I haven't seen one, maybe you've already done it (if so I'd like to see the link!)
But a back from the dead would be awesome. Either a restoration from junkyard or from junkyard to nice and clean. Maybe nobody else cares, but these should be showcased as more and more need to be done.

 

This month Ron U.S.M.C will be a nominee with an excellent car pretty much saved from the crusher from what ive read.

 

Couldn't tell it now!

 

More of a difference thread as opposed to end result.

 

Sort of like this?




Picked from an impound yard in Virginia with a blown V6. Destined for the scrapyard if I hadn't.




Stripped of the drive train (and other bits) and on it's way to the shop.




As it sat in the spring of 2012.




As it sits today. Two steps forward, one step back most of the time.

Here's hoping 2017 is better. A solid 40 footer though.

 

Sort of. More dramatic though.

 

I know what you're saying. While this car was disassembled, cleaned and painted (underneath and engine bay) and then reassembled with a better parts all around, it wasn't wrapped around a pole or salvaged from a big pile of rust. The top-side, which is what caught my attention, although being a 3/4 repaint (no roof, hood or rear deck paint) it still carries that paint job today. That's going on almost 10 years. That's also the reason it would never make it to COTM. It's hardly in a "highly finished state" as is the prerequisite for entry into the contest.
Still, it's a good example of starting with almost nothing and building it up. The engine and trans, both since replaced, were transplanted from the 86 IROC I had. The rest is all new.
It'll be interesting to see what your thread turns up.

 

while opening this thread, i was all, "dont say project of the month - dont say project of the month, dont say project of the month..."

Thanks, Vanilla Ice. that isn't a bad idea. i see no reason not to use that at some point. but as you said, it would be more of a cool idea for a thread/category, than a way to get a different outcome - as a fair percentage of COTM nominees and winners have been Rags to Riches stories.

thanks again for the input. good idea, and seems like it would be a fun month with some compelling stories.

 

I know there have been some, but I like to see ones that aren't in perfect shape or showy or low mileage. Seems too cookie cutter. And as you said the compelling stories are far cooler to me than "I found this nice car and kept it nice."

 

Therein lies the rub Vanilla. The COTM is supposed to be a showcase of the finest thirdgens these pages can produce. To show the scars and warts of the typical everyday example would , in a way, "tarnish the brand" and that has been discussed ad nauseum.
It seems our best opportunity to get a look at the more typical thirdgen is to look through the pages of members rides as there's no forum for (dare I say) projects.

 

Meh, boring.

 

I can relate. Personally I like to see the build process and don't really much care if the result is super shiny. I'm looking for results. And ideas.
As for the current COTM format, it seems to be doing well enough and it certainly does produce some excellent specimens.
I'm waiting for the calendar....

 

Anybody can create a thread around here, don't be so helpless. Just don't expect it to go on the front page.

 

I think that the point Vanilla is making is that, in fact, some of the most elite examples of high end builds and restorations were once destined for the crusher.

 

Or barn finds like mine!

 

I think this is an opportunity for a new thread. "Rags to Riches" or something like that.
At the very least, it may produce some specimens to be considered for COTM.

 

Here is your thread....

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...ml#post6111476

Now, where did I put that EASY button I had laying around here?

 

There's no formatting, it's destined to go nowhere.

If it's to be anything, the idea needs is its own subforum. Not a thread.
A collection of project threads is about the only way if nobody cares to have a single month dedicated to the idea in COTM.

 

I'll say this. .....a forum with nothing but rags to riches/projects would be cool. Of course as 95% of our cars ARE projects, going from "x" condition to "Y" condition as we improve them, there would have to be criteria. ...and where do you draw the line? Sure, a car destined for the crusher and restored to a national show winner is obvious. Hundreds of pics, mods, comments, videos, etc. etc. But what if you only took your crush worthy car to a running weekend racer, but she ain't too pretty? ....or what it your show winner was actually pretty good to begin with? ...or what if your project DID go from a "1" to a "10", but you only have 5 or 6 pics with little info?

Ultimately the threads you request ARE out there.....and if they're not, well then they're not going to make it into COTM anyway, because no one knows about them in the first place. I think the desire to read these threads is a lot different than the practicality of consolidating them into a forum, or COTM sub-category. I think builds like what we're discussing are AWESOME. ....but when you go to a car-show, that's not what wins. ...and COTM is essentially a car show.

Deja-vu......didn't we all just have this convo last month???

 

The subforum wouldn't need formatting. A thread does otherwise it's a mess.
A Chronicles forum would be a place where you introduce your car as it was os is at purchase and update it with ...updates. That's all that would need to be.

My Restomod thread is a poor example but it's where I'm chronicling my own. There are far better build threads that would belong there.

The COTM could showcase the best of such a forum. Which is what I'd like to see.

 

Look...
Having a "Rags to Biches" COTM criteria one of these months isn't a problem in and of itself.
However...a "Chronicles" sub forum? That seems kinda like what the "Members' Camaros" and "Members' Firebirds" sub forums are for. Just my opinion.

 

Look, I'm only replying to people. I'm not pushing anything and if anything have lost interest in the whole thing.

 

I agree...however those forums have become nothing much more than brand specific A&D forums. -meaning there's so much junk posted. I think we need to fine tune those forums or get rid of them. ...getting into a broader topic, I know.

 

Here's what I'd do:
Pull them out of appearance section, Combine them, give it it's own actual forum category, force a tag on each post for either Camaro or Firebird (Like the for sale section with states) and say it's the forum where you talk about and post pictures of your car/project.

 

I've floated a similar idea in the Moderator forum. We'll see if it gains traction.

 

You big grump.

 

I vote fore a performance/track car theme

 

That has my vote. And even if it has been done before ( and I think it may have), I think it would still hold up for a second go around.

 

Agreed lol but I can't remember when that was done though. I think it would be awesome to do a track car, high performance driving car.. pro touring, grand touring would be very cool

 

^ it HAS been done. Unfortunately, each time it's been done, it has generated very limited nominations (two or three) and (seemingly) limited interest by those who were nominated.

 

Performance cars can be nominated any time you want. Within the last few months I have nominated a pro tour car and an 8 second drag car.

Why are some people so interested in constraining the category to limit entrants? Is it because they don't see a path to victory otherwise?

 

Some here, despite having interesting, well executed examples of the third gen platform simply don't care about COTM. Their interest isn't in recognition or publicity but rather the hobby itself. Driving and wrenching is what motivates them.

 

Yes, that is true. I saw Linson's call for participation and that is what drew me in. Until then I never paid any attention to COTM or even the Appearance forum for that matter.

 

Agreed. Someone may correct me but I belive COTM is open to any type of vehicle whether it is completely original or has been highly modified. The one caveat is that the vehicle is high quality and in a completed state. To Quote Skinny: "to showcase the finest thirdgens". If someone has brought a car back "from the dead" and it is an awesome car, then it goes into COTM with a summary of the work done. If someone wants to showcase their vehicle while it is being built with pics, suggestions and ideas for others to share and learn from, then create a thread.

I see COTM as the finish line....if someone has done an extensive restoration or modification, feel that is the best their car will ever be; and they throw their hands up and yell "finished!!!", that's when their car goes into COTM.

 

There needs to be separation for COTM between stock cars (as a less than X modifications) and modified. We have too many members with real cars, that have real build threads that get tens of thousands of views that really attract attention lose to stock, maintained cars.

 

Apparently you're not happy with who wins. Sometimes I look at the voting and think to myself, "What the heck?!" But hey, such is the nature of finding out what appeals to other people.

Personally, I think being nominated and doing the write ups is the fun part of the process. Getting the most votes isn't as big a deal as you might think. I don't even remember who won 2 months ago, but I do remember the pictures and write ups.

 

* It IS an imperfect system.

* Sometimes it plays out like more of a popularity contest than a "best/baddest car" contest. I personally do not always agree with the outcome.

* However, statistically, the voters nominate and elect a good balance of stock and modified cars which is beneficial to COTM. Even turbo charged LSX's with 315s out back gets old after a while. I've had to make the same point to someone complaining that "everyone votes for the 'flashy modified cars'. If you look at the COTM Winner's list, you'll see that it is quite well balanced. https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...ners-list.html. If anything, the most under-represented group would be "mildly modified cars" - those that are on the spectrum BETWEEN highly engineered LSX conversion and bone stock time capsule.

*Like you, I too like the modified cars that keep our beloved Third Gen platform on the leading edge of performance along with the modern, 500 factory horsepower, two ton '60s design ripoffs. "Hotrodding" now as in the past, in my opinion, is what keeps these cars and this hobby moving forward. That being said, take a look at this month's bone stock COTM winner: NO MODIFICATIONS NEEDED. That's a great car.

* I'm not here to "defend the COTM program". I am, if nothing else, a straight shooter - and I tend to agree with you that the "Bone Stock Cars" might be slightly over-represented at times, due to the popularity of certain members with the COTM faithful. Don't like it? We're here every month. Tell your friends to come and check us out - and cast a vote.

 

 

Kill me for saying this and someone getting offended which i feel someone highly will. But you all sound like a bunch of crying liberals with this complaining about who wins COTM. Get over it, not as many people like your 3rd gen as they like the other. And i see quite a mix of stock 3rd gens and modified 3rd gens on here. Also, if you really wanna be noticed that bad on the forum then be more active. Sorry if I offended anyone

 

rather well put.

 

a little off-topic, but while we're on the subject of COTM...

quality is important. quality of photos is important because COTM isn't just for us - it's also, at least in theory, TGO's public face to the world. if WE don't insist that our [under appreciated] Third Gen Platform deserves to be respected and admired, then it's gonna be hard to convince the rest of the automotive enthusiast world...

I guess what I'm saying is if you want to do a photo shoot that is COTM-worthy, try taking the car someplace beyond your driveway to take some pics. it makes for a much better presentation of Third Gens.

 

agreed, if you want people to put in the effort to vote, then put the effort in to make your car look as good as it can, plus it can be fun finding unique places to take pics.