retro ford mag - OSF bashing

[Danish]

What a load of tosh. OK, I accept most people probably can't afford a Mk1 Lotus Cortina, but I've seen MOT'd Mk5 Cortinas on ebay for sub-£1000 and a Mk3 Capri or Cortina isn't that much more.

 

 

 

As an aside, I note that if you type "slightly old skool ford" into duck-duck-go^[1], the first hit is http://www.oldskoolford.co.uk/ 

 

 

 

 

^[1]   my current internet search engine of choice

[mk2 mike]

Wasn't hard was it? He thinks everyone is as dense as he is. Who is that joker kidding, saying the mods are changing his posts? He's been doing that himself and everyone on here knows it.

 

He's been a liar since day 1. Ages ago Under his original name (sidpf1972) he said he'd be happy to meet anyone at the classic ford show to discuss any issues they had with him then (surprise surprise) announced the day before he had to work and couldn't make it.

 

Then let's not forget the Orange mk2 he recently 'bought'. He Only had one pic (from the Internet) when asked for interior pics he claimed the interior had been removed that day. (What are the odds) When asked for more pics of the outside and the engine he miraculously sold it instantly without any advertising.

When he put a pic up another member said it was his mates car and Pinocchio immediately removed the pic. (Not suspect at all).

 

On another post he put his phone number up offering help to someone and it was for a campsite in Cornwall.

 

Sidpf1972, dave1234, Mike hunt (fitting) Paul fellows, Tom McGowan or whatever he wants to call himself today is a sad sad person. I genuine feel sorry for him.

[Mk2Jo]

You'll always get the trolls ... Lord knows we've had plenty on here over the years

[classicwhitey]

I for one am fed up reading posts where he just writes crap like lol or some other meaningless crap. It seems like hes just tyring to get his post count up. I try and only post in threads if i have something valid and helpfull.

 

Scott,Jo and all the other admin, i thank you all for your time and effort moderating the forum, i have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people this year and feeling very welcome.

 

OSFDC....luv it loud and fast

[Vista]

You're very welcome

[Mk2Jo]

CheeRS Rob

[SmokeEm]

I for one am fed up reading posts where he just writes crap like lol or some other meaningless crap. It seems like hes just tyring to get his post count up. I try and only post in threads if i have something valid and helpfull.

 

Scott,Jo and all the other admin, i thank you all for your time and effort moderating the forum, i have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people this year and feeling very welcome.

 

OSFDC....luv it loud and fast

I'm not sure how long I've been moderating but I could not agree more to ALL you have said. This site is wholly responsible for keeping me sane over the years with banter and laughs as well as the serious stuff. Can't wait for OSFDC 2015. See you at round 1

[irishtorag]

some times its nice to see the banter and crap coming out of some folk as we are all different and if we wern't the world would be a boring place

I have respect for the job the moderators do in some said out of place banter but the positive is at least its not face to face

there are no punchs thrown only harsh words,

and no one will be sittin in a cell over xmas at HRH's pleasure !

Its also nice to get differing views from the said "shit stirring of some" people and the debates that rage sometimes make folk that never tingle the keyboard react.

Kenny

 

ps: have a Merry Xmas one and all in the OSF scene

[irishtorag]

Forgot to say

I was taught from an early age to rise to negative comment or actions causes a counter reaction and gives said persons a platform or soapbox from which to stand

 

guess that means if all the member helped the moderators in this case by ignoring or not giving rise to said soapbox life would be easier for the group and leave the forums then for proper general craic and banter

[Benjy✌]

Thank bloody god! I was sick and tired of the amount of bullsh*t that he posting all day long every day!! No doubt he'll be back with another account! -.-

[classicwhitey]

Im all for a bit of friendly banter - Jo will tell you that   i feel ive said my piece so will leave it there

[skeeter]

To be honest, all sites get people who seem to get their kicks out of being an idiot and an internet keyboard warrior, generally I tend to ignore them as life is just too short. In terms of the article, everybody has an opinion and their perception is their reality and nothing we say on here will change that.

 

I am happy that the majority of people on here are like minded enthusiasts and whether they are rich or not makes not a jot of difference. I have had lots of helpful advice from the site and this is not linked to peoples bank balances But the site is a microcosm of life, there are always a small percentage of idiots and we have to accept that.

 

To all genuine members, and in my experience this is 99% of people on here, I thank you for you help and support since I have been a member and I look forward to 2015 with you all.

 

S

[Vista]

Letter sent to RF editor:

 

 

 

Dear Mr Leaper

 

I write regarding the letter you printed and commented  on regarding our club, Old Skool Ford, in the current edition of Retro Ford magazine. See attached extract.

 

As the editor of said publication I am very disappointed that you felt the need to publish, and more importantly agree with, this letter without discussing it with us first. Had you done so you may have been able to respond in a more balanced fashion rather than the negative manner in which you have. However, having done us the disservice of publishing it, I trust we will be permitted to respond? If not I have no doubt that your rival publication, Classic Ford Magazine, will be happy to publish our rebuttal. My colleagues and I spend a lot of our time (as unpaid volunteers) furthering the interests of our club, forum and members so we don’t take kindly to publication of inflammatory statements about us.

 

First and foremost, our club has been running for over ten years and the vehicle eligibility for either involvement in our events, or general discussion on our forum has never been a secret. In fact it is so well publicised that on occasion people join our forum purely to argue with someone about it. The details of the cars we cover are clearly and politely stated on our home page and are also part of the Terms and Conditions that new members must read and agree to when they join. All who ignore these two simple and polite requests are advised of them directly but again, politely. No-one is ever shunned for not owning vehicles that we cater for, in fact we regularly state to people that ownership of an Old Skool Ford (as recognised by us) is not a pre-requisite for membership of our forum, just that those cars that aren’t covered aren’t able to attend events with us nor run in our Drag Racing Challenge. Nor do we allow claims from our members that “car X is not a classic car” to go unchallenged. When we see such statements being made on our forum we always try to point out that our criteria applies only to us and it should not be interpreted that we, as an organisation, think that eighties classic Fords are not already classic cars. They are just not what we cater for.

 

In the face of increasing demands from new joiners, in 2013 we (the administration team) decided that we would be open to the idea of change if it was something that the forum in general wanted to happen. We gave members the chance to vote in an open poll on the forum. We made a concerted effort to encourage members to vote by emailing every registered member on the forum (in excess of 12000) and advising them of the poll. This of course brought long dormant members out of the woodwork but we were keen that the poll be as reflective of our members wishes as it could be. The result was that 56% of people who voted wanted our mantra to go unchanged. Had we concentrated on just the regular users that are a forum’s lifeblood, the percentage would likely have been much higher. Either way, a clear majority would you not say? Anyone who wishes to verify these figures can still do so on the forum, the poll vote is closed but the results remain available.

 

Last but not least, is it not any Classic Car Club’s prerogative to decide which models they wish to cater for? Why should we be any different? Will Mr McGowan be writing in next month to complain that the AVO club will not recognise his non Aveley built car? Or perhaps the Capri Club International or Mk2 Cortina 1600E club should rebrand themselves to accept his Sierra? I could go on naming clubs that he could not join or display with but I think my point is made. We, Old Skool Ford, have hardly set a precedent in selecting which cars we acknowledge for representation by our club and forum. Tom McGowan would do well to involve himself in another club that does serve his interests with respect to his Sierra, but will still be welcome to participate in our events with any of his cars that we do cater for. As for setting up an alternative Group using our name, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and we wish him every success in his endeavours. However, we suggest that he would be better to come up with a more original name rather than attempt to ride on the back of Old Skool Ford’s achievements.

 

Best regards

 

 

And the Editor's prompt (credit where it's due) response:

 

 

 

Hi Scott

 

Thanks for writing such a well reasoned reply and yes I would like to include it in the magazine if possible. The editorial piece wasn't meant as a snipe at the Old Skool Ford at all, it was meant to reflect a common complaint that I hear, that the 'scene' excludes certain more affordable cars that are entry level cars for new blood. It was a genuine letter and hence why Tom mentioned his membership of Old Skool Ford. I take your point that you wouldn't want Tom to use your name in that context, but you know what they say about imitation.

 

I'm sorry if you feel it has offended you or your members, but has he really said anything you don't hear elsewhere, and that is part of the job as a magazine editor, to reflect his whole readerhip's views. I do however wish I'd had time to run it past you first as your letter is an excellent balancing point to Tom's letter, but there just wasn't time before we went to press and as I said we'll try to get it included in the March issue.

 

 

Regards

 

Kevin Leaper
 

[SmokeEm]

That's why you is our leader Scott. You can get your point across without punching someone

 

Seriously though mate, well written

[luckyjim]

very eloquently put vista.i was quite placated with kev leaper's reply too,what do others think?

[Jiffer]

One word. Outstanding

[Benjy✌]

Well written Scott!

[irishtorag]

Very well done Scott

You got all the forums points across without sounding bitter with either the editor or the complainant for publishing an writing a one sided argument.

It maybe true that some folk are having their own committee meetings outside the forum reguarding the rule and regulations of the forum which they feel they have a right to do,but the best place to ask or discuss such issue is within the forum and then accept the majority view or the club rules

 

As I said previously im a in some respect a foreign guest that is more than happy to be an active part with the key board of the forum and like most forums im in will happily abide to the forum rules .

kenny

[Vista]

There are no foreigners on this forum, the calendar this year has members cars from South Africa, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Last year there were cars from Australia, Czechoslovakia and Dubai. If you're a member, you're a member. Full stop.

 

Thank you all for the positive feedback, Old Skool Ford means a lot to me and I am glad it does to you all too.

[Mk2Jo]

Very well done Scott

You got all the forums points across without sounding bitter with either the editor or the complainant for publishing an writing a one sided argument.

It maybe true that some folk are having their own committee meetings outside the forum reguarding the rule and regulations of the forum which they feel they have a right to do,but the best place to ask or discuss such issue is within the forum and then accept the majority view or the club rules

 

As I said previously im a in some respect a foreign guest that is more than happy to be an active part with the key board of the forum and like most forums im in will happily abide to the forum rules .

kenny

No fellow enthusiast is a foreigner

[Rally Pack 2000]

You'll always get the trolls ... Lord knows we've had plenty on here over the years

 

Hey dont mock trolls for some of us living under a bridge is a lifestyle choice so we can afford to keep our OSF and keep them out of the rain!

 

On the topic of inclusion however, there has to be parameters to any organisation or club like this. If there are no boundaries then what do you become? In the spirit of inclusion do you just become the discontinued Ford Forum? The idea of setting parameters is to focus and concentrate knowledge and services to one point in a arena where like minded owners who are sparsely scattered throughout the globe. Say you do include Sierras for example, there are so many more of them being much newer and then the majority of discussion threads started will be to cater for the later cars which in turn drives the older ford owners out as they feel they arent being represented anymore. Its a balancing act for sure and even see it here now where some non Escort owners feel a bit left out sometimes. I have heard the same criticism with this same focus of some magazines. As long as you allow non owners to join, (which is already done) then there is no harm in setting boundaries. If anything you could take it as a compliment that even though 80's Fords have their own clubs and forums in abundance that they must like the way things are done here to want their cars included.

 

That said there are times when clubs need to re-assess or tweak some of its regs (again which is also done here openly and inclusively). I remember here in Australia the first of our sporting Mk2 Models was the 2lt GS Rally pack which was all kitted out as our Mexico equivalent but with a 2lt engine. When sales dwindled a bit by 1979 Ford Australia came out with its own RS2000 model which was mechanically identical to the Rally Pack but with the Drop Snoot and fancy seats. When the RS owners club formed it would not allowed Rally Packs in as it had the GS (for Grand Sport) rather than RS (for Rally sport) as such they deprived themselves of very unique Australian model which gets more fascination from overseas enthusiasts that it does here. The RS owners club even came up with a BS claim they were a dealer fitted option to make themselves feel superior. The hypocrisy being they would allow Twincams which didnt have the RS logo either. Now to this day there are so few genuine ones left that most that I see for sale a fakes because the knowledge base to tell a genuine one has gone because there was no inclusion with the RS owners clubs and a log of all the genuine cars kept. ( I have a small log I keep myself but I dont have the outreach of a popular car club would). I have seen one winning awards at a local show when its actually a fake, which is really sad and people paying 10000 pound equivalent for ones that arent genuine because the expertise was lost because of bunch of elitists hung up on one letter.  Fortunately OSF is nothing but inclusive and I think not being only dedicated to high performance models is humbling and you dont get the same egos at play.

 

On the other silly comment in the magazine letter is the concept of "Rich Mk2 Escort Owners"? You have got to be kidding right? I have never met a rich Mk2 Escort owner in my life! Owners are a nostalgic lot bit rich they are not. When you consider that although OSF are way more expensive as they once were they are still no more expensive than a new mid sized family sedan from a Jap or Korean manufacturer not even close to your luxury brands. So unless your average family is now considered rich I think the comment is totally absurd. To all that I know its a hobby like stamp collecting and you search out that one stamp (or in our case that one spare part) and have a go on ebay and sometimes you win and sometimes you loose. I try whenever I can to keep a knowledge of what other Mk2 Escort owners are needing and possibly bidding on so I dont get into some silly bidding war for something and end up paying too much. I get a text at least once a week asking "are you bidding on that" and if I didnt know it was even for sale I say nope go for it. Rich? hardly, in fact you ask one of most popular reasons why people stick with them is that they save money being able to work on the cars themselves something you can rarely do with modern cars. Owning a Mk2 Escort for pose value? Give me a break, they are quirky and boxy but they are hardly thinks to show off and attract the ladies with! All the posers are into Porsche and anything Turbocharged Jap and two doors these days. I always maintain that the day the Subaru WRX came out that I stopped being pulled over by the cops for no reason. So even though they annoy me as they rev past with their waistgates a poppin I smile and thank them for taking the heat off. In fact the last random breath test I had a few weeks ago the officer told me how he owned a blue one when he was in his 20s and considered me respectable, go figure how times change. Anyways I digress, anyone that goes Mk2 escort is more after individuality that pose value and the rich have way fancier toys they can access. If i go to the wealthiest suburb in Sydney, there wont be a single Escort there I can tell you.

[v8cortina]

There are no foreigners on this forum, the calendar this year has members cars from South Africa, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Last year there were cars from Australia, Czechoslovakia and Dubai. If you're a member, you're a member. Full stop.

 

 

Thank you all for the positive feedback, Old Skool Ford means a lot to me and I am glad it does to you all too.

 

What about Wales

[JP.]

There are no foreigners on this forum,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

Thank you mate. I really appreciate it the fact you threat and accept me like I am real English man. Even while I walk on wooden shoes...... I don't feel being a foreigner along you folks while we meet up. Its just only a big pond separating us.

 

Yess I know, Holland or England, its the same. Dutch fellow Willem van Oranje the 3th ( King Billy ) even ruled Britain and Ireland during the 1600's for a while. We share

 

We had wars and we had laughs during our common history...

 

By the way, have a Honda Shadow VT1100 motorbike, can I join his Old Skool Ford forum ???

Ohh my daily is a DAF CF75 310, can I join with this........

We even have a mk2 fezzy...........

 

Thank god we even have 7 true OSF's which we work our buts of to keep them rolling. If I where rich..... id buy myself another OSF..... 

 

Please can we stop & lock this discussion. OSF is for OSF's only. Just accept the rules or leave. Black & white that simple.

 

Best regards JP,  thoroughly a Dutchman but you won't notice the difference...  

[Mrs O/H/C]

Exactly the point ... OSF IS FOR OSF's ...not bit by bit accepting newer models in or in another 10 years it will become the ST forum as once Mk3 escorts / Mk2 Fiesta etc join there will be demand for anything more recent to be accepted year after year

[Benjy✌]

There will always be moaners and complainers regardless of what cut off year the forum is I think! If you accepted mk3 escorts or sierras on here it woulnt be long before mk5/6 escort owners start complaining and moaning haha!