[Jerry H.]

Sitting here this afternoon in the quiet of my home it hit me how much I missed the mid 80's to mid 90's. Not even considering that was the time when my kids were young and running around the house, my businesses were doing good and my wife was in good health. I'm talking about technology and how it has effected the old car hobby.

Now I understand that some of you can't relate because you are too young are may not have even been born, but hear me out. There was no internet, therefore no Ebay, no Cars-on-line, and most of all no PY Forums. No cell phones, no texting, etc. Every month we had to wait for whatever monthly publications that we subscribed to. Hemmings Motor News was waited for with baited breath. Those that could afford it paid for 1st Class delivery; they got a few days head start on the desirable cars and parts that way. At it's heyday it was probably 4x as big as it is today. Pontiac lovers waited on the Smoke Signals, HPP, The Legend; plus Kirban's monthly newsletter. Dennis always had a few choice hard to find parts for sale each month. If we needed pictures of a car or part that was for sale, the seller had to have the film developed, then mail the pictures. Sometimes it would take weeks to get these. Remember, no email.

Getting back to my 'quiet' afternoon. I guess that's what I miss the most. Even though most months my phone bill ran in the 100's of dollars; I miss the time I spent every day talking to other car folks. Generally I would spend 2-4 hours a day on the phone looking for cars, parts, etc., or fielding calls from car friends looking for the same.

Now days it's an email or a text. So impersonal. I sure miss the 80's!