eBay is a great resource for the message board

[Rusty Shepherd CLC 6397]

Theres a simple reason that 41s are the most popular cars in the CLC: more of that year are owned by CLC members than any other. The good old boys may be the reason for this, but not from a plot to make 41s popular, only from their preference for this year. If every member bought a 68 today, it would instantly become the most popular Cadillac in the club, by far, and there would be nothing the gobs could do to change that fact.

[Jeff Hansen]

"It seems there is still a strong contingent of "good old boys" who run the whole show..."

With the exception of the past presidents, every member of the Board of Directors, including those on the Executive Committee, are elected by the membership.  In recent CLC elections, the participation rate has been horrendous -- around 1 or 2percent of the membership.  You also have to have people who are willing to serve two years on the Board and travel to meetings twice a year at their own expense.  There arent that many volunteers.

"There is still a strong resistance to modification or even discussion of newer Cadillacs -- witness Stampies troubles getting the Modified Chapter started and approved."

This is because the concept of a modified car goes against what has been defined in the CLCs constitution.  The modified car is being debated and if brought to a vote by the membership, will be a difficult sell in my opinion because of the age of the membership and the definition of what a Cadillac or LaSalle is to them.

You cant change the world overnight, Im afraid; it is a very gradual process.

Consider coming to the AACA Museum in Hershey for our winter board meeting next Saturday morning to watch the process in action.

Jeff

[Mike #19861]

 A while back there was some talk on the HT4100 Exchange board about registration of members over some spammers that always seem to show up on these things. There were the vocal few that insisted that registration was indeed good and quite necessary. I had my doubts, but went ahead with a poll to get the general memberships response on the issue.

 Derek, you may remember this. In the poll I stated that at least 75percent of the membership must respond and that there must be a clear majority for registration to occur. This would have the effect of weeding out the vocal minority in favour of the general majority. The result  was of those that  voted, the majority was against registration, but less than 25percent of the membership actually voted. It quickly became a non issue and has not been brought up since.

 I essence, what I am saying is that most of the people really do not care for it. The vocal minority do not always have the best interest of all in mind, but for their own ideals. So lets leave it the way it is. Jeff and Michael are doing a great job here in keeping this board as good as it is. If it aint broke, dont fix it!

 And, as Brian pointed out, the HT4100 Exchange is quite differant in that it is more or less a purely technical board with very little if any  bantering that is becoming more popular here. I do allow  strays, but will not withstand any disparity, insults or personal attacks. They get dealt with promptly, but thankfully there has been very little that has resulted in me having to step in and deal with. This in an open forum where anybody can join freely.

 I do not object to most all of what is said here. In fact, many of us have become personal friends and we feel this has become a family of sorts. This thread is a function of that. We would not get animated in such a discussion if we really did not feel this way. E-bay posts aside, this is one of the best boards out there, and the reason why I stay here when so many others have come and gone. I frequent this board more than any other, and is alway the first, and sometimes only, board I come to during my time at the computor.

 Dereks announcement that he was taking a sabbatical, and the ensuing responses, is a tribute to how close we have all become. Lets strive to keep it that way.

  Mike

[Derek]

I couldnt have said it better myself.

Regards,

Derek

[Mike #19861]

 Perhaps as a bit of a qualifier. When this club was formed, these 40s era Cadillacs were but old cars to the general public and the foresight of the founding members to preserve them is what was the fondation of the club.

 Really, since then, have things really changed? The cars that were originally of that foundation era have become valued collectibles, and thankfully , because of the efforts of this club and other like minded individuals, they remain for us all to enjoy. A tangible lesson in the illustrious Cadillac history.

 Today, 80s Cadillacs are of the approximate age of the cars that were the foundation of the club. The 70s cars were the equivilant of 20s era cars then. But, the advancements in technology have meant that far more of these cars remain on the road than their equivilantly aged 30s brethren in the lat 50s. Now, the executives have obviously been long standing members, and no doubt are well exposed to 40s and 50s (they were new cars when the club was new) era cars and are generally regarded as top notch collectibles today. To them 80s and to some extent, 70s Cadillacs are still late model cars and may not get the attention they deserve. But slowly, I am beginning to see more and more acceptance by the general membership, and greater numbers of them in the club.

 This club is a living and breathing entity, and it can and will change with the times. It will simply not survive if it does not. Trends evident in the hobby will have to be embraced, even if some object. The purists will object to modified cars. The guys just looking for a nice reliable and practical driver will object to the abject originality measures of others. Some love the latest models, others hate them. But we have to sit down and take stock of our hobby from time to time. If it is to survive, change is necessary. There will always be room for everyone, even if they congregate in their own factions in the form of specific chapters.

 How many early 80s Cadillacs are there out there powered by HT4100s today as compared to even 5 years ago? This is a prime example of where and why this club benefits Cadillac afficiandos of all eras. These otherwise beautiful cars need some support now, and so it will be for the FWD era Northstar cars in the years to come. The last of the RWD Fleetwoods already have a strong following. The newest being already 9 years old!

  Mike

[Michael Stamps 19507]

I have it up now here:

http://www.stampie.com/tech/scissortop.html TARGET=_blank>http://www.stampie.com/tech/scissortop.html

If Lynn or any others wish to have something there just email me.

Thanks,
Stampie

[Mike #19861]

 Excellent! A bookmark must have for all, weather or not you have one of these cars.

 Now, how about Lynns 68 Cadillac article? Id love to read that too.

 I have written some articles as well, not all Cadillac related, but would like to mak them available to anyone interested as well.

  Mike

[Lynn 10923]

I have an article on common climate control problems in 68 Cadillacs that is virtually done. I also have a series of 6 articles on maximizing the performance of a 68 Cadillac, tuning beyond the shop manual specs, but they would be generally applicable to other years also. They covered the distributor, carburetor, camshaft, breathing efficiency, transmission, and the chassis. These were not quite 100percent done when I realized that I wasnt going to get anywhere with them. I put them aside and havent looked at them in months. If yall want to see them posted, Ill have to finish them up. Mine also have a number of pictures with them. I dont know how much room Stampie has for all this. I will have to inquire.

Lynn   (who still wishes Derek would stay around)

[Michael Stamps 19507]

I have plenty of room as I think Im only using 2percent of my space and 5percent of my bandwidth as of now.  My publishing timeframe is around 24 hours so let me know when you get them ready.

Stampie

[Michael Stamps 19507]

I got your email Mike and Ill put it up.  Dont see any reason why not to put up anything else you have so send those on.

Stampie

[Bill Bolen CLC 16085]

If I am replying to the INCORRECT  AREA of THIS BOARD - I apologize. I too, am dis-satisfied,disappointed,and disillusioned by the CLC, and this MOST COMPLEX board. When I purchased my http://www.landyacht.net, TARGET=_blank>www.LandYacht.net, several yrs. ago, I jumped to membership and this board for help.FORGET THAT !I instead I encountered a generally speaking, group of self rightous,imperious,snobs reveling in their own IMpotence.
I stay as a member, because of the SELF STARTER, and the SELF STARTER ONLY !
The CLC is looking to attract new young members. Thats great, but they might try first to be more cordial to the present members.I do state that I have encountered a FEW friendly and helpful folk. These are individuals.They are not the CLC.I try to assist those with questions who know even less than I do. I see these "newbies" attacked, instead of assisted. I suggest a real change in attitude by the "Old Hard Cores". Welcome to 2005.If the CLC is not New Member,Un-knowledgable participant friendly,the CLC will not continue, no matter how good the Self Starter is. PLEASE- Make this a more friendly atmosphered club, and NOT the domain of the self rightous oldies. Thank You - Bill

[Mike #19861]

"I instead I encountered a generally speaking, group of self  rightous,imperious,snobs reveling in their own IMpotence."

 Personally, I take exceptance to this particular remark. I have very rarely been subjected to such behaviour here, and for the most part, and there are indeed the odd exception, the people on this board have been very co-operative and tried to help in any manner in which they can.

 If you find the behaviour here like this, I suggest you join another forum for other marques. There are other boards out there that give new meaning to "self  rightous,imperious,snobs reveling in their own IMpotence" Simply put, this is not one of them.

 With such a statement you lay a broad insult to everyone here. Qualifying it with statements like "I do state that I have encountered a FEW friendly and helpful folk. These are individuals.They are not the CLC" do not diminish your assault.

 And, since you find it so complex here, perhaps you are on the wrong board that you think you are. Complexity? Really? This is perhaps the most easily attainable and most esily understood board I have encountered.

 I would suggest that a thought process be involved before making such a post, and perhaps a bit more indication of why you make such claims.

 If you find me to be one of these imperious snobs, so be it.

  Mike

[Derek]

Bill,

Mike is right on this, you paint with a pretty broad brush here.  Can you give some more clear-cut examples of exactly how you were insulted on the board?  I dont recall your name being associated with any big flame-ups on here...

Just trying to understand,

Derek

[Michael Stamps 19507]

A search for post by Bill returns two.  This current one and the following:

http://www.cadillaclasalleclub.org/cgi-bin/user/forum.cgi?select=2Fclc2Fclcgenl2F494822F49484 TARGET=_blank>http://www.cadillaclasalleclub.org/cgi-bin/user/forum.cgi?select=2Fclc2Fclcgenl2F494822F49484

Stampie

[Michael Stamps 19507]

That didnt work but if you do a search for Bolen as a Partial username you will find the other post.

Stampie

[JIM CLC # 15000]

01-08-04
Bill, I have to Disagree with you 100percent.
I feel that the members that respond to questions and comments on this board have done so in a, mostly nice way.
I, one among many, will not answer a post, But will reply to it just to move it back to the top.
The CLC, like so many other clubs, dont tell you everthing before you join.
Bill, if you truely want to feel left-out, join the elks".

I, for one member, am staying with the club.
As for the board. BEST thing I ever came across that was FREE!
 Good Luck, Jim

P.S. I dont expect too many answers about a "thirtys-car"
therfore, Im not disappointed to often.

[Mike #19861]

 I found the other post from Bill, and it too was rather insulting, and in my opinion unprovoked.

 
  Mike.

[Johnny]

I have always found message board "fightning",and some people getting offended, really quite amusing.  Think about it.  All this fightning is done using the marvels of the computer chip, which allows us to exchange dialogues with each other electronically!  I cant believe such high emotion can be reached, by simply reading words, electronically reproduced on a TV screen!  For the most part, they are words from "faceless people" completely void of any emotion.  The only exception is if posters have met and more or less met each other, then we can place a face and emotion on a post.

[Randall Ayers McGrew CLC # 17963]

Personally I read the posts and saw nothing remotely insulting to Mr Bolen.
I suspect that he is one of those people who hit at the wrong moment, and take what was intended as humor wrongly.  Whatever the complaint, it is unwarrented in my humble opinion, as was the knee jerk reaction.

The very fact that we have worried on this bone is indicative of the general memberships sensitivity towards others.  

I apologize to Mr, Bolen if he took anything I said wrongly.  

But believe me, if I want to be rude, you will know it.  Hope that clears it up as far as I am concerned.

[Steve Crum 20999]

Aw H**l, I might just as well stomp in it too! Are there plans for a boxing ring or mud pit in the CLC tent at the next grand national?