Evan,
I'm sorry if there are intolerant "purists" ruining your day. But an old saying comes to mind: "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that everyone isn't out to get you."
Um, that was a joke. I would tell you my favorite Texan joke, but I'll keep it to myself. For now ...
In my 26 years of doing this web site, I've seen a fair number of folks come through here thinking that going all out with high performance modifications is their only option. And concomitant with that is the number of folks who have ripped a nice old truck apart with the intention of achieving your goal only to give up and leave a once pristine, original vehicle a collection of butchered parts -- which is no good for anyone.
Sometimes, what may come across as intolerance is merely a way of trying to educate these folks as to their actual options that sometimes involves very little modification to achieve 85 to 90 percent of your goal. e.g., you don't need a v-8 with an automatic tranny and a narrowed hipo rear end to go fast. You don't need power steering for good, solid control. You don't need disc brakes for good stopping power. A/C is probably a good thing for the deep south and south west. Here in the Mid Atlantic coast, I find 65 mph with the windows down and the cowl vent open to be just fine.
It is a matter of choice and personal preference.
The goal of Stovebolt.com is agnosticism -- to each their own. All I ask is that it is an informed choice. If, understanding all of the above, someone still wants to go all out toward living your dream, then we, as a group, will do everything we can to help them, even if it may not be what we would want to do with our own project.
Gord and Fox make the most important bottom line point to all of this though -- our hobby is under attack. We need to support each other by ensuring we send people to Congress this November who will help put this Country back on a path to energy independence, economic prosperity and National Security. Or else we run the risk of having sunk a lot of time, money and energy into driveway ornaments.
In the meantime, just consider that just because someone may not share your view or opinion doesn't make them your enemy. We're all here to help each other achieve their goals -- whatever they may be.
I welcome more discussion on this subject as long as it is positive and supportive, not self destructive.
The pursuit of happiness is, as always and hopefully will continue to be, an individual journey.
Happy Independence Day!
John
