Valuable Information and Opinions

I just read the "New Aluminum Case" topic posts. I found them interesting and informative.

In the three or four years I have been a lurker here (no I haven't paid dues yet). I have found that there are several members whose skill and experience adds great value to this site. Among these contributors are John Steele, Jake Raby, George Brown, Dale Bates, John Leader and several others. But Jake and George seem to stand-out as truely knowledgeable and experienced. In my opinion it would be truly unfortunate to loose their VALUABLE and informative contributions because of bickering about aluminum vrs magnesium and casting techniques. Or, an issue relating to a $36.00 contribution.

I hope that neither of them will take offense and discontinue visiting this site. I'd hate to have to get all my information at other air-cooled sites. The 356 speedster has such a beautiful body.

Bill,
I think someone can lend a helping hand unconditionally, be kind & courteous, without all the luggage. Motors will still run. JMO~R

Bill:

If you've been here 3 or 4 years, then you know these 'eruptions' occur sporadically. I haven't seen too many people leave as a result. It's like a family quarrel: you can call your brother/sister all kinds of names one day, and have breakfast with them the next.

It's been a cold winter, people have different perspectives on things, an offhand remark is taken one way, the heat builds, and soon - 'boom'.
The thing is, with an online group, comments become public once you hit the send key. Kind of like that Osborne family on television.

But, I think this is sort of normal for on online group, and have faith that in a few days/weeks things will balance out again.

Call me polly.

Its not like we are all sitting around a campfire here talking about engines...

There is no way to read through posts and feel what the writer is feeling at that moment. The use on punctuation goes a very long way here, and on every forum I visit.

When there are this vast of a difference in people, experience, theory and aven age we are going to have battles. I'm one of the worlds worst, because I do this everyday and see mistakes galore. I see mistakes that cost thousands of dollars.

I learn as much from forums as I can. I share as much that I know as I can. These days I don't get a chance to work on a car very much any more-just engines so seeing the talk about other aspects of the vehicle that its my passion to power is a good thing.

I don't mean to make people mad, and I don't mean to be a jerk alot of times. I do intend to take this old aircooled engine design to levels it has never been before and we are doing it step by step everyday... Its called "Aircooled Technology"

Eagles don't flock. And, when you been around, you gotta know that people are gonna take positions from time to time.

Eagles may not flock, but they certainly sh*t.

Grab your raincoat...

:-)

Bald eagles flock. When the salmon are running out west and further north they line the trees by the rivers and eat and crap all day. The mature eagles are in the tops with the lesser mature on the lower branches, sometimes 10+ birds in a single tree.

I was shocked to see the immature birds repeatedly being crapped on and not fly off. Ben Franklin was correct, the national bird should have been the turkey.

Old saying: It is hard to fly like an Eagle when you associate with Turkey's.

"Eagles may soar, but Turkeys don't get sucked into jet engines."

Back to the point-

Re: lurking, dues, small business, and honor

I don

You know what? I think speedsterowners.com should request email and give you a 90 FREE trial whereas it will click over to a read only until you come to the table.

I donated because I felt a bit guilty. I found this site to be the best tool of knowledge regarding fiberglass reproduction Speedsters. I am fully aware what it takes for up keep on a website and server cost. $36 dollars is worth it. Regarding the lynch mob tactics trying to get manufacturers, engine builders,etc . to cough up $36 is bit rediculous. Piss them off .... it's our loss of knowledge as a group. Yes they tend to boast about their products but they are also out there to give free advice if asked nicely.These guys use this forum as a tool to help refine some of their products/services based on issues and feedback. You never know maybe someday these guys may donate something for a Speedsterowners event , or raffle in the near future. Raffles do generate funds for clubs. Yes I recently purchased a Raby T4 motor. Primarily what steered me towards this motor was the members of this group. Jake helped with the indepth details. Other manufacturers have send me info, catalogues etc. to help aid in my project car.
So that's my $36 dollars worth.


PS Jake did you forget the DTM sheetmetal template/hardware issue?

Later,

Joe Soltis

The aluminum thread was great....I love discontent....but thats me..
Where would we all be without Jake, george, John, Dale or Bill
who has been viewing this site for years, soaking up information
but just can't seem to open that wallet for a meger 36 bucks,
and he actually sounded proud to be among the tighest of wads.....
I would like to think we could still maintain our rides without any
of these guys if necessary.....I probably contribute less than just
about anyone in this group, does that make me less important, if
your answer is yes, than go f yourself.....
Theron Created this site unselfishly, so we could have a place to
go for any number of reasons...some have made money from this site,
some have gathered valuable information, others just want a place to go to B.S. Whatever the reason 36 bucks is cheap entertainment...
shit or get off the pot.................

Without causing anyone's hair to stand up on end (most of mine is now long gone)I agree with most of Joe Soltis post.
My thoughts are ....
How can I put a dollar value on information ....I'm an individule that has a small replica kit car speedster hobby shop at home . My overall aircooled replicar and speedster knowledge is somewhat extensive and I am still......... learning here on this forum and have also "attended" the school of hard knocks through much trial & error and many a hit to the wallet when this forum was not available. I get a lot of satisfaction knowing that I enjoy the opportunity of being able to share my knowledge with other soc.com members here in this forum. With respect to all , if a member chooses to contribute, let him or her do freely as this is there personal choice.

I hope that this thread can come to a close..........Alan M

OK, my 2 cents worth:

I started building my CMC way back in 1993 as therapy for stress at work and literally had NO ONE to talk to to help me along. There was a kit car bulletin board that was pretty much worthless and that was about it, so I flogged along in the dark for the next ten years, building my car and engine as best I could and relying on Kit Car Magazine, Hot VW's and VW Trends to help me along. Believe me, none of them were great, but they were the best I could find at the time and I devoured every issue. I've learned a lot along the way, much of it layered on top of the basics I learned as a kid hanging around a terrific engine mechanic's shop and, later, rubbing elbows with some of the best high-tech engineers in the world (and boy, was I lucky for that privilege!!)

So now I've "completed" my kit, and now I know that they are NEVER completed, but now I have this terrific forum of people to help me like I never had before.

I found this site in mid-1993 and along about the end of last year I really started to feel guilty about posting anything without ponying up for the privilege, so I donated for half of 2003 AND all of 2004. Figured it was worth it and the least I could do, but I've also probably saved that much from the info I've gained.

Sure, there are those who like to post to "be heard" and you quickly learn who to believe and who to take with a grain (or more) of salt, but the majority of us are damn good, knowlegeble folks who'll do what-ever they can to help someone out. THAT I appreciate more than anything.

Sorry if I always seem wordy, that's my fault. Hope some of my posts help people, as others (like Rocky, from the NJ Replica Car Club) helped me when I needed it.

Best $50 I ever spent. Gordon

Where there is a negative there is a positive or visa versa.I guess some of our beliefs and opinions are set in concrete without really looking at the big picture. Talk may be cheap to some but there are engine builders, chassis and body fabricators that will not give you the time of day unless you cough up the dough.These guys capitalize on ideas,techniques,etc.to sell to those who will pay. We are lucky we have these types of guest in our club. How many of our guests actually own Speedsters? I don't know about the others .I know Jake is a VW Bug, THing , Bus type of guy. I finding very intriguing to learn about new developments regarding aircooled engines. I have lost a T1 due to cooing issues. I will never again. I guess I looked at my donated $36 dollars providing additional support to this club(if you want call it that). DONATION- a gift or contribution. If you want to pick on the non contributors look at all the speedster owners that have not set forth their $36. "Lurkers" I guess you would call them. Listening to all the advice and not even making a verbal single contribution. In the past I have made some attempts to contact other Speedster owners with a few simple questions reqarding some of their equipment used. I also have to question why $36. Why not $5,$10, $15 or up to $36 dollars. Something is better than nothing. If you want to dig deeper lets say we had 500 donated speedsters owners who donated $36 each. That's $18,000. WOW. We can go on and on wth this issue. Do you really see the big picture now?
I am done with my soapbox. I 'm going to bed. Treat other as you would like to be treated.
Tomorrow's another day to conquer reality.
Joe

I had my say, I defended myself in return for that. I'm done with the subject. I appreciate all the views expressed, that's a healthy thing, whether we agree, or not.

My intent was not to Piss off Jake BTW. He's a straight up guy in most ways and I figured we would thrash it out. I was suprised we we ended up in the gutter... sometimes life is like that. I think both of us would have rather thrashed it over the phone. Dangers of forums and e-mail, eh?
Jake's information is invaluable and it is to our benefit he remains active on this site.... again, invaluable. But so is the vitality ($$$) of the site. I think paying a small token fee is a good business practice.

Done with it. I think I'll stick with the lighter threads for awhile.

Hope to see Many Of You at Knotts. Hope we get to know each other. Next year I'm going to try and make both East and West events. I just took shipment of a couple of boxes from JPS... got to start playing with the reason I pay my $ to enjoy this site.

Jim

I've followed this and the al. case thread without getting involved, but since my name was mentioned in both, I felt I ought to now.
I come to this forum to gain/share knowledge. I do my best not to push my product over others, and I am very careful not to get involved in threads that are aimed at a "who is best" route. (Individual owners make this decision for themselves!)

When GB or Dale post (for example. not picking on you guys) they refer to their experiences with their IM's. Other's do the same with their respective makers. I think that when I do it, some of you perceive it differently because of my connection to the product...?

I donated, well before all of this, because I wanted to. It's a donation, which I'm sure is appreciated, BUT the sign at the front door still says "Membership is Free, so Sign Up today".

Stan you are correct, we are just small business owners, and this happens to be, possibly, the best internet resource for what I do. Something like this site can (and has) taken product development to a new level. (FWIW: I have contacted Theron on four seperate occasions (from 8/23/03 - 11/1/03) regarding advertising/becoming a sponsor as well as the incorrect contact info in the makers section. I never received any response, and left it at that...)

Jim, I can't say that I understand your issue w/ me, but I am all ears.

Back to work, spring is a comin'!

CEH

Carey,

It is not direct, but with one of your independent sales reps making a direct pitch on this forum.

Jim

Carey,

My bad. I'm sorry for the inference.

I appreciate everybody's thoughts and comments. I want to put into context my "inertia" with regard to making a "contribution".

When I first visted this site it was much different than its evolved state (now). At that time the site truly seemed to favor one manufacturer and mentioning other manufacturers was the the primary source controversy and deleted posts.

At that time the idea of having a file listing the web-sites of other manufacturers was unacceptable and there was no "Classified" forum, because the shadow "sponsor" did not want resale of components or cars. I still enjoyed the site. Contributions were not solicited. If they had been I would not have donated because the sponsorship / bias seemed too obvious.

I have come and gone to this site, but I always return. A couple of years ago Theron redesigned the site and he has done a good job of excising the bias that used to be so obvious. It's become a truly open forum.

The comments on this thread make me realize the inertia in my attitude toward contributing to the forum. Although I have been a speedster enthusiast for years, circumstances have prevented me from purchasing a Speedster. I plan on putting a deposit on a Speedster in the very near future. Before I do, I will be donating to this site.

I do believe the primary benefactors of this site are Speedster owners whose car resale value is enhanced by the valuable information here.

Thanks for the nudge.

As a member of less than Two months, and do not have a car yet, but find the information extremely valuable and have had questions answered and have a question just posted "What is the perfect engine? I will be sending in the $36 because information found here can not be found elsewhere in the net.

Bill,
Welcome! Sometimes its hard for me to decide whether I like my car or the site better (some days, I don't really like either). Thanks for seeing the worth of being a part of the deal. I look forward to hearing more from you!

Jim,
Thanks for clearing that up. I think I know who, and if he reads this he'll know better next time. I'll mention something about it to him, too.
Stan,
No worries... just wanted to clear the air.
Theron,
Please drop me a line sometime regarding my post above.

CEH

Carey,
Thanks for defending yourself so eloquently in my abscence. When threads are this heated I usually get involved right away, but for the last few days I have been from airport to airport all over the country on business.

I'm really sorry, I haven't received your email inqueries. I have a very aggressive spam filter system which kills about 250 emails a day. I will check as soon as I get back to the office and put your email address on my white list. I will then contact you offline.

To everyone,
I will gladly defend Carey, he has done a great job of answering questions without force advertising on this site.

thanks
-=theron