> Date sent: Thu, 13 Mar 1997 22:47:37 -0800 (PST)
> To: Rick Fedorchak <richard.fedorchak@gsfc.nasa.gov>
> From: Tom Hall <modtiger@engravers.com>
> Subject: Re: INTEGRITY
> Copies to: tigers@autox.team.net
> Send reply to: Tom Hall <modtiger@engravers.com>
> At 12:11 PM 3/13/97 -0500, you wrote:
> ...
> >I say, baloney.
>
> The members of the STOA TAC committee are all volunteer members. The club
> sensed a vacuum in this area of concern a few years ago and decided to fill
> it. If you feel our efforts are meaningless that is your right. We have
> attempted to build consensus in this marque for years with no meaningful
> progress. In the late 70's several Clubs tried to form an umbrella
> organization known as STAC. I haven't even heard any one mention this name
> in years.
>
> Preservation of the value of our cars is one of the primary functions of the
> program. "Genuine" always seems to bring more inherent value and price than
> "reproduction" or "counterfeit". We feel it is important for concerned
> owners to be able to buy and sell Tigers with some degree of confidence that
> they are getting what they pay for. This is the service we are attemping to
> offer.
>
> I beg to differ that there is no standard. We have spent considerable time
> examining and documenting the differences. If we told the world the details
> of what we know, it wouldn't be long before the physical evidence of the
> differences was no longer observable, and the program would be pointless. I
> presume this is the result you seek. STOA formulated the authentication
> procedures specifically to avoid the potential for corruption, and frankly I
> tire of attempting to convince you of anything. If you feel it is necessary
> to impune my integrity, the integrity of my fellow STOA members and my 25+
> years of trying to help other Tiger owners, I'm not going to bother with a
> responce.
>
> The service is free to members of STOA. If you choose to join, it cost you
> only the price of membership. If you choose not to join, the fee is $30, of
> which the entire amount goes to the club treasury.
>
> Switching the VIN Identification plates between automobile bodies is not
> legal. Don't take my word for it, check with your local authority.
>
> The TAC program is self serving for STOA. It was designed to enhance our
> position as a Marque club, and hopefully increase our membership. We like
> to think of it as a benefit, something we can offer our members in return
> for their dues. If you don't like our program or our club, feel free to
> start you own. We'll see if your still around in another 25 years.
>
> Tom Hall
>
>
>
>
>
> ===================================================
Tom,
I for one appreciate your efforts and that of your colleagues on the
TAC committee. I realize it takes a lot of time and effort, not to
mention out-of-pocket expenses, to support the authentication program
and that the motivation is not exclusivity but rather preservation of
the marque. As a relative newcomer to Tiger ownership, I am grateful
for veterans like yourself for these preservation activities and the
openess you all exhibit is sharing experience and advice.
The only thing I'm concerned about is the proprietary attitude STOA
takes with TAC. I can understand that TAC was probably developed and
justified as a "member service" for STOA and viewed as one of many
member recruitment tools but the fact remains that STOA is not a
national club nor will it be anytime soon. It will never replace the
regional clubs that are already well established and better
positioned to serve its memberships' needs. So why shouldn't the TAC
program be adopted or developed by the other clubs?
Best regards,
Randy Zimmermann
St. Paul, MN
66 Tiger MkI (B382002349)
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