There used to be a good number of clubs in Ohio but most are gone or doormat.
Many of us are still here with out cars as this is one of the highest concentrated areas for the car.
In this day and age it is tough to keep a club together long if not for a strong core doing all the work. Even then people just don’t have the time anymore to participate.
It is not just car clubs but many other much larger groups are struggling today.
Covid has made it even worse.
Many national clubs today are going private. This way some does Al, the work and they are rewarded for the effort. Also they are forced to put out a hood product if they are to survive. The major Shelby club has done this and are thriving.
There used to be a good number of clubs in Ohio but most are gone or doormat.
Many of us are still here with out cars as this is one of the highest concentrated areas for the car.
In this day and age it is tough to keep a club together long if not for a strong core doing all the work. Even then people just don’t have the time anymore to participate.
It is not just car clubs but many other much larger groups are struggling today.
Covid has made it even worse.
Many national clubs today are going private. This way some does Al, the work and they are rewarded for the effort. Also they are forced to put out a hood product if they are to survive. The major Shelby club has done this and are thriving.
It also cuts all the ego crap that hurts clubs.
I really wish that we could compile a list of existing clubs along with their current membership status to get a better idea of the number of Fieros per region.
MAFOA is a large and active Fiero club with members from PA, OH, DE, MD, VA , RI .NY, & NJ
Wes Shiring is the activities director for MAFOA in Western PA. He lives in Indiana, PA You can reach him at shiring1@yahoo.com
MAFOA typically gets quite a few Carlisle attendees from the Pittsburgh area so there must be a group out your way. There was a Facebook group for these guys a while ago but I don't recall the name. MAFOA president Jennifer Goss can probably give you that info. She is very helpful and a very nice person. She can be reached at JENNIFER.G@FIEROPRIDE.COM
And a recommendation; Join MAFOA, its inexpensive $15/yr and the monthly newsletter has tech tips and a listing of all activities. ------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 12-27-2021).]
The clubs were a good place to exchange information, learn from others, and check out their machines. Now you can do that all over the internet. I would have never attempted some of the things I did, or accomplished without the forum and its members at my side.
It would be nice to see the clubs come back, but I guess you'd have outline some benefits.
The clubs were a good place to exchange information, learn from others, and check out their machines. Now you can do that all over the internet. I would have never attempted some of the things I did, or accomplished without the forum and its members at my side.
It would be nice to see the clubs come back, but I guess you'd have outline some benefits.
Clubs like many social groups have been hurt by the web. They also have been hurt as free time for many is limited anymore. Most clubs or groups are struggling for membership as they just don’t have people joining and when they do only a couple end up doing most of the work.
In person clubs benefit much as you create personal friendships and in the cases of car clubs help with cars. I know when the Cleveland club was together we shared out secrets to restoration and detailing that generally once we left our area we would all come home with awards. We wanted everyone to be successful.
But like many things egos, hurt feelings and politics come in and bring the end to some good clubs. Also the lack of people to do the work of running the clubs becomes tough to find.
But many organizations like the Masons, scouts, Knights of Columbus, Eagles, etc are all struggling in many areas to survive.
We have lost the art of networking. In the years past it was who you knew. Today you just sign up to LinkedIn to network with many people you may never have met.
There is an informal Western PA Fiero group on Facebook that is composed of MAFOA members but we have many, many members in that area. Our big yearly event is in Carlisle every June (as you likely know) and we also are now trying to grow a presence at the Pittsburgh Grand Prix. Wes is also up for planning some other events in the region.
Would love to get you guys connected! We are a low drama, Fiero loving group who enjoys each other's company.
In 2003 we had 18 Fiero's at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, they used to piggy-back with the T-Bird Club, but the last few years there was maybe ONE. I personally know the 2 guys who run the American show and I'm very good friends with one of them, so if somebody wants to organize something let me know and I can have designated area brought up in a future PVGP meeting. (Side note: I was a sponsor for 3 years but have no interest any longer. We have a really nice regional AMC show and I was thinking about doing something similar for the Fiero, but its in the earliest stages of conception). Here are 2 photos from 2003...
There are many reasons for decline as several people pointed out above, but one of the most obvious is the age demographics. Most of the Fiero owners around here 20 years ago were in their 40's, so it's no wonder they don't have their Fiero any longer (lack of interest, difficult to get in & out in their 60's, etc). The first person who comes to mind is Mark, he was very active and very knowledgeable. It's no different than all my vintage car customers who don't use their 50s/60s/70s cars any longer. The biggest difference between the "other old cars" and the Fiero is, many of the other old cars often have many new buyers willing to take the seat, and unfortunately the Fiero is not in that category. Truth be told, the Fiero is the same as it was 20 years ago, a massively misunderstood unique car that is an exceptional value to those who know it and understand it. That might change in the future, but for now the song remains the same.
PS: The one contributing factor to decline in many car automobile groups that nobody realizes, mentions, or willingness to acknowledge is, the fact that Facebook didn't help over the past 10 years as it was "perceived" is a major contributor to the decline in clubs and forums, and I'm not going into all the details because its too deep and controversial. Bottom line, Facebook exposed a vulnerability in humans and that's why the co-founder left years ago, and its completely out of control now. Even though I'm tech savvy, I've never been on Facebook and I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole for 10 different reasons, and I know many people who closed their accounts and walked away in 2021 for 5 of those reasons.
[This message has been edited by Skybax (edited 12-30-2021).]
