our annual membership dues (Supporting Members). Quite right.
5. Most, however, do not financially support the site, but participate in utilizing it for various reasons. Theron would have the numbers about how many poach the site, and how many pay for it.
6. It takes money to keep this enterprise going. Would be cool to know how much. This is all Theron's business, and he is welcome to it, IMHO. If he would, he could explain the finances. I have no clue.
7. SAS advertises on the site to the chagrin of many of us, both paying and non-paying users. It is reasonable to assume that Lawings investment in the advertising placement here is contributing to his ability to continue to operate his business as usual. OK, here is the crux. The ad fees. unless they have changed, are minuscule, really -- $600 a year. For SAS, this is the greatest deal going. If a year's worth of ads gets him just one new customer that is about $30K or so he gets to use to finance his "operation" for another few months.
8. Perhaps an increase in the number of Supporting Members, those who pay for the site, could offset the revenue realized from SAS advertising on the site, making it unnecessary for the site to continue to act as an advertising platform for Lawing and SAS. I could not agree more. It would not take much in the way of new paying subscribers. Frankly, I believe the site would run along fine as-is, but with SAS off the books. Are Theron's kids going to starve (does he have kids??) for lack of $600 a year? And the real issue here is that the folks who enjoy this site, and use it to rag on their fellow posters, gather and share crucial info about their cars, rally each other up for events, and so forth and so on, I feel are morally obligated to pay the freight. If you are a regular, you should be paying the yearly fee. To me, this is unequivocal.
We had the survey, and while the number of respondents was low ( I guess) vs. the total number of members, the sentiment expressed was strongly in favor of dumping SAS ads. Why this was not done after the survey was closed, has never been explained to me. As the "Judge" has explained, there would be no consequence to the site or Theron if he decided to end his business relationship w/ SAS.
And finally, in the end, I agree w/ other comments: let the buyer beware. If you get sucked in to the SAS black hole, it is, ultimately, your own fault. It will be a pity, and we'll all cry along with you, but unless/until someone brings a suit (again) and forces the issue with SAS in the courts, there is little we can do, except shout as loud and as often as is necessary: "Stay away; run, do not walk, to the nearest exit."
Gordon, I like the Hollywood images of my scenario better...Balmy breezes, grass huts, and, bare chested tanned ladies and soft violin background music.
Gordon, you're right...BUT... Bligh's small row boat couldn't accommodate ALL the non mutinous sailors...they were set ashore (Fiji?) by Christian (Clark Cable?) while the mutineers loaded up on coconuts and bare chested tanned ladies and sailed off to parts unknown for twenty years!
Next SOC get-together is at Jim's place! Got Leinenkugel beer there?
No Leineys, Greg, but we have Fiji Gold and Fiji Bitter!
i drank alot of fiji bitter when i was there, good tasting beer
Total aside, Jim. Can you post a link to your resort?
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hot...-Taveuni_Island.html
Now to MapQuest the route!
Sweet! Thanks, Greg.
Maybe we could get the West Coasters to move their annual spring-time bash to Jim's place? Sure looks a lot better than Knott's Farm's parking lot!
If IRC Capt. Bligh, even though he was in desperate need of fresh water and food, avoided landing his overloaded small boat in the Fiji Islands because the potential reception committee was not only considered hostile but reputed to also be cannibals!
Customs have obviously changed since Jim and Robin have avoided being 'gnawed on' these past fifteen years!
G.R. posted:One Miata I'd like to drive is owned by a guy from Loveland, CO. It looks pretty much like any other mid-'90's blue Miata, has some custom rims on it, nice re-done leather interior....BUUUTT!...it is powered by a Grand National V-6 w/paddle shift 6-spd trans narrowed late model Corvette rearend, sits on a custom built tubular SS frame, Corvette steering and 4 wheel discs. I'd really like to meet up with the owner some day and really look over that car!
I've seen the guy on the road a couple of times and when he was leaving a couple events last summer...that Miata is damn fast. I followed him for awhile in the Cobra on a road full of a lot of twisties leaving an event in Ft Collins last summer and had a hard time staying with him. His car is like it is on rails, very little if any body lean and did I mention FAST!...wow!
In between owning my IM (long story) I owned a 1990 'monster' Miata, which was powered by a near stock 302 out of an early 90s Mustang, along with a Mustang 5 speed and a T Bird rear end.
Even with the near stock engine the car was quite fast and a blast to drive. Some would think that the V8's extra weight over the front end would hamper its handling, but I upgraded the suspension and she was a blast to drive on the track.
There is another 'monster' Miata for sale close to where I live and I may take a look at it.
Here's a photo of my 'gone-but-not-forgotten' V8 powered Miata:
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This thread is no longer about SAS -- too bad.
Also, the SAS ad is back on the active pages -- AND I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
Well, Fraz, many of us would agree with you, but it is Theron's site to do with as he pleases. We are just (paying) guests here, regardless of how a lot of us feel about the SAS ads and business practices.
Well I am not sure what Theron is going to do,but after some thought,I re-signed up to be a supporting member.
Here are my thoughts from a guy who does not post much.
I currently do not own a speedster,but everyday I click on the link and look to see what is going on.
I enjoy reading most posts and am always looking at the cool things being done with these cars.
If my math is right,it costs me about .15 cents a day to be a supporting member. Maybe if a few more people signed up,Theron might have more choices in who he accepts or denies advertising space too.
I noticed that google ads are now placing US Army advertisements on this site. I guess I now have to review US foreign policy, since I'm apparently responsible for it.
-=theron
As Ralph Kramden would say:...... " Aaaaah HA !"
HOOAH! Theron - maybe it will encourage a couple of "us" to sign up for the elite Ranger program. BE ALL YOU CAN BE.
I would just be happy to be all that I was.
I wish I could give Hoss more than 1 "like"...... as I head out to the garage to do some more "automotive yoga". We all know how to do the moves. You just twist yourself into a weird position under the car to reach the unreachable, and stay there as long as you can stand it.
I think this sh!t used to be less painful.
Working under a dash is .... "Dash Sex"
You guys need to drink PEPSI COLA.
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Check with your doctor to see if your heart is strong enough for "dash sex". Get professional help if you are under there longer than 4 hours.
Bwaaaaaaaa
Theron posted:I noticed that google ads are now placing US Army advertisements on this site. I guess I now have to review US foreign policy, since I'm apparently responsible for it.
-=theron
Somehow I don't think they're going to get many recruits from here, but what do I know. Maybe some of you are still looking for the ultimate adventure; let me know how it goes...
As for SAS still advertising here, we could consider it our job to keep this thread alive in perpetuity so it's easily found should anyone taste the kool aid and need a dose of reality.
Caveat Emptor! I sometimes get to THESAMBA Kit Car forum (ALB found me there!). There was a recent post there that revealed a lot of folks aren't aware of SAS business model!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/for...ewtopic.php?t=643558
Well, I just for the first time clicked on the detested SAS ad here on SOC, as it keeps popping up. Looks like a great come on. Would that it were so. All I can think of is:
"yes, we have no bananas."
El Frazoo, Sabrina likes it too.
Whatever that means.
Just doing my bit to keep this thread alive so as many people as possible get the low-down on the SAS business plan.
Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn she sang that song in the movie... We have no bananas
OK, txs for that trivia . . .
That record player reminded me of a friend of a friend, many, many years ago, who had a 45 record player in his 56 Chevy.
He could only use it when parked.
How times have changed! 
He only needed it when "parking"!