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Thread: Chairman's Rant - October 2019

  1. #11
    Site Supporter ProtoTipo's Avatar
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    Re: Chairman's Rant - October 2019

    Quote Originally Posted by Normb666 View Post
    I just think the "classics" have got overpriced, is all.
    You're right, but I think it's getting back to the, err, 'norm'.
    I saw a nice Fiat Dino Coupe recently auctioned in the teens, when the dealers are still trying to get £40k.
    It's mint 80s hot hatches that are going silly now.

  2. #12
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    Re: Chairman's Rant - October 2019

    Dear Dinosaur Phil,

    Will we be seeing you in the next Jurassic World movie? Hope so...although you might now say "not on (in?) my Nellie"

    All points taken and agreed. I have to ask the questions and rock the boat cos as Chairman, that's my job - to keep the boat afloat and heading in the direction the rest of the passengers want! If the world's changed and it's mainly about the Forum, that's great, cos it makes life much easier for the Committee having to do nowt/very little But a club is, by definition, a social organisation, and that means, for me, meeting and communicating, and not only on social media. And the cars are for driving! You can't beat the real-life experience, as you know, cos you hold your annual Garage Days and I can't remember seeing any sour faces at those...
    I get that some don't want anything to do with clubs. I'm actually one of them...I initially joined as a fact-finding exercise and then realised that here, we don't have the usual "core Mafia" that you find in bigger outfits, who run the club for their own ends, and I was mightily gratified. I'm determined to keep it that way, friendly and open to all. That's why I need to gather opinions!

    As for buyers of our cars, well, how they do business is their concern. I just don't want any negative fallout from a bad experience to impact on the club, so I'm floating the inspection/valuation idea - even if no-one ever uses it, we could point to it and say it was available.

    Slightly off-topic, I remember Geoff Turton building his car back in the day, as I was doing my Allora. It made for quite a depressing feeling when I'd pop round to see how he was getting on, making all those bits, altering the chassis, etc. etc. cos there's no way I could do any of that (and I couldn't afford his replica inside door handles either). But then, he makes a living as a fabricator! It did contribute to my feeling of inadequacy regarding my car and why I was never truly happy with it, although looking back there was really no need to feel that way as I'd built it to the best of my abilities. And nothing ever fell off it and it never let me down!

    Anyway, come on, everyone - all opinions welcome...remember, if you want something to happen, and you don't tell anyone, it probably won't

  3. #13
    SEC Member Neil63's Avatar
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    Re: Chairman's Rant - October 2019

    Chairman Norm
    Stirred a little I see and some good and varied opinions.
    On the point of valuation / Inspection service I think the principle is sound but application may be difficult. If we are selling then clearly highest price v time to achieve factor. If a buyer is naive enough to want one without researching then fair game and Caveat Emptor (same rules as any purchase) True benchmarking I guess can only come with sales figures but given low volume this may be unreliable, the current spike in sales may not be sustained. The variables to factor in are wide ranging and subjective in most areas Age and quality of initial kit components, Build quality, New v Reconditioned parts, current mechanical condition, Stradale, Gp4, Hybrid Bastard (mine) Replica or homage. Finally and most importantly emotionally rose tinted glasses. If it ticks the boxes I’m having it ��
    A possible solution could be a buyers guide (One Pager) Overview of original Stratos, Simple narrative on SR manufacturers, The killer questions of why you want one and what do you intend to do with it. key points to look for and a median guide price based on a range of roadworthy kits (ie Manufacture, GP4, Stradale etc) then broadly define a variance of xx% either above or below this figure?

    Meetings and usage. I have no idea how many SRs are out there built and roadworthy is this a factor? A number of new build should be on the road for next summer so hopefully swell numbers. I personally intend to use mine as much as practical once completed. I like the idea of road tours like the recent Lakes trip. A (group) trip into Europe is definitely on the cards and a smattering of track days, Garage days and of course attendance at club events.

    See you Saturday Mr Chairman Sir

    All the best
    Neil

  4. #14
    SEC Member ChrisCar6's Avatar
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    Re: Chairman's Rant - October 2019

    If we were to produce a Buyers Guide, would we sell it/only available to club members? It would need a prospective buyer to find us, while it seems vendors/purchasers usually don't involve us.

    Insurers must surely be the ones who have a professional interest in correct valuation? I don't know how their knowledge / opinions could be accessed, but it might have more credibility than that of a man-with-a-spanner-in-a-shed-in-Nuneaton (as we were once infamously described)!

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    Re: Chairman's Rant - October 2019

    I agree. Which I guess brings us back to two points. Is there an issue that needs solving or is the point now mute having been explored? and club purpose. I am happy with the shared knowledge and experience coupled with the social side currently provided. I have visited and been visited by a number of current and future owners which has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to expand my knowledge and share ideas & learning with others, personally this is what a forum / club is all about. Plus a laugh and a beer! If, however, Norms point is club reputation and profile is there potential to hook up with a magazine to produce a generic guide kinda like the Practical Classics (buyers guides). No idea if they pay for such things. Just a thought.
    All the best
    Neil

  6. #16
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    Re: Chairman's Rant - October 2019

    Is there an issue to be solved...well I guess so, or maybe it's answers learned, as there've been "where is everyone"/"it's not like it used to be" in relation to car shows, etc. for a while. Maybe we won't/can't get more than we've got, cos the Hardcore Showgoers are all we have? In some ways the point will will always be moot as you can't change what peeps wanna do...! Early days for this topic yet though, so let's see what others come up with (oh look, tumbleweed )

    The Buyers Guide idea's a good 'un, but as Chris says, the other challenge is getting it out there. I don't think anyone already in the club tends to look for a ready-built car so keeping it among ourselves is pointless. So maybe the whole inspection thing is a non-starter? Doesn't mean we shouldn't have a think about it tho.

    I'm expecting to be pinned against Gordon's garage wall on Saturday now by various unsavoury characters buttonholing me and asking hard questions... you know the ones - "what's the difference between a duck", stuff like that

  7. #17
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    Re: Chairman's Rant - October 2019

    Re valuations this needs a certain amount of consideration to avoid legal comeback. Lancia Motor Club used to do this but in the increasing litigious environment hey have backed away. Same goes for inspections. Looking at the marketplace for Stratos replicas it is a minefield given the generations of types / build quality / registration date / Q plate etc. Not to mention what is going on in Europe.

    Re club purpose - my main focus for this was social (meeting like minded) and second for "technical support" (again from like minded). We have convened a small group of us in the Suffolk area and we meet around once every 2 months. This has created a limited opportunity to share some motor event experience. I would like to do tours/weekend use of my car but so far this has not transpired as nothing like this happens south of Watford Gap. I am not minded to shows and static displays. Driving is what cars are for.

    Regarding whether other clubs have problems with attending club events this has not been a problem in recent years for the Lancia Motor Club which regularly gets 50 cars at its AGM and the weekend events are sold out. (c20-30 cars driver plus navigator). It takes time to build the interest but it should be high on any car club agenda to do events.

  8. #18
    SEC Member Guy Mayers's Avatar
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    Re: Chairman's Rant - October 2019

    Quote Originally Posted by Normb666 View Post
    I
    I'm expecting to be pinned against Gordon's garage wall on Saturday now by various unsavoury characters buttonholing me and asking hard questions... you know the ones - "what's the difference between a duck", stuff like that
    Sorry Norm - I won't be there to pin you against the wall as wedding plans are getting in the way. In answer to your question - one of it's legs it both the same.

    Guy

  9. #19
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    Re: Chairman's Rant - October 2019

    Well Guy, I was right about the unsavoury characters, but maybe got the location wrong if you won't be there...

    Didn't know you were getting married! Congrats! Or actually, will it be legal - cos you're already married to your Hawk...!

    And yeah, smartar*se, one leg's both the same. So you'll know the answer to "why is a mouse when it spins" too?

    Tim - understand your outlook. Maybe we can't do valuations/inspections for the reasons you list. I suppose if that's the case, all we can do is hope "the buyer" comes on here and asks avbout a given car?

    I dunno what you can do about a driving event down your way, other than having a go at doing a small run (to start with) with a coupla peeps from your bi-monthly meet? I don't know that part of the country at all so anything I'd put together would be hopeless

  10. #20
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    Re: Chairman's Rant - October 2019

    Norm, as I think you have found the club means different things to different people. We will be a diverse bunch of; owners, want to be owners, builders, prospective builders and just onlookers. I was going to say voyeurs, but you would just get the wrong end of the stick......(leave it)
    For me at this point of awaiting my chassis, but in the meantime rebuilding an Alfa engine and refurbishing parts, the benefit at the moment is the technical knowledge and build threads - which are really great. The secondary benefit is socialising and commarardarie.
    We are, however, (I imagine) a busy and far flung bunch so get togethers are not always easy. That's why the various Forums are so popular.
    It's really good that you are creating debate Norm and change is good, but not always easy.
    Cheers!
    Last edited by LOFT6.6; 26-09-2019 at 17:54.
    I have lots of hidden talents. The problem is, even I can't find them!


    Ade




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