I was in the tech session today at the annual Crown Victoria Association (haven't been to one in 16 years!), and a lot of the questions that I heard went on for 15 minutes or so...many times with no apparent real answers. Limiting the answers to just a couple of techs (not that they didn't know anything) seems old hat compared to what this site has delivered for the Y block.

Does anyone have an interest for getting onto a site that has a heavy 54/55/56 Ford car forum? There are quite a few forums for other cars (that detail things like body, trim, upholstery, etc) so I thought why not something specific. I do tend to notice that a few of us ask/answer those questions pertaining to those year cars.

I have a buddy that can design a site...would anyone be interested?

Jim, our volunteer workaholic that brings us altogether, might appreciate it.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Ive wondered the same thing; a forum for those cars would be great.  I certainly could have used the help when working on my car!  However, ive always "cheated" and used this forum to see if anyone had knowledge on 56 fords when needed, and someone has always come through for me!

Im wondering if a whole separate sight is the best answer, or if maybe a sub forum here for different year groups of yblock cars?  Just a thought.

Either way a meeting place to help with those cars would be great!

BTW, how did you like the CVA convention?  We went to one a few years ago and I dont think id go to one again.......hope you had a better experience!

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

Sounds like a good plan to me. Any time you can narrow specifics down to a certain area is always more productive. Gary

       

Gary, 55 Vicky, St. Germain, Wisconsin

 

There are a couple of forums around. A few years back Mac's started a 54-56 forum, but it never got anywhere as far as I know. I signed up but dropped it because of no interest by others.



The Jalopy Journal (HAMB) has what they call a social group for 52-56 cars which is fairly active. None of the usual extra gabbing that the regular HAMB has. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=332

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

If you want to hear more about my experience at the show, look at the thread in This and That about the engine test stand for show and go.

The CVA crowd is dwindling. They told me that they lost 400 more members this year alone. Some folks are getting older and passing on, and others I am sure have become frustrated over the years, my own father notwithstanding.

While I was very well received by many who were there for the show (some even frequent this site), there were a good number of critics of anything that I did or had with me. Now, it doesn't bother me much - those folks will probably drown anyway when they walk outside in the rain because their noses are held so high.

Seriously, for a newcomer like me - how does that help maintain my membership? What would I say to other fellas considering becoming a part of the CVA? "Come on out and join a club where you are sure to get torn down the first time someone meets you and sees what you have..."

They need new, young blood. Their historian, Bob Haas, recognizes that and was very, very supportive, even to the extent of helping me unload, passing out info, and telling guys to come see me/talk to me. He even took me around a bit. How far his influence will go to try to improve things, I don't know. We did discuss hosting the show down in Winchester, Virginia (where I would be the host member, put together a schedule and organize with the board, etc). Maybe that can happen in a few years, but I do not know if the CVA could take me and my suggestions.

The tech session had great possibility, but was a joke - dim lighting, no sound system, standing room only because it was a small room (a couple of us even had to get up to get chairs for people - where are the hotel employees?), not even a blackboard, and you could forget powerpoint or a projector. Sad part is, there were a lot of great minds in there that could give and help and see the 54-56 Ford legacy continue on to the next generation. Why not split 2 or 3 advisors up into one room a piece, give them what they need, and schedule simultaneous sessions for different parts/models of the cars?

It is my belief that many of them need to get back to this mantra...The reason for the club is because of the cars - win people to the cars and you will win them to the club. Right now there are too many that push away newcomers. There has got to be a reason why TeeBird products, Dennis Carpenter, Mac's, Concours, and host of others do not even send a representative, much less any parts to these annual conventions....

didn't mean to ramble on so much

Jessup

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

I would like to see a 54, 55, 56 sub forum on this site. I do not think a full dedicated forum would have the volume to make it worth the effort

As for the CVA you have to remember that the members (young and old) are from all over the country and express themselves in ways that may be diffrent from us. I have had members send me parts and tell me if you like them send me a check if not send them back. When I told the first guy that I was from NY and never had anyone offer me that kind of deal before he told me "I get beat sometimes but want to help keep the cars on the road

Needless to say the parts were better then the car I was putting them on so the check was in the mail the same day I received them.

I am sure that some feel threatned by a new smart guy (not an insult) but keep in mind the younger generation (us) has grown up around the computer and can express ourselves using many less words then the older generation. Some of their stories may be long but in the end they get to what is wrong and will help solve your problem .

Yes the CVA does need new blood, We can be it.

Not many other clubs that host a convention and have 100 cars on display 99.8% still have Y blocks under the hoods

By the way, my car is a Club Sedan not a Crown, Glass Top or Convertable and I do not feel any CVA member has ever looked down on me or my car as not being a top of the line car.

A few years ago I attended the Ford meet at Carslisle, PA. Along with a few other Y's guys. A few days later I got a package in the mail. I was awarded 2d place in the Crown Victoria club competition. Quite a surprise since I am not a member and my car is simply a Victoria, no crown

I just can't understand how their "experts" got it wrong. A lot of the guys I've met in the CVA are great guys and many are on this site from time to time. BUT there is a snooty crowd there too. They know everything your ever did or didn't want to know about a car! Even if they are completely wrong they will never admit it. I like learning from people who know about our cars but can't stand the know it all's. I don't care if my engine is not the right color or that heater boxes weren't chrome from the factory. It's my car, my ride and my way! Enough venting! It's time to have some more fun working on my incorrect Victoria! Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I belong to the CVA (54 Ford Vic) but never attended one of their conventions. Its a shame that you were treated badly at the CVA meet. Having some minor experience in conventions it usually up to the host club to make all the arrangements for rooms, etc, including meeting rooms. It looks like the host club dropped the ball on the meeting rooms for the tech sessions. The CVA should have over seen the event however, to make sure that there was adequate planning.



I belong to CTCI (55'57 TBirds) and their conventions, which are planned and hosted by a local club, have always been first class. Meeting rooms and other facilities were always done right, and the awards banquets were right on the money.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ