Here is a place where you can bitch and moan, give praise or just vent some steam.
E-mail your letter to the editor at webmaster@littleguysstreetrods.com.
December 25, 2007.
I'm not a religious person, but I can't help but take a few minutes to give thanks for all the great friends I have made since joining this car club. I look at the roster and there isn't a single name there that I don't consider to be a good friend and a richer person for knowing them. Never have I met a nicer group of people who are always ready and willing to help another. I wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years.
Terry Newman
August 3, 2007.
I was looking over the car events of the last few months and some of the flyers for those in the days to come. It seems that every Saturday and Sunday there are at least a half dozen car related events that are close enough to consider attending. There are also the weeknight events like Cruisin Grand, Chicken Pie Shop, etc. Maybe it's time to become a little more selective as to which ones should receive the support of the specialty car enthusiasts. I offer some suggestions, some pet peeves and some ramblings.
First of all, what is a special interest car? Is it a factory showroom new PT Cruiser with some stick-on graphics or maybe a '07 Chrysler 300 with some 22 inch after market wheels? Or is it something originally built before 1974 that is either a muscle car or a modified AMERICAN MADE car or truck? Many of the shows today are "open all years, makes and models", I just don't feel that these brand new factory original cars belong parked with the cars that were originally built before Reagan was president. New Corvettes and Porsches are nice cars, I would love to have one, but do they belong with the streetrods and muscle cars? I don't try to park my Studebaker along side them at Corvette or Porsche shows, and I don't take my German Shepard to cat shows, so why do they feel they have to invade our events? I absolutely love Cruisin' Grand, but every Friday night there are more new Mustangs, Corvettes, tuner cars and other new cars taking the spaces intended for the streetrods and muscle cars. Perhaps these folks could start their own events where only new cars are on display, oh wait they already have that, it's called a New Car Dealership.
What about the cost of the event. Is there value for your dollar, does it support a worthwhile cause or does it just line the pockets of some promoter? It seems that every flyer I get has an increase in the cost of participation from the one before it. Why do we spend more money than our wives think we should to build our cars and then pay money to have other people come by and scratch the paint, spill food or drinks on the upholstery or criticize some feature of the car? I remember 40 years ago we would be paid by the promoter to bring our car to the show and the spectators would pay to look at them.
With so many events to choose from it's time to become more selective which events we support. In my opinion one the best values around is the Country Gents Pepper Tree Frosty Burger Run. I have been to at least a dozen of them and they are always lots of fun, great tee shirts (I'm wearing one as I type this), dash plaques and always awesome trophies. I don't know how Joe does it (yes I do, he digs deep into his pockets to subsidize it), but this has to be the best value for your dollar all year.
Another great event is John Daly's Beach'n 101 Cruise. Here you actually drive your car up and down the coast. Spectators line Coast Highway in lawn chairs and cheer you on. Great prizes are given; instead of another set of car ramps or a bottle of car wax, John gives away CASH. Great fun and you get to drive them.
Any show that supports our military or worthwhile charity also gets my support. The runs at Camp Pendleton and Miramar Marine Air Station are first class events and the gratitude expressed by these great American Heroes will humble any of us. A special recognition must go to the Over-The-Hill-Gang for what they do for the wounded heroes at the Streak, I salute them.
The Street Masters have a great Christmas Cruise for the Kids., a toy or a cash donation is all that is asked to participate in this fun event.
Terry Newman
May 10, 2007
Letter from Dan & Lori Edmonds
Hi guys,
I am alive and well in Austin, Texas. Every time I get to San Diego I stop at Moma's and Papa's and leave a business card on the photos. I have not been there when the meetings were held or I would have shown up. Maybe next time. I sure had a great time being part of the Little Guys family all those years.
I still have the 65' Chevelle and the 55' Ford pick up. I just sold the 67' Mustang to my Son Scott (for a great father to son price). Some of you may remember Scott and Brian as I used to bring them to the meetings. I also still have my Little Guys car plaque hanging up.
Some of my favorite memories of my life have been with my friends in the club. Really glad to see the continued involvement with helping the Special Olympics. That always made me feel we were making a difference in the world.
Marc - great photo in the newspaper article! Bob, I'll bet you are a great president. You have probably held every officer position there is.
Miss everyone and say hi for me!!
Dan
E-mail your letter to the editor at webmaster@littleguysstreetrods.com.