In one year, CC has become a lively forum for sharing our diverse interests in all things automotive. CC is growing strongly, and currently some 50,000 Unique Visitors across the globe join us in the course of a month. Not huge, but that’s not anything to sneeze at either. And CC has evolved throughout the year as new Contributors have stepped up and increased their involvement. But it’s time to make the next step, and it’s going to be a fairly big one:
CC was founded on the premise that learning about our automotive hobby is an on-going affair. What best motivates me to write a piece is when I want to learn about a car or subject that really interests me. And what I get from your comments and from the other writers is what keeps it lively, entertaining and most of all, a learning experience. I’ve learned more from all of you than you’ll ever learn from me.
My current workload at CC is not sustainable. In addition to writing, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work. So I’m going throttle back, and take full content responsibility for only one day a week (Wednesdays). And I’m going to stop writing up cars that I’m not really qualified on or motivated to write about (as in most GM cars from the eighties on up). So many of you are much better qualified to write about more recent cars than I will ever be. I may still post on other days, as the spirit moves me. But I’ve decided to stop worrying about whether the CC ship will sink without my full time involvement. I know it won’t. And I need to keep it enjoyable for myself, otherwise it’s not worth it.
A number of the current writers have offered to step up their commitment; understandably some can’t. So we need more. Not only is it not hard, it’s fun, as the Contributors will tell you. Posts don’t all have to be sweeping epics. Often a short piece will generate as much interest and discussion as a long one. Many of you post comments that are practically Blog Posts in themselves. The amount of insight, knowledge and experience you all bring is truly humbling. So turn your thoughts into Posts. Just let me know, and I’ll upgrade your status, and you can be a CC writer too!
Regarding our content: CC is a mix of long-form and short form content. The more in-depth articles are (usually) titled “Curbside Classic” or “Automotive History”. But we also do shorter pieces, drawing on photos submitted by the CC Cohort, as well as our own. Mr. Tactful has taken on the daily task of turning one or two of the Cohort submissions into Posts, as I have been doing in recent weeks. We started out calling them “Cohort Classics”, but I’m not too wild on that name. Until we get a better suggestion, we’ll call them “CC”, as in “abbreviated Curbside Classic”. Got a better name?
If some of you Cohort posters want to step up and post directly to CC, let me know. If you can add some commentary, and a few tidbits of context, it’s likely worthy. Just keep in mind that we do strongly favor cars shot on the street. And even if you just post at the Cohort, adding some commentary there is helpful and welcome. It will likely be included in the CC Post.
Thank you all for making it a highly memorable Year One. It’s your Curbside Classic, so how would you like to shape how Year Two will look? And if your cog just doesn’t want to mesh; that’s ok too. We welcome just readers too; and their comments. Got any?
SAy it ain’t so, Paul!!!
I will testify that its not hard or I wouldn’t have gotten so much material published here. 😉 I have yet to submit a true CC (too much of my passion bleeds through and I have to really get worked up about a car to write about it, let’s just say Paul edited at least one reference to the whale tail spoiler on a Bonneville being compared to a visible thong…) but all you dear readers, take the plunge. The worst that can be done is that it not get published.
Now I need to get motivated to do a “walking tour” of Gallup, NM and find some of the old iron around here. The desert has been kind (and unkind) to more than a few cars around here.
Dan,
Please do. You know more about American iron than someone your age has a right to.
For the CC or Cohort, I like Curbside Capsule.
For purely selfish reasons, I wish Paul could devote 96% of his waking hours for the purpose of entertaining the rest of us who frequent CC. However, having stood in his shoes for a week or two at a time on rare occasions, I can affirm that there is some behind the scenes work that must be done in addition to writing, which is the fun part.
As my father used to say, many hands make light work. We all look forward to Paul’s pieces, so Wednesdays will be something to look forward to. But for me, I look forward to everyone’s contributions. And I guess I had better get to work on some more of my own 🙂
> I’ve learned more from all of you than you’ll ever learn from me.
CC has been an unbroken stretch of learning for me. Thank you for this blog, Mr. Niedermeyer.
One of these days I hope to submit a CC article. If I had a camera with me last week I think I would’ve had the inspiration. I was at the doctor’s office and as I was leaving I saw a 1980s Monte Carlo SS enter the parking lot. It must’ve been a year-round daily driver for awhile because it was pretty rusted-out. Sad to see, as I really liked the Monte Carlo SS when I was younger.
If you ever need pictures for a car, either search the Cohort or ask me. Or even just find some on the web using google images. Never let the lack of pictures stop you from writing something, if you have something to say about a car.
I hope it was the aero model!
If it was an aero model, I think I would have chased after the car to ask the owner what he was smoking when he decided to use it as a winter beater.
Paul, getting pics of the car would have been my inspiration for writing a CC on it. I don’t think it would be the same just writing about a car and tossing-in somebody else’s pics. Additionally, this was the most rotted-out SS I have ever seen.
Yup BOC, there’s just not too much in our area although I did spot a Barracuda lying in a field last week if you can believe that.
I have a serious amount of respect for Paul, and anybody who manages to crank out a regular CC article. Having contributed a grand total of Two (yes that’s 2, count em’) articles I know much fun it is, and how much work it is too. I’ve still got a couple of ideas rattling around in my head. Hoping to get the famous DougD VW on the road this year and do a CC on my own CC !!
I look forward to having more contributors! Everyone has their own take on things and their own interests and after all variety is the spice of life! As for me we need more of you readers, whether a regular or occasional visitor to send me your questions to curbsideclueless@gmail.com . For me it is much quicker and easier to answer those than to put my mind in the gear in needs to be to focus and get them to the point where I feel proud enough of them to post them, like the additives series I have been doing.
When additives series and robotics season ends I plan to do a series on How to EFI your Curbside Classic.
> How to EFI your Curbside Classic
Yay!
who hooooooooooooooo! Dang that would be a great fix for many of the mid 70s to late 80s V8 that came with sad little electronicly controlled carbs. (Lean-burn, Ford Variable-venturi, and E-Quadrajet, I’m looking at you.)
That would be fascinating. The Curbside Custom Falcon I found had some sort of aftermarket EFI with digital fuel/air instrumentation. Very high tech and interesting, and I don’t know anything about it.
I’d be happy to do a CC on some of the cars I’ve found. I’ve taken to keeping my camera in the car and have found some neat stuff just in a couple of weeks.
My work stepped up in the new year, so I’m one of those who don’t have the time available to do the big CCs and Histories I like to do.
I want to encourage everyone that at Curbside Classics, as in life, I don’t know much up front, I learn by doing. In other words, though I do have a head full of automotive trivia, when I get a topic or a car I want to do, I learn ten times what I knew by doing the research on the web. That’s the fun of it. So don’t think you have to be some sort of expert to write for CC, I’m sure not.
Thanks for opening and maintaining the clubhouse, Paul!
I once agian find myself wishing (just like at the original call for submissions) that I could come up with enough original ideas to submit something. But my mind seems better-suited to commenting, occasional proofreading, and filling in details.
Maybe I’ll try to write up a CC on my own sadly neglected Suzuki…
Go for it Steve.
Paul, you do a great job on this site. It is more interesting than regular old-car magazines! Thank you.
I want to step up my contributing, but with a new baby and a two-year-old, it has been hard to get anything done at home! I’m trying to get some family leave time in February and March, so I’m hoping to be able to contribute some stories. I actually have some interesting photos of old cars and the stories are in my head…they just need to be written down.
Speaking of which, there was a 1977 AMC Hornet hatchback for sale locally, but it was gone before I could get photos. I have a great story in mind for that car – does the Cohort have any photos of Hornet hatchbacks?
I don’t have a Hornet hatchback. Unfortunately, there’s no search feature for the Cohort pages, so you’d have to flip through them.
But if you have a story for that car, don’t let the lack of pictures hold you back; they’re out there, on the web, and oldcarbrochures, etc.
@Geeber
I may have a few pics of my 88 Eagle wagon if that helps. They had the same body from start to finish excepting front and rear facia.
I know that I am hooked on your articles, and the contributions of others, when I say at the end of the day, my day is not complete until I catch the latest CC. I thought I knew a lot about cars until I tapped into this. So, Paul, take your deserved breaks and hopefully the other contributors will fill in the gaps. I will certainly be looking forward to Wednesdays.
Paul, thank you for your work here, and congratulations on a successful first year. And of course, thank you for posting some of my writing.
I hope supposed lack of expertise doesn’t discourage anyone from contributing. If a car pushes your buttons, curbside or anywhere else, then have at it. Don’t be afraid of the self-proclaimed experts – remember, if they don’t like your point of view, they’re entitled to a prompt refund from the Bank of CC, in the amount of $0.00. 🙂
Well this is still the best old car site on the net bar none somewhere we can share finds and knowledge I see some of my shots being put to excellent use again Im trying to learn how to do this myself so back to school this year. Looking forward to Thursdays for me when you return Paul though Im sure the site is in good hands in your absence.
I agree with Paul – I love GM cars from 1949 to 1979. And then they died. I have no real interest in most cars from that era on as they are more utility and less design. The malaise mobiles were mechanically poor, but they were at least really neat and unique designs.
I just met a man who has a 1961 Chevy Bel Air, 4 door, blue and white, 6 cyl I think. Has been in his family since new. He has bill of sale and etc. If anyone wants to a writeup I will get you in touch with the owner via Paul.
Car is in Houston but I don’ think that matters as pics can be emailed of course.
Can you take a set of pictures and post them to the Cohort flickr page?
Muchas Congracias! I check the site several times daily, and I’m not even much of a car nut. The stories and commentary are what keep me coming back. I’m proud to have contributed several articles, and hope I can get some more done, but unfortunately I seem to be stuck on epics only mode, which can take awhile. (I took a comedic approach once. Didn’t work.)
Here’s to year 2! *hoists a vodka tonic*
Hello all!
I slowed down a bit myself, mainly due to lousy health, and the fact that there aren’t many CC worthy cars out and about around here at the moment. But when the weather gets better, look out, cause here they come!
Looking forward to seeing where this year will take us all on here…
-Richard
You have provided a lot of enjoyment for the past year. As a person who has aged (sometimes not well) I can tell you that you are headed on the right course. A little time out of the meat grinder make everything more enjoyable.
I really enjoy writing my Sunday bit as well as the occasional Outtake. I don’t write full CCs because I am just not knowledgeable enough. I have a few ideas I will have to pass by the crew. I am looking for ways in which I can contribute more.
I enjoy your stories a helluva lot. I should put a few together about my back-road Oregon travels. Let me look through my pictures…
Paul, this has been a fun year. While I’m not qualified to contribute content, I sure read it all and make as many comments as I can. Sometimes that’s not a good thing…
I just joined but I have been a lurker for the past year. I’d love to help out with some content in a few months. I have to finish my masters first, which I’ll be done with in May. Although I’m sure writing about old cars is more fun than writing papers.
Thanks for a very enjoyable site Paul! Its a lot of fun helped by all the commentators of course, with the benefit that there is a good level of discussion without the sort of childish or worse comments that so many other auto websites are subjected to.
A slowing of the pace would not be unwelcome – I find it hard to read all the entries at times! I plan to take some more photos so I can illustrate a little history of local GM & Chrysler car histories – Aaron at Ateupwithmotor.com has done such a good job on the Ford Falcon the only thing I could add would be a more extensive photo gallery.
I came across this site a few months ago, and I’ve been a regular visitor (and occasional commentator) since then. I’m also a photographer (hobby, not profession) and I’d be happy to send along a few photos with some commentary. There’s not many classics on the road in Canada this time of the year, but give it a few months and they’ll come out of hibernation.
Paul, you may have started the best non-brand specific car forum on the net. Between that and providing housing for the greater Eugene area I’d say you deserve a break!