<VV> New Owner/Member Networking/Technical advice

[henry kaczmarek]

Mark and I agree more often than some realize.  If you're not into the 
social side of a club, but need technical advice and networking for parts or 
services, CORSA membership is very worthwhile for the new owner/enthusiast.

In my work selling specialty Automotive parts, I am amazed with the number 
of people who will buy a car to drive or restore, and have no clue about it 
at all.   I recommend to them that they find a club site online and see if 
they have a message board---most do.  Some, like BCA and Cadillac-La Salle 
club have a feature that CORSA has never apparently looked into, though VV 
usually gives enough experience opinions to do the job.

Online Club Certified Technical Advisors.  They can be set up either by year 
(in our case EM or LM or FC), or by specialty---Electrical, engine, 
body/paint, interior, etc.   An example of the latter can be found on 
www.layitlow.com.  My company sponsors the Paint and Interior Forum, and I 
monitor the list for questions about weatherstrips, gaskets/bumpers, body 
plugs and body mounting pads.

A prime example was the throwout bearing/pilot bushing squeal question VV 
got today.  From the replies to the OP, the owner now makes their own 
decision on when and which parts to replace.

To the member inqiring---This list created the Corvair Basics book, of which 
many of the questions you may ask are answered in hard print and CD-ROM 
format.  All of us who were involved did it for one reason----We know how 
much fun our cars are, and we want you to enjoy yours too. A ready reference 
for new owner questions has not only helped hundreds of owners, but has been 
a source of revenue (not a drain on resources) for the club,  accomplishing 
both of the objectives of the VV members at the time the book was proposed. 
Get the book and make it your ready reference.  The list has literally 
centuries of general knowledge, and the tinkering and innovating that is the 
nature of many of our members. If it's not in the basics book, ask---you'll 
usually get plenty of tips and opinions on just about any topic.

Hank