Where have our members gone? (or, the self-absorption of Evan)

[sdfletch]

trularin,

This site has lost some of it's credibility in the last 2 years due to the lack of respect from some of it's most vocal members. The trend has been away from cars to politics and indiscriminate bashing sometimes. Pity. Yes, there is a reason we have no women posters. Want to guess? Maybe this site will be self correcting. Maybe not. Thanks for raising the subject.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by sdfletch

trularin,

This site has lost some of it's credibility in the last 2 years due to the lack of respect from some of it's most vocal members. The trend has been away from cars to politics and indiscriminate bashing sometimes. Pity. Yes, there is a reason we have no women posters. Want to guess? Maybe this site will be self correcting. Maybe not. Thanks for raising the subject.

I will have to take the counterpoint to this statement. Is this lack of credibility quantifiable?

No women posters may be a reflection of our hobby in general.

As others have said, just read threads you like. Personally, I steer away from anything that's not Cobra or car-related. The other threads I ignore. Actually, this is the type of thread I tend to ignore. Why? While it purports to want things they way they used to be (credible, respectful, many women), back when Eddie Haskell and The Beave were on TV (hyperbole), what actually results is a bashing thread...the exact opposite (e.g., no respect, no credibility, no women, etc.).

This site is very helpful (e.g., EFI, Webers, Tires, Breakfasts, Ring Gears, Vacuum Advance, Cylinder Heads, ERA ordering options, etc.). I still search around and get answers to my questions, I still enjoy 99.99% of the people here.

Just my $0.02.

[HYM810ANCE]

QUOTE: RodKnock- will have to take the counterpoint to this statement. Is this lack of credibility quantifiable?
No women posters may be a reflection of our hobby in general.
As others have said, just read threads you like. Personally, I steer away from anything that's not Cobra or car-related. The other threads I ignore. Actually, this is the type of thread I tend to ignore. Why? While it purports to want things they way they used to be (credible, respectful, many women), back when Eddie Haskell and The Beave were on TV (hyperbole), what actually results is a bashing thread...the exact opposite (e.g., no respect, no credibility, no women, etc.).

I have to agree with this...

Hello Boys, it's been awhile. I am probably one of the first female members on CC but I tend to read and not post....but had to get in on this one. I relate to alot of what has been discussed here. I grew up a true "Daddy's Girl". I have pictures of me dressed in frills and lace sitting on his lap reading HOT ROD magazine at the age of 3. I was taught the "religion" which is Shelby/AC/Ford/Cobra. My bedtime stories consisted of the roar of engines not dragons. I grew up loving the smell of gasoline,the leaded kind, gun powder and french perfume. My mom and dad had a sporting goods and pawn shop and I was raised to believe I could do anything I chose to. We built my first car, a "junkyard" '65 Mustang by my 16th birthday. I hunted with "The Guys" and got manicures with the girls (always making sure my nails matched my car). I was taught to always be a lady! But I was also taught that men will be MEN! Growing up in a "mans" hobby, whether it is cars or guns or anything else, is a choice. In making that choice I am fully aware of what I may be exposed to and I can also choose not to participate when the "mood" goes in that direction. It's like anything in life...my rights end where yours begin and vice-versa. I may not agree with what you have to say (or how you choose to say it) but I will fight for your right to say it; because then I can say my piece too.
I do like to see the posts that are more helpful than hurtful, but I also think alittle jabbing is fun too.
As far as "real" vs. replica...Yes, I would love to have a real Cobra just because of it's history; However, if I had to trade my dads Everett-Morrison for it....NO DEAL! His car and the memories it holds means more to me than even Mr. Shelbys Supersnake. Isn't that the point...the memories that we experience, inherit, build or help others build, in my opinion is what the LOVE of this car is all about. Thank you to all of the guys who have helped me through the years to the ones who didn't . ~G

[TN Shelby Cobra]

I'm just glad that I own a REAL Superformance Cobra! Pic is one of my customers 18 REAL Ford GT's! I check out this site many years before I joined. I almost didn't join because of some of the posts on here! Mark

[TN Shelby Cobra]

I really like this site cause all Cobra's are included! Great site! ( Some more of the Ford GT'S! His cars are awesome.Every color combo.) Mark

[289FIA]

Originally Posted by TN Shelby Cobra

I'm just glad that I own a REAL Superformance Cobra! Pic is one of my customers 18 REAL Ford GT's! I check out this site many years before I joined. I almost didn't join because of some of the posts on here! Mark

Hey Mark. I'd heard about this awesome Ford GT collection in Chattanooga but never fully believed it existed... Until now. Thanks for posting pics. Alex

[sdfletch]

"Is this lack of credibility quantifiable?"

It is to me. You miss the women point entirely. Sorry.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by sdfletch

"Is this lack of credibility quantifiable?"

It is to me. You miss the women point entirely. Sorry.

Hey Little Cobra sold her car; Amy from Shelby tends to get jumped when she posts. There was another woman that was posting for a while last year -- she was in the business too, as I recall. Other than that, I can't remember a whole lot of women on here.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by sdfletch

"Is this lack of credibility quantifiable?"

It is to me. You miss the women point entirely. Sorry.

I don't think I did. I had a girlfriend once.........(please no laughing)......that just loved cars and owned a show quality '68 Camaro, but other than her, I can't remember one women who wanted to go to anything automotive related with me or my peer group (i.e., friends).

Men dominate the hobby and they unfortunately dominate this site. I would love to see more women.......................................on this Fourm.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Men dominate the hobby and they unfortunately dominate this site. I would love to see more women.......................................on this Fourm.

That really is the truth of the matter. The women in my family are not interested in my Cobra.

[sdfletch]

patrickt,

Would you be willing to consider a world larger than your immediate family?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by sdfletch

patrickt,

Would you be willing to consider a world larger than your immediate family?

There is no woman on the face of this planet, of which I am aware, that is interested in my Cobra.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

There is no woman on the face of this planet, of which I am aware, that is interested in my Cobra.

Maybe it's because of the "two roll bar" thing.

The only female that showed any interest in my Cobra was the old woman in her Mercedes next to me who was fanning herself (inside her car with the windows rolled up no less) because of the exhaust fumes from my car.

[elmariachi]

My wife likes the Cobra. She has now mandated that we have to take it for a spin through the country every Sunday. So I have started showing her GT40 pictures.

[sdfletch]

rodknock,

I don't mean to cause you heart burn, Sir. You are unaware of the way this site presents itself to females. Not your fault, of course.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by sdfletch

rodknock,

I don't mean to cause you heart burn, Sir. You are unaware of the way this site presents itself to females. Not your fault, of course.

No heartburn at all. Yes, I am unaware of the way this site presents itself to women. Honestly, I really never thought about it. I better go watch that Mel Gibson movie again, titled "What Women Really Want."

I need to get in touch with my "other side."

Humor (or lack thereof) aside, I know you want the best for this site. However, in my opinion, for some reason in life today, people always want to complain or criticize, but never want to be a part of the solution or volunteer for anything. I know this first hand.

Though I don't know how you would solve or volunteer to make the issues that you feel need to be addressed here go away.

[patrickt]

BTW, for what it's worth, I would never call a woman a capon.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by sdfletch

rodknock,

I don't mean to cause you heart burn, Sir. You are unaware of the way this site presents itself to females. Not your fault, of course.

Ms Fletch,

I apologize if I have ever written anything to offend your sensibilities or gender. Nothing in your ID name or profile states that you are a woman or even own a Cobra. Which is fine-privacy is welcome here.

I will say that it's my experience that 95% or more of the participants here are not offensive to women or are sexist pigs.

Is it your view that the site presents itself to your gender in that way?

I agree with the other posters who've said that there are simply numerically less women owning or interested in Cobras-by a huge margin. I don't think we drive them away from this site with bad behavior.

Please comment on your perceptions.

[sdfletch]

rodknock,

"Yes, I am unaware....."

Let me help you. Try to read the misogynistic posts, trailers and avatars from a female perspective.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by sdfletch

rodknock,

"Yes, I am unaware....."

Let me help you. Try to read the misogynistic posts, trailers and avatars from a female perspective.

... and RodKnock, that does not mean "while looking at the ceiling."