The Restorer -- Help!

[Wayne S.]

Hi folks! I'm the new kid on the block at The Restorer. First of all, I'd like to say thanks to all of the members who sent messages to me and/or personally spoke with me at the Waco Regional (and I had an outstanding time there, by the way). Again, thank you.

I'm delighted to be part of the Editorial side of the NCRS, but no one person can do this alone. As a result, I'm very open to seeing articles you may have (or article ideas you may have) for The Restorer. Please, please, please send them to me! In addition. I'd really like to see a few photos along with a few words on the project Corvettes many of you have sitting on your garage floor(s). Everyone likes to see projects. They really do make us all feel better (as in: "hey, see that poor guy...look at his pile...it's way worse than mine !!!")! No matter how awful or how pretty, let's see 'em! A good 5X7 or 8X10 JPG image saved at a resolution of 300 DPI or PPI will be fine (the more photos, the better). If you only have prints, send me an e-mail message. I'll provide you with a snail mail address. I hope to devote space in each issue of The Restorer to member projects. At least from my perspective, your project Corvettes are important.

Thanks in advance, and I'm truly looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Wayne Scraba
The Restorer

e-mail: wscraba@telus.net

[Geoff C.]

Interesting succinct profile / biography *NM*

[Joe C.]

Re: The Restorer -- Help!

Wayne;

Good to have you! Can you elaborate on the photos? How many at a time do you want? What would you like to see in the photos?
Another idea would be a "judging school" like the Vetteheads website offers (offered???)

Take a look at this:

http://www.vetteheads.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12

[Wayne S.]

Re: The Restorer -- Help!

Hi Joe...I'd just like to see several overall photos of NCRS member Corvette projects, along with a brief description. As far as a "judging school" such as used in the website you pointed out, I'll probably pass. Thanks anyway.

Sincerely,

Wayne Scraba

[Chas Kingston]

I thought so, too, Doc *NM*

[G B.]

A difficult and relatively thankless job.

I wish you well in your new role. It will be extremely difficult to please most of the people in the NCRS, and you will certainly never be able to please them all. Since I'm sure you are highly focused on pleasing me in particular, here are my suggestions for improving the magazine.

I've never met a member who didn't like to see clear color photos of unrestored cars. I think stories about how a car was acquired and repaired are also quite popular. Most members want to learn about unusual Corvettes too. I'm not talking about customs or high dollar restored cars here; I mean old race cars and factory special builds.

I hope you lighten up on the "talking car" articles, judging results, and road tour stuff. The how-to explanations are fine as long as they deal with tasks most of us are willing to try. The write-ups about NCRS events leave me cold. I just don't care to read about them.

I've read many of your articles in other magazines over the last 20 years. I like your writing style. If you would tell the members about your writing experience in your on-line profile, I'm sure they would be impressed. You have always seemed like someone who would get involved in the article and do your own research. I sure hope that continues in your work for the Restorer. If you just re-type and print what the members submit we're going to miss out on seeing a lot of neat unrestored cars that are still out there.

Lastly, good luck with editing member stories that are poorly written without hurting someone's self esteem. My guess is that the know-it-all arrogance shown by some members will be carried over into the articles they submit.

[Wayne S.]

Re: A difficult and relatively thankless job.

Hi Jerry...thanks for the advice along with the kudos! You will see changes in The Restorer. Some will come quickly. Some will evolve. Because of the printing format, I don't think I'll be able to add a lot of additional color photos without added expense, but there may be ways to include photos of this sort. None-the-less, I'll definitely take all of your recommendations into consideration.

As far as adding more info to my profile, I probably won't do that. I have my own reasons for this, and I don't feel it is appropriate to elaborate here.

Thanks again...

Wayne Scraba

[Joel Falk]

Re: A difficult and relatively thankless job.

Wayne,

Would it be possible to include high quality color photos on the NCRS websie somewhere so people who grow tired of the B/W's can view them there? Or even just additional photos for any featured vehicle?

[Wayne S.]

Re: A difficult and relatively thankless job.

That's a really good question. I think I'll have to defer it to the Webmaster, but as many know, several of the newsstand publications do just that.

Wayne Scraba

[Geoff C.]

So do you own a Corvette or is it a secret *NM*

[Wayne S.]

Re: So do you own a Corvette or is it a secret

Hello Mr. Coenen...

If I'm not mistaken, we've never met. I simply asked what I think is a rather civil, and appropriate question regarding potential contributions to The Restorer. I have no desire to drag this into something that it is not.

I mentioned before, on this board that I have valid reasons not to post personal information on a web-based BBS, and I stand by that. I sincerely hope you can appreciate my position.

If you would like to discuss this off the web board, please call me at

250+658+4222, Pacific

Or if you prefer, please send me your telephone number and I'll call you on my dime.

Sincerely,

Wayne Scraba

[Dave McDufford]

Re: So do you own a Corvette or is it a secret

Wayne,

You are certainly entitled to your privacy, but the Doc asked a reasonable question that many on this board would ask.

Dave McDufford

[mike cobine]

This is going over as well as the Florida $1 tax

Wayne,

You have already been hired to do The Corvette Restorer, obviously, but I can say your initial posts on here are not going to help you do it.

No one is private, regardless of what you think or try.

A search of the Internet brings up a Wayne Scraba who is into aircraft, the Cobra forums, and writing high performance books. You may be any or all of them.

However, you are now the guiding light at The Corvette Restorer, and as such, many want to know you to know where it is going. Restoration at NCRS is not like restoration at Hot Rod Magazine or Car Craft or Super Chevy or a host of other high performance magazines. As such, the views of the members are different and they expect to know where you walk and which way you will lead.

You have already said you want to look in our garages, see our projects, and basically see our lives. However, you have very statedly declined to offer any information on yourself.

It isn't a one way street here. People who have tried that are gone quickly.

This is a place where many bare their secrets, their failings, and their shortcomings, all in an effort to get comfort, guidance, and information to help them. We run into each other across the country, across the world, we help each other and we share popsicles at the Good Doctor's motorhome.

So step back, take a breath, and rethink your approach here. Otherwise, a thankless task may become a lonely and friendless task also.




Just some personal info

[Jack H.]

With 4-digit NCRS number, Wayne's been around... *NM*

[Mark D.]

Welcome Wayne, nice talking to you in Waco *NM*