Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

As one who quickly came to realize that Reading isn't about the cars but rather about the great people here. I came away from this years Reading simply horrified by the condition of nearly 1/2 of the cars at Reading. As the car ages it i showing that there is definately a lack of "pride of ownership" among some of the cars there. It was more like a trip to a parts car section of a car meet then anything else.

Of course there were plenty of very nice solid examples there to but the cars quickly went down hill from there. As one who enjoys the build of a project car more than buying a shiney example that you know nothing about I truely hope that these cars are mearly "works in progress" and that next year I will see a marked improvement in many of them. Otherwise, I fear that I won't stick around beyond visiting with some of the many friends I've come to know through the SVX. It is simply not enjoyable to sit by watching the rapidly declining overall condition of the average SVX. Yes I realize that values do not justify the cost of a proper restoration on a 18 year old SVX but pride of ownership should justify it provided it is a car worthy of a restoration. Remember, any restoration is a money loser for the owner. It is simply the owners desire to keep the mark alive (and usually a very understanding better half) :D which results in a proper restoration not finaical incentives which will likely never come.

I'm not saying any of this to judge any of the owners in attendance as I do realize that everyone is in different situations and had different priorities but rather as an observation of the rapid decline of many cars.

That said it was great to see everyone and meet some of the newer members in attendence. Lets just see what everyone can do to make next years reading a little better and little more lets say "polished".

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

That I was fearing the most... by the end of the day, these cars brought us together, it is a shame that we neglect them and focus more on friendships and vice versa.

From looking at the pictures I can see that reading 10 was the best. Well this comment also is preliminary now, need to see more pictures of 11.

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

Thats a bit harsh Ben, I thought the majority were in very good shape. Maybe 4 or 5 that were pretty rough.

The turnout was small though, I am guessing 10-20 cars less than Reading 10.

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

I will say that my Claret that was in attendance was not as pretty as some of the others on the outside. Since it is my daily driver, I've been busy upgrading and fixing the issues with the engine and drivetrain before I drop the money for a new paint job.

Forgive me if my car was considered an eye sore. I still love it anyway...

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

I think I said that a majority was in very good shape. The downside is that most of those are garage queens that rarely see the light of day. It wasn't just this reading. The downward spiral has been going on since Reading 3, this year it just followed the 09 stock market.;)

SVXygirl, eyesore hardly, I know not every car can nor should be a concours car as I'm an advocate of "drive them don't hide them" and that's kind of hard to do when you have a 10k paint job. I'm just hoping the bottom has dropped out and the cars slowly begin the hard journey back to a very respectable 20 year old car.;)

Again as I already said for years, what makes the SVX and Reading unique it the car world is the mixed ownership and the mutual respect. The cars come 2nd to that to me.:)

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

Ben-

I noticed this last year. Some cars which I remember as once being prime examples were now in very rough shape. It was depressing to say the least.

I remember at my first reading, every single car there was in gorgeous condition.

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

You and your analitly;) should be glad you weren't here this year.:D I too have noticed the same decline over the years which is to be somewhat expected. It is the lack of seeing cars which are in the process of going the other way that concerns me. Seriously I'm making these statements to be offensive but in my mind if I only had $500 in the budget I'd spend it on my car rather than a weekend in Reading unless I was new to the scene and needed to get help, parts, etc.

I actually felt horrible taking my TVR to the annual TVR meet in Philly last September. I tried to not even park it on the show field in fact! Mine was by far the ugliest and roughest car there out of the 20-25 that were there. I needed to have some assistance though on running wires, etc that having it there made it so much easier. Again its a marque which is just as value challenged. The most valuable TVR Griffiths which will give a AC Cobra 289 fits in speed and kills it in handling tops out at less than $50k for a concours example. It is all about pride.;)

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

I agree that the friendships that I have made through this amazing care are one of the best benifits. I also see many types of owners which are as varied as the cars themselves. They go from the young owner who has one that is a bit rough, but bursts with pride that they have one at all. It may not be the best, but it puts them in that ownership class that they are so proud of and they want to make it into the best one that they can. Then there are others, young and old that have one, love it, drive it, and don't really care it it is waxed, washed, or missing a few pieces. Then there are the others who want to bring any of them up to the best condition that they can, whether it was a project car, or one of the best in condition. Owners come in all of these different types and that will always make the condition varied in any group.

One of the most fun type of meet that I have been involved in the past years are maintenance meets. Not majoy rebuilds, but belts, lights, brakes, rotors, wiper blades, and other things that can be tackled over a few hours. The members want to fix some of the little things, but don't know how to do it. A couple of the other that do, help them out and the pride that they come away with is amazing! I am sure most members know the good feeling that they have after getting a light fixed on the dash or overhead buttons can make a big difference in the driving experience. It is the thing that you know is wrong, but don't know where to find the bulb or how to install it. You still get the great meet with friends, but get something accomplished as well. :)

When I look at a SVX, it is really hard to remember that it is an eighteen year old car. Yes, they wear out, but when you look at a group of them, it is also hard to believe that most of them are 150,000 to 250,000 mile cars still going and are still reliable. :)

Just another thought about this great car and the friends that come with it. I am very proud to be a part of this special group which has added so much to my life.

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

Well wow. Probably a good thing I didn't show up yesterday - my car is in pretty rough looking condition. I would have just depressed the whole lot of you even more.

Or, maybe you would have felt better about the condition of your car in comparison to mine! :eek:

At any rate I'm sorry I'm missing it. It's not far from me, less than an hour, but I didn't mark the date and my weekend is packed solid. Sigh, so much for picking up a sunroof skin.

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

I thought that most of the cars were in fine condition, save 3 or 4. The only problem was that a lot of people didnt really take the time to even wash their cars. I know it was raining on Friday and it was ugly outside on Saturday but I washed my car twice since I was there and I cleaned my windows at least 8 times, lol. On friday it was gorgeous out earlier in the day and still nobody had bothered to wash their cars.

My car is no shining example of a show car or anything of the sort, but I made sure she was clean, inside and out. Rear dent and a paint chip or two, she was still presentable.

Even on the way home when my girlfriend and I made it to the toll booth on the border of PA at around 2:00am, the woman at the booth commented on how "different" the windows were and before we drove off commented on how beautiful the car was.

We may see them as torn up or "falling apart" but some others may not. Let's just keep in mind to wash them every so often.. :p

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

I guess I can't talk. Mine has been sitting dirty in my garage for 2 weeks. :(

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: Oh my! :lol:

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

Mine was dirty and the paint on the wing is hideous as it peels off from stone dings. But I've only had it back for 2 weeks. It was gestating at the All We'll Drive Shop for 9 months. Last weekend, I was down at Wiley Forge to pick up the fiberglass hood. Haven't even had time to put in the new rear seat backs I bought 6 months ago. After this summer track season, it'll go in for a compete disassembled body respray. At that point, maybe the show will match the go.

There were several really pretty examples. Unfortunately two of the better ones, John's in particular, are also emerald, highlighting the sad state of my aesthetics.

If only it hadn't been so damn cold.

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

Which has added so much to my life." Earl, I hate to correct your English, but it should read 'added so many (SVXes) to my lfe.' :D:lol::p;)


Missed you!

Re: Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...
 

Guys, if you don't mind me asking, but why you always do Reading meets in April? Why not in July/August when it is basically summer instead?

This time of year will also be a great time for International owners to visit, attend the meet and spend a couple weeks "practicing" tourism in beautiful America...

Well I do not intend to go there for just one day, neither to sit indoors because of rain... and I would like to meet you all in daylight :D

Sorry if I used the plurial form of "all" the international owners, hope I am right in this.