Re: non AMC powered AMCs <long!> (was: GremlinTime)

["amc74hornet" <amc74hornet@xxxx>]

--- In BaadAssGremlins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Eddie Stakes" <eddiestakes@xxxx> wrote:
> I want to quickly comment on the below about AMO not allowing non AMC powered cars on their showfield. This has stuck in my craw for decades. In 2000 in Berlin, there were a number of non AMC powered AMCs that were not allowed on the showfield, literally locked out. Doc mentioned one here, that car was stunning, I believe it had a BBC in it. 
> 
> I take a whole different view of it. While I do not make the rules and regs for AMO and it is their choice to allow what they wish on the field, this subject was brought up again in Houston at the Nationals and I believe the Board of Directors voted on it. But my thoughts on "altered AMCs" are rather well known, even have a file on my site with it:
> http://www.planethoustonamx.com/parts%20&%20Literature/alteredamcs.htm
> 
> And the reason is simple: I have personally witnessed over 8000+, count them, eight thousand plus, American Motors built vehicles crushed here in Houston alone since 1983.
> Why? No one took a chance on them. What many of us deem "collectible" is not collectible many times to junkyards and salvage operations, it is $48 a ton for scrap. A SC/Rambler? Give me a break, have seen about 11 of them crushed, over a dozen Machines, and a crapload of AMXs, and enough Gremlins that if all of them were not crushed and bought or owned by Bart's Gremlin Group here, each one of you would have over 20-40 of them personally. Think about that for a moment. 
> 
> While parts are getting more and more difficult to find, we are losing more and more cars. 
> This is not only in Houston but all over North America as changing enviromental laws pass and times change and well, many cars go unsold and get scrapped due to low, or no, interest. 
> 
> A case in point is this Matador coupe in the photo here, I have zero interest in the car, but the fellow (kid about 22) was driving it really low on oil and has a hole in the 304 now. And his apartments were supposed to tow it away today. I posted it several place for him, but zero interest in it. Not a lot of interest in a green/green 74 Matador coupe with blown engine. So if the apartments tow it, that is $124.00 in Harris County. Then storage is $15 per day. If you don't 'buy back' your car in one month, suddenly the old tired warrior is $589.00 to get is out of hock! Won't happen, the car goes straight to Pick A Part, and in on Texas Death Row for 2-5 weeks before it ends up the size of a Coke can, no matter how much of it is left. 
> 
> I have two cars here the City of Corpus Christi, Texas was going to two, and crush from my dad's yard, but I brought them up. now am buying at last minute, this 74 Matador although I don't want it, down the road, hopefully someone can use the parts off it which many are unique to that model, or fix it up for another generation to enjoy.
> 
> But the powers that be at AMO know how I have felt about Altered AMCs for a long time, going into the early 90s. It is no disrespect to their organization at all, bu tI firmly think that all cars should have a spot on the showfield come show day! Let's stick these Chevy powered ones over in the corner near the taco and bbq stand if need be, as long as those who drove or trailered them out feel a sense of 'belonging' and can show their AMC, which was built in Kenosha or Brampton, near others of same marque! I'm happy to say AMO voted to allow these non powered AMC vehicles, as it will make them a stronger organization. I don't think that they will be over run either, just about every AMO National meet I have went to since the 80s usually has only a few show up. At least now they hopefully will feel welcome!
> Eddie Stakes'
> Planet Houston aMX
> www.planethoustonamx.com

I agree. Let the AMO have an alternative engine class and be judged. Some people have suggested to me in the past about just letting them on the show field but not be judged, I disagree. They had to do the same work on their cars as we did with just the engine being different. It's time to put old rivalry's behind us and unite for the common good of saveing our cars. 
"Doc"