Re: Definitive AMC Book(s) and Web Site (was SE see)

[farna@xxxxxxx]

On December 6, 2005 Mahoney, John wrote:

An AMC book compiled by dozens --- if not hundreds --- of contributors?

An AMCyclopedia for everything everyone knows to be factual --- online?

If there's lots of information somewhere, but little of it is where it can be
quickly/easily found, it's not worth much of anything to anyone.


This led me to self-publish my first two books on AMC. The problem is getting a publisher to put up for anything more than a picture type book. Mine was a lot more technical, and I want the next one to be even more so. Right now I'm thinking of knocking out most of the "fluff" (general history) and concentrating on tech only. I've been in the process of totally re-writing this book using AIM as a tool, but the more involved it gets the bigger the project, and the less likely it would be printed. I could almost make a three volume set out of it, but who'd pay $150 for a complete AMC technical/historic encyclopedia that was 80% complete (I say 80% because there will always be some "holes" in information, and/or something that couldn't be pegged down before publication). Such a publication would have to include at least the full line sales flyers from every year to be complete. I've pegged down a 90% complete options list for the Pacer, and it was a very specific model with bas!
 ically one body over a limited time span. That took over 80 hours work and still is only 90% -- I couldn't find prices of some options, and I'm sure I missed one or two running change options. Can you imagine how long it would take to compile such a list for the Ambassador? Twenty years as an AMC with three different bodies (considering 63-66 the same body even though there was a wheelbase change), and a long, changing option list. Even worse, the Series 10! 1954-83 (29 years), and five major body revisions, from plain Jane to dolled-up with options to! 

John's not kidding when he says "(why not) compiled by dozens --- if not hundreds --- of contributors?". That would spread the load, but would also bring up a dispute as to who gets any possible profits and/or credit, and who pays the bills. I've spent several thousand dollars on research material - almost a complete set of TSMs from 1955-83, sales flyers covering the same amount of time, and many other bits and pieces of informative memorabilia. I still don't have key elements! So I'd do all this work with no return what-so-ever? Or I'd have to trust that someone will give me "my fair share" of any profit? Who's going to take editorial responsibility? 

I'm like George Mason and merging the independents. I think it's a great idea, but I'd want editorial control over the final product. I'm uniquely qualified to do so (in my own eyes, and humble opinion) since I've self published several relatively successful (again, IMHO and under the circumstances) small publications, and even though I haven't had anything published by a major publisher (I don't think that's a qualifier, especially for what I'd like to see published on AMC). I also have the layout experience and equipment to make the thing ready for print. The main reason is I don't think there's any way a major publisher would consider such a project. It would have to be hobby funded. I don't want editorial control (final approval, but I wouldn't run over contributors -- I prefer to work WITH people, not have them work for me. But someone has to have "veto power" in order to keep things moving. "Design by committee" doesn't work without it).  I wouldn't want to hand over t!
 hat final say. The problem is, would any other would-be author who's considering such a project? And would they contribute knowing they are not likely to get a dime from it? I'll show my passion for such a project -- I don't want anything. I'd go so far as to propose any possible profit (not likely to be one) goes to  the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford (to be used for expansion/upkeep of the AMC area -- Kenosha doesn't seem to be serious about an AMC museum, and WAM has plans to expand as well as the necessary infrastructure). Or if I could be convinced Kenosha was serious about an AMC museum, to the Kenosha Historical Society. Or to some agreed upon charity. I'm not a totalitarian until/unless I have to be, I'm flexible as long as everything remains within scope. I'd be happy to discuss this possibility with any AMC authors or would be authors. If we can agree on project scope, I'd love to share credits for such a project and get it to print one way or another. Li!
 ke the survival of the independents, it is likely the only way a defin
itive volume(s) would ever get published. It's just as likely to never happen because of the same reasons the independents never merged. Sad, maybe, but a fact of life and human nature.

The AMCyclopedia web site is another issue. It was geared initially toward a lot of community involvement, and got some interest, but no work except from a few. Admittedly there were problems with the supposedly easy submission software, but the e-mail addresses for myself and Matt Haas (the main editors -- with Arfon Griffith and Wolfgang Merderle supply hardware and tech support) were prominently on the site several times. Only a couple people sent us e-mail over a two year period showing some interest. If anyone had problems with the editing software, all they had to do was send Matt or I the material and we'd edit. It never happened. Recently the site got hacked and had to be totally re-loaded. The crew has recently decided to use the melt-down caused by the hackers to switch to an easier to maintain software base and start over. It will require a little more work from Matt and I, but we weren't getting any help anyway. 

To tell the truth we never reached a level where we were comfortable advertising the site's existence far and wide. The AMC-List is just a small segment of the AMC hobby, but a segment of supposedly the more dedicated people. If no support from a dedicated core, how can we go wider? Technical problems persisted and finding personal time to commit to the project have also been barriers -- but we never expected to have to do it all. After the lack of interest in assisting with the other site, it's hard to get the ball rolling on the rebuild! But something will be put back up over the next few months. I also have AIM to consider!! 

So where are we as a community? We're in no better (or worse) shape than any other car community, actually. I don't think so anyway, though John obviously disagrees. Still, it could be better. The major sites for other makes are either by dedicated hobbyist or small groups. The detailed ones only cover a couple models at best. There are several excellent AMC sites up, a couple covering all of AMC. The AMC Club of Finland is one of the best. The New AMC Web Ring and the American Motors Net Ring provide links to most of the major sites. There is a good AMC prescence on the web, which is one reason I believe there hasn't been a lot of interest in the AMCyclopedia. Many think one definitive site would take away from the smaller sites. I'm not so sure. Some of the clubs have always felt that AIM would take members away, but in reality I think I've helped the clubs gain membership. I can't prove that, nor can I prove it hasn't taken membership away (though I certianly don'tthink s!
 o). I'm always advocating joining one of the clubs. 

Is there an answer to AMC's "underdog" status? I doubt it. AMC will always be an underdog, and quite frankly, many owners and hobbyists prefer it that way.  

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