I initially joined in 2014 when a member of another forum I frequent was essentially drumming up for additional members. I believe at the time, I signed up for a two year membership with getting Smoke Signals in the mail.
To me, things went a bit sour when the 2018 renewal went from $40 annual to $74 annual; I guess I would be ok (to a point) feeling extorted at getting a subscription rate based on the mailing cost of Australian members, but continually getting my issue of Smoke Signals a month or more late*, had me contemplating just crap canning my membership all together. * = Normally print media is received the month before the cover date, but with Smoke Signals, often I would get the magazine at the end of the month, or the next month - and it was always MUCH later than American subscribers.
This delay was particularly noticeable when I would receive a phone call from a state-side member who read one of my ad's in their issue of the magazine, meanwhile my magazine was weeks away from arriving.
After 2020 I renewed for a "digital" subscription.
Unfortunately even the digital subscription seems to have issues - because I have problems downloading the digital issues of Smoke Signals; It seems that the pages do not play nice with Safari (I am an iphone user), or this Samsung(?) tablet we have here.
I can though, reliably download the magazine when I am on an actual computer.
I miss physically thumbing through a magazine - even if the magazine seemed to have a LOT less good reading than I would generally hope from a magazine of that size; Then there's that loft price tag, just for the luxury of being able to thumb through the magazine.
I am sure glad that I was a paid member getting the printed magazine when a beautiful low mile 1970 Firebird Formula 400 came out of hiding, and went to the Pontiac Museum... what a cool car!
So, back to my original question;
How many of you are, or were, POCI members?
-- Edited by unruhjonny on Tuesday 31st of January 2023 01:42:49 PM
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
I stopped sending them money when I discovered what Todd had created. I was always unhappy with the lack of Canadian content. I used to subscribe to Hot Rod and Motor Trend but they just got too expensive as well.
Currently, my only subscription is to "Flying". I even considered giving that up, but I'm so glad I didn't. They've improved the magazine so much it's like a 3/8" thick paperback book. Extra high quality substantial paper stock with even better photo quality. And they already had the best to start with. Each copy lives with my hard back books on a proper bookshelf.
I used to have Pontiac Enthusiast, but let that one lapse when they seemed to be focused on print stock, and the quality of the printing there on was terrible... not to mention the overlap with stories carried in HPP.
I had High Performance Pontiac for a loooong time - then when that magazine was cancelled to be replaced with Hot Rod magazine(!?!!) - which happened right around the time I renewed, I quickly cancelled and got a refund.
I really like Hemmings Muscle Machines, but for some reason, when my subscription was coming up, I never got a reminder; Then when I realized it lapsed, I emailed to ask about resubscribing and going about receiving the missed issues - I never recieved a reply!?!
Canadian content is nice as it serves to diversify a publication, but for me it's not a prerequisite.
I have been thinking about subscribing to 'Musclecars - Bone stock & modified'... that's a Canadian publication - and they seemed to have really upped their game since the title change.
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
I had thought that they started giving out pins at ten years, but when I looked today, I found that it was for 20 years and up.
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
I have been renewing digital because of the rising cost. Just received my 45 year pin and my brother his 50 year pin. Was the show to go to until we went to the Ames Tri Power Nats in Norwalk. Now that's our Pontiac destination. Smoke Signals writing changes with the editer. Liked Don Keefe's style. He has his own magazine Poncho Perfection. Get to see him every summer at Norwalk.
I have driven to the Trans Am Nationals with my former '73 Formula (before it moved into the city; when it was held at the airport), and the Pontiac Nationals in my '91 Grand Am; My opinion, is that if you're going to go to a Pontiac show - the Nationals is the one to go to.
I am terrible with names, but now that you mention it in context, it was Don Keefe who was posting, and caused me to join; I understand that there was some sort of argument (or something like that) which caused Don to go off and create his own publication; I briefly flirted with getting 'Poncho Perfection' (which is what I believe it was called), but it was just too much money (I think i have the first or second issue).
Here is a picture of me at a Firebird restoration shop just before attending the 2006 TA nats;
Here is some of the very little online proof I have of having been there (besides stuff like a lanyard, and a pin):
I was VERY unimpressed with the entry people (judges?) lumping me in with the "modified" cars almost exclusively because I had a NOM.
I had the car set up to look bone stock - it may have been a bit rough around the edges, but it was freshly painted and used all period correct components - right down to the air cleaner wingnut.
Not surprisingly, I was COMPLETELY ignored, because here was a bone stock car sitting in a sea of beautiful modified cars.
I was not there for points judging, and in all the TA-nats seemed to be a bit of a clown-show.
To add more insult to injury, it was suggested prior to my departure that I would have been acknowledged for having made the one-way drive of over 3,000km (or nearly 2,000miles)... instead a guy who flew in was mentioned. :/
What made it even funnier was that there was an annual Knight Rider club show going on in the same vicinity, and there was NO mingling between the two shows... I mean they are all 3rd Gen Firebirds for pete's sake!?
The Tipp City cruise was definitely the highlight for me.
I have no practical plans to re-attend.
The Pontiac Nationals was another story all together;
When I attended the Pontiac Nationals, I decided to take my spirited daily driver, and race it in the FWD class - I was murdering the e/t's of some of the supercharged (and even turbo'd) Grand Prix's (and the likes) but my consistency was pure and utter garbage. I was absolutely incinerating my drag radials.
The highlight (besides having a hoot racing at a real event) was some guys from Edmonton that I met there - and having my dad along with me.
-- Edited by unruhjonny on Tuesday 31st of January 2023 04:51:03 PM
1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
Like the clean lines of the Formula. Stunning car. Same colour combo of my 73 Grand Am that I bought in 78. Great to participate at a great event like Ames Nats. Brought the TA the first time but found out we did'nt have any room to bring parts home. Since then brought the truck and usually leave for home full then stop at the Summit store to top it off. Thats quite a road trip from Alberta making memories with dad.
I used to have Pontiac Enthusiast, but let that one lapse when they seemed to be focused on print stock, and the quality of the printing there on was terrible... not to mention the overlap with stories carried in HPP.
I had High Performance Pontiac for a loooong time - then when that magazine was cancelled to be replaced with Hot Rod magazine(!?!!) - which happened right around the time I renewed, I quickly cancelled and got a refund.
I really like Hemmings Muscle Machines, but for some reason, when my subscription was coming up, I never got a reminder; Then when I realized it lapsed, I emailed to ask about resubscribing and going about receiving the missed issues - I never recieved a reply!?!
Canadian content is nice as it serves to diversify a publication, but for me it's not a prerequisite.
I have been thinking about subscribing to 'Musclecars - Bone stock & modified'... that's a Canadian publication - and they seemed to have really upped their game since the title change.
Best magazine on the newstand.....There are only 2 or 3 anyways. Get the Musclecars - Bone stock. GREAT Canadian content...
I joined POCI in 1983 and was a member for close to 20 years. 5 conventions over the years, tons of fun and 99.9% of the people were super welcoming to me and both my 4 speed 66 Grande Parisienne as well as my 65 Canso SD, (even though it had a 427/TH350 when I showed it there).
My very first convention my buddy and I met 2 guys from the mid-west and we hung around with them pretty much the entire 4 days. One of those 2 guys and I became very close friends and remained that way until his sad death due to leukemia when he was only 50. Both of us married in the time we were friends and my wife and I still keep in touch with his widow. A wonderful friendship all because of a car convention 1200 miles away and a "chance" meeting.
As far as not keeping up my membership, it just really didn't make sense to keep it once my 64 GTO clone convertible was no longer in my possession.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I've been a member for 37 years since I got my first US Pontiac, a 63 Grand Prix, which I acquired in 1985. I've always liked the magazine, even when it was less sophisticated than it is now. My 69 Parisienne 427 coupe is currently the only Pontiac I have that could make the trip to a convention but I've never been to one because for me they are always held in locations that are further away than I want to drive. But I plan to remain a member at least until I get my 40th pin.
it might be breaking rules, but I may be able to email you a pdf issue - maybe they have an example on their (terrible) web page?
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
/\ I totally get it... now that I am married with young kids. ;)
I was single for a very long time; My youngest brother had his twentieth anniversary last year - and he's six years younger than me.
When you're single, you don't have to balance your time as much - and almost never have to consider if wanting to do something might interfere with other plans.
Honestly, I'd wager that the (local branch of) Iron Indians might be up your alley, and as with any other club, people realize that everyone has a life; When I was active in other local clubs, I may have been single, but most of the other members were not - and it wasn't unusual for them to miss many meetings in a row ect.
I would (re)join a local club, except I have nothing cool to participate with.
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
I cancelled last fall. Not worth the $ although the Smoke Signals was a well done magazine but no Canadian content!! I got a call from Grand rapids Michigan membership person trying to talk me into staying, but I explained the $ difference, which he didn't realize, no Canadian content or a Canadian Chapter [ likely due to cost having to pay dues to both] their membership contest failed here, again due to cost. I attended 1 Convention in S Carolina in 05 and found the [points guys] the most self centred ignorant bastards I ever met!!! So that's my rant on POCI
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
yeah, I dont think that the people who voted in the price hike quite realize how utterly unfair it is for Canadian members.
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
YUUP!! also you have to have "really good internet " to download [which isn't available here] mines out more than it's on!! + I prefer having "bathroom reading material"!!!
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
I cancelled last fall. Not worth the $ although the Smoke Signals was a well done magazine but no Canadian content!! I got a call from Grand rapids Michigan membership person trying to talk me into staying, but I explained the $ difference, which he didn't realize, no Canadian content or a Canadian Chapter [ likely due to cost having to pay dues to both] their membership contest failed here, again due to cost. I attended 1 Convention in S Carolina in 05 and found the [points guys] the most self centred ignorant bastards I ever met!!! So that's my rant on POCI
All good points. To me the cost is the key issue. I'll stay with it for a while and reassess it in a year or two.
