Jim and PTC members,
I DO feel an apology is in order...
You are right. I don't know the PTC, because I've never been made aware of your
activities until now. Perhaps my statement was out of line and if I offended
anyone that supports the Alpine, then I sincerely apologize. However, I'm not
going to apologize for what I'm doing. We intend to form a club which focuses on
the Alpine - one that reaches across America and has chapters within. Totally
devoted to the Alpine. We just want to see the Alpine succeed and stand on it's
own. One club that can work closely with the SAOC of England to educate and
promote the Alpine within the United States and Canada.
I'd like to quote something that Tiger Tom said to me a few days ago. This comes
from something he read in a magazine and I'm sure I won't have it verbatim. He
told me that the article he was reading about the Tiger closed with the
statement... "The Tiger will never be successful as a mark because the clubs are
too fragmented and fail to work together." In spite of the fact that Tom made
this statement to make me think more about what I am doing, I found this
statement to be very true and felt that it supported my efforts even more. In my
opinion the people that own Alpine are entirely different than the people that
own Tigers and we both want different things. The thought that Alpine owners of
today are the future Tiger owners of tomorrow is simply absurd. I've owned
Tigers, I like Tigers, but I simply don't enjoy them like I do the Alpine and
the
people that are involved with it. Many other people feel the same way too. We
have seperate majordomo lists don't we? Why can't we have seperate clubs? The
Tiger is going in an entirely seperate direction with it's TAC authentications
and so on... which is all good... for the Tiger... but, I don't see how this
affects the Alpine or the people that own them.
Let me sum this up by saying that I really feel that this is necessary to
restore
the pride in Alpine ownership, as well as education. We welcome everyone,
especially if you want to make a difference. It's time that the Alpine stands
on
it's own in this country. What good are a bunch of small clubs that don't
communicate out side their click going to accomplish? We need to open this up,
and make it welcome enviroment for new people that want to enjoy the Alpine like
we do. We need regional chapters to communicate out to one voice. Perhaps the
PTC
and it's large following of Rootes mobiles and Alpines would be interested in
supporting this effort by becoming a recognized chapter? We all could gain from
this and I'd be willing do do my part to make it happen. I extend this
invitation
to anyone interested. Please contact me off list to discuss ideas.
Sincerely,
Ian Spencer
TIGEROOTES@aol.com wrote:
> ian@sunbeamalpine.org writes:
>
> << You would clearly see that the existing clubs in the US have not filled
> the void that the Alpine owners are wanting filled. All of these clubs are
> Tiger based organizations that make the Alpine park in back and do nothing to
> promote education for the Alpine owners. >>
>
> Ian,
> I strongly object to what you have written and posted of the Alpine List,
> and I think Pacific Tiger Club and its members deserve a personal apology
> from you.
>
> Our Club of around one hundred members is NOT specifically a Tiger Club
> other than by name and we DO NOT shun Alpines or other Rootesmobiles, in fact
> we welcome one and all.
>
> Over the 25 years I have been with my Club, we have had almost every type
> of Postwar Rootes car represented, and we have always supported our members
> hobby cars to the fullest extent and encouraged their participation,
> enthusiastically.
>
> The oldest model was a John Gray's 1947 Hillman Minx convertible and the
> newest would currently be Kevin Rogers 1969 Alpine Coupe, although we had a
> 1970 model as a member for one year. We have had Karrier Motorhomes, Hillman
> and Sunbeam Imps, many Rapiers, Singer Gazelles, proper Talbots a proper
> Alpine, and several Huskys, Minx's, and a Hillman Estate (4 door wagon). We
> even has a 1968 Hillman Hunter. Count two Super Minxs as well.
>
> I can't begin to guess how many Alpines we have had pass thru our Club
> and receive technical advice, parts and expert mechanical repairs from PTC
> members. Most of these cars are still on the road today, because of the
> support from PTC. In many cases a person has joined Pacific Tiger with a
> Hillman or an Alpine and they have become addicted and purchased another
> Rootes car...often "stepping-up" to an Alpine or to a Tiger. Obviously you
> don't know our Club very well, but you have unfairly painted us in a negative
> tone with a very broad brush.
>
> Jim Leach Pacific Tiger Club Seattle
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