After years and years of keeping the HAMB on topic and closing threads and deleting pics for just the slightest offense against the rules and ******* off people who did not get it (which was ok for me), suddenly everything is possible from Pro-Street, S-10s, Porsches to Buggys. It's not the point that I do not have to look into that forum, for me the point is what was all the h***le for regarding the "Rules" and the "Gospel" and the talk about "There are enough other forums for you, you don't have to be on the HAMB?"? It's like going to a car show: of course I can p*** by the cars that don't interest me but in the end I prefer to go to car shows and meetings where there are only "on-topic" cars (and people.) I guess I am too much of a purist but that's my opinion. The "unique selling proposition" of the HAMB gets lost.
I like it. Most of us have OT rides we enjoy and are maybe even proud of, and a good place to share and discuss them is very nice. Ryan and his moderators know how to run a good show...none better managed anywhere that I've seen...and will keep things under control. The main board will be what it should be- pure traditional rods- and will either still be the most visited or maybe the OT will. Who knows? But no matter...there will still be the HAMB for real traditional rods.
@Surfcityrocker I kind of get your point, you appreciate the narrow focus. As a counterpoint, I'd suggest An Emo Phillips comedy bit about a guy who's about to jump off a bridge.
Yup seems like current members just want a spot to post their off topic cars with no regard to trying to attract younger members.
I’m no marketing expert. But advice from folks that don’t like the target audience might to be worth listening too
Pretty much spot on. The main board has very specific rules that we moderate closely as “Traditional Hod Rod and Custom Cars and Trucks “ is the main theme for the HAMB. The “off topic, hot rodding” was added as the conversation that started about Dune Buggies. I’ve added to that post as I have other rides, and one in particular was what I considered a great story. The main board is dedicated to traditional hot rods and customs. That won’t change. I fail to see how the “off-topic hot rodding”takes anything away from the traditional hot rod customs main board. But, this is Ryan’s Web Site and we just go with the flow. Old cars is our thing and I have fun sharing the many I have / had. By the way, I’m in my middle 60s and yes I have posted on the off topic Hot Rodding post as I also own a late 60s and late 70s performance cars. But, my 1st car p***ion is traditional hot rod and custom cars prior to 1965.
Maybe this isn't the time or place to ask, but here goes. Do Ryan and all of the moderators get together by way of Zoom or some other method like monthly or on some sort of regular basis to hash out details like the addition of this new forum? Just curious how you guys manage to stay on the same page. Thanks for continuing to do the great jobs you do. Oh and my thoughts, I think the off-topic thing is a viable way to bring more folks to the site. Is it too early to tell yet?
No Zoom. Everything is Ryan’s decision and we just go with it. If Ryan asks our opinion, we have the opportunity to share it if he asks. When your core p***ion is the same, the foundation works. If a few changes come about, we handle and sometimes we collaborate behind the scenes to make sure we’re all on the same page and consistent.
Well, I must say first I'm just a bit bemused by the range of posts from long-time members. I will say that if attracting younger guys and gals is the goal, extending the year cut-off into the late '80s (if not a bit further) will help with affordable cars. But the one thing that struck home more than anything else was this shows that try as you might, trying to put us into 'categories' proves that doesn't really work and that true hot rodding still exists. Faster/better can be applied to any vehicle, for more reasons than can be listed here. And while I LOVE 'traditionally styled' vehicles, I don't particularly love 'trad' technology... up to a point. So while drum brakes and flatheads will never be a feature of anything I build, neither will EFI, LS motors or automatic overdrives. Long live hot rodding!!! Or at least until gasoline disappears... LOL
1 month ago everybody and his brother would have been roasted for airing most of the opinions we read in this thread and it would have been closed. Now suddenly everything's fine.... I'm with Anthony, no youngsters will be attracted by the new forum but existing members can show their OT cars.
What I don’t understand is why someone would click on a subject that they don’t care about and then feel the need to comment “ugly as ****” about someone’s prized possessions
^^^^^ Ditto Mark^^^^^ As I said earlier in a post up the page, " I fail to see how the “Off-topic hot rodding” takes anything away from the Traditional Hot Rod and Customs main board."
Everyone is en***led to their opinion and not everyone is going to be happy but this I know, my generation is not going to live forever and frankly I haven't done enough to get younger fellas exposed to more of Traditional Hot Rods and Customs and Off topic Hot rodding could expose more to Traditional Hot Rodding. Have you ? The HAMB is to enjoy if you wish.....or not. Don't open the Off topic Hot Rodding post if you don't want to. That's ok if you don't. I respect that. Maybe the Off topic hot rodding will gather more interest. Or, could be deleted tomorrow, you never know, it's Ryan's web site. As a gear head - I'm just going with the flow and I enjoy all of it. You know the 78 Camaro Z28 I posted in Off topic Hot Rodding posts with Camaro's ? That is going to be Lil Cob's ( my son early 30's) this year when he comes to get it. He likes my old HAMB stuff, but I haven't offered to give him my old HAMB stuff yet. At least the Off topic hot rodding could get him really more involved with more old HAMB stuff. That would be fun and maybe he can get his buddies involved with old HAMB rides as well. It's Ryan's website who's first and foremost p***ion is Traditional Hot Rods and Customs, as is mine. To carry it on - we need to carry it on and some younger talent is out there that maybe will embrace the Traditional Hot Rod and Custom world.
Ditto ditto ditto and belittling someone’s car, project or what ever doesn’t make sense to me, a lot of cars aren’t to my liking So what. I say if the owner is happy great. OT but a car running around these parts, a Smart car painted red/orange and yellow like a lil tykes car with Lil Tyke painted on it, Not something I would do but the owners evidently like it, they’re smiling every time I see them driving it.
There is many time I write stuff that I want to say and some fellow HAMBers may feel exactly the way I do…buuuut I know it’s really the wrong way according to the rules to badmouth poor decisions or flat out incompetence…… So I write it.. read it… and then delete without posting….I do feel better.
51 Chrysler chopped coupe on a stretched 1995 Impala SS platform.......lots of hotrod going on with that vision...
Corncobcoupe:............all of your posts have been spot on. Thank you. Heck, maybe some day I'll get up enough nerve to post pics of my avatar I haven't been able to previously. The Bossman sure pleasantly surprised the heck out of me on this!!! Just freakin' awesome we can now ask OT questions of the most knowlegeable group on this planet.
Been lurking around the OT forum and seeing 90% bad *** hot rod adjacent content. Late 60's super stock racers, 70's street freaks, GTO's, Chevelles, Lowriders, Street Brawlers etc. I dig it!
I posted the Manx build because I felt it was useful from a few viewpoints, fabrication back in the day, just plain old interest, and the Manx was American and not just a VW. It’s great to look outside the silo or your wheelhouse for a bit.
In my book, a gearhead is a gearhead. Traditionally styled cars are my sweet spot, but I like to pay attention to the whole spectrum of autos and motorcycles. It’s cool that Ryan is smart enough to fill a void!
I am soooooo happy not to have ads on the main forum. It's like having the phone or doorbell ring when you are having grown up time with the missus.
The Jalopy Journal
