H Body National Convention??

[Biscayne John]

Hello Everyone,
I have been only around here for a few years, but have been in the hobby for well over 40 years. We traveled all over the country to the "Big Meets" for the big clubs over the years. I even Co-Chaired the 45th Anniversary Meet for the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America in 2006 in Grand Junction Colorado. For those that are not familiar these are 5-6 day events with a little bit of everything for everyone.

I know you have the Monzaque, and I am not suggesting to step on that, but it is hard for me to justify to my wife(financially) driving 2 days for a 6 hour bar-b-que to turn around and drive 2 days home, pulling a trailer getting 10 MPG with $4.00+ diesel fuel. Just imagine having 200+ H body cars in one town for a week! With a day at the drags, road race event, driving tour, judged car show, swap meet, and other things.

I was wondering how many guys would be interested in attending something like this if some people wanted to get together and make things happen. I am talking a family type event, it would have to be near a drag strip.
Something that we could do every 5 years, It would be a vacation. There is a problem when these events happen every year, it is expensive and it really is hard to convince the wife to do it again next year, so it hurts the attendance because it becomes repetitive. I was about to throw out some papers I had for potential sites I reviewed for the VCCA years ago when this idea crosed my mind. The problem is we need to have number to reach minumum numbers. From my experience if 200 people say they are coming, only 50 will show up, which woud be cool too, but think of 200 cars!

This "club" is not really structured at this time to do something like this, and that is another thing, and whole foundation has to be made, but if there is enough interest that might be warranted. Again I know what we would need to do, I even know how we can get the insurance to protect us for very close to nothing.

It is an event I know I would attend. I know COVA has their event, but it just does not seem to have enough cars for me to get motivated, and Texas in the summer is not a place I am looking to go to. The Newsletter covering last years event just seemed to have too much drama going on, heck thinking about maybe they would want to join us!
So who's in?

[vegastre]

and Texas in the summer is not a place I am looking to go to.

Hey! I resemble that remark =)
My 2cents has observed H-Body owners are so thinly populated through out the US and Canada a National Convention might be a tuff row to hoe. That said, every five years is certainly doable with the right promotion and organization 200 + cars showing up is a good number but 200 cars would be at the upper end as a guess, who knows?

Again my 2cents but from my observation a national meet has to have some sort of hook. Possibly a Route 66 theme or whathaveyou. I don't think sponsors would be that hard to come up with, ie Jegs.

I like the idea and this will happen eventually because the H-Body line of cars is too deeply rooted in the historical DNA of American car culture and hot rodding. Purists beware because I bet a good 50-75% that would show up would be pure Hot Rods.

[marco_1978_spyder]

Lordstown Ohio, assembly plant.

Centrally located, Salem drag strip nearby, could possibly co-ordinate a plant tour and GM bringing out some rarely seen H bodies.

Meet up / Breakfast on Saturday AM. Show all day with Plant tour. Sunday, Salem Raceway...

Not sure if salem raceway exists anymore.

Just some thoughts.

[Biscayne John]

Phil and Marco great points!!!!

My 2cents has observed H-Body owners are so thinly populated through out the US and Canada a National Convention might be a tuff row to hoe

That is why I asked, sometimes that could be a plus, in our case I don't know.

I don't think sponsors would be that hard to come up with, ie Jegs.

I never been to an event with a sponsor, If we have 200 cars and are in some sort of publication, they will want to be a sponser just so they can get their name on a page and more important someone else does not. I think this is something that would come along well after it is planned and publicized.
Phil, here is the question, you live in Texas, what would make you want to drive to Ohio (example) with your car? The hook idea is great!

Purists beware because I bet a good 50-75% that would show up would be pure Hot Rods

Phil, I think you are being conservative with that number. I am a purist but with H body cars I don't see that as much of a conflict as it is with other cars, seems like everyone gets along with each other and repects each others interests. Again I don't know

Lordstown Ohio, assembly plant

It is a logical choice, and a good one but my dealings with GM through found them to be not overly interested in old products unless they need them for publicity. We would need an inside guy. When I was putting The VCCA meet together it was told to me they are looking to sell new cars. Lets not forget the H body cars were viewed by GM as a product they would like to forget they made. That was the first major public failure since the 1922 copper cooled Chevrolets. We would have to see what facilities are near by such as hotels and such.

and GM bringing out some rarely seen H bodies

Those cars are up in the Heritage Center in Michigan, I think we would have to go to them

[quote][Sunday, Salem Raceway...

Not sure if salem raceway exists anymore./quote]

I think there is one in Youngstown about 1/2 hour away

Lets see if there is interest

[Monza Harry]

John I have interest in this type of event! I would travel for this and If it were in my backyard so to speak (The metro Detroit area) we have with-in a few hours of here, Milan Dragway, US131 Dragway, Waterford Hills Road course, the "Michigan Mile" in Battle creek. And there are quite a few H-Body Guys in the area. And for the "Hook" it could be tied into the "Woodward Dream Cruise" Just came back a few hours ago, that is a spectacle to be sure! Licence plates from all over the US and some Canuks Too! Or the Belle Isle Grand Prix? Detroit has A few Casino's and there are other attractions in the area for the family's adventure as well, the Detroit and the Toledo Zoo, The Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village, and nearby (2 hrs.) Cedar Point Amusement Park. Windsor has some attractions as well, a Casino (Tax free winnings in Canada) and a Five mile plus waterfront park with a majestic view of the Detroit Skyline and the Ambassador Bridge. This is just an Idea, and I think It should be a travelling show like some of the other events out there. Lots of continent to look at out there, and it doesn't have to be the playground to a few. This is Auto Country and there are many "Plants in this area as well as the "Mother ship if you will, for possible tours. This is just to name a few, I am sure the others from the area can add on more than a few other attractions rather easily! Just my thoughts on the subject. Harry http://www.milandragway.com/ http://us131msp.com/ http://www.waterfordhills.com/ http://themichiganmile.com/wordpress/ http://www.woodwarddreamcruise.com/# http://detroitgp.com/ http://detroitzoo.org/ http://www.toledozoo.org/?/calendar/event/172/ http://www.thehenryford.org/ https://www.cedarpoint.com/ http://www.caesarswindsor.com/ http://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/par ... Park-.aspx http://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/par ... Park-.aspx http://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/par ... dens-.aspx http://www.ambassadorbridge.com/ http://www.gmrencen.com/home.axis

[Biscayne John]

Harry great thoughts, maybe the best way is to start this wraped around an event like the Woodward where there is already a fairly large concentration of H body owners already, and give an incentive for guys like me in NY or Phil and TX to take in other things also. For someone to travel to something like this it could be $1500 if not more just to get to and from. It would be a great platform to start with and from that point begin the plans for the next event,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, problem could be accomodations such as a common hotel, in everybodys taste and budget. Don't forget we need a place to park trailers, not many hotels are happy about 1 guest taking up 7 parking spaces. It really helps to have some feet on the ground where the event is located, running an event in Colorado from NY was a royal PITA!, and my co-chairs were not much closer they lived in TX, and southwest AZ.

I might have driven my H body 800 miles 30 years ago, but that's not happining now! Car will make it I won't! In the late 80's I drove a 1931 Chevrolet (bone stock) from NY to Tennesee, wife myself and two young kids. I carried more spare parts, tools, and fluids then luggage. Top speed was 41 MPH, scary to say the least. In the 90's we drove our 60 Impala out to Springfield Il from NY, long hot BORING drive (made me wonder who plants all of that corn) way better then the 31, but still convinced me to buy a trailer and a tow vehicle if I ever were going to that again.

The other thing I found is when ever these type of gathering happen the local guys for some reason don't participate, this might be different.

still I think we need to hear from more people?

[vegastre]

you live in Texas, what would make you want to drive to Ohio

Hey! I just posted my trip to Cali and back to Tex =)
Good question, to make a national meet happen I would be up for a 1000 miles one way every 3-5 years. The hidden beauty of these meets is once established it creates its own motivation. I know I would not drive a 2000 miles without a H-Body. What am I saying? Owners will make a point of finishing their projects to attend and show off their hard work. The big bonus is hidden also because if successful would create newbies and motivate them to buy and save H-Body cars.

As far as location and hook should not be a problem once the ground work is established which brings me to Biscayne John. I like what you bring to the table as far as experience and an understanding of resources and such required. I admire that you would consider this undertaking with practically no substructure in place other than this forum which appears to me to be a great resource.

My only qualifications is I belonged to five car clubs at once with lots of regional success. The only really big deal I have attended has been the Hot Rod Power Tour. Oh yeah, owned an H-Bodys for 30+ years.

[Monza Harry]

you live in Texas, what would make you want to drive to Ohio

Hey! I just posted my trip to Cali and back to Tex =)
Good question, to make a national meet happen I would be up for a 1000 miles one way every 3-5 years. The hidden beauty of these meets is once established it creates its own motivation. I know I would not drive a 2000 miles without a H-Body. What am I saying? Owners will make a point of finishing their projects to attend and show off their hard work. The big bonus is hidden also because if successful would create newbies and motivate them to buy and save H-Body cars.

As far as location and hook should not be a problem once the ground work is established which brings me to Biscayne John. I like what you bring to the table as far as experience and an understanding of resources and such required. I admire that you would consider this undertaking with practically no substructure in place other than this forum which appears to me to be a great resource.

My only qualifications is I belonged to five car clubs at once with lots of regional success. The only really big deal I have attended has been the Hot Rod Power Tour. Oh yeah, owned an H-Bodys for 30+ years.

Phil all good points! For what ever reason there seems to be few car clubs here, that I have ever heard about anyway, but I have belonged to other clubs and we have had successful runs, some 30+ years later still going strong. I do feel that until you get the momentum going, a hook would be an excellent motivator, and it could (should be I feel) different as this would expose our cars and members to parallel groups and hopefully interested suppliers. Can you picture 20 (or more) H-Bodies cruising together in the Power Tour, Good Guy's autocross, etc. (I see Magazine coverage). These are all things I want to attend and I am sure others do to, piggybacking makes this a GIANT motivator and makes this much more affordable to attend, in my opinion. I also agree that a 3>5 year time table would be more likely to survive, (aiming more towards the 3yr. cycle, we don't want to sleep through any up cycles and popularity cycles seem to be getting shorter to me) We are just bouncing idea's off of each other, and it can/will change as time goes by. Logistics will be the major point at least initially. We have a good breadth of experience here, and the motivation to attack a deal like this, and I hope we make a dash for it, and put our BEST foot forward. This is a huge commitment and John Thanx for stepping in front of the "bullet" on this one! This is going to be like Child Support and Alimony You touched it last! (or MOM He Started It) Harry

[vegastre]

Can you picture 20 (or more) H-Bodies cruising together in the Power Tour,

I would drop dead from a heart attack since I've never even seen one there. My buddy and I plan on having his Vega and my SJ there next year. I did attend the first National Cobra car meet 20+ years ago in Tulsa, Okla. I didn't own a Cobra, just temporary as far as a flip. Anyway, their were only about 50 Cobras for that first event. My point, you gotta start somewhere.

[marco_1978_spyder]

A week after one of our H body meet-up's in Salem Pa, there was a 40th anniversary car show at lordstown with the first vega on display. I think the CVOA also did a show there?

[Biscayne John]

Is it possible that was celebration of the 40th Aniverssary of Lordstowndone by GM? Not a private event? I know one way to get them interested is if you get UAW support then they don't want to be left out. I have a whole bunch of old COVA magazines I will check. It sounds real cool but from what had seen GM only does something if it is good for GM, and only good for GM.

There are a certain number of owners that will go regardless of where it is. I think now we need for some sort of survey to see who would be interested in going to an event

[stage169]

I'm interested!

Got some family stuff going on right now so if you make a survey post and don't see me just count me in. Thanks John!

Brian

[hammerdown7]

I'll just throw this out, the CVOA will be headed back to Carlisle for 2017, 2015 will be near San Francisco and 2016 will be Green Bay. In 2011 the Cosworth was the featured vehicle at The GM Nationals, we had 18 cars in Building 'T' including 3 from GM and the cars that were displayed outside the building brought the total to 42. Of course we won't be the featured car in 2017. As the date gets closer I can post info and any h-body fan can join us. We will have some family-friendly events planned along with a final night banquet. The fee for attendee's will include the extra activities as well as the banquet. Carlisle fee's will not be included in the CVOA package. You'll have a lot of time to ponder attending as the schedule won't be put together until a year before "The Roundup".

Dick

[vegagtfan]

I think it is a great idea I mean heck I'm from South Dakota and here we have the Camaro and Corvette rally's every year we used to have the national Impala convention every year until they moved I have always thought it would be cool to have just a convention for just H-body cars I mean there are alot of pepole that owen these cars and every body build's them diffrent and only place's we can to take them is are local car shows and cruse's to show them off I think it would be awsome to see 200 to 300 H-body cars of diffrent makes running around together at one time just my thought

Travis
76 Vega GT Hatchback V6
72 Vega Gt Hatchback V8 In Progress

[Biscayne John]

Great input,
I was to the NIA convention once in South Dakota and once in New Jersey. They moved it because people wanted to see different venues.
Travis how far would you travel to an H body event?