[teeraven]

I think the big problem with the divide between classic and late model owners is that the cars are totally different animals. Way too many classic owners feel like the late model cars are garbage or not real Pontiacs, or whatever other reason they choose to bash them. There are a lot of late model owners that aren't Pontiac guys, they're just enthusiasts of the specific model they own. For example most 4th gen f-body owners have less in common with py guys and more with the LS forum crowds. Same for GTO, G8, or the various V6 cars.

For me personally, my love of classic Pontiacs is what lead to liking newer Pontiacs. Though honestly even though I appreciate Grand Ams and G6s, etc, I'd never own one. I would love a GTO or G8 GT but classic cars are my priority. If I owned a newer model and didn't want classics, I'd have not reason to be part of a Pontiac community.

[aukc]

Chris, correct me if I’m wrong here, but my understanding of this topic is for Pontiac hobbyists to come together on this forum, for the good of all of us that care about Pontiac. So it’s not only breaking down the line between classic and late, it’s getting everyone that cares about Pontiac onto this forum.

If I’ve got that right, then let’s really go for it! How about PY and POCI come to an arrangement or agreement, what ever you want to call it, and make this forum the official forum for POCI, migrate the POCI members over to this forum (half of them are here already) and make the forum link on the POCI site point to here. POCI saves the expense of operating the current POCI forum, and the hobby starts to come together.

I think there’s something sort of like this already happening with the Buick Club which hosts their forum on the AACA site, plus isn’t PY already the official tech advice forum for the GTOAA?

How about the “1950’s Pontiac” yahoo group, get them to make PY their official forum and migrate them here. I bet there’s some other forums and group that belong here at PY.

If we could really “come together” then maybe these groups could help out with providing tech advisors, forum moderators, etc. to help take some of the burden off you.

Also I know you’re in perfect health and plan to live forever, but maybe somewhere in the coming together there should be a conversation about succession planning, I’m concerned our hobby is so fragile right now, I don’t even want to think about it, but what would happen to the Pontiac hobby if we lost this forum. Should we have some sort of plan in place to minimize the risk of that happening?

There are my thoughts on the issue, hope I’m not too far off base, Mike

[Ccass]

Originally Posted by aukc

Chris, correct me if I’m wrong here, but my understanding of this topic is for Pontiac hobbyists to come together on this forum, for the good of all of us that care about Pontiac. So it’s not only breaking down the line between classic and late, it’s getting everyone that cares about Pontiac onto this forum.

If I’ve got that right, then let’s really go for it! How about PY and POCI come to an arrangement or agreement, what ever you want to call it, and make this forum the official forum for POCI, migrate the POCI members over to this forum (half of them are here already) and make the forum link on the POCI site point to here. POCI saves the expense of operating the current POCI forum, and the hobby starts to come together.

I think there’s something sort of like this already happening with the Buick Club which hosts their forum on the AACA site, plus isn’t PY already the official tech advice forum for the GTOAA?

How about the “1950’s Pontiac” yahoo group, get them to make PY their official forum and migrate them here. I bet there’s some other forums and group that belong here at PY.

If we could really “come together” then maybe these groups could help out with providing tech advisors, forum moderators, etc. to help take some of the burden off you.

Mike

I agree 100%. The more we merge together, the better off our hobby will be. For all those that attended the 2009 and 2013 Co-Ventions, you don't need me to convince you. I have already had conversations with GTOAA and the 'GTOAA Tech' forum is the result and the first step in this regard.

[Ccass]

Originally Posted by aukc

Also I know you’re in perfect health and plan to live forever, but maybe somewhere in the coming together there should be a conversation about succession planning, I’m concerned our hobby is so fragile right now, I don’t even want to think about it, but what would happen to the Pontiac hobby if we lost this forum. Should we have some sort of plan in place to minimize the risk of that happening?

There are my thoughts on the issue, hope I’m not too far off base, Mike

A 'disaster backup' or 'under the home bomb shelter' of sorts. First off, we are lucky enough to have an entire staff and a group of loyal Moderators that have pretty much the same aspirations and goals that I do. My Son Eric (eric cspn) at age 25 is now a full time member of the staff and an active member of the forums. While he specializes in the Late Model Pontiac side of the business, he took my 1967 GTO to his Senior Prom and fully appreciates the roots of this hobby.

That being said, if some unforeseen PY Forums catastrophe were to occur, the beauty of the internet is that it could be duplicated rather easily and cheaply. And just as quickly and easily, the members would migrate to the successor Pontiac Forum.

[Ccass]

Originally Posted by teeraven

I think the big problem with the divide between classic and late model owners is that the cars are totally different animals. Way too many classic owners feel like the late model cars are garbage or not real Pontiacs, or whatever other reason they choose to bash them. There are a lot of late model owners that aren't Pontiac guys, they're just enthusiasts of the specific model they own. For example most 4th gen f-body owners have less in common with py guys and more with the LS forum crowds. Same for GTO, G8, or the various V6 cars.

You are right on with your assessment! However, what we're saying is that mentality should change. The common ground is they are all Pontiacs. That common ground needs to be the reason we come together as 'Pontiac' owners although there are plenty of good that can be passed back and forth between these two very different technologies and sometimes different owners. The more that happens, the more resources become available to BOTH groups.

[Ccass]

Originally Posted by teeraven

I would love a GTO or G8 GT but classic cars are my priority. If I owned a newer model and didn't want classics, I'd have not reason to be part of a Pontiac community.

I feel differently on this. As long as there is a passion for the type of car you own, there will also be online communities to share that passion with. With the LM Pontiacs, you don't have the restoration aspect to deal with, but all the other elements are still there. Help finding parts because of an accident. Advice on performance issues, styling modifications, Wheel and tire fitment, Exhaust sounds, accessorizing, shows to attend etc. But the most important aspect is the sharing of a commonality creates an often enjoyable social environment.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by teeraven

I think the big problem with the divide between classic and late model owners is that the cars are totally different animals. Way too many classic owners feel like the late model cars are garbage or not real Pontiacs, or whatever other reason they choose to bash them. There are a lot of late model owners that aren't Pontiac guys, they're just enthusiasts of the specific model they own. For example most 4th gen f-body owners have less in common with py guys and more with the LS forum crowds. Same for GTO, G8, or the various V6 cars.

For me personally, my love of classic Pontiacs is what lead to liking newer Pontiacs. Though honestly even though I appreciate Grand Ams and G6s, etc, I'd never own one. I would love a GTO or G8 GT but classic cars are my priority. If I owned a newer model and didn't want classics, I'd have not reason to be part of a Pontiac community.

I too was drawn to late models over my love for the classics;
I had at one time said that I'd never own a "computerized car";
At the time, I was making aprox $300/week, and spending $200/week on gas - that was enought to make me go over to what I previously viewed as the dark side...
lol

I'd still rather a V8 car be a classic, and have been instead having fun with newer four cylinder, or four cylinder turbocharged cars...