Criticism of RESTORER articles

[Reba Whittington]

NCRS's publication is not a professionally-done magazine. Articles must be submitted by the members. We do not pay Terry McManmon to be a full-time editor, not does he have a staff of writers and photographers. If you want to see a technical article, write one.

In spite of its name, does THE CORVETTE RESTORER have to be all technical articles? As has been previously stated, many members are not into the restoration side. Isn't one of our credos "Drive them"? When I first joined NCRS, all articles seemed to be about restoring 1953-62 cars, in which I have absolutely no interest. (I am sure others could say the same about 1963-82s.) I honestly did not read the magazine until we began to get a variety of stories. We must keep a balance of items that will interest all the membership.

This organization is totally driven by the membership--judging, writing the manuals, holding the various meets, and writing stories for the magazine--all volunteers. If there is problem, every member should do his/her part to see that it is solved. I know several people are working with team leaders to correct what they feel are errors in present judging guides. If you don't like what is is in THE RESTORER, send Terry an article. He is always in need of some.

Okay, I've had my say; I will climb off the soapbox.

[Peter J.]

Well said ! *NM*

[Edward McComas]

Re: Criticism of RESTORER articles

Reba makes some very good points. The Corvette Restorer is our magazine. My personal feeling is that you don't have any right to complain if you are not willing to help solve the problem.

Just about anything is fair game for a Restorer article. I just finished and submitted an article on 1956 single four barrel intakes. I don't own a 1956 Corvette, but the subject has interested me for years. I have also recently spent some effort to determine what valve covers are correct for a 1972 base motor car. That seems like it would make an interesting article. 1974 paint codes also seems like another candidate.

So far as I know, the only area of writing that is not considered acceptable for a Restorer article is fictional stories. Everything else...go for it.

[Louis Kolb]

Re: Criticism of RESTORER articles

You are absolutely correct & well said. Thank you for your input.

[Rob Loszewski]

Re: Criticism of RESTORER articles

Excellent points made.

Forgive me if something like this has already been done, but out of curiosity, what about a series of articles on:

1. How to properly trace the history/past owners of an older Corvette

2. Things to look for, or be careful of when inspecting an older Corvette prior to purchasing.

3. How to prepare both physically and financially prior to conducting a major restoration (what to do yourself and what to contract out to professionals).

These three questions seem to be the most commonly asked ones by the Corvette community. Maybe these topics could be addressed as they pertain to each generation of Corvette?

These questions are also general enough that everyone can benefit by the information provided. Just some suggestions....

-Rob Loszewski, Site Administrator
Corvette Action Center


Corvette Action Center

[Jack H.]

A thread I see....

pop up here/there is one of critique about NCRS and the 'powers that be'. It's as if there's a belief this club is some form of Fortune 100 corporation with a strong chain of command structure and there are 'good ole boys' lurking in smoke filled back rooms plotting/planning how to manipulate the rules to do folks in during their restoration/preservation efforts.

I agree with Reba and want to add that this belief is FAR from the truth. We are a CLUB and regardless of whether some of us are judges on a given day or owners, we're all MEMBERS of the same organization with a common goal--assist each other in the restoration/preservation of the Corvette marque.

There is no 'right' way to own/maintain a Corvette! We have awards and recognition categories focused on the full spectrum of ownership; from those who want to sweat the details of full factory concours restoration that qualifies as a museum piece to those who simply want to own, drive, and enjoy their Corvettes. But, when one attempts to put a square peg in a round hole (take a factory modified/deviated Corvette to Flight judging and expect/demand a Top Flight ribbon), things can get messy....

There are VERY few paid employees of the club and the lion's share of work is performed by individual members donating their time in a volunteer structure. If you don't like this/that, the way to change it is to GET INVOLVED either by running for office or showing up and donating your time to effect change from the inside out. Sitting on the sidelines and 'casting stones' about 'them' and 'why can't this/that' doesn't get it, folks. This is pretty much a grass roots organization where he/she who gets active and contributes has the ability to effect change(s).

[Tom B.]

Re: A thread I see....

What I like most about The Restorer is that it is written by NCRS members for NCRS members. We all subscribe to any number of automotive publications but nothing covers the old Corvettes in the detail that our magazine does. A technical article written by a member will always be better thought out, more precise and detailed and accompanied by photos that really show what is being done. Not just a generalization or quick once-over.

I enjoy all of the articles no matter the content. To me it is interesting to read about how someone came to own their car or about it's history. I'll have to admitt that I was in heaven back when it was mostly solid axles but our club has grown a lot since then. As was said above all the articles are writtem for the love of the hobby and the organization by members. Not paid professionals. If you think you know what you want to see in the magazine and you have some knowledge on that subject do some research, write it down and send it in.

I can't claim to having submitted any articles to The Restorer but I have to other Corvette organizations I belong to. Sure it takes time but it gets to be a lot of fun. I can say that the time is fast approaching when I will submitt an article and I hope it is something that the Editor thinks will be of interest to all.

Tom Bryant

[Joe C.]

Reba, Many Of Us Don't Care......

about how many water pumps, alternators, etc. went away during our annual road trips. If we had such a need, then we would probably have a section in the Restorer for "dolts, donkeys or dimbulbs". This is not meant to disparage those brave souls who choose to take our fickle friends on long odysseys, but most of us realize, that we are really gambling when we use these old warriors as basic transportation. After all--they were not very reliable "as built", so why would anyone be so audacious as to expect anything more after 20 to 49 years have past!!
In my opinion, most members are more interested in getting technical feedback from folks (right or wrong) who have sweated the details in restoring their cars, and are willing to share what they have learned.
There is a HUGE turnover ratio in the NCRS, and this proves that most members join us in order to garner information, to prepare their cars, and then fade away---but we must keep them interested, so that they stay on board. After all, if these folks were interested in road trips, then they would likely read National Geographic, which is professionally written, using much richer and descriptive text.

Joe

[John H.]

Re: Criticism of RESTORER articles

I make it a point to submit several technical articles every year to Terry for consideration for the "Restorer", just because I enjoy sharing what I've been through so others may have a "smoother ride" when they approach the same issue with their cars. The "Restorer" gets to all the members, whether they participate actively in our "Club" or not (and most don't); politics aside, this is a member-driven organization of volunteers, and the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it - there's no "Central Office" full of staffers doing all the work - the workers are "us"

[Scott S.]

Re: Criticism of RESTORER articles

Reba,
Thank you for your input. Terry and Eric work very hard to produce excellent publications in a timely fashion.
The way that I see NCRS is 14,500 members. 600 or so attend the National Convention. Another 1,120 members attend Regional meets and many of the same members attend Chapter meets.
Most of the remaining members must belong to NCRS for the "Restorer" and the "Driveline" or why else would someone be a member?
As a past member of the publications committee, I can personally attest to the dedication and hard work that is put into each and every publication. The publications are the life blood of our club.
Scott Sinclair

[Richard P.]

Re: Reba, Many Of Us Don't Care......

Joe,
I guess I qualify as a "dolt, donkey, or dimbulb". I am continuing to restore my 1956 Corvette and will probably never consider it finished. I will however continue to enjoy driving it as the restoration process goes on.
I truly appreciate the technical information available in The Restorer, but I find the personal stories of fellow Corvette enthusiasts to be entertaining and encouraging. The sources of technical information regarding restoration are readily available. If I had a question regarding a restoration problem I would research those sources and if an answer was not found I would ask for help on this board.
But I can only meet and share experiences with a limited number of members. The Restorer provides a means to share Corvette experiences with a larger population of people with common interests. I don't recall any Corvette driving experiences being chronicled in National Geographic but I can relate to The Restorer story describing the 2000 Road Tour to Bowling Green. Those are my feet sticking out from under my '56 as I attempted to repair a broken shifter. The road tour experience was enjoyable for my wife and I and we still laugh about it. We made some great Corvette friends and look forward to doing more tours in the future.
Joe, in summary, I enjoy the diversity of articles in The Restorer and hope it remains that way.
My $.02
Rick Pelotte

[Dick C.]

Re: Criticism of RESTORER articles

I believe that the "Restorer" is a publication that informs, teaches and educates those who have varying interests in corvettes. Personal articles that tell of experiences of "finding a certain car", "researching a car's history" or "road tour adventures" add greatly to the enjoyment of reading the "Restorer".
The technical information that members submit for publication is the life blood of the "Restorer" and are the major reason members read it. Articles published are adding to the corvette information history that will survive for many years beyond our life time. The value of these published articles are priceless. Non technical articles help to stir the interest of many members. I feel that the "Restorer" has something for everyone. Just my humble opinion.
Dick Capello

[Loren L.]

Dare One ASK as to WHERE this thread springs from? *NM*

[Mike E.]

Re: Criticism of RESTORER articles

I've possibly written more articles for the Restorer than anyone else--I've never really counted-- but I can say that the benefits outweigh the time and energy many times over. I know that Terry, as did John Amgwert, has a struggle with balancing technical articles with personal interest articles, and with club-related articles. There is a publications chairperson on the board that the editor relates to, as well.
The point that Scott made is a point well taken--most of the members have their only contact with the NCRS through the magazine.
As a long-time member, (#211--- I was nine years old when I joined!!!???)I've also noticed the turnover in membership, and I believe that much of it is because we are "used" by those who buy a car, decide to restore it, show it, and then resell it. Once it is resold, their love was not for the hobby or the car but for the dollar, and they then move on to "greener" pastures.
For what it's worth.--Mike Ernst

[Joe C.]

Re: Reba, Many Of Us Don't Care......

Rick:

I can understand how some members can empathize with their fellows, in reading about some of the exploits that occur in their travels. For most, however; the substance is lost, unless "you were there" to experience it firsthand. I have (and I am sure that most of us have also) had many memorable experiences while travelling the backroads of the USA, but I wouldn't care to bore my fellow members with all the details--chances are, they've been there/done that.
Let's keep the "Restorer" as a trove of restoration information, and leave the travelogues to Reader's Digest.

Joe