You guys are probably right. Im a little calmer now that I have had some sleep. I was accepted into the Wichita GTO club with open arms, and only had a few negative comments about my car.
I still plan on attending, and I also plan on haveing a LOT of fun. And I prefer wheat beer Holeshot, but Bud/Budlight or reg Coors works for me. :drink: :thumbs:
I get home last night, and the first thing I hear from the wife.....
"We recieved the GTOAA membership application. Guess what? It doesn't say shit on the paper about 04 and 05 GTO's! What kind of horseshit is that! We're a member of a car club that doesn't recognized our car's existence!"
I got online and showed her Warren's post and said, "You're not alone....."
Not to bash the older GTO's, but our cars are far superior in every way.
As they should be with new technology. Let 100 independent people see and
ride in each car and then ask them which would they take. No doubt our
newer GTO's would be way out in front.
Well another nonexistent 04 GTO will be there. We finally made the decision to go. Booked the room last night. We will be leaving from Houston Wednesday early am. Hope we can keep up with HRJ and HRM. Looking forward to meeting everyone.
ANY 04 OR 05 OWNER who does not feel welcome is more than happy to drive two miles east on Page Ave from the hotel and hang out in our lot at Lou Fusz Pontiac. I'll be there with my 04 quicksilver as I have to work during the show (but I'll be at the drags on thursday!) Hell why don't you guys get together and cruise on down here either way from the hotel. Would be cool as hell to get a photo of all of the 04-05s at a Pontiac dealership. Also theres an ice cream place just a mile further that you guys could cruise to.
That's it. I'm putting together a Meet for 04s and 05s... We've been trying to get the Walt Disney World Speedway for a Orlando meet... but I'll make it a 04 05 meet. More info to follow! Anyone want to help organize this?
Figure it's easier to convince the wives and kids to come if we hold it here in Orlando... plus tons of cheap Hotel rooms, and nice weather!
Go right ahead, threres already Ames, stuff in Texas, this event, the POCI event, and the Pontiac Nationals. We will continue with the Pontiac Nationals and the GTOAA Nats as they are large national venues we can utilize.
A lot of people are being very closed minded on this thread but I only see 1 other person that was there at the GTOAA nats last year and experienced the few haters. There will always be haters at local shows and cruise nights. So why stress over something you cant control? This is not towards Warren, but to the people jumping on the bandwagon.
I frequent the Performance Years board a lot myself and the animosity towards the new car seems to be decreasing. I am sure we will probably come across a few of the narrow minded, "it ain't a Pontiac, if it's got a Chevy engine" haters, but I'm planning on just relaxing and having a good time. I just love cars both old and new. There are quite a few of us "old school" guys who love the new Goats as well. Don't let it get to you.
I hate to say it but there is a big difference between buying and leaseing a new GTO and restoring or maintaining a old school GTO. Plus these guys are old school, even in the Harley world Choppers,shovel guys are different then late model Harley guys. I wouldn't worry about it, you have to earn respect not buy it.IMO
I hate to say it but there is a big difference between buying and leaseing a new GTO and restoring or maintaining a old school GTO. Plus these guys are old school, even in the Harley world Choppers,shovel guys are different then late model Harley guys. I wouldn't worry about it, you have to earn respect not buy it.IMO
Soon there will not be a large difference as our aftermarket community grows and the cars get older. I foresee our community and theirs being much like the Buick world. At the GSCA nationals there are a lot more GN's than old school GS's ...but after 20 years the GN's haven’t 'conquered' but have almost become equals. I really think the GN's MAKE the GSCA nats, and if they were not around it would be reduced to less than 50-75 car event. Which is how the GTOAA will become without us.
I hate to say it but there is a big difference between buying and leaseing a new GTO and restoring or maintaining a old school GTO. Plus these guys are old school, even in the Harley world Choppers,shovel guys are different then late model Harley guys. I wouldn't worry about it, you have to earn respect not buy it.IMO
So I shouldn't point and laugh at a classic GTO wallowing in turns, stopping with drum brakes, gear boxes with only four speeds and actually have points in something called a distributor? Yep you really have to respect people who love this kind of pain and suffering. :gr_devil:
On the Power Tour, there were classic GTO owners who would barely talk to me and others who saved parking spots so we could line up three 'Judges'.
The car is built by GM and labeled a GTO. The GTOAA is for GTO owners. If they want to change the name to Classic GTO Cars Only for only people with dirt under their nails from a restoration then they would have every right to exclude people with dirt under their nails and bleary eyes from tuning with a laptop. :wall:
First thing I want to say is "Thank You" For stepping up and joining GTOAA And planning to attent the event in St. Louis, we have had the 04-05 cars in our plans from day one. As far as the GTOAA paper work, I agree this needs to be changed at once, Our club Gateway GTO Association has welcomed all the 04,05, 06, ?? and on. As long as I have a voice I will tell everyone these cars are GTO's that belong in the club. I think the more new GTO owners join the more impact you will have on the club. As with anything the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you make a valid point they will have no choose but to listen, I dont think most old GTO owners are haters, the Gateway GTO Club will do our best to bring the new cars to both clubs. One more point to all the new cars owners, please dont be a vintage GTO hater, if we work together this will be a great club for all GTO owners. See you in St. Louis
There's a lot of crossover between generations even on this board. How many people here do you see with a classic GTO (or other Pontiac for that matter) who also own a new GTO. I see a lot.
But as happened at Lombard Cruise Nights Saturday where someone mentioned to PJ and Fraser that we're "wannabes" this will never end. You will NEVER find a new GTO owner who disrepects his forebearers cars, that is until he is attacked by an old owner. But the same doesn't hold true the other way around! And that is where our frustration stems.
Sorry, it's new. Sorry, it's made in Australia, Sorry, it's got a corporate motor under the hood!
As I commonly retort....."Build your bridge, get over it!"
The new cars are here, the formula is 100% the same, but the ingredients are a little different. At the end of the day, they accomplish the same purpose!
I can't answer for the whole of the GTOAA. But I can tell you that the Gateway club welcomed me in with open arms and minds. I've been a member for about a year and half and I've had a great time with them and I've made a bunch of new friends. Now I'd be lying if I said that I haven't heard a few negative comments from a couple of members(actually I can really only think of one in particular), but all in all the club was very accepting of the new editions. You just have to look past the old school die hards and ignore some of the ignorant stuff that they come up with.
And you have to show up now. Taternuts will be there.