Forum Usage Poll - Please Respond

[Peter Gariepy]

This is NOT an AACA official poll. It's simply a gauge on what is acceptable use of this forum by the forum members at large.

 

NOTES: 

Modern = 24 years and newer.

Modified = beyond keeping it on the road for reliability, legal or safety reasons.

[JV Puleo]

I checked the second box although I think the question is much too broad. Some modification is almost always the case in keeping really old - say more than 50 or 60 year old vehicles on the road. Generally this forum is tolerant of that but if the "as it came from the factory" rule was applied to all cars, just about none of the pre-war cars would be acceptable and the question is almost laughable where brass cars are concerned.

 

I DO NOT mean putting a SBC in any car...or replacing an entire drive train with modern components. I have no idea how this could be policed. To a great extent it is subjective and writing a hard and fast rule is impossible.

Edited February 1, 2020 by JV Puleo
typo (see edit history)

[MrEarl]

It would help me to know what is considered “modern” Peter. Can you clarify  

please? 

[Peter Gariepy]

Just now, MrEarl said:

It would help me to know what is considered “modern” Peter. Can you clarify  

please? 

 

Newer than 25 years old.

[mercer09]

Im hoping this forum doesnt "cave" to accept a bunch of modern metal.

 

The mission it has had has been great.

[Matt Harwood]

3 minutes ago, MrEarl said:

It would help me to know what is considered “modern” Peter. Can you clarify  

please? 

 

Anything with a 12-volt electrical system?

 

[RivNut]

5 minutes ago, MrEarl said:

It would help me to know what is considered “modern” Peter. Can you clarify  

please? 

To a Brass era guy, a 1954 might be modern.  I think it's a situation for each individual.  For a Riviera owner 1999s are not antiques but they're definitely not modern.

Edited January 30, 2020 by RivNut (see edit history)

[Peter Gariepy]

1 minute ago, mercer09 said:

Im hoping this forum doesnt "cave" to accept a bunch of modern metal.

 

The mission it has had has been great.

 

Let the poll do its job.  Doesn't mean anything will change.

[RivNut]

4 minutes ago, Peter Gariepy said:

 

Newer than 25 years old.

So this changes every year?

[Peter Gariepy]

3 minutes ago, RivNut said:

So this changes every year?

 

No. The SAME every year.  AACA accepts anything 25 years and older.  So new eligible cars are added yearly.

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Matt Harwood said:

Anything with a 12-volt electrical system?

Early dodges would be allowed of course even though they were 12 volt from the factory.

[auburnseeker]

The modification thing is a bit tricky.  I don't mind seeing adapting or modifying things to keep them running or possibly improve upon a a bad original design. It all depends on the extent.   It's interesting to see what someone adapted to keep the car still mostly original but still make it run.  Not the IFS small block 700 R4 tranny disc brake conversions. 

[RivNut]

Just now, Peter Gariepy said:

 

No. The SAME every year.

So every year a new model of car becomes "non-modern."  That means in a few years, electric vehicles and such fall out of the modern category.

[keiser31]

8 minutes ago, Matt Harwood said:

 

Anything with a 12-volt electrical system?

 

Except of course the early Dodge Brothers which some were 12 volt. Tin and I were typing at the same time.

Edited January 30, 2020 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[Peter Gariepy]

Just now, RivNut said:

So every year a new model of car becomes "non-modern."  That means in a few years, electric vehicles and such fall out of the modern category.

 

Correct.

[ted sweet]

same25 year rolling cut off  as what the aaca allows at shows

[Peter Gariepy]

Just now, ted sweet said:

same25 year rolling cut off  as what the aaca allows at shows

 

Correct

[Chris Bamford]

52 minutes ago, JV Puleo said:

I checked the second box although I think the question is much too broad. Some modification is almost always the case in keeping really old - say more than 50 or 60 year old vehicles on the road. Generally this forum is tolerant of that but if the "as it came from the factory" rule was applied to all cars, just about none of the pre-war cars would be acceptable and the questions is almost laughable where brass cars are concerned.

 

I DO NOT mean putting a SBC in any car...or replacing an entire drive train with modern components. I have no idea how this could be policed. To a great extent it is subjective and writing a hard and fast rule is impossible.

 

I didn't check Box #2, although I essentially agree with JV's comments.

 

Confusing matters further, this forum is somewhat akin to a buncha buddies hanging around in the garage — most of the discussions are around our old, mostly original, cars but invariably the conversation includes some interesting new car technology or whatever, and that's fine too.

 

This can't be policed with hard and fast rules, we just need to have faith that the moderator(s) will make required content/attitude decisions using their best judgement and that's that.

 

I have that faith.

 

 

Edited January 30, 2020 by Chris Bamford
Paragraphacation (see edit history)

[RivNut]

Then why do we keep separating pre-war from post war.  Perhaps it's time to use the Vietnam war as the separation.  No new models come into the pre-war (basically it's a 40 year window) but every  year one more year becomes a post-war. WWII ended 75 years ago.  We've almost doubled the years in the post-war category.

[TTR]

19 minutes ago, Matt Harwood said:

 

Anything with a 12-volt electrical system?

 

Great idea...

... or post-war ? 😀

Edited January 30, 2020 by TTR (see edit history)

[Walt G]

Very  happy to see this post, it will give all a chance to voice their view/opinion in an orderly manner and also give the AACA directors, officers  and moderators something to perhaps consider when making decisions in the future that they deem fair to all - member or not. Once again AACA is taking the first step to try to be open minded and fair. thank you AACA.

[bryankazmer]

As stated, take the poll and let him view the results.  If there are follow-up questions on interpretation, they will i'm sure be posted.

[Morgan Wright]

35 minutes ago, JV Puleo said:

I checked the second box although I think the question is much too broad. Some modification is almost always the case in keeping really old - say more than 50 or 60 year old vehicles on the road. Generally this forum is tolerant of that but if the "as it came from the factory" rule was applied to all cars, just about none of the pre-war cars would be acceptable and the questions is almost laughable where brass cars are concerned.

 

Not so laughable, my car is "as came from the factory" except tires and battery, only 2 years from brass era. 

[John_S_in_Penna]

"Modification and customization" of antique automobiles,

25 years old and older, might be useful in certain circumstances.

As a rule, I appreciate only authentic cars, but certain discussions

should be permitted.  For example, I can see why some people might

want to:

 

---Discuss the merits (and sources) of radial tires;

---Install seat belts and know where they can be obtained;

---Want to correct electrical deficiencies in English cars,

     even though they wouldn't want Lucas components;

---Bypass Chrysler Corporation's problematic "Lean Burn"

     engine system of the 1970's;

---Convert certain 1960's cars to disk brakes;

     and so on.

 

I wouldn't want this to become a hot-rodder's site in the least;

but antique car owners might see a need for "modifying and customizing"

certain elements, just as an 1898 Benz was converted from

a hot-tube-and-batting fuel delivery to a carburetor, as mentioned

in our club's own magazine as far back as 1947.

 

[padgett]

I have a problem here in that this says "AACA Forums" and does not exclude the marque forums (e.g. Reatta) which may or may not be "25 years or older". Certainly when I started posting my 88 was only 13 years old.  As a consequence since there is no distinction, I have to check all (except religion and politics - Jim Bakker did have a Corvette though).

 

Now if we decide to make certain forums for "as left the factory at least 25 years ago" that is fine, but only apply to those forums where it is appropriate.

[chistech]

I agree, I wouldn’t come to this site to see modern car questions nor would I want to see any of the for sale forums with modern cars or parts. Perhaps adding some more forum categories might help. For example, the restoration forum. As joe p stated, while he is restoring his car, he is also making changes to better the design for reliability, drivability, and safety. His posts are in the restoration forum. If someone was restoring a car to OEM or as close to exactly how it was delivered, perhaps that restoration forum could have a name like “OEM restorations “. Currently I’m restoring a 34’ pickup but will changing the gear ratio and switching it to 37’ Chevy Huck brakes. While it’s still a restoration, it’s not OEM and would fit in the “restoration” forum. My recently completed 32’ Olds would fit in the OEM Restoration forum. How this would prove beneficial is for someone who’s looking to show at high level, would most likely view the OEM threads and someone restoring a vehicle to anything other 5han that show vehicle, would probably view the restoration threads. The whole purpose of the forums is for knowledge and information in my opinion. I believe some small separation of the categories would help define what is in those forum threads and steer the viewer to the threads that fit their criteria without having to go through a bunch of other posts.  One category I thought would be cool is something like “your other hobbies “ or something like that. I’m finding out by just posting things in my build threads, how many other car enthusiasts enjoy some of the same other hobbies I do. If there was a category for that, I believe many would enjoy it.

 

The AACA forums are the best out there and are specific to cars 25+ years and older. It should stay that way. Can we discuss other things done to the autos shy of hot rodding, sure, I don’t see why not. I enjoy reading and posting here more than anywhere else. The format and picture posting is the highest of any site I’m a member of. The no politics is a good thing as these days, politics are very tiring and we don’t need to hear more. Getting down from my soapbox now!

[theastronaut]

I would like to be allowed to post about replacing/upgrading the overly complicated, really expensive (1/3 the cost of what I paid for the whole car), ECU-assisted factory carburetor on my now-classic and matching numbers 1989 Ford Festiva to a period correct and very simple early 80's Ford Escort carburetor. I only did this to keep it on the road and be able to display it at car shows and car meets like Cars and Coffee.  I'd hate to not have the ability to share my favorite collector car here because it's not "as it left the factory".  

 

 

 

 

Edited January 30, 2020 by theastronaut (see edit history)

[gossp]

1 hour ago, Matt Harwood said:

 

Anything with a 12-volt electrical system?

 

Anything with electric lights. 

[victorialynn2]

1 hour ago, Chris Bamford said:

 

I didn't check Box #2, although I essentially agree with JV's comments.

 

Confusing matters further, this forum is somewhat akin to a buncha buddies hanging around in the garage — most of the discussions are around our old, mostly original, cars but invariably the conversation includes some interesting new car technology or whatever, and that's fine too.

 

This can't be policed with hard and fast rules, we just need to have faith that the moderator(s) will make required content/attitude decisions using their best judgement and that's that.

 

I have that faith.

 

 

I agree. If you over regulate you will stifle a lot of conversations. People are bound to get off track occasionally. If the goal of this site is to create interaction, then let people have some leeway. If conversations get off track, then take appropriate action. 

 

As long as everyone is clear about what this group is about and we don’t have a lot of threads that are off topic, a comment or two shouldn’t be detrimental. It’s how conversations go in real life. Sometimes things get off topic, like the discussion about my truck door. I would understand if those comments got deleted and that conversation can happen by the messaging feature. 

[dalef62]

I don't mind seeing some information on the newer stuff, because someday they will be antiques!  It seems to be well balanced as is it right now as to the under 25 year old and over 25 year old vehicles.  

Leave the forums as is...  We have a great bunch of moderators that keep everything inline as far as I am concerned. 

[Bloo]

I like being able to come here and ask (and read) restoration questions and not be completely buried in non-restoration answers, so I just checked the restoration and related 25 year and older categories.

 

That said, I don't think absolute rigidity would be a good thing. I think the moderators are doing a great job here.

 

 

[Dosmo]

I like the great majority of what I've seen on the forum since I created my profile in 2006.  I'm not totally against seeing some discussion of modification for safety reasons, and I might not get turned off too badly with some sort of customization, as long as it's not too radical.  

 

So much of what kinds of posts many might be willing to accept could depend on the perceived attitude of the poster.  Anything that seems pushy or in-your-face is probably not gonna fly.  And regarding attitude, the same might be said of some forum users in how they reply to some of these questionable posts.

[Mikefit]

I guess I do not know what AACA stands for is it not Antique Car club ?? My thought any vehicle that car keep up in today's traffic is not an antique vehicle.    Mike

[Roger Frazee]

I like the model that the Corvair Center Forum follows.  The forum is designed for and used by Corvair enthusiasts and 95% of the posts are relevant to Corvairs.  But it is not exclusive to Corvairs.

 

Topics that are not Corvair-related are labeled with the letters O.T. (off topic).  Off topic posts range from advice on fixing a home boiler to the death of Kobe Bryant.  

 

At the end of the day, forum readers are a diverse group with diverse interests.

[Guest]

I belong to many auto forums so when I want to share information or have a good discussion about one of my Corvettes I don't go to my Mustang forum.

[J3Studio]

There's a point where cars are no longer new, but aren't quite 25 years old and this is one of the few places I can count on getting educated help. For example, when I (finally) find my 1996-1999 Riviera, one of the locations I can go for good pre-and-post acquisition advice is the ROA portion of this forum.

Edited January 31, 2020 by J3Studio (see edit history)

[J3Studio]

29 minutes ago, Mikefit said:

I guess I do not know what AACA stands for is it not Antique Car club ?? My thought any vehicle that car keep up in today's traffic is not an antique vehicle.

 

The AACA judges any stock vehicle 25 years or older, without exception.

 

 

Taken heading into the judging field at Hershey, five years ago.

Edited January 30, 2020 by J3Studio (see edit history)

[Lebowski]

The "non-automobile forum" should have said anything EXCEPT religion and politics so there can be topics as diverse as what's a good brand of chainsaw or what restaurant chain has the best ribs, etc.... 

[trimacar]

I think it should stick to conversations of vehicles that fall within AACA judging guidelines, period.

 

Hot rods and highly modified cars aren't acceptable nor accepted at national AACA shows, and prolonged discussion of them should not be allowed on this forum.  There are lots of other hot rod and modified forums.  I really don't come on this site to read about the newest hydraulic jumping controls nor any other modern equipment.

 

I realize that some conversations may veer off into such things as disc brakes, but that should be kept at a minimum too, and not as a main topic of the forum.

[Peter J.Heizmann]

This AACA website is quite expensive to operate.  It is "Paid for by the dues paying members of the AACA" and "not by non-members".  I have a problem with allowing non-members vote to change the rules or format of a service provided free of charge to anyone interested in discussing 25 year and older vehicles.  I also take into consideration that the majority of the 60,000 +/- members do not even participate in the forums.  The majority of the frequent posters on this forum are not members of the AACA from the last data I had access to some years ago.  As Peter Gariepy stated this poll is just to get a feel for what directional changes are needed by hobbyist' and the outcome is non-binding of which I would think only the dues paying members would have the final decision.

 

On the other hand I fully understand the reasoning of the AACA for allowing non-members and general public to comment on the forums.  It is done to help us all along with projects, etc., and build the old vehicle hobby.  No problem.