What the fuck is it with classic car types?

[BrianDamaged]

I wouldn't see 25 again, even if you gave me a telescope.The worst part of 'Skool's Retro-Rides Blitzkreig is that with the loss of Pog and RevDD the place is, even now, irrevocably poorer. I was on the recieving end of someone's ire at the weekend on there after I made a 120m round trip to look at the 'excellent' car they had for sale, only to find it bereft of seal in the sunroof area (in fact when I got there the interior was in the house, drying out.....) and needing both a weekend with the welder, and a new clutch. When I described it in another unrelated thread as a 'rotting piece of crap', anyone would think I'd called his mum a pavement princess. Ho-hum. It's probably me....I've completely lost my Mojo at the minute, in fact I don't actually OWN a car....I'm enjoying driving the old man's Pug Partner so much I'm thinking of making him an offer for it, and buggering off to do something else at weekends (I'm even off to marshal on a stage rally next weekend for the first time since October 2006.....). Having read this though I'm happier that I'm not the only one who mourns the good old days of RR a little.

[KruJoe]

Thank you Watanabe for explaining that saga - some of us weren't around to watch it all kicking off. As for the rest of you... you all speak so much sense. A-S rocks

[pogweasel]

The whole RR thing is very frustrating. I would be happy to return, if the 'management' offered a reply / apology. Unfortunately, when it all happened, I was somehow painted as the bad guy (+ all the related stuff was deleted).

[Pillock]

I don't retro-ride any more. Originally I went from VZI to R-R, as I was tired of all the 'What colour is your teapot' posts. I found R-R to be nice and welcoming, plenty of knowledge and funny. Somewhere along the line it outgrew itself and it seemed to be an endless loop of 'are banded steels legal', 'ratlook is crap', 'ratlook is good' and people whinging about off-topic threads and negativity. Never have I seen anywhere so scared of a negative attitude, even if the outcome may be positive.The crunch came when I found myself reading the 'whinge bin' and prefering it to the main forum. I think it's just changed sufficiently from when I joined to be unenjoyable.

[pogweasel]

I think that these things all have their 'day', then enjoy an ingominious slide into back-biting and obscurity. For certain thing on RR I am very thankful, I have met some marvellous people with whom I enjoy company in the real world, thpugh it's telling that the majority I remain in contact with IN THE REAL WORLD are regular Autoshite members.......

[Pillock]

The majority of R-Rers I know in reality, I knew before R-R. I think Alistair is the only R-Rer I've met whom I didn't know before I joined, and that's cos I can't resist the offer of him watching me work on his car There's a few others that I'd buy a drink and shake by the hand but then I've not had a working classic for years now so I don't do the whole social cars thing

[TheScrapman]

I'm still a regular on RR, as there are some fantastic folk, some fantastic cars and some fantastic ideas on there.

 

Yeah, it's arguably getting too busy and there are idiots (aren't there on all forums?), but it is well moderated and if you can be bothered to ignore the repetitive chaff, it's still a worthy resource. Some of the readers rides threads in particular provide inspiration by the bucket load.

 

But then VZi used to be an ace forum too - I think I joined up there in '02. Although I have no interest in anything without a radiator these days (excluding obscurities such as Tatra of course), VZi is just pulp and piffle for brainless morons - I do hope RR doesn't go the same way. It's a pity it already has for some of you.

 

However, this little island of AS is a lovely break from the monotony of the daily strife that is work. I will always admire people that can still be bothered to maintain rusted, but MOT'd beige Montego's and Allegro's. And lichen encrusted stars must surely be handed out to any fraternity where the Talbot Tagora is held in such high regard? Horrah for Autoshite!

[r.welfare]

I've given up with R-R. I still look at the site from time to time, mainly looking at the cars for sale but also the Reader's Rides, but I haven't logged in since God knows when. I think the reasons that I no longer get involved with it have been eloquently described by others here. There's still some inspirational stuff going on in the Reader's Rides section but it's few and far between, and the rest of it really doesn't interest me any more. I also maintain that if this board got split into different categories (particularly if it had a For Sale sub-board) it would risk going the way of R-R, where TXT-SPKIN morons sign up just to post motors for sale, and not even particularly retro ones at that. Grumble over, have another Werther's and *relax*.

[FredTransit]

I still go on RR, but I am growing away from it, mostly cos of the anti negative policy, with anything even slightly negative ending in the whinge bin at least on of my threads too!). I am not really offended, but it's not natural to have no whinging at all. It's made me think twice about how I am posting.

[dollywobbler]

I visit RR less and less now, but then I'm not sure it was really created with me in mind anyway. I don't spend hours trawling the internet for nice looking cars and (whispers) I don't really like low cars...However, I have a huge amount of respect for Hotwire because, as I know, running a forum, especially where the management are strong on what is/isn't allowed, is hugely stressful. For some reason, a strong moderating team seems to be regarded as some sort of Faschist dictatorship dedicated to spoiling the life of the common man by a lot of people. I've never really seen that feeling on Retro Rides - which is exceedingly rare in forum land.Here's great for the lack of real rules. I think the two compliment each other quite nicely really so while I'm on here more and more, I always try to visit RR as well.

[FredTransit]

(SHOUTS) I DON'T LIKE LOWERED CARS. Comes of having a commercial background, where anything scraping the floor and isn't a full on eleventy billion pound custom job is just an overloaded tatty middle aged van, and is open to getting pulled on a regular basis. I am not up for hitting anything I own with any kind of a stick, lowering or otherwise.

[Guest]

To be fair on the place, it's more that the scene has changed rather than the site. There seems to be a lot more about pushing things to extremes - big money builds, hot rods, little Euro hatches on hugely expensive wheels, etc. Which is fine if you like that sort of thing, but it seems to have created a culture where unless you do outlandish things to your car they seem to be largely ignored by the majority. In particular, the idea that everything must be "slammed" does my head in.

 

I still go on there, there's some really impressive/interesting stuff around if you look for it, but I can't help thinking that the scene has changed and people like me who don't do a load of mad stuff to their cars are a bit redundant now.

[dollywobbler]

I don't really understand 'scenes.' It's automotive fashion at the end of the day, and I'm rubbish at fashion too. One reason I'd sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable in an RR crowd. I just like cars really!

[Guest]

My forumming started way before I even discovered Retro Rides.I was a regular poster on Barry Boys way back when, but unfortunately I fell out with the regulars and management on there. It died down but I got a very bad vibe from all quarters, and once those lot decide they don't like you then that's it.I found the RR forum by chance after I bought the Amazon, a friend recommended I join.Like many I've met some cracking people on there. Really enjoyed the Gatherings, looking forward to Yeovil.Never had much success selling on there, and there is a definite theme of repetition on there that's getting stronger. I also agree with Hirst about the arbitrary 'slammed' rule - talk about appropriation! Dominant ideology or what?After Skoolgate I changed my forum habits a bit. I'm on NSJC the most, followed by here and OJC. I am sometimes on the VOC forum as well, it just depends who's on there as the craic varies massively. I used to be on RR all the time, but after a few choice comments on a stupid subject, I scaled back what I did \ said on there.It must be said though, without RR there would be no NSJC, as most of us met each other through Retro Rides. There is also the feeling that RR is more of a Southern forum, whereas the nucleus of NSJC is definitely in the North West.

[Pete-M]

I like cars. I like playing with cars. I like chattin' shit on 'ere about cars.I like meeting up with other old car perverts.I don't like 'scene' gatherings, I'd never take my E30 to a meeting of BMW freaks because it's 'lived in'. It doesn't get polished every week - maybe once every 6 months, I don't spend all my money on it. It's a car.I was kicked out of my local Land Rover club for 'gross misconduct' and 'bringing the club into disrepute'. This was after rescuing a few of their members from a green laning trip where they killed their highly modified Land Rovers and I went in my road biased Turbo Rangie. My crime? Having a herbal cig on a green lane. Knobheads.Cars are fun, but I can't be arsed with the politics and shit that goes with most web forums. Autoshite I love, because I can say what I like and that is that. Another bonus is that you lot don't seem to take things too seriously, an old Spagthorpe MkXIII from the 70's is a shite old car with a bit of charm. The forums with a multitude of dull bastards getting all victimised about the loss of an Austin Maxi to rust or the crime of scrapping a dog rough Marina Coupé can be amusing, but they're fucking tiresome when you actually give them the correct advice and they ignore it because "He doesn't like Maxis"

[seth]

Hmm, interesting reading. It seems to me that Hotwire is trying hard to keep the place in check and how he would like it to be. Winter blues can't be helping either. I don't think it will ever be allowed to descend into back biting under HW, rmad, BC etc but falling back to obscurity would surely be good. Happens to "real" car clubs too. I fell into membership of a local car club back in my teens (simply because they were local) who were the "in" crowd at the time. Was good time but then the club got quieter, weekly meets slowed down and seemed to disappear. But a core (not including me) have revived/kept it going and are still together.I think the skool issue was a one off occurence and I know from experience as a mod on the PC forum it is rather difficult. Was tricky there as essentially I'm volunteering to help mod someone elses coporate site - and I don't know why but he seemed to totally leave me alone. Probably too busy on the phone to the PC office Having met some very decent folk (and others, like Pog ) thanks to R-R I'm certainly going to stick around on there as you never know who might turn up from where and with what.Hirst, not sure the forum is so "extreme" led. Looking at the awards, that Volvo that won the car of the year award certainly wasn't and I don't consider mine is either with its povo totally standard mechanical spec etc. and to my disbelief it came second in the forum cars against some much more extreme, higher value cars.

[Pete-M]

It must be said though, without RR there would be no NSJC, as most of us met each other through Retro Rides. There is also the feeling that RR is more of a Southern forum, whereas the nucleus of NSJC is definitely in the North West.

Nova Scotia Jeep Club?

[pogweasel]

Having met some very decent folk (and others, like Pog ) thanks to R-R

Right. That's it, I'm coming round to piss in your petrol tank tonight.

[Guest]

It must be said though, without RR there would be no NSJC, as most of us met each other through Retro Rides. There is also the feeling that RR is more of a Southern forum, whereas the nucleus of NSJC is definitely in the North West.

Nova Scotia Jeep Club?

No Skool Just Coolhttp://www.noskooljustcool.comEssentially a microcosmic Northern RR, with some people from elsewhere, a couple of Canadian members, and an emphasis on the 'shite' end of the scale. But anything is welcome, moderns included. Slamming is liked, but you're not shunned if you don't like it (i.e. me).

[seth]

Having met some very decent folk (and others, like Pog ) thanks to R-R

Right. That's it, I'm coming round to piss in your petrol tank tonight.

No problem! The Minx one is seeping when over half full so you're piss will just come right out. And I've just filled the ped right up with £2 of Texaco's finest!

[pogweasel]

Asshats!

[Pete-M]

Right then, I've joined that one.. lets see how long I last.

[TheScrapman]

I don't really understand 'scenes.' It's automotive fashion at the end of the day, and I'm rubbish at fashion too. One reason I'd sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable in an RR crowd. I just like cars really!

Sigh, I've lowered nearly every car I've owned since the early nineties. Does that make me a fashion guru? Or maybe just an idiot!Big Mercs (being my current preferred brand of chariot) actually respond rather well to loosing a couple of inches - you don't notice any drop in comfort (so long as you don't daft with the grinder), but they loose the tyre destroying wallow in corners, and gain heaps of handling and general driving pleasure. On saying that, I've just bought a beautiful LWB s320, and it is the first car I've ever owned that I think I'll just leave at a stock height. Never had a car that wafts over the bumps so effortlessly.

[AnthonyG]

I presume you have to be a member of the VOC to post on their forum? I'm trying to help get shot of an absolute shed of a Amazon for a good friend (which he paid far too much for, and now needs the space). I will try the PC forum, haven't been on for a while, are there any other Volvo forums out there?

[Guest]

Hirst, not sure the forum is so "extreme" led. Looking at the awards, that Volvo that won the car of the year award certainly wasn't and I don't consider mine is either with its povo totally standard mechanical spec etc. and to my disbelief it came second in the forum cars against some much more extreme, higher value cars.

I see what you're saying Seth and I was glad that your Estate did so well too. But it just seemed like there used to be a bit more of a buzz around cars which traditionally wouldn't get much of a look-in, people changing their minds about a car they never used to think much of, people doing simple but effective mods, etc. I appreciate that it could all just be rose-tinted glasses, but I'm sure I used to read most topics with interest, now I tend to just skim a few as the bulk seem to be about stuff that doesn't interest me. I'm sure it wasn't always like that. Perhaps seeing unusual cars on the Internet all the time wears down the novelty value?

[Guest]

I presume you have to be a member of the VOC to post on their forum? I'm trying to help get shot of an absolute shed of a Amazon for a good friend (which he paid far too much for, and now needs the space). I will try the PC forum, haven't been on for a while, are there any other Volvo forums out there?

There's a couple more, there's the Volvo Enthusiasts Club and the Brickboard, but I don't think that last one will be of much use.If he's after a few quid for spares and doesn't mind splitting then I have a wee list and wouldn't mind a few pics.If you have a listing I can post it up for you on your behalf.

[Guest]

I presume you have to be a member of the VOC to post on their forum? I'm trying to help get shot of an absolute shed of a Amazon for a good friend (which he paid far too much for, and now needs the space). I will try the PC forum, haven't been on for a while, are there any other Volvo forums out there?

PM sent - if I can help.

[Negative Creep]

I tried to join the Practical Classics forum, never received the activation email. Exactly the same thing happened with another classic car forum, guess because I don't have an ISP email they think you're a spammer.I did post on Barryboys for a while, but grew tired of their 'think exactly as we say or fuck off' mentality. Watching them attacking someone who voiced a different viewpoint like a pack of wolves was pretty sad.Pistonheads is the one I've used quite a lot but that went a bit sour after I attended a meet. Long story short was my Golf being run off the road by a twat in a TVR then me left alone to fix the puncture. I posted the story, it all kicked off big style and now said TVR owner, who claims to be a copper, knows my reg and is 'out to get me'. Lots of very nice people on there, but I did get the distinct impression a handful weren't impressed by me turning up in an old Golf........I do post on retro rides but to be honest I often can't see anything I can contribute to. There's only one board so topics soon get lost and every post is either 'isn't x car brilliant' or 'rat look is awesome/rubbish'. I know it's only a minor thing, but when I posted about my Datsun in reader's rides I hardly got and replies and the Golf got not a single one. This is more a general comment on forums, but it always seems to me that why should you contribute if no one takes a few seconds to post a comment on your cars? Never had any luck at all selling on there, it just vanishes off the front page never to be seen again

[dollywobbler]

I don't really understand 'scenes.' It's automotive fashion at the end of the day, and I'm rubbish at fashion too. One reason I'd sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable in an RR crowd. I just like cars really!

Sigh, I've lowered nearly every car I've owned since the early nineties. Does that make me a fashion guru? Or maybe just an idiot!Big Mercs (being my current preferred brand of chariot) actually respond rather well to loosing a couple of inches - you don't notice any drop in comfort (so long as you don't daft with the grinder), but they loose the tyre destroying wallow in corners, and gain heaps of handling and general driving pleasure. On saying that, I've just bought a beautiful LWB s320, and it is the first car I've ever owned that I think I'll just leave at a stock height. Never had a car that wafts over the bumps so effortlessly.

Fashion doesn't meant lowering to me. Fashion is the look ie euro, rat etc. And talk of brands of alloy wheel leaves me reeling too. Je ne comprends pas. It's similar to me as talk of Gucci and FCUK. I don't really understand, that's all. Not anti-scenes, I just don't understand them!

[M'coli]

Classic Car Clubs

I've been a member of a couple, one of which was great, another... Well let's just say that as far as the internet goes for this club, it's the biggest closed shop I've found so far. You have to be a member to even see the forum, never mind post in it, and then they want you to have your membership number in your username. I'm not even sure if Google's spiders get to collate info from it.

If it was all paid for by the membership fees, then I could sort-of understand it, but it's a proboard, FFS, it's got advertising on it!

An examlple of the mentality - someone had just bought their membership, got onto the forum, asked what the club could do for him and his car, and got the reply "It's not what the club can do for you, it's what you can do for the club"etc.. If that had been me, I'd have weighed mine in and filmed its fragging just to post on said website as a "Get it right up yiz".

 

Then you go to their national weekend and if you're not showing one that has a pair of twin webers as standard, then don't bother polishing it as you really shouldn't have turned up...