Today is the second birthday of Curbside Classic. Rather than revel in our growth (+350% since last year), I’d like to focus your attention on the incredible gifts all of the Writers and Contributors have bestowed upon us these past two years, and which is precisely what has made our success possible. Early on, I realized that if this site was to grow, be sustainable, and and serve the interests of a large community of enthusiasts, it needed many writers and contributors. They’ve come forth, and continue to do so. Today we recognize their gifts.
I’ve also come to accept that all of the tremendous energy that goes into these pages may never be rewarded financially, although I never give up the hope. The truth is this: genuine creative output often isn’t an economic proposition. It’s a true gift, rather than an economic exchange. When it’s not written for a paycheck, it truly comes from the heart. Perhaps that explains in part our success. Is there a website staffed by paid writers that does a better job of making automotive history come alive?
Our regular Editors and Authors are (alphabetically): Richard Bennett, Mike Butts, Jim Cavanaugh, Jim Grey, Laurence Jones, Tom Klockau, Tony LaHood, Kevin Martin, Dave Saunders, Jason Shafer, Ed Snitkoff, and Ed Stembridge. Add to that a growing list of more recent writers and occasional Contributors, whose numbers are over thirty five now. And there are the one-time submissions too.
Today I’d like to honor every single one of them. They’ve given the gift of themselves and their precious time, knowledge, memories and energy. If you’d like to reward them financially, that’s possible through the donation box on the right. But please join me in giving them all a heartfelt Thank You!
Thank you for the accolades, Paul, I have really enjoyed writing at CC. I plan to do more in the summer when I have some free time to use. I was thinking something along the lines of “Tales of a Harried Service Advisor.” The truth, however, may ruffle more than a few feathers.
So it may…but I wouldn’t let that bother me.
or perhaps an erotic tale of Japanese innovation and reliability?
Before I had internet, I though auto-erotica involved cars.
/ba da BING
Sounds like a great idea to me!
I’d LOVE to hear some of those tales!
Thanks everyone, our lives are richer because of you, even if your pockets are not.
And particular thanks to Paul for pulling it all together.
Well I’ll take a bow for the 4 times I’ve contributed. (Or was it 5, I can’t remember how many auction articles I wrote…)
I’m considering a summer submission of a “quest for an automotive dream.” Anyone who has read my submissions can likely guess what will be happening.
I’d write more but being “Principal Dan” there just isn’t time…
Yeah, the job must come first. I admire your principles.
Hey, I know it’s a lousy pun, but somebody was going to say it.
I once worked at a school that had a spot marked “Parking Reserved for Principle”. (eye roll)
That’s the one thing I never understood about academia. The employees get all the close parking places, and the paying customers get all the far ones. A puzzler.
Well I could argue that it is age, in most colleges the employees are usually older than the students…
But in reality it has to do, like so many things in life, with perceived “importance.” While technically from a business standpoint, students are customers, academia looks at it as a public service and that you are really nothing until you are something.
At the community college that I am affiliated with, though, it seems the employee lot and the various student lots are about the same.
@jpc. I have actually required that my employees park in the far parking lot and I do too. Spaces infront of the building should be for visitors and parents/guardians.
That reminds me of being called a “Looser” by some internet troll.
You didn’t get trolled, you got meme’d.
Best damn automotive blog on the ‘Net, IMO. Many thanks to those who have made it so.
Been sayin that since CC first landed have changed my opinion yet
Amidst all the negative static and general nastiness I encounter on the Web, I feel a strong draw to this site every day if only to refresh myself and, more than occasionally, put a smile on my face. Not only that, but this site feeds my lifelong passion for cars.
Congrats on your second anniversary. And, thanks.
Thank you for the kind words. Of course, none of us would have this outlet without all of your encouragement, coaching and hard work.
As an avid reader of the contributions of everyone else here, let me say how much I enjoy reading the work of each of you. Everyone here has shown a remarkable ability to coax a broad spectrum of stories out of the cars that we come across.
I’m delighted to be a part of CC! Here’s to many more anniversaries.
Valentines day here Paul great day to start a blog about the love of old cars. Congrats to all the writers.
Paul and fellow CC staffers, the pleasure has been mine. Every day, each one of you inspires me to be a better writer.
Tony LaHood, CC Copy Editor
Definitely a big thanks to you for proof reading and editing the submissions that come in. Definitely appreciated.
I second what Dave said. Thank you very much, Tony.
Ditto from me. Thank you.
Congratulations on your second anniversary. I stumbled on your site a few months ago and I’ve been hooked since. Keep up the great work.
Thank you to each and every writer and editor to this fantastic site, and especially you Paul. I have been an avid reader and occasional commenter since the beginning. One of these days I will have something to contribute too 🙂
Thanks to all of you, and to Paul for putting it all together. Must be alot of work to keep pumping out daily content, for which we are all eternally grateful.
A day without CC is like a day without sunshine. Thanks everyone for all you do, even the regular commenters – and you know who you are – add to the rich tapestry that is CC.
Thank you, Paul, my fellow contributors, and to all the readers of Curbside Classic.
Since you are likely reading this silently to yourself, I’ll tell you something on the sly. Reading your comments is as much fun as putting an article together.
If you have ever considered the idea of a contribution – DO IT!!!
Your reading this is what makes CC sparkle. So thank you for being here.
What Jason said!
I probably have a half-dozen CCs in mind and jpgs, but would need to exile myself in a motel for a week, Hunter Thompson style, to actually complete all of them. Donations accepted! 🙂
An explicit shout-out to Tony LaHood. Crowd-sourcing is a wonderful thing but a little formal discipline is more valuable than ever.
So year one I put up 6 stories and promised to do better in year two, in which I put up 4. I should be fired.
Fortunately an entire squadron has swooped in in the meantime and surpassed anything I could have ever come up with. Thank you all. This site really is unique, and it is due to the diversity of experience and opinion that comes through in the stories and comments.
I’ll be hoisting a toast or eight to year three Saturday at Sam Bonds.
As in infrequent contributor, I’d like to thank Paul and the rest of the regulars for constantly keeping my interest and inspiring me to write a story or two. Who knew my innate ability to spot unique and vintage tin (we all have this ability) would pay off some day?
Thanks for everything, CC staff. May the stories continue long into the future.
I enjoy this website very much. I have been on automobile websites since the mid 1990’s, so that is getting close to twenty years now. This site has maintained a level of decorum that has all but disappeared from the Internet, which adds even more to the level of enjoyment. Congratulations to all.
Terrific point re: decorum. I’ve mentioned before that I’m probably the least “pistonhead” person here, but I enjoy good stories well told, and the comments that invariably follow. There is a palpable sense of a global community of good people here.
I’m just happy that I have something to contribute and that it is enjoyed by so many. It never occurred to me to get paid for my postings. That is very liberating.
Great work, and thank you.
I have a few CCs i want to write up starting with the Chrysler in my driveway. Hopefully I’ll be able to get to it this year.
Looking forward to this one! We had almost exactly the same car when I was a kid. Gold ’70 300, but ours had a black top. They’re very rare now, especially the 4-door hardtop.
This site goes very well with my morning coffee. Its the first thing I do after I pour my coffee. I like that it is a very positive place. Also I can still post and view the site when Im on the go, with my phone. happy 2nd.
Wow, two years already! Congrats Paul (and to the other regular contributors), for keeping this site a worthy destination E V E R Y D A Y!
Circumstances have taken my free time away, and it will get worse when I start a new job next month. I was happy to play along as the photo’chopper around here for a little while, and one of these days I will put up an article.
I just need to decide WTH to write about!
Congratulations, again. Well done, everyone.
Is it two years already? Seems like yesterday. It’s been fun being a part of this little community, and I’m looking forward to read this site every day. And count me in with those highly irregular contributors. I wish I could be more prolific, but so it is, it’s more ebb and flow with me. But I will submit more pieces in the future, I have a handful already written in my head.
I think the community is a great part of the success of this site. Paul is very good at community-building, and it goes a very long way. It’s a happy place, and a stress free place, and a conflict free place. And Pauls enthusiasm is very good at keeping that up and holding the spirit high.
Money is really of no importance, because that’s not what this is about. It’s an enthusiast driven site, and enthusiasm is as good a motivator as any other. And if Paul runs out of steam (which may happen now and then) others can take over until the well is filled again. We’re building this together, and all is good. With people like this, anything is possible….
How much more does CC need to grow before you’ll offer some “Curbside Classic” window stickers?
I’d love it if we could have some business cards to go along with said stickers.
“If you have ever considered the idea of a contribution – DO IT!!!”
I want to be a contributor in the future and wouldn’t mind a step-by-step tutorial on how to use WordPress blogware. Paul, care to re-open a discussion on the “Curbside Classics Automotive Book Review” series? Seriously, I want to contribute Paul, and actually follow through on it this time (could you set me up as a contributor anytime soon?).
-Alfasaab99
I have to say that to have my name included with such a talented bunch of people is quite an honor, and one I don’t take lightly.
It is indeed hard to believe that two years have passed since CC began, where does the time go???
As many of you know, sickness and family issues kept me away for a while, but I do hope to be back, doing what I have come to love, which is sharing stories with all of you about the cars that speak to us, the role they played in history, and the influences they have had on our lives.
All the best to all of you,
-Richard
To Paul and his merry staff of contributors:
By a stroke of good luck and stroke of the keyboard, I found your wonderful site and since then (over a year now) I tune in every day. Like Iowa said, there aren’t too many places where you can go on the Net where you aren’t insulted and dressed down. Here it is more then like family, more like a get together of best friends! Best wishes on the 2 year anniversary with many more to come.
PS: Paul, I promised you a write up on EMD Locomotive Advertising. It’s been done and in the can, but I will look it over to shorten it up a bit, clean it up a bit before I send it onto you. Again, in the meantime, thank you for this site!!!
“Here it is more then iike family, more like a get together of best friends!”
Agreed.
Almost 450 pages worth of CC’s. I hadn’t really thought of it, but that’s some collective output. It’s gonna be fun going back and reading it all over again….
445 pages, times seven entries. That’s over 3100 entries. Or about four pieces a day. In average over two years.
And nearly 84K comments!
So what’s next?
“Curbside Classic YouTube Channel”…??
“Curbside Classic @twitter”…(#curbsideclassic)…??
“Curbside Classic on Facebook”..???
“Curbside Classic Instagram”…??
“Curbside Classic Pinterest”…???
It is 2013…
SInce we’re in a celebratory mood, and I always attach pix to my posts, I have to acknowledge my auto-love with my number one favorite (desired) car…
The 1979 Cadillac Seville Elegante: (wallpaper)
CC already has a YT channel and FB page @ MichaelH.
Oops!! I see the Facebook page, but couldn’t find the YouTube channel. Is it called “CC”..??
The YT channel must have been removed somehow.
How CC makes me feel everyday in song:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM (Louis Armstrong)
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kCC5sTdef5U (Joey Ramone)
Congrats on 2 wonderful years! Your tasteful, well-written articles are fuel for my car loving soul! I especially admire your senses of humor while helping educate the general public that “New” isn’t always better. Thanks (with sugar on top), and keep these great classics in our hearts and minds.
Gotta say I LOVE this site. I’ve only contributed one “article” but have done a few photochops for fun. Sometimes we ummm ‘discuss’ things in a heated manner, but history can be confusing, along with our memories.
My new Photochop blog: http://timmm55.blogspot.com/2013/01/corel-photoshop-chopn.html
BTW I linked my Lincoln Signat Siesta blog chop back to the article if that’s OK.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/alternate-history/from-detroits-secret-files-1980-lincoln-siesta-signat/
Thank you Paul and to all of the writers for making this a site I look forward to visiting every day. I came over from TTAC when Paul started this site and have been a regular reader from the beginning and some day would like to contribute as well.
Happy Second Birthday CC!
Thank you Paul, and a tip of the hat to my fellow contributors. Great job, everyone!
I’d love to write more articles, but the decidedly non-CC task of selling new Ford and Lincoln models must be done. Anyway, I’m proud to be part of such a great community of people. Huzzah!
Late to the party, but ditto to all the above. CC quickly became one of my “must read” bookmarks two years ago (and That Other Site got read less and less and I hardly ever go there now).
Thanks to Paul for providing a platform for automotive storytelling, for Tony’s editing, and for all the other author’s contributions, not to mention all y’all that hang out to read and comment!
Well, I just got here a couple of weeks ago (funny how semi retirement works…) but it has been fun. After 36 years in the automotive industry I have seen a lot of changes over the years. I will admit I am more of a domestic make person having spent most of my career supporting GM and a little bit of Mopar. Now shifting from the repair side of things to teaching, club activities, consulting, and working with schools with students who are interested in pursuing an automotive career.
The guy across the street has a beater to end all beaters — Cutlass Sierra of late ’80s vintage. Crushed in front door, crunched front end. No grill. Wheel covers gone, leaving clay-caked black rims. Probably has 200k on its clock (if it still keeps track). He’s been advised by our town mechanic — who’s the best in the business and charges you like you’re family — many times to unload it. But my neighbor remains loyal and drives it everyday to work, 25 miles each way. Guys at work, all driving new pickups that tow big loads and heavy monthly payments, laugh at him. He shrugs it off as the great guy he is.
I’ve been meaning to hit him up about a writeup. There are some good stories in that machine. I know he’ll cooperate; I just have to find the time. Sometime after the weather warms up here in Iowa.
Thank you Curbside Classics for two very interesting years. This is my default site to unwind, relax, and enjoy interesting articles and comments from very knowledgeable enthusiasts.
Back in 2007 I discovered TTAC by accident one night (I think it was the ten worst cars for 2007 or something like that on Google) in the hangar for my air ambulance job. After Paul left TTAC and started CC, I followed and haven’t looked back. Thanks Paul and all the others for a job well done!
Thanks to all the contributors and the commenters for their perspectives as well! Let’s drink to another two years.
A big thanks to Paul and all the contributors to this site.
One thing that really makes this place great is the wide diversity of opinions that you find here – people sing the praises of everything from baroque American land yachts to minimalist European micro cars on this site.
Congratulations on two years. I came across this website only a few months ago and was immediately taken by the quality and accuracy of the write ups. I have been a car nut for all of my five+ decades, and have worked in the car business for most of them. I usually feel like an outcast, as I have met few others that have the same kind of interest I do for everyday production cars. I feel right at home here. I have been amazed at the level of knowledge that the all the writers and commentors have, and the variety of backgrounds and generations that everyone represents. I wish I had more time to comment. Maybe someday. I might even try my hand at contributing.
Thanks and keep up the good work!
I don’t comment on most of the stories because I often don’t have anything I feel compelled to add to the discussion, but I read almost everything, and almost everything is wonderfully presented and richly detailed. This is easily my favorite car website. Thank you to everyone who puts this together! You’re doing great work!
“I don’t comment on most of the stories because I often don’t have anything I feel compelled to add to the discussion…”
Well, this never stops “Carmine” from boring us all to sleep with his useless, inane drivel about his “knowledge” of General Motors products!! Blah-blah-blah, on and on and on he goes as we sit there reading and yawning while rolling our eyes at every sentence.
(I’m joking!! I have to give him crap cause he loves Cadillacs as much as I.)
Seriously, always contribute!! It’s what makes a site more interesting!! You are a human being, and every human being has thoughts to convey!!
Congratulations! I finally have contributed one article, along with lots of comments, and a profile of one of my cars that Tom Klockau helped edit. I want to do more, and will, but it’s super hard to find the time! Thanks for being here.
Thanks, Paul! Thanks to you for creating our virtual clubhouse and thanks to all for keeping it warm and lively. There’s nothing like CC anywhere.
Just a note of thanks from a lurker & ocassional commentator for the great reading that CC provides.
Congratulations, Paul, on the second anniversary of this site, and thank you to the writers who take the time to photograph interesting cars and write stories about them.
This site showcases both interesting cars and great writing, while the mainstream classic and special-interest car magazines have become progressively more “dumbed down” over the past 10 years.
Thanks to everyone for putting up with my spammage. I very much enjoy this place and have gotten to really like many of the contributors’ personalities. It’s rare to find a car-related community not consumed with owner ego-battles — I’m probably one of the worst offenders here but haven’t been booted yet (thanks!)
Junqueboi (resident hoarder)
I copied your most recent posting idea, Mr. Mann (nice to finally “meet you”)
FYI: Mr. Edward Mann is just a pen name.
Oh hell, I get EVERYTHING wrong.
+1
Late to the party (no computer access yesterday) but wanted to add how happy I am to be a part of CC! Special thanks are due to Paul for inviting me to write and to Tony for giving my posts that extra bit of polish.
Thanks CC, for feeding my old-car addiction!
Congratulations to Paul and the other CC writers for their excellent work. I’ve been visiting the site almost daily since stumbling upon it six months ago, but this is my first comment. My “handle” is in honor of my two classic rides: a 1979 Cadillac Seville bought new by my late father, and a ’64 Corvair Monza Coupe with the thunky PowerGlide. Paul might say this makes me a Deadly Sinner, Twice Over.
Best of luck for the next two and twenty years. I hope to comment on CC more frequently as time allows. Godspeed!
I would keep the Seville and the Corvair. I know of such a collector that likes Cadillacs AND Corvairs… He owns an orange 1974 Fleetwood Brougham and a 1964 Corvair Monza Coupe.
I had a 1976 Seville and loved the car, only sold it because it had the oh so 1970s decor of dark brown metallic paint, tan top, tan leather seats, dark brown dash and shag carpet.
Thanks for your note, CraiginNC! My ’79 Seville is silver with the pimpish red leather interior. Factory 8-track and CB–the former works like a charm, the latter hasn’t since the Smokey and the Bandit days. Need to get it worked on. Have about 50K miles on the Seville, and two summers ago I took it on a 2000-mile drive to New England and back (to Michigan). Averaged 13 MPG with no problems. As for the Corvair–it suffers from vapor lock and presently cannot be driven farther than walking distance from home. It’s a looker, though, and nothing beats the sound of that air-cooled flat 6 when it fires up.
I would like to get another 76-79 Seville some day, in a better color combination than I had and especially if it was an Elegante. I have a friend in Australia that has a Gucci Edition 1979.
As for Corvairs, they were never really my thing but if I had to get one I would get either a 1965-69 4 door hard top or a convertible of course.
http://ulocal.kcci.com/_1966-Corvair-4-door/photo/12752116/62904.html?enlarge=true
Thats a humdinger of a car.
Wow. Two years old.
Thank you all for the nice comments on my infrequent contributions. This site is a “must read” every day and I enjoy the hell out of it. Thanks Paul for everything you’ve done here.
Thanks to one and all for the writing and photos. This is the only car site that matters.
Two years old? Huge congrats and thanks to all the talented folks who make CC the best internet car site bar none. I’ve been on board since day one as a reader, and the amount I’ve learned about the featured cars is immeasurable. I raise a glass of finest New Zealand Pinot Noir to you all!