A dedicated group of VCCA members officially started the VCCA Chat site 24 years ago on this date.  (Nov 20, 2001).   While there was some "resistance" among some of the "old guard", it became obvious fairly quickly that this was an excellent way for vintage Chev members around the world to communicate.  (Shout out to Bill Bradford.)  Slowly the forum allowed a limited "classified" section for cars and parts that were "Wanted" or were "For Sale".  The fear was that the G&D was going to "suffer" by taking "advertisements" away from it.   After 24 years, the G&D is still publishing and continues to receive rave reviews for it's articles.   And the Chat site seems to have stalled a little bit.  Somewhat opposite of what was feared.

I'm not going to talk much about the current Chat site.   Occasionally I receive phone calls from members asking about changes that have occurred.   Also they ask why the membership participation has obviously dropped.    I have stopped speculating since I'm not in a position to know the "inside" reasons.   But I do think that we are observing a new "Mega Trend" that was first quantified by John Nesbitt 30 or 40 years ago.    There is SO MUCH social media available now to all people, that our "member only" environment is not as attractive as it used to be.   The VCCA general membership has also declined in the past 10 years for the same reasons.   

On top of all of this, many vintage Chevrolet aficionados (some of whom are VCCA Members) have created dedicated Facebook sites which are limited to cars of a specific era (eg. 1930-1932) or a general technology (eg.  Electric).   If this sounds slightly familiar to our original FORUM definitions, then you'd be correct.   It seems that 'maybe' we were just a bit ahead of our time.   So be it.

If I forget to post another Birthday notice next year, I'd like to thank all of the folks in advance who have made the VCCA a great organization over the past years and decades.   It was the right club that i needed at the right time in my life.   Having owned many Chevrolets from the 30's, I found friendship, parts and stories from other members that shared my common interests.    I'd like to list them all here..... but I'm sure that I'd get banned for taking up so much space.   Ha!!   So I'll keep it short and say again "Thanks to all of you who helped me over the past 50 years while I was a member.  Having sold my last three 6 cylinder cars over the past couple of years, I suddenly realized that I don't qualify to attend the Six Cylinder Tours any longer.    This is even after I volunteered to remove two spark plug wires from my 1966 Corvette.   Alas, that was not an acceptable solution.  🙂    So I'll continue to participate and enjoy the modern conveniences such as power steering, power brakes, air conditioning and an automatic transmission.   The thrill of touring with like-minded members still remains valid and I frequently think of additional places that I'd like to visit, near and far.    So - if you see me along they byways, please wave and honk and give thanks for the friendship that we've shared.  That will be a major memory for me when I finally get old.   

Excuse me for a second..... "Hey kids, get off my lawn!!!!"

Sorry.   Now that I think about it, maybe I'm already there.   Kudos to one and all.

---Bill Barker, Issaquah, WA.   

#9802