Should you responed to a jerk? Options

[akellym]

I'll start this by saying I don't have any problem with someone telling me that I've posted something in the wrong forum. That being said...

The other day I posted in the originality/preservation forum. I found a lot of info on concours stuff there. I made the mistake of posting some info about my car there, the winnings and concours I've been to. I thought it was relative to the forum as far as concours stuff. My topic title "Not original but a winner!"

Pat closed the thread. No big deal with me, until I read the last paragraph.

OK, I'm sure a lot of you expected me to open my mouth here. Time for me to be the bad guy. Don't really want to, because this IS a nice 914. It IS far from original (per the owner) and this IS an originality forum. And, will stay an originality form....so long as I am the Moderator.

I know I'm going to be VERY unpopular here, but I'm closing this thread.

Feel free to take it to the Garage Forum. Should have never been posted here.

This Forum is for originality/preservation. Just because you show with a slick looking, unoriginally equipped 914 & win (for whatever reason), doesn't mean you get space on his Forum. Hope I haven't hurt your feelings & all your self imposed accolades (ask me about mine!), but, as nice as your 914 is, it isn't original or preserved. Doesn't belong here.

Topic closed.

"self imposed accolades" kiss my ass!! Those "accolades" were given(not imposed, you ass) to me by my peers. I only posted them to show that you can win car shows and concours event with out being original or "preserved".

So Pat I'll just say I'm sorry for posting in your forum and I think your a (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bootyshake.gif) for your last paragraph. Hope I didn't hurt your feelings.

[Eric_Shea]

Before we're all too quick to judge, we may want to look at it from both sides. I think there's a lot of grey area here.

I read through the post, even posted a reply myself on Kelly's beautiful car. I read through Pat's reply. He obviously knew it wouldn't be popular and tempered it as much as possible. It is a forum about originality and history... Pat is the moderator.

That being said here comes my "personal" feelings on the subject but, make no mistake this is Pat’s forum to do with what he sees fit;

I’ve enjoyed that forum in the past because, while I am bastardizing a solid 74 that I found in less than perfect condition, in spirit I am attempting to do as many "original" factory GT modifications/upgrades as possible. I want to find answers on the original seam sealer finish... should my posts be banished because my car isn't the way it came off the boat? I'm attempting to scrounge up some tool kit parts for this car and I naturally think of this forum... should I go away? When I'm finished with my car and I'm proud of the effort put forth to make it as authentic as possible to a factory GT... should I dare post a picture in that forum to show all those who helped me along the way? If Kelly went to a PCA event and showed his car; would there be a class that welcomes him there and because of his tremendous attention to detail and his James-like “drive to the event” spirit? Might he even win? Kelly has obviously shown his car at other “Concours D’Elegance” events and, has done very well. I believe the post ends with his recent admission to a Geneva. And finally, yes Kelly admits:

My car is far from original.

, but his very next sentence states

I love to show my car as often as possible.

It just seems odd that PCA and Geneva would welcome him (with Dockers of course) and 914World gives him the boot.

S'OK with me. I guess I won't be posting there much though.

This is "to the point" of my concern. There are those who cherish their cars, polish every bolt and spend countless amounts of money and time building and preparing them. There are those that could care less and bolt on a big sway bar and race the piss out of them. There are those who simple turn the key and head for a beautiful mountain pass on Saturday and there are those who turn the key and get to work every day. If we draw a line in the sand and say "you're not allowed" how can we encourage others to be excited about showing their cars?

Pat has made it clear that this forum is about originality and history. To that end, I see his point. It's Pat's forum and that's the way it will stay unless Pat see's the need to get more contributors by allowing all those who show their cars with pride.