I know that many of you have local car clubs that you have joined and participate in, as well as local get togethers and Hooters cruise-ins, etc. But the SSOA doesn't seem to have its own autonomy in that regard. Sure, we have a day in conjunction with the annual Fbody get together in BG that the SSOA members get together, but as always, there are some that cannot make it all the way to BG every year. Plus, that's only because enough of the people going to BG just happen to be SSOA members to justify it (SSOA, to my knowledge, had the most representation there anyway).
Anyway, here's a suggestion, and I don't know if anyone else has even brought it up...
What about having an official SSOA day? It doesn't have to be the same exact day every year, but it could be the same "day" every year, such as third Saturday in June, for instance. Everyone can't make it to all the events, and the SLP appreciation days seem to be far and few between now. As a show of unity, we could pick a late spring or early summer day, preferably a Saturday, to celebrate the SSOA, to promote the SSOA to non-members (believe it or not, not all SS owners are a member or have even heard of the SSOA), as well as joining in the typical F-body local gatherings. It is not to take the place of BG, it is more for the entire SSOA to have an event of a local nature, all happening on the same day. Then, obviously, sharing memories and pictures. Some people do this anyway, but this would be an official SSOA event! Just print out a few SSOA applications, and print some SSOA dash car/owner ID's, and even advertise it to a local news channel if you're so inclined.
This is not a new concept. I am also a member of the Hurst/Olds Club of America. Now before you turn up your noses, the SSOA has something in common with the H/OCA and that's we both revere a car that is no longer made. And H/O owners are just as picky about their cars as we are. Hey wait, I'm an H/O owner, too! A couple of years ago, the newsletter editor came up with the idea (don't know if it was original or if he got it somewhere else), and it's been growing ever since. Some people get a dealership or get strip mall owners to designate a portion of a closed-up Kmart to sponsor some parking lot space (it also brings in potential customers for the savvy car dealers) while others have cookouts with a gathering of just a few close friends in the back yard. It would be like a mini skyline right in your own back yard. Almost literally! Link below to some pics of 2003 H/O day.
The idea is not to replace all those other neat gatherings, but instead, to have like an SSOA appreciation day of sorts, but all on the same day. Some people can only afford to make one gathering a year, and some can't make any. In this manner you can have your very own gathering with local F-bod owners, meet new friends and even get more people involved with the SSOA and everyone can participate on the same day. Rainout days could be optional. From one to 1000 cars (would this count toward Fbodfather giving up smoking?)
I know we have our own back porch here, but I think it could be fun.
Good idea? Bad idea? Already tried? Comments?
Posted by SS 891 (Member # 1968) on :
I would be interested, but i am limited to how far i can travel...
Posted by Travisnd1 (Member # 1982) on :
I'd be interested in something if it was on the east coast somewhere.
Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
I think it's a great idea.
We get together every Friday night, all year long. On the sunny days we go to a local weekly informal cruise-in where there are many makes & models of cars. Sometimes on a weekend whim we get the SSOA group together and go for a drive and dinner somewhere. In the winter, we still get together for off season dinner and friendship/bonding. It's a way to get to know everyone better because we're usually very busy in the cruising season to visit much.
I'm always telling people with SS's about the SSOA, so nearly every day is SSOA day for me.
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