I just signed up for the NIA convention in Dayton OH this summer . I was told that I was the second one to register . The first person to register was from South Africa . I figured more people would have signed up by now . I was also told that the 2019 convention is going to be held in St. Charles IL . 2020 will be held in Spearfish S.D.
You prompted me to get an update on the event. I reviewed the registration form and was a little surprised and disappointed to see what is required: $75 just to enter; $45 or $25 to be judged, AND you have to be a member of the NIA to be judged; lots of out-of-pocket money for food/banquet events. Don't get me wrong...I'm excited about the July get-together (including the 50th year for the '68's)! And I live in the Dayton area, so I won't have the additional burden of hotel fees; and have less travel with my ride.
I hope I don't sound 'cheap', but I've never come close to having this kind of "down payment" for a car show event. I am trying to find out some details from the Marriott people about the 'layout' for our cars...mostly to know what kind of security we will have overnight since this is a 6-day convention.
Thanks for 'hearing me out'. I'm only complaining a little. Any feedback will be accepted and learned from. Would like to hear from all who have been at previous NIA events.
I placed an order for 2 shirts , one NIA cap , Friday night banquet for 2 adults and my 9 year old grand daughter . It was over $200 and that doesn't include hotel . And yes NIA dues . Is anyone else going ? Thanks for your response Bill
Tentatively I am planning on coming. But, I may just come as a spectator. Not sure I want to drive my '67 that far away. I usually come at least for SHOW DAY THURSDAY. Probably not for the awards banquet. I probably won't attend another awards banquet. $45 for a meal. It is what it is. Hopefully there will be that record turn-out that everybody wants every year. Good luck!
I was hoping that the next non Spearfish NIA would be in Nashville or Oklahoma City / Dallas. We've had an NIA in Chicago before. Just saying.
God willing and the creeks don't rise I will be there for sure. *Just throwing this out, I know its a long shot but? I live approx 2 1/2 hrs away from Dayton ( Bucyrus,Oh)Im offering my house for a "stop over" for any one on their way to or from the NIA. If enough people want to stop by and look at my car collection (I have 18 cars) Ill provide lunch or dinner and a small tour. All but two of my cars are show ready but they are all GM I also have a pond full of fish and three (3)working toilets so even if you just want to stop and use my facilities your more than welcome. Ill post this invite again when we get closer and see what kind if responce and if enough Ill put together a time/date. God bless and have a great weekend,Ron *Up date: Im 90 miles south of Toledo,Oh and 65 miles north of Columbus. US 30 runs right through Bucyrus. There is a strip mall less than a mile and a half from my house for guys who will be pulling trailers. (very secure place) Ill be happy to provide transportation to and from if you wish to stop.
Hi Ron’ , Little off topic, but is US 30 in Bucyus OH concidered the “ Lincoln Highway ” in Ohio? Cause in Iowa (where I used to live) In a small town called Grand Mound, on US HWY 30 where we raised our kids, The “ Lincoln Highway “ at sometime in the past before my time on earth, it ran down the road behind my house south on the rail road tracks, almost an alley now, the “new” highway runs east and west north of town. I believe it was somewhat a main east west highway before I-80, and I-90 can into play, by far not a Route 66
well Boys and Girls , your History lesson for the day
Hoping to make it to Dayton in some capacity, allot of people from the east I would like to meet. But it probably won’t be in my car, last year @ 10-12 mpg going to Spearfish from Surprise ( Phoenix) won’t work going that far... maybe catch a ride or fly out. Which is probably the cheapest for me.
Hi Bill, Yes, US30 is considered Lincoln Highway. Good history lesson Bill. I belong to a car club here in Bucyrus and its called "Lincoln Highway Car Club of Ohio" We will be holding our 14th Annual show this June 9th at our local Chevy Dealer. Like the Dayton show lets hope and pray for good weather. As in the past All our proceeds go to Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Ron.H
Hey Ron,for those of us just a tad too far away to visit, is there any chance you can post some photo's of all of your 18 vehicles ... I've seen two of them, top quality stuff, I'd love to see the rest ... I'd understand if you would prefer to keep them private ... Cheers Glenn
Hi Glenn, If you google search- (ron hoeft big block 4 speed) you will see an article "Muscle Car Review" did on some of my cars while parked in my yard just about 4 yrs back. For some reason they did not publish all my cars but beggars cant be choosers. I was humbled by the four page article they did in a major magazine, I'm no Jay Leno, and for them to pick me and my cars just blew me away. There are several other articles on me also when you google my name, I have been blessed through out my life. If you wish when my son-in-law comes up in a few weeks Ill have him take some current updated pictures of the rest of my cars and have him post them on here for you?. Thanks for your interest Glenn and have a great week. Ron.H
Hey Ron, just finished having a look at all the Magazine articles and YouTube clips on your vehicle's ... You have some really neat stuff going on there ... I notice you joined the Ohio Police in 73, so I have attached a couple of photos that may interest you ... Australian Police drove these all through the 70's ... We called them "Paddy Wagon's" ... I brought one of these x-Police cars last year, mine is a 1976 model and in a sad state of repair ... It doesn't have the cage on the back but apart from that it's all original and worth saving though ... Cheers Glenn
Hi Glenn, Thanks for your comments. I'm glad to see there are people like you out there that are willing to save some of our History. OSP never had any paddy wagons but a lot of our local Police (in large Cities) had them. I'm happy to report I never had a ride in them Have a great week,Ron
Ron: Praises and blessings for your most generous offer of hospitality! Hope to be able to attend from central N.J. Narrowing car attendance to two of mine but have to convince the Admiral to buy into the trip! Anytime you need something from my area to check out or whatever, be more than happy to do it!
I'm impressed, but not surprised, by your 'offer' to host anyone who might need a "stop-over" on the way to Dayton! You have (18) cars...holy cow!!
Could you give me some feedback on my post above about my feelings on cost; and also what to expect at the convention from your earlier experiences? Am looking forward to meeting you. I'm assuming you will be bringing the '67.
Bill, Sorry for the slow responce but my daughter and son-in-law brought their new baby boy to our house yesterday for the first time since it was born middle of January. (first time grandpa) I know how you felt when you started putting together all the $$ figures, I must say I felt the same way. I don't want to throw water on this convention because I have waited a long time for it to come to Ohio. I know it cost a lot of money to put one of these together. Too bad they couldn't have gotten more sponsors to keep the cost down. I think it comes down to picking your priorities and going with them. I belong to Goodguys and have shown a lot with them. It cost like $35 to belong and then another $ 45 to enter you car. Things to think about is we wont have to pay anything for parking or guest that come to the show (other than meals). Im going to be there and like your daughter said "go for it" I agree, looking forward to seeing you there. Have a great day,Ron
Bill, Arden here. I have been an NIA member since 1993 and have been to about 10 plus conventions. The team that organizes and runs the conventions, led by Shiela Rempel, do a great job. They are top notch. They are fun, down to earth people and am sure will have exciting things to do. The judging is top notch as well ...led by Ron Mroz. I have not had my car judged, but I assume that others can testify to it...1000 pt system...and you get a print-out of your results. So, come and enjoy. The main car show day has been on THURS of convention week. And, they have a PLP (Parking lot party) virtually every evening.
The costs...keep going up. In the past it has been about $50 reg and $25 / $28 for the banquet...plus other add-ons for extra trips / meals.
I appreciate your prompt and very informative/helpful reply! One thought comes to mind though: I feel that I would not do very well on a 1000-point system because my ride is somewhat modified...certainly not 'original'. But it's a rare, documented Z24 '68 Sport Coupe, professionally restored with lots of GM options - and would be part of the 50-year celebration. With that thinking, should I go with the People's Choice division instead??
I talked with my daughter about the cost, and she said "go with it, Dad!"...letting me know that the opportunity will probably not come up again (I live in the Dayton area). And you mention that the costs keep going up anyway. So between the two of you, I've decided to spend what is needed to have a great time!
Again, thanks for your input. Do you think you can shed some light on the judging in my case?
Bill, the judging portion does allow for modify classes. Don't know how it all works, but you probably won't be alone if you have your car judged. Contact the NIA and see if Mr. Keefe will give you Ron Mroz's phone number. He could clarify things for you. You can always do the People's Choice judging.
If anything, at the convention you could talk to Don Bock about your cars...he has a '68 Sport coupe too.
It is great too see Impalas together and with the '68 50th....hopefully a huge turnout.
I also am a long-time member #327, but this last summer, year of the 67 (50 years) I could not miss, 1400ish miles one way, thank God for factory cruise and a/c ! and a trailer to draft from ......
First this post is not about the people that run the NIA, just too me anyways was the comradery or lack thereof, and could easily be changed, (NOW this is my opinion) Needless to say, the people that ran the program were excellent, went more than out of their way to accommodate you if you filled your paperwork out wrong, extremely nice and kind people, I honestly believe Don and Ann were overwhelmed with the hospitality and welcoming to the NIA, because it was evident! With that being said ….
The Judging part I did not get at all, my vision was completely different and thought it was very strange, cars to be Judged were Judged by a small group, you did not know (at least I didn’t) but maybe one, hidden in a building where nobody could see, or no interaction between owners and Judges after the cars had been Judged and then to get a score sheets 6 months later is un-excusable, now this is “my opinion”, I could see a couple of weeks.
Since I have been in many clubs, have never seen it done this way, and maybe should keep my opinions to myself as I usually do, but I am used to knowing (if in a scoring category) leaving the show with a score, and at awards in front of my pears let the chips fall where they may, (I personally did not have my car Judged), first because it is not worthy, and second, the signup sheet was not clear to me, so again, this is “my opinion.”
I had this all written when the mailman came with the new NIA Newsletter a sign? which somewhat lays out the categories, and limiting the cars to 25?
Let the members judge with an “expert” of that year of car then they can learn as well as taking that “Change Tool” back home with you and feel as if you apart of the week, and not just a spectator.
After 2 weeks later getting your score sheet, you can see why you scored how you did and have time to correct it if you choose. Not sure what qualifies one to be a Judge of every year of car, but one small groups opinion is different than a team or 3-5 guys assigned to 2-5 cars, and at least one being knowledgeable in that year, then before you turn your score cards in, talk to the others that that scored the cars with each other so they can learn, 6 months later kind of fell short to me, not kind of, it did, this is not an attack on the NIA, Just me looking in from the outside, I hope that is clear.
Improvements that could be made again “in my opinion” is assigned parking, so your car needed to be in that spot every day, just driving around the motel looking at scattered cars was un-orthodox-ed to me, I understand that the trailered cars, they want to keep their cars under wraps, but could bring them to the show field to their assigned spot when they could, we all want to talk cars, and when you are looking at cars here and there till show and shine the day before most are leaving, it defeats the purpose, why not have one every day when they want to talk shop, the show field was your assigned place for the 5-6 days you were there, then a security team could keep an eye on the cars that were left outside at night, there are always night owls.
Instead of one day after the “hidden Judged” cars were done, having a show and shine, not sure what qualifies one to be a Judge of every year of car, but one small group’s opinion is different than a team of 3-5 guys assigned to 3-5 cars, and at least one being knowledgeable in that year, then before you turn your score cards in, talk to the others that that scored the cars with each other to, set it up as if you don’t want to Judge, it will cost you $25.00, that forces people to interact use that “Change Tool”, and when you fill out your application, check the years you would be comfortable judging, you wouldn’t have to have your car Judged, but why not, I learned so much the first time I seen that format I was hooked, give each Judge a card, and keep tabs on who Judged what, and maybe stamp a card , so the committee knows when ALL cars come in for a safety check and cowl tag checked, get their assigned spot, they can show they were a past Judge, does not mean they are experts, it means they want to learn more, so what if you do not leave with a rating or ‘trophy”, you found out how other people fixed things or what problems they ran into and how to improve.
Instead of one day after the “hidden Judged” car were done, (not sure what qualifies one to be a Judge of every year of car), but one small groups opinion is different than a team or 3-5 guys assigned to 3-5 cars, and at least one being knowledgeable in that year, then before you turn your score cards in, talk to the others that that scored the cars with each other for a consensus before turning in the score sheet, take out the lowest and maybe the highest ?, but the most seasoned guy or maybe leader of the 3-5 guys could ask how the scores were so different and are we really looking at perfection or cars built for transportation?
I live close to a lot of retired people here in Arizona, when I do go to car shows, sometimes one guy will come up and ask where my car was built, because they worked for GM when these cars were built, a month ago in Sun City West’s car show I spoke with a guy that started in Janesville at the beginning of the 1967 model year, asked him as much as I could, (his wife was in tow) and I even got his number, since 67 was his first year, he said it was probably his most memorable, and how constantly things were changed or improvise on the line so they did not have to stop the line, and how cars were test beat before getting on the transports or trains, a lot of engines got replaced in that test, so proof is in the pudding that anything could have been added that was not on the build sheet or missed, they were just building transportation, 2 shifts of it.
Again, this is “my opinion”, it is not meant in any way to point anyone out, or to offend, Vern’s article is good “The Change Tool” we are all uncomfortable with, I feel allot of people feel the way I do, but do not want to rock the boat, unfortunately we are in a very expensive hobby, I believe the younger generation likes are cars, but way out of their price range, when a “date coded” voltage regulator can cost $400-$500 dollars.
My first car my Dad bought me when I was 15 in 1975, 64 Impala SS, he paid $50.00 for it, gave me a year to fix it up.
You almost cannot fill your car up for that, so why do we wonder why the younger kids are into tuners? We have out priced them. I better stop before foot gets any further in my mouth, just ask to read with an open mind.
Thanks for the additional info. I was able to get Ron Mroz's number yesterday morning - just as you said - and he will put me in a modified class. Didn't know Donny had a '68...wonder if he will bring it in July.
Bill
Re: NIA Convention 2018
Posted by donnyb on 2/21/2018, 9:48 pm, in reply to "Re: NIA Convention 2018 " VIP Member and Board Expert
I will be driving my 68 BB Custom Coupe there, yes. Plan to also bring a lot of really cool, unusual and rare 1968 literature, some of which is very unique. Most folks have probably have never seen or knew some of the stuff existed I'm guessing.
Thanks for the note. I would have responded sooner but had to replace my computer keyboard.
I look forward to meeting you, your '68, the rare stuff, and the many bench-racing stories you probably have. I also expect to find out more about my '68 from you...even thought I've owned mine for almost 50 years!
on 2/14/2018, 2:16 pm
