RUMCars Forum
General Category => Invalid Carriages & other related conveyances => Topic started by: Big Al on December 27, 2014, 09:28:26 AM
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Hmmm. Battery cars. Microcar? More Microcar than Battery IC? Apparently so, as it has space in the magazine. The double yellow line of topic has to be checked with the signs on the street furniture, always allowing for that miss-used disabled sticker of convenience, introduced post IC, of course. A debatable topic for the New Year?
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okay Bob thats over to you , you had difficulty understanding me a few days ago so where do you go with this ???????????? perhaps i might suggest retitling to very intrigued for a start ?
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Ai is hard to follow at the best of times. I was worried you may have caught the same virus.
I think he is having a little pop at the fact that there is a new section in RCN on Battery cars and for some strange reason thinks the IC page was ticked into touch. Of coarse he wasnt around when certain changes happen and rattles were thrown from prams etc.
Lets make this quite clear. It was never suggested by anyone including me that the IC register page be dropped from RCN. The complaint was that there was starting to build up a disproportionate amount of IC stuff in the mag which was non representative. Nobody envisioned there being no ICR page. The keeper of said register around that time had decided he was going to do his own magazine which he did for a while and we were surprised that the ICR page disappeared from RCN. To be honest I miss it like a hole in the head but I'm sure it would be welcomed back by Chris at any time.
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Ah ! You may be right but why oh why does Al expect us to know what he's thinking ? Said it before but out of the scores of forum watchers at any one time very few indeed would have had any idea about that one ! Well I have the usual quandary , whether to renew membership of RUM at all . Electric or modern Japanese / Chinese / continental cars hold no interest for me whatsoever - and there is more of it in every issue , I must say that a section on Invalid Cars would definitely make my quandary easier to solve ;)
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'Tiz a bit of fun. As to forum watchers, well some are pretty smart and the rest kind of get what they are given if they choose not to participate. Clearly the principle reason, which Bob has for an answer to my observation, too. If nothing is submitted, it cannot be edited out. Only Conveyancer has ceased to appear, so the state of play has returned to pre interest in IC, with nary a mention in published media. I accept that this has little to do with the current contributors to RUMcar news. Nor does it bother me hugely, just being a naughty boy. The roaring silence suggests that is not a topic attracting interest, or have the IC fanciers gone elsewhere.
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Dear All
I have offered Stuart a page in Rumcar News to discuss IC news and history, but as yet no reply.
Regarding the content of Rumcar News. It is as you say a function of what I am sent by the readers. I would love to include 50% or more, historic and technical British Microcar articles, but alas I do not have the articles coming in. I do try and research something new for each issue, time permitting, but others work is always preferential to my own. Also after 30 years at 4 issues a year there is the risk of repeating yourself. Every time I have had a brilliant idea for an article, Mike or Tony appear to have already written about it, when they were editors.
The other 50% of the magazine needs to reflect the international nature of the readership, and the wider microcar fraternity. Something for everybody to read.
In essence it is over to you guys to write about what interests you. If it interests you it is bound to interest us all.
Chris Thomas
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That could be a dangerous assumption, Chris ;D, but I know what you mean.
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I know some of the old guard on here are digging their heels in regarding RUM and RUM car news changing as the modern era dawns and not all change is good i agree but some change is necessary!
Yes i guess RUM was started all these years ago to furnish and whet the appetite of all the collectors of Peels, Trojans, Gordons etc. I know a few of the Old guard don't dare to mention an AC 70 in the same breath as a Peel, 'how dare anyone who would, right?
Times move on many people hate the French Fridges manufactured in the 70's and 80's, are they Micro cars, are they unusual? To some yes to others no.
Invalid Carriages do they belong on the forum or RUM news? To some of the old guard 100% no, some have even made the point on here that if this was to happen it could sway their decision weather to renew their 2015 subscription, all because of 1 page out of 20 dedicated to IC's, Sheesh!
I've made my point known about the AC 70's, i think they are great little cars, are they a micro car and unusual in my eyes YES!
Am i intersted in Bath chairs etc? NO! However as an engineer i know many of them were over engineers and some of the skills involved in the construction of some to help a certain disability move is brilliant and i for one would be more than happy to read about it, however i much prefer to read about an AC 70!
Would i stop subscribing to a magazine because i didn't like some of the articles, of course not!
I for one say it's time to move with the times, new Micro's are coming from China/Japan, so why not tell us about them. The French manufactured some crazy little cars, tell me more!
Invalid Carriages and their over engineering yes I want to know more.
Electric cars, some interesting new designs are on the go, why not keep us up to date
As long as the main portion of the magazine is about the Old Micros then it should keep us all happy!
If a particular article in an issue offends you or has no interest what so ever then turn the page, it's that easy!
Now as Chris has mentioned, he feels new subject matter has to be included to keep the magazine fresh but also he is running out of things to write about on the old cars, as it's been said before.
Now not so long ago on this forum there was a discussion ongoing on a particular subject, which i had no input into but found very interesting. The discussion mostly involved the old guard. Chris politely said that this would make a good article for the next RUM NEWS, to which one of the old guard said along the lines of 'Yes so go ahead and do the article Chris'.
I guess non of us should complain or critisise or complain what's in the magazine if we had the opportunity to write one article and refused it!
Sorry if i offend anyone on here calling you Old Guard, it's meant with the greatest respect, from a Young (ish) one 8)
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How dare you!! I'm deeply offended! I'm only 59! ;D
I agree mostly Milnes, so whats the problem? We have a wide variety of subjects and articles. The IC page disappeared of its own accord. Its been requested again with no response.
Have you written anything yet for RCN. Here is your chance to write about AC70's.
When I had the time I wrote loads of stuff, mainly after finishing restoration projects. I'm now heavily into projects again and what with running a small business have no time to write articles on demand from Chris right now. Later, when the projects are done, maybe I will contribute some more. Anyway, how many complain? One or two at the most compared with the majority who are chuffed with the mag, self included.
When Richard says a new IC page would help him make up his mind as to whether to re-subscribe, how do you know he meant it would make him decide against. To my knowledge, he is quite interested. He always tells me off when I moan about them.
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;D ;D ;D
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I think a section on modern Chinese electric IC's would go down well.
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Stop it Barry, I'm laughing uncontrollably! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Hi Richard sorry if i offended you, 59 is the new 49, oh wait i'm still younger than you 8).
I'm one of the guys that sit on the sidelines and don't get involved in much, heck i only attended my first National Micro car rally this year. I've never written an article for Rum and i'm not sure if i will. I fear that i'm not articulate enough, i struggle to speak English never mind Speile it!
My skills at car refurbishment is less than a novice, so i fear an article written by me would be thumbed through quicker than a centre page spread of an AC 70 with a naked Jeremy Clarkson draped on it.
If you want an article on the function of Intelligent well completions for the Oil & Gas Industry i'm your man, car restoration, give me the old guard any day!
If i offended Richard and he truly is an AC 70 believer, and under 45 years of age then i truly am sorry.
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Ok Milnes it was Bob that's 59 ! Not me ! I am MUCH younger ! I just look very old ;D
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True, he does look very old and also lies about his age! :D
"The old guard" I like it, sounds like something from the Napoleonic wars!
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One of the skills of an editor is to be able to expand, or adapt, what can be little more than some notes on the back of a fag packet. Tony M was particularly good at that, I can think of others, Dave H, for instance. This encouraged those who felt they had not the skills to create a pretty much oven ready item, to still contribute. Very often these items were the handy corner, or end of page, fillers. In many cases they were the items that focused new interest on a topic leading to more information surfacing. Much as Richard does on here by presenting a picture, sometimes with little backing info. Some of those threads spark interest and even at such a tangent you wonder how we got there. Nuggets of fact, creating interest and feed back. That is as much the lifeblood of a magazine as the in depth look at Venice's Microcars, for instance.
Now I have dropped out of many clubs, so I cannot judge. But one reason I opted out was that this free flow of information, comment and matters arising was not happening in club magazines, and in some clubs was not wanted. That goes totally against what I think makes a great magazine. Most mags carry a wonderful proviso along the lines that 'This publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the Club or Editor'. I wish more folk would use that leeway to stretch the limits. Its no idle statement. If I wanted propaganda, I would join a political party.
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More like the home guard with Steven as Captain Mainwaring, big al as portender of doom Frazer ( we're all doomed ! ) , myself as young what's him name ( don't tell him Pike ) , Bob OBVIOUSLY ;D as Jonesey and perhaps ...... ;D ;D
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;D ;D ;D
I want to be Godfrey!
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Why ? Are you wanting to be " excused " or cos your sister Dolley does a lovely pineapple upside down cake ?
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No "Stupid boy!" because he is just so lovable!
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'Make a good Bubblecar, do the Greeves. They make good scooters, too. They make a very fine small motorbikes, as well, do the Greeves.'
Thank you Mr Blewitt, otherwise known as Stuart I.C. Cyphus, Radar trained actor - well its an easy mistake to make.
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Now who's playing Captain Square & Mrs Fox? ;D
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and we forgot about Sgt Wilson.
I think Chris Thomas will be Captain Square and I guess as Mrs Fox is Joneseys bird my Mrs will have to be her else I'll be in trouble!
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What a lot of chat! However, will anyone of you send even the bare bones of an article. It's no good hiding under the "I can't write, spell, punctuate........." malarkey. Chris has always said give him the bare bones and he can pad it out, then send it back to you so you can see if that' s what you wanted to say before it goes to publication! Give it a try, give Chris a hand Remember he is not "old school" but a fairly new boy who trying very hard to give you what you want, and I for one think he is doing very well. Jean
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And here's Mr Gordon, the Town Clerk! ;D Who's going to be brave enough to ask Mrs Bob if she's prepared to give him Mondays and Thursdays, and this Tuesdays and Saturdays? ;)
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Loads of chat yes but that's not writing an article is it ? I have time - but nothing to make an article of . Since I was pressganged into writing my Gordon page , by yourself Jean , I have NOT ONCE been contacted by ANYONE either Gordon owner or not, to say they enjoyed the articles or even read them ! In fact no other Gordon owner has spoken to me about Gordon's even ! hmmm :(
spare a thought in the snow for this poor Gordon , quite possibly in its last Winter , Al says they were offerred £5000 ! I offerred £1500 ! but its still there rotting away :(
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Sorry, I forgot, I'm Godfrey arnt I. In that case Mrs Fox will have to be Jean as she is the only female forum user right now. Sorry Jean but you just got the part!
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I vote Jamie as Cpl Jones! In the great British tradition of the youngest actors playing the oldest part. (Just be thankful we're not recasting Hinge & Bracket Jamie! ;) )
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AS you can see we would rather play silly games on the forum.
RE your Gordon page Richard, this is what will happen when you are covering a marque that is very very rare. No one will contribute because nobody owns one. It would be like me writing a Tourette page. Interesting to start with but would inevitably fissle out after a while.
The marque needs to have at least a hand full of owners, shame we dont have a Scootacar page. Wonder if Steven Boyd could be persuaded ?
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but who is playing Walker ! ;D
Yes Bob , thats why I never wanted to start but seing as the other 4 owners are RUM readers you might expect some response mightn't you ;)
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but who is playing Walker ! ;D
)
Andy Carter? ;)
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;D ;D ;D
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The writing of an item is to impart information. That process does not necessarily mean you receive information by return. As to getting thanked, I had to laugh. Who is going to do that? The fact no one complained means it was a pretty good effort!
Anyway the call is out to the members to help Mr Cheesman (spelling). There was me thinking of the Reverend, silly boy!
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dont forget Hodges , i expect it ought to be me in reality :)
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ho ho ho !! Jean a great typo you made there !!! in your last line you said " I for once " rather than " I for one " theres a great deal of difference .
My apologies to Chris. These days I have to rely heavily on spell check as my fingers type the most ridiculous things and of course spell check didn't pick that up. Thank you Headmaster!
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I think writing about specific models of cars is rather difficult- only so much you can go over before having to repeat yourself over and over ad nauseum. I must say that when it comes to reference, it's the books that have been published I find invaluable.
Producing a magazine for clubs is a tall order anyway. Generally the editor is tasked not just with padding out articles, but providing articles in their entirety. After a time many burn out, and ditch the job to preserve their sanity.
the internet is another factor, however in the UK at least it doesn't seem to be very popular with micro car owners. Not sure if that's down to lack of understanding or just general indifference.
In my view it has always been a much better way of conveying information than printed publication, but you need to take some measures to ensure that content is accurate.
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Hmmm ? Internet and fact ? Bonds that had to be kickstarted and Heinkels where the steering wheel was on the door firstly and obviously spring to mind , but then it must have been incorrectly written in the first place :)
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Whether it be electrons or on papyrus, information can be bona fide or bogus.
How many times have you read an article on micro cars in the popular press or even dedicated classic car journels and spotted some absolute howlers?
So, the internet, the worlds largest rag, with few editors.
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What most clubs fail to recognise is the wealth of information contained in there old publications. So do members. Many a question would be answered if folk kept there mags on a shelf, possibly indexed. They are better than a book on the topic, as they contain the alternative ways of doing things.
One of the best publications is Russell Church's Karotips book for Messerschmitt owners. That was edited out of the Kabinews pre dating its publication, plus some modifications to bring them up to date. As a companion to the Grosse Karotip issued by FMR you can sort most problems. Few other clubs have done this obvious and simple task. The Berkeley club used to offer a myriad technical sheets, but not really a publication of the lot. A sort of halfway house.
Oddly it is considered OK to recycle and print old media articles in club magazines, but rarely do these same tittles publish the cream of members items submitted over the years. They need not even be technical. 'Toad goes to Scotland' was a tour de-force in Cruisernews. The Hitch Hikers guide to the Messerschmitt and Bernard's 175 page both stand well from Take Off.
Not far from here is a chubby buddy who has ceased to put out his words in the disposable form of items for newsletters, preferring to unite output in the form of books, for money. I cannot say I blame him, and ultimately I think I am likely to do the same. I have written a book already, its scattered in many club mags for free. Certainly I can think of few cases of being thanked for my efforts to supply club publications with items, even when practically creating the whole thing, or having a clumsy editor destroy well crafted prose.
This pathetic excuse of nothing to write about, not the skill, is a cop out in many cases. I have not noticed it stop spirited discussions on the forums. And the forums themselves are a rich source of fillers. Though the uncomfortable truth is that magazines tend to be about 3 months behind the internet for topical information, which does rather hamstring them over 20 years ago when it was your main source of news and information.
Item, stop press, 13 Ligier for sale. It kind of looses impact when half of them might be resold again by the time you get to here about it. I remember a classic 'Messerschmitt found in Port Talbot' item in one of the monthlys. I arrived at clubnight to a scrum of folk looking at the mag like it was Penthouse.
'So and so is going to look at that car'.
'Don't bother' said I 'Seen it, bought it, sold it.' In fact it passed through 4 hands before publication was made and ended up being restored by Nick Haddon who bought it from me and found it still had a valid saleable V5 to be claimed after the rush.
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Hi all
The various views and opinions on the subject of Rumcar News content has been very interesting.
When I first started writing technical articles for the construction industry (Roofing), I like Richard was disappointed that nobody wrote in to add to my article. I was promptly told by the editor that hearing nothing is good, in fact it is perfect. Letters to the editor are normally written to complain, and no editor wants letters of complaint. If people likes what they read they will remain silent on the basis if it is not broken do not try and change it.
Over the years I have been pleased with the occasional comment that many readers of my construction articles have collected them. Similarly with Rumcar nobody has ever written in and challenged any of the content. Silence is golden. However as Jean says I am not one of the old guard but a relative newby (I just look like one of the old guard) and do not have the depth of knowledge that you guys have to fall back on.
Some of the articles I have published in Rumcar News were almost unreadable when they came to me, and I had to do some major editing to make them readable (no names provided, my lips are sealed). However I did bite off a bit too much when I offered to edit the translation of the Biscuter book. Google translation from Spanish to English is literal and like throwing the words up in the air and seeing how they land. Also as we know some words have several meanings and Google does not always pick the right meaning, which can send you off at a complete tangent.
Everybody has a book in them. Just think of a magazine article as part of one chapter of that book. Often authors write the middle of the book and then finish by writing the start and the finish. The important thing is to jump in with both feet and have a go, you will soon find your voice and style. The important thing is to write just like you speak, but without all the expletives and errs and umms.
To write 500 or 1000 words is very satisfying and the self satisfaction can be very rewarding, just don't expect everybody to tell you so.
Happy new year to you all and I look forward to hearing from you
Chris Thomas
Rumcar News
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A while back I went through over 20 years of Isetta Gazette's, winkling out all the technical articles, and scanned them into a personal PDF. Much easier to reference.