Did you ever have a car that just wouldn’t run right, no matter how many times you took it to the dealer, independent mechanics, or friends? Numerous expensive parts were replaced; even the engine. After suffering through endless stalling and sputterring and pinging for a year straight, it left you stranded again on the side of the road. You just got disgusted and fed up, put up a For Sale, and walked home. And when you arrived at home, there’s a message waiting, from a mechanic that specializes in your car, saying he’s certain he can get it running right. Meanwhile, on the long walk home you realize what an utterly unique and valuable car this really is. And then the phone starts ringing with interested buyers.
That pretty much sums up the roller coaster I’ve put myself–and all of you– on, these past two weeks. And although I am happy about the outcome, I’m also more than a bit embarrassed by it.
There have been two major irritants the past few years: the constant slow-downs, time-outs and crashes of the site, and ad revenue that has been well below what it should be based on the Page Views. The site technical issues have been played out here on these pages repeatedly; we were told by our hosting company (Blue Host) that there were problems/errors in our “theme”, so we embarked on a complete expensive re-do, that wouldn’t run at all, as it overloaded the server much more than our existing theme/design. I asked Blue Host several times if we needed a more powerful server, and they kept saying no.
The very night I impulsively put up the For Sale post, CC Contributor Keith Thelen lets me know he does tech work professionally, and offers to look under the hood. He found a few minor loose ends, and I explain that we need someone who has experience with the interface of a high volume WP site and its server. And he recommended me someone (Josh), who has taken a closer look and come up with what I intuitively have been suspecting all along: we need a powerful dedicate server. And he turned me on to a Canadian company (OVH.com) that has them for remarkably cheap. And Josh has already started the prep work for the migration to the new server, and the change-over should happen in the next few days.
In a nutshell, the reason for the server overloads is because our traffic is high, and our files are massive, because of all the images embedded in each post. This has been an issue from almost Day1, but it just compounds with the growth in Page Views. This new server should make a very substantial difference. CC may never be lightning fast because of all the images, but the current slowness is much worse in the back end, where we all create our posts and organize things. Many times I have had to just give up writing a new post in disgust because the system just wouldn’t let me work properly. Maybe I’ll finally go back and finish them; 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst, anyone?
And that same night, I decided to play with the Google Adsense placements and sizing. It took me a while to figure it out, but I implemented some changes, which instantly made a substantial improvement in the Click Through Rate.
I’m not looking to get rich here, but it’s a seven-day a week job, and I need to pay someone to do what I would otherwise be doing on my rentals and new house. And with this change, I’m a step closer to that reality, and feeling a lot more optimistic.
With those two huge hurdles suddenly shrinking to manageable size, my attitude shifted 180 degrees instantly. I love this site; it’s literally a dream come true. After reading car books and magazines all my life, I’m able to shape a site that I want to read, and obviously quite a few others do too. There’s a lot of car sites out there, including some very good ones, but I think we have tapped into a particular niche that has some decidedly unique qualities.
Most of all, it’s the CC camaraderie: the willingness of so many to feel inspired to contribute with their talents, and the rest to appreciate that and engage in such insightful and respectful discourse in the comments. That’s the essence of what makes it really worthwhile and valuable, and that’s not something to be readily sold off.
We all struggle with work-life balance, and in my case it’s work-work-life. I’m very outdoors-oriented, and love building and fixing things, as well as outdoor recreation. I don’t want to be a slave to the keyboard. And all along, the goal was to create a community of writers who could keep the site going without my daily involvement.
That has already happened to a very substantial degree, and it’s very heartening. CC is much, much bigger than me, and I’m really gratified about that. And there will be times when I slip away for a time, knowing the show will go on.
With our growth and so many new writers, e-mail contributions and tips also come more coordinating and management demands, so my job here is constantly evolving. My goal is to eventually be able to hire a Managing Editor to take up a lot of that. I’d like more time and freedom to write, as well as to attend to some big-picture issues. We’ll get there…
Please accept my apologies about taking you down this bumpy road. And my apologies to those who expressed interest in buying the site. My job is to keep the CC wheels running smoothly, and this was not the way to do it. Thank you all for the expressions of concern and support. But we’re back on a solid and smooth road, so let’s let ‘er roll…
I’d just like to repeat what many have said: this site is one of the best on the web, and many of us find it adds great quality to our lives. The quality of discussion here is more civilized than about anywhere else and I learn something every day. The contributors and OPs are a fount of information and Paul, you truly are a gentleman and a scholar.
Second, Keith is a champ for helping you with the site and I hope he stays around because his writing combines the professional and personal in a highly entertaining and informative way.
Your latest message is one of the best holiday greetings – thanks again.
Amen to that.
+1
It’s getting fixed. Apologies not necessary.
Glad to hear the frustrations are clearing up and you’ve decided to stay behind the wheel!
Paul,
I’m very happy you’re holding tight to the site. You know it is a gem.
cheers
alistair
PS The “Vanishing Point” pic… no bulldozer in sight 🙂
Ditto. You’ll find…that success on the internet…is no easy feat. If you have a success, try to keep it alive as long as possible because “quality is fleeting” on the internet. You won’t be on top with something unique, you’re whole life. Perhaps, you could “talk to other people” about the potential of this site. I don’t know why your ads couldn’t include “auto parts” or “parts stores” ? I’m no expert in “automotive ad revenues from internet sites” but…I know…someone knows something that could tweek this site (my favorite car site above and beyond anything that’s out there including R&T, C&D, TTAC, Hemmings…etc.). Isn’t there an internet site that solicits investors at what ever amount they can afford? This site is truely special………so………can it be tweaked so the creator enjoys some monetary payback?
Kowalski lives!
And so does Niedermeyer!
Great news! I’ve been reading your stuff for a while Paul, and this site wouldn’t be the same without your guidance.
I may now even click on a few ads once in a while…..
Hooray!
Glad to hear you are keeping the site and got some of the back end logjams cleared.
What a relief!!!
I’m glad to hear you decided to unpack your suitcase and stay a while 🙂
Wow, a Paul, this is great news!
I don’t know how to express how sad I found it that you were considering bailing out. Kind of like when your parents decide to divorce, or sell the house you’ve grown-up in and move to a new town. To further mix my metaphores (sp?), this latest news is like learning your old friend’s terminal disease was a misdiagnosis. So I am very glad that the plumbing is getting unplugged, the diagnosis adds years to the lifespan, dad ain’t going to dump mom and move to the beach with his trophy bride, and the house will remain open through more new years crossings!
So as the year grinds down, I want to wish that you, Paul, find the balance you seek as problems give way to solutions and that the CC Community and its symbiotic relationship will motor on not soon to reach the horizon.
Happy holidays to you and the CCC!
This brightened an otherwise very crappy day. Kudos to you Paul for taking the time to explain where you were coming from.
I for one wouldn’t mind one bit if there were a couple (or more) quiet days here and there. I as a commenter am sometimes quiet due to work, why can’t the host be as well? It’s not like we won’t check the site every day no matter what.
I know I’ve told you before but on the reading end of things the site has never been terribly slow. I think you are too hard on yourself sometimes.
No apology necessary just keep up the good work, at your pace.
Paul you are a rare person, humble, gentlemanly and with a great deal of class. I am very glad you are keeping the site and I will continue to enjoy reading it.
Also I recommend getting the revenue jumping by getting a store up and selling T-shirts and stickers you can put on your car. I won’t put a sticker on my car but some would, but I would rock a Curbside Classic t-shirt.
Glad things are working out
Best news all day.
This is a great site, and Paul is big part of that.
I follow the site regularly (one to three times a day), although I don’t often comment and have never clicked an ad link. I haven’t had any technical problems browsing the site and without all the posts which have spoken of them, I would never know you had issues. To me all these posts pertaining to the site and it’s ownership and apologizing for outages and blah blah make it seem more unprofessional or unpolished. The two other auto sites I follow, ttac and jalopnik, don’t do this. Therefore my rather wordy suggestion is to post about the cars and not the site.
I have to disagree that Paul explaining things is unprofessional or unpolished. It’s stuff like that that gives this site its warmth. You don’t see that personal touch on those other sites and don’t really care what happens to them. This place is different.
+1. Sharing information is what it’s all about. (And I don’t consider TTAC, with the exception such as Alex Dykes, very professional or very polished. Jalopnik/Gawker – kind of difficult to discuss in these terms.)
+1. Authenticity is the new spirit in business. Seems every management team is trying to become more authentic. Paul oozes authenticity and his site and its spirit reflect this.
Polish be dammed, what’s here is rare, refreshing and much appreciated.
You must be new here. Free speech is a double edged sword: I think you just dropped your cutlass and it broke skin. Paul’s heartfelt need to signal and warn his flock…about possible future pullout…comes from the opposite of “Corporate Downsizing Because Greed is Good….Greed is Right”. Asking for help and ideas to alleviate his load….from this close knit family, is the pragmatic and honest thing to do. Unprofessional? I was a professional and I assure you, “…the problem with the professionals is, they aren’t professional until they calculate the bill…”. A free site delivering a quality unique angle in the crowded “car site field”…. gets no criticism from me. It ain’t easy creating a brand name that could/should be pitched as a reality based cable TV show.
Maybe you should go back to Jalopnik & TTAC & offer your negative insight there.
Unless you’re 12 or into ‘hooning’, Jalopnik is useless. TTAC has come back around.
Thanks for the update Paul You’re the best!
Everyone – click through or donate so we can get this thing rolling. Do we need to bring Jerry Lewis in?
I only still read jalopnik because it is comical in itself being it’s own caricature, and that’s why Ithink others still read it, along with NPOCP.
Acknowledging and mentioning to your loyal customers that your organization is struggling to meet its service goals is far from “unprofessional.”
If you’re running a quality-focused organization (which I consider CC to be) – and you have legitimate concern that quality is not up to the usual standard – ignoring the issue isn’t “professional.” It’s typically perceived by your customers as “cocky,” which erodes trust.
No, I see Paul’s disclosures as respectful, and indicative of integrity. The only reason it may seem odd is because doing the right thing, especially in a somewhat anonymous forum, is rare.
” To me all these posts pertaining to the site and it’s ownership and apologizing for outages and blah blah make it seem more unprofessional or unpolished. The two other auto sites I follow, ttac and jalopnik, don’t do this.”
TTAC? You’re kidding, right? or as I refer to it “As the Auto-World Turns” There’s more drama there then a daytime soap.
Jalopnik? Someone has to keep an eye on those kids in the sandbox, they often have trouble playing well with others.
I like those sites for different reasons, but CC is the corner pub where I can have a beer and chat with people without it hurting my head. Paul is the bar-keep/proprietor who I would expect to share a “rough patch” with his friends and neighbors
Bingo! CC is one of my two favourite websites. A common theme to both (aside from their auto-related nature) is that I usually feel like I could be at a table at the pub with a bunch of the other participants enjoying the conversation. The difference is that the other site is primarily a message forum, while this one is based around posted articles with comments.
There is an atypical and welcome level of camaraderie here, and Paul engaging us in the behind-the-scenes issues is one aspect of that. Glad to hear that CC is no longer for sale. I’ll drink to that!
What he said ^^^
Carry on, Paul. I’m glad you’ve decided to retain ownership of the site; I was worried there for a moment…
I’ll have to start clicking on these ads, though… 😉
A trove like this is worth the odd glitch. This site is most evidently a love job and to maximise its monetisation (to put it in wankspeak) would probably compromise what makes it so appealing.
Great news for all us CC readers, Paul. We would hate to lose your stamp and input in this endeavour. The Managing Editor idea sounds like great one.
I’m with Chris up to a point. His usage of the site and mine are very similar. But after that I must disagree. To me the posts about the site and it’s problems show there is a human in charge. I believe that is a very large part of the success here is it has not become a machine churning out articles to meet a self imposed deadline. You were frustrated and you cried out. Not an easy thing for many of us proud old geezers to do. Most of us here are of the male gender, and admitting you need help does not usually belong in the same sentence as male gender. But, even though in hindsight you admit it was an overreaction, it worked. You got the community thinking, and one in particular stepped up and offered his expertise that led to a solution (thanks, Keith). Now some real progress has been made, and the mouse that was roaring is under control again. This is the only blog of any subject that I follow regularly. Partly because it is a community of old car nuts like myself, and very much, as has been said many times here, because of the caliber of all the people involved. Paul, you say you love what you are doing, and it shows. I am pleased it can continue on as is.
Ask and you shall receive.
Great site. Grew up in the great Midwestern rustbelt, despising most of the barges wallowing around the neighborhood. Got my DL on my 16th birthday in 1970, road tested driving Dads Olds 88, company car having been denied permission to use his 1962 P1800. But I digress. That Olds 88 had the sweetest sounding 425 V8 I’ve ever heard yet to this day. I digress. As I mentioned, I generally despised
Overweight, under-tired, under-braked, over chromed pimpmobiles. You couldn’t give me a Buick 225 or Catalina, or Cadillac ? Forgetaboutit.
I had my 1960 Sunbeam Alpine in BRG with twin Zenith carbs and wire wheels. I knew everything there was to know about Jimmy Clark and Colin Chapman, Smokey Yunick and a thing or two about a 500 miler they ran down at the brickyard every May 30th. But I digress. Actually I gotta go find a towel as my poor snot rag is saturated with tears of regret for every auto I ever had and sold, Euro or American. Hopefully they putt on, untold numbers of FIAT 131s, X1/9s 124 Spyders,coupes, 2 ALFA Romeos, 1 Lancia, 2 Barracudas,various and sundry Chrysler and the ocassional GM and Ford. Great site, love reading all you guys/girls experiences. Drive easy.
Tell me you had a two door 131. Dad replaced his 125 with a 131 and it started deteriorating the day we got it. Got a soft spot for them, but the 125 was so much better.
Common saying back then: “it already starts to rust in the brochure”.
(It = any car brand prone to rust)
What Patrick Bell wrote.
Plus 1
Thank god, I was terrified Carmine was going to take over. 😀
I woke up in a cold sweat after dreaming it had been taken-over by some TTAC-related specter! 😉
I’m glad that you’re staying with us a Paul! I’ve grown to love and appreciate your writing and sense of humor. I just need to remember to click on those advertisements!
Great news ! I don’t know any other car-related website (or: anything-with-wheels-related and other topics) where such a wide variety of people, from all over the world, comes together. In the end it’s all about the stories and the people behind the vehicles, not the vehicle itself. Who cares about the cold facts and specs ? There are loads of other websites to find those. I also like the open-mindedness and relaxing atmosphere here.
+1 Glad you’re staying
This is wonderful. I also follow this site regularly, and it’s my favourite by far; while I absolutely understood Paul’s reasons for bailing out, I was pretty sure that the site would lose its unique flavor and simply turn into one of all those car sites out there. Well, I’m glad that fate has been averted!
And I resolve to _____ more ads.
Lukas, I edited your comment slightly. Soliciting or encouraging readers to respond to ads is a strict no-no with God Google; and if we were to lose Adsense, it would be a devastating blow. A number of other sites have lost Adsense privileges, and it’s very hard to get back.
In the long run, tactics like that don’t work anyway.
I just turned off Adblock for CC (had forgotten it was on….will…….)
Oh duh. I forgot AdBlock too. Now off for this domain.
dandaniel: I just edited your comment a bit. See my comment just above as to why. Thanks.
YAY!
I kept schtum when you mentioned selling up Paul because, well ultimately I figure if you needed to take a step back you’d more than earned it just for creating this fantastic place…
… *but* I’m delighted you’re not stepping down. I feel certain (based in part on the fact that I completely stopped reading TTAC after you left, I moved my car reading and commenting here where both have always been infinitely more enjoyable) it just wouldn’t have been the same without you.
No worries about the bumpy ride either.
This is great news to hear. Thanks to Keith for leading to a solution to what appeared to be an infuriating problem.
Good idea to turn off Adblock.
I just did it and the ads are not that intrusive.
I just wished they were a bit more self-adjusted to basic CC reader’s centers of interests.
I would like to see links to car parts sellers, classified ads, and stuff.
I am about to buy a brand new 1980 Caprice so I might actually need these kind of ads.
There is no need to offer me a trip to the Eiffel’s Tower such as one ad did. It’s basically two or three subway stations from my work !
Google Adsense delivers ads according to what they think are your interests, based on your browsing history and such. Getting direct advertisers is time-consuming, and often doesn’t pay any more than Adsense. But it’s something I’m determined to look into when I have a bit more time.
I was actually wondering if the ads were based on my browsing history because the results seemed to be completely off track.
Then I remembered that I had wiped off my browsing history a few days ago…
Great great news to finish this year… I share the very same thoughts of many of you about the human side of this site, the people behind it, and the stories behind every car. And of course, about the invaluable personal touch given by Paul. CC has become by far my favourite car site, I promise more ________ from now on!
Gonzo: I edited your comment slightly. Soliciting or encouraging readers to respond to ads is a strict no-no with God Google; and if we were to lose Adsense, it would be a devastating blow. A number of other sites have lost Adsense privileges for just this reason (or others policy violations), and it’s very hard to get back.
First time commenter here. Love the site and all of the collective wisdom, and I’m glad to hear you are charging forward, Paul. Regarding the ad revenue — is it possible to do a clickthrough with RockAuto or a similar company? I have seen Amazon stores where a percentage of sales go to the referring site. I buy lots of parts online (too many, the wife tells me), and I imagine others do as well. In any case, I’ll be clicking through an ad or two every time I visit.
I have put up an Amazon car-parts portal ad that pays a percentage of sales, but it never generated a single sale.
When I have a bit more time, I intend to contact Rock and a couple of other national parts chains.
Paul, what can I say but: “Whew! That was a close one!”
Unlike one of the posters above, I’m happy you felt the trust in us regulars to share your various accomplishments and frustrations and not getting trashed for doing so.
Although I’m not in a position to be more than an almost daily commenter, I applaud the work you’ve done in creating a unique web site that is never demeaning, threatening or juvenile, but keeping things on a professional level that focuses on how some cars have made history and how others, hardly of an historic nature, but have become intertwined in our lives and have created memories that have not faded with time.
Oh, all that and the occasional train, plane ship and other big and little things that move.
Thank you, Paul. Hang tough!
Good news indeed Paul! I’m sure the ad click rate has already gone up–I’ve clicked on two more than my usual zero.
Glad to hear…this is my favorite site and the only one I really identify with. Grateful you worked it out Paul. Sometimes when we’re backed against a wall, someone comes along and offers a different solution…
Replacing you would be like when they tried the new coke. No matter who took over the site, it wouldn’t stand up to the original recipe’. This site is different. The subject matter is unique. I read every day and I’m down to four places I do that. Two of those are email and facebook. You would leave a big hole.
OK so you get paid when we click on the ads? Just click on them, dont have to actually spend any time at the ad site or whatever? I can do that, if all of us click a cpl ads per day how much would that actually help you out?
The answer is yes. But Google has very strict policies, and one of them is that publishers must not encourage readers to do this in any way. And that probably applies to commentators too.
CC is the first website I open every morning at my desk. It is definitely not slow by an means! TTAC, now that is slow to open!
This is a great site and I’m glad you hung in there Paul. If you have technical issues, I recommend that you get advice via your message board. Those with technical skills who also love the site may be able to provide some guidance.
Love the unusual finds and details about them. The civility of those participating is also admiral. Keep up the good work!
Fantastic news, Paul!
I wish you many years of happy motoring with this beauty…
Bravo, a thousand times bravo.
Just adding my 2 cents to say that I enjoy this site & it’s nice to know that Paul will continue onwards.
P.S.: Did anybody noticde that the Cuda hulk pictured on the top has ’70 AAR stripes, but the rear light thingie is a ’72-74?
thank you paul. i’m so glad you will be able to keep running the site. it’s actually gotten so slow for me that i refrain from posting much any more. i’m looking forward to seeing the improvement in performance.
Just a few days more….
Paul, glad to see things are on the upswing. May I also add my appreciation for all that you do. This is a terrific site with skilled, earnest authors and an unbelievably knowlegable readershihp base. No agendas, political spin or boorish commentators (well, at least not too many). Wouldn’t have been possible without your guidanace.
Annd, happy holidays from all of us in Timonium!
Thanks. And same to you!
I have only recently discovered this sight, and it did not take me long to realize that it filled a void. I have maintained subscriptions to the main stream auto magazines for more than forty years , but lately, it seems as though the articles concern cars that I am less & less interested in, and I am SERIOUSLY considering dropping then when time comes for renewals. This site feels like I could just jump into ANY car related conversation without any introduction and feel welcome. When Paul made his announcement, I felt as though something I’d (dare I say LOVED?) was being taken from me! Congratulations on striving to maintain the down home, neighborly, “Y’all come back now, ya hear!” feeling! 🙂
Welcome, and thank you!
I don’t comment much, but I follow CC every day. Finding out that things will continue as they have been is the best news I’ve gotten so far today!
My Lord, what wonderful news, Christmas come early! I’m so happy for you Paul and grateful for Keith in stepping in the way he did. So grateful for your labor of love remaining in your hands. When I read of your plans to sell the site, it was like a gut punch. Everyday in the back of my mind, and I suspect every devoted reader here felt that same feeling, just a strange feeling of loss in the making. So this could not have been better news for everyone concerned, especially yourself.
My favorite car site, hands down.
PS: I believe I saw your Dad’s old 63 Ford Galaxie 500, 390, 4 speed for sale over on Bring a Trailer a few pages back….. Great time to pick up an “old family friend!” 🙂
I’m glad you are staying, and as a gesture of trust and support, I told Ghostery to whitelist CC so that i actually see your Google ads. I had forgotten how interesting Adsense can be, especially on those days when I use a proxy server in Israel. Right now I see ads from dealers in Walla Walla and Cottage Grove as well as the expected Portland Metro stuff.
Thanks Paul! (And thanks Keith for helping him out.)
…and three cheers for both of you! This is great news.
Yaaay!!!!!!!!!!! (edit: my ‘applause’ GIF didn’t work apparently…)
It works fine if you click on it. When a .GIF is edited (in this case the size is reduced for the front page) it kills it. Once it’s restored (clicking on it restores it’s original size) it comes back to life again
Awesome! I’ll also offer myself up to help if need be. I’ve got a lot of experience managing some very high traffic sites that serve up a ton of dynamic and media heavy content.
I’m here if you need anything, but from what I read I like Keith’s plan.
Cadillac Sevilles for everyone!!!!
Glad to hear it! I don’t always post a comment, but I visit the site at least once a day and enjoy reading and learning a thing or two about a topic that I love. This site is a hidden gem for true enthusiasts.
You have so many passions, Paul! What a wonderful problem to have.
Paul, I am so glad you are keeping this site. A a car lover from the day I was born this site has made me happy every single day! I have a lot of cars that I would like to write up someday. Please let me know how I would go about doing so. Thanks again for such a great website and sticking around!
Tom C, if you are interested in submitting something, I would encourage you to contact Paul via the Submissions tab at the top of the page. As one who submitted his first article on a complete whim – and with zero previous writing experience – I can wholeheartedly tell you that the effort of research and putting it together is more than worth the effort.
One of the hidden treasures for those who have submitted is that the comments from the readers is addictive. So I would encourage you to at least contact him; even one submission is welcomed.
I see Jason beat me to you. Yes; the water’s always warm here, so do jump in. Send me a draft text (Word doc or such), and attach any pictures, but don’t embed them into the document. Send to curbsideclassic(at)gmail.com.
Yay!!! My heart sank a bit when you made that announcement as this site has become my favorite in the somewhat short time I’ve been here. Don’t tell anyone, but at work I usually have 2 sites up and minimized every day. Care to what one of them is :D?
Haven’t commented for a while, but I was so delighted to see this! Paul, you ARE CC; despite the great contributions by others. This site would lose its essence without you in charge. So glad you had a change of heart.
Like so many others here, I check this site almost every day, if not several times a day, including at work when I get a few spare moments. I love it.
Great news!! I’ve been reading here for a long time now; in my opinion you have the best site on the internet. Very glad to hear things are working out. I will do what I can to help support the site, and now that I’m signed up I’ll have to post some CCs I’ve been seeing up on the CC Cohort.
Wishing you all the best..
Dave
I agree wholeheartedly with Richard Bennett! And no apology necessary Paul 🙂
Great news Paul and I would also echo the thanks to Keith for the helping hand – good one!
This is the first site that I visit over coffee in the morning–my favorite. I am a part of one or two other online car communities (make/model specific to CC’s I own). It is difficult to build and even harder to maintain the level of good information flow and interesting discourse that you have on this site. Thanks for doing it and I am happy to hear that you have an arrangement that allows you to do this and be compensated for your time and effort. No matter how much we like something, our time is valuable and unless you are independently wealthy and don’t need to work, it isn’t possible to spend a big chunk of your ‘work’ time on something that doesn’t contibute to cash flow in any way.
Corny as it might sound Paul…for me, a day w/o CC is a like a day w/o sunshine. Glad things are working out and look forward to more greatness on the pages in the future!
Thanks for all you and the rest of the contributors do.
Thank you; and given how I crave the sunshine here in the winter, I understand 🙂
This is by far my favorite website. Thanks, Paul, for everything that you do.
Hi Paul
Just a massive “thank you” from a most unlikely follower and non-poster, since the departure from TTAC days. Unlikely and hesitant, because I am in awe of your own, the other contributors and the commentators knowledge and passion about cars, hence a bit hesitant to intrude. Unlikely because I’m from Denmark, no country for old barges. But we had the Suzuki Swift GTi, a fake “turbo” badge on dads ’76 Audi 80, the exotic Talbot Tagora, a Mini Estate which housed 3 of us in a mad beach run and we had tons of fun.
In silent horror I’ve been following the “For sale” business. Because you have created something really unique here. I find the respect, politeness, fondness and “comraderie” of the whole thing, quite amazing.
As the others have expressed also, I dreaded your departure. So great great news. The news brought me out from hiding. I think there’s a lot of silent “unlikelyhoods” like me out there. On their behalf (if I may): thank you very much for staying at the helm.
Mowgli
Thank you for “coming out” and writing such kind words. It’s what keeps me going…. It’s easy to forget that there are so many more “unlikelyhoods” out there, beyond the usual chatty pack here. But it’s really good to hear from them too once in a while. You put a smile on my face at a time of day (black early morning) when I wouldn’t have expected one 🙂
Paul
thanks Paul, that’s a relief to hear! very good news indeed! hooray for CC!
So I go away due to some family business and come back home to plants in the back yard that have been killed by an unusually cold freeze, bills that arrived late and had to be paid immediately by phone to avoid late charges, and bird poop on the cars in the driveway out in front.
But SOMETHING went right. Curbside Classic is staying put, in the same, firm, guiding hands that have made it such a delight to visit.