Fair enough, I didn't look hard enough. I've gone and coughed up a for membership......

You should. You have an Ami 6 so how about something on that? What its like to own etc the reactions you get from the General public.

Its all grist for the mill.

The devil in me wants to say, 'yes, that's because a lot of our former users have defected here!'. I understand why, but they are sadly missed on the 2CVGB forum.

I agree the website is dull, that's why I volunteered to take on the role. A completely new site is currently in development, which I hope will better reflect the benefits of membership, and become a more useful, timely and interesting resource for our members (and potential members). It's a horribly tricky line to walk trying to offer as much as possible for free to everyone, in order to encourage new members, whilst providing valuable, tangible benefits to those that choose to support us with their £25. If it's all free, why join?



I really, honestly don't think that's the case. People's cars and attitudes vary widely. Mine's a complete shed, with hardly anything original on her, and I've only ever come across people more than willing to help me keep her on the road - never any 'purist prejudice'. Equally, I'm happy that there are people who are interested in maintaining 'original' vehicles. It's also cool that people customise their cars - and there are plenty of members that do.



Spot on! 2CVGB genuinely does want to appeal to owners and enthusiasts of ALL types, and realise that we're failing some sectors of the potential membership. Again, to everyone on here - PLEASE get involved and help us evolve to secure our long term existence. Tell us what you want, and why you haven't joined/left if you are not a member. PM me here, or email webmaster@2cvgb.com.

its a nice sunny day stop attacking each other, get the roofs back and get on with life,
not everyone is going to feel they get what they want or love 2cvgb, you cant please everyone, and if you did, then i salute you sir.
i am grateful for the effort put into 2cvgb, i dont feel i get much from it, but i dont put much in, you get what you put out in life (well with most things..)
maybe the people un happy with the mag may feel as mentioned to contribute? then there will be bits they will enjoy,

without 2cvgb i think 2cv'ing wouldnt be the same, much the same without this forum i wouldnt feel the same about owning a 2cv, everyone is entitled to there personal opinion,

like i said, suns out!

Hmm. Thought I responded to this thread, but my post isn't actually here. Anyway, what Anna says!

<Quote:
I reckon some of this ‘issue’ comes down to the demographic of A Series ownership – you seem to have a split between the more ‘mature’ owners, the purists, who tend to have more money and time and then you have the younger, more carefree types who rip round in their modified cars, not giving so much of a toss about the particular shade of this or the shininess of that…..>

Not sure where I fit in then - I'd class myself as a genuine enthusiast who has a love for the design, engineering and history of the car, spent three years of my life rebuilding a knackered van to as near original condition as possible and yet I also enjoy hooning a ratty shed of a 2cv on a daily basis and getting drunk in a field with mates...

The two ideals don't have to be at opposite poles - maybe there is just a lack of understanding/tolerance from each.

Only went out for a couple of hours and had three pages to catch up on.

Some personal views,

2CVGB is as much about people as it is the cars. Having said that the 2CV fraternity would certainly not exist in the same way [or this forum] without it.

The club and the magazine are only as good as what you put into it. Over the years I think I have done my fair share, I even served on the committee for 4 years.

I can understand why the club doesn't appeal to younger 2CV owners but it needs change from the inside by younger people to broaden its appeal.

What you get back can't be measured but my personal experience is beyond anything found on this forum.

When my wife died in 1997 the club and the friends I had made within it were very very supportive. There were people from the 2CV world I barely knew at her funeral and many who I knew well. That support is fantastic.

I also met the current Mrs 602 [Janice] at a 2cv event. Our daughter is engaged to another 2cver who she met through the club [will she be known as Mrs Doolah]

Unlike a forum where you might never meet your fellow contributors, a real car club like 2CVGB is the place to form great friendships of real quality. Amongst my friends within the club I can, off the top of my head, think of at least 8 who without hesitation or enquiry, would drop everything to help me if I had a serious problem.

This is a great forum and a good place to express opinions and views however like most Internet dating rooms its not the place to forge long lasting friendship.

Just another reason to join 2CVGB.

As a quick aside the person starting this thread "Rhythm Thief" I met for the first time in 1998 at the French [50th Birthday] National when he camped next to me. Well more squatted really as he arrived, poor student as he was, with bugger all to sustain himself. I don't suppose he remembers being fed and watered by me. Or do you.

Guess that's what you might call 'a twist in the tale'.

Hard to believe, but a former ( or 'lapsed'? ) club member fell out with me because I refused to lend him my copy of the magazine to read.
At that time, he'd joined the Mercedes Owners' Club (whatever that's about ), but still attended 2CVGB AGM meetings and was quite keen to stand up on his hind legs and give the volunteers on the committee his advice as to where they were going wrong.

Funny old world, sometimes...

ken

Blimey, I didn't think I'd be opening quite such a large can of worms as this.

For what it's worth, I think you've convinced me to rejoin, although I would say that the "it's only the cost of a tank of fuel / few pints / wrap of speed" argument irritates me slightly. I know £25 is not a lot of money, but when your other half has been unemployed for six months and you're earning just enough to cover your fuel to work and your mortgage, there are plenty of other things you can find to do with what little spare money you have. It's not really for anyone else to say "well, it's only £25" after all.

Point taken about the magazine. I wrote an article for it once, back in the 1990s, but even then I think I gave it to Mick Playfor at a camp somewhere and it ended up being published in the UDAC mag instead. Maybe I'll try and contribute something every so often. As for the forum, I'm on there quite a lot (although whether I'll still be welcome there after this is another thing altogether ) and I think it's one of the best bits of 2CVGB.

Paul is quite right - I remember that meeting (and I remember not having much money), but I thought I'd met him before that, at one of the New Year camps. I also remember contributing at least something to the cooking pot ... and I almost certainly took a barrel of home brew along with me to share, since I never seemed to go to any 2CV meeting without one back then. Hence my old nickname.

I'm a member of 2CVGB, and I'm happy to be.

Yes, the magazine is horribly dull, in my opinion, but this year, I'm going to try and make the effort to submit some write-ups for events, to try and vary the content. In fact, for the past two years I've been trying to get something in words about 2CVing amongst us young'uns, but I just don't think anyone would want to read it. Sam, you should definately stand for editor, you'd do a fab job.

I'm planning on standing for Events & Local Groups Co-ordinator soon, purely because the social side of 2CV ownership is what is important to me.

Just putting my thoughts in here.. *returns to lurking in the background*