ClassicCar

If you own a Hudson, Essex or Terraplane, the HET club is best $30 you will spend. The WTN is one of the better magazines in the car club world, plus you get the roster of all the other HETers, who you can call, email, etc., and get help, parts, guidance with you car. I have been a member since I purchased my '36T in 1992 and I really enjoy the club.



The National in '10 is in Spokane, WA. I am not sure about the next two.

2010 in in Spokane, WA.



I 2nd Richard's "best $30 you will spend." The roster itself is worth the price of admission.



But there are those who want to have the advantage without paying the price. Oh well.



I've been a club member for 40 years - and haven't regretted my membership at any time along the way. I wouldn't trade away any of the friendships I've made, people I've gotten to know. And when one passes from this life it hurts a little, just like loosing a family member.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

Guess my principles aren't quite as deeply rooted as yours- I don't expect any benefit from "the club", don't get any "satisfaction from my membership", and just consider my dues to be a reasonable amount to pay for a good magazine, and inclusion in the Roster.

I like Mike liked to be included in the roster plus I know when I finally go to war with those Chevy loving bastards across the alley from my house my HET brothers and sisters will take up arms with me or at least pass the ammo as I fire the spud launcher.......



Also like the WTN.....read it when I am not declaring war against brand x owners in the neighbourhood.

Brownie, this forum is not the exclusive domain of the HET. There is a "members only" area, and I don't worry about not being a part of that. Otherwise, this is a completely open and moderated forum that is open to like-minded Hudsonites, whether a HET member or not.



Real briefly, let me touch on why I'm not a HET member anymore. I've been to two Nats - Wichita and Reno. Wichita was a blast! Had a great time, and met a lot of the people that are here, there. Reno was another story. There were a few people from my old local Chapter there, but I have relatives out in Reno and did not spend a lot of time with the Chapter people. I was more interested in getting parts and stuff for my '37, and since I am very familiar with Reno/Tahoe/Carson, we did stuff away from the hotel. But, I had some questions that I approached a couple of the National officers at the time with, and some suggestions as to do a thing or do a little easier. I was very enthused and had a plan of action in hand...what good is a question or complaint without a possible solution in hand, right? Needless to say, the establishment took my ideas as a personal affront as to how they ran the Club, either because they did not come up with the ideas themselves, or they were talking to a relatively new (and therefore invisible) member. Either way, I was rebuffed and I was pretty pissed about that. So, with that, I figured my input into the "friendly National organization" was for naught, and I let my membership expire. Pretty simple, really.



The local issue...well, let's just say he stabbed me in the back (figuratively) and I'll let that stand. Some things and people I can forgive, but not this jackass. As long as he is a member of the local Chapter, I will not be. Fortunately, he is a crusty old bastard, so one day, I will rejoin. Once he has gone.



So, you say I want the benefits of membership w/o paying for a membership? This is a forum. We all have Hudsons. We talk about Hudsons. We drive our Hudsons. So, do I have to be a part of HET to be able to do this? No. Can I bring my car to the Oklahoma City meet in '11 as a non-HET member? Of course I can. It is the same as the Late Great Chevys having their national event and allowing non-LGC members in, or any other club that holds a National or Regional meet.





I've started Clubs in the past, been a member or officer in others, and the deal with clubs, to me, is that they are a gathering of like-minded folks,not wrapped around cliques, procedures, or rules. Get together, have fun, cruise somewhere or go to a show, whatever. Like most things in life, they end up being venues for political posturing and general useless BS. Life is too short for that crap. Gave up that club membership crap across the board in '06 and do not regret it. And yes, BTW, if I'm going to pay annual dues to a car club of any kind, I DO expect things for my annual dues. I expect to have a voice!

High dollar National meets??!! $89.00 a night for folks that have tens of thousands invested in sheet metal playthings is pocket change. Personally, I think that the organizers have done a great job getting the $89 rate, I think the normal rate is $139.

russmaas wrote:

Sounds like 2-3 people tick you off instead of 3600. Maybe you will was not strong enough to over come this. I suppose their is nothing wrong with retreating.

Believe me, I am very thick-skinned. Most shiite doesn't bother me too much. I'm retired military, and have put up with WAY more BS and blame-gaming over way more serious shiite than you know. I was not impressed in the least by what the "leadership" had to say. Why support something that has no interest in taking views from DUES-PAYING members??? I view it not as a retreat, but thanks for your non-input though, Russ. Some things are not worth the time or trouble.



Noticed that no one has really invalidated my points...hmmm.



BTW, Park, Alex, and Richard - thanks for the answers to my initial question. See ya in '11, if you are coming to OKC.

Aaron D. IL wrote:

I think we can get $70 a night and I think we need $70 a night precisely because we have spent tens of thousands in sheet metal..... playthings....no....playthings are cheaper. This is ancient transportation. Most of us were into old cars BECAUSE we didn't have any money. Now it has become a luxury to mess with old cars right under our noses....someone changed the rules of what is a luxury and didn't notify the rest of us.





at $89 X 6 days = $534 + tax (and maybe hidden fees). $181 in tours I chose to go on. $715. I'm sure I make it to $1000.00+ in gas food and incidentals easily. + any parts I'm lucky enough to get. I'm not complaining I chose to do this, and many would readily point out that it is cheap by vacation standards. But when you're starting out at 30 and that's more than half your savings like me. Two things won't happen, you won't see a lot of younger guys at nationals, and you won't see the ones who do show up, at every national. I'm not sayin, I'm just sayin.

I remember going to the 2001 National in Seattle - Because plans were up in the air Cloyd (I went with Cloyd Steiner) and I made last minute reservations, on-line, at the host hotel for about $15 a night UNDER the club rate of $99 a night!!! Never did figure out that one!!



I had a conversation with one of the organizers, who was quite upset that there were a number of us that booked that way. He spent a good 10 minutes explaining to me what went into figuring room rates - and I have tried, in the past (but not with Sam) to have an article in the WTN explaining how room rates are figured. One of the factors governing room rates, as I recall, is how much per square foot the hotel will charge for meeting rooms, club store room, banquet hall, etc. This governs what has to be charged per room. Yes, both of these are negotiated, along with other things, I think - like probably parking and flea market space.



Now, after 8 years, if I've got this wrong, somebody correct me. I'm at that point in my life where there are times I forget where my front door is.



In regards to 66patrick66's statements - the obvious solution, if you have an agenda, is to run for director. I think it would be an interesting position to have for a while - I just couldn't afford it. I have enough trouble coming up with enough money to get to a National; and then there's the getting there. It ain't easy for me to travel now, much less 2 or 3 years down the road.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

Brownie, I don't know where you got the idea that I said or implied your knowledge was limited or tainted! All I said was that this forum is not the exclusive purview of the HET Club...it's for ALL Hudson enthusiasts. My comments about the HET part of this forum is simply that as a non-HET member, my feelings are not hurt in any way about not being able to access that part of this forum. It's for Members Only, and I have zero issues with that. One of those Club bennies that another person here implied I should not be concerned about having...



And Alex, who knows? Maybe me being the HET Director might be a part of the future plans. I do not have an agenda, just ideas that would/could make the HET organization a better Club. The powers-that-be were not interested in hearing my ideas,and to me, that is their loss and the loss of what at the time was a very enthusiastic HET member - me! But, to be a Director, that involves vacation time from the job to attend the Nationals and a few Regional meets, and additional $$$ that I do not have with two teenaged sons at home.

Joe, I hear your words, but let me tell you one thing. In your last sentence, I understand what you are trying to convey, but I'm going to say this - I paid my way to the Nationals! As did every other attendee! The HET sets the event up, certainly, and Chapter dues make that happen. But, I'm paying my way, I pay to enter and attend whatever side events are going on, and I pay my entry fee. Period. And HET benefits from this, whether I am a member or not.

oldhudsons wrote:

Having read all the above pages of posts thought I'd like to interject a few things here as I was sort of "present at the creation":

The Club was run by what we referred to (being from Calif. at the time) as the "eastern power structure" - no one west of the Miss. R. held a National office for many years; now the Club is democratic. The granting of permission to have the 1st chapter, the So. Cal., came about as a result of dissatisfaction over the "old guard" arrangement, a subject I will not expound upon here.

You now have a voice in the election of those who represent you, whether you have personality/ego clashes with them or not. Then ('60s) all business & elections took place at the National Meet - if you didn't attend, & they were all held back east, tough!

The President then (now??) was a titular "head of state" & really didn't do anything exc. preside over the National Business Meeting unless an emergency arose - the success, rise & fall, of the Club was based on the functioning of the Treasurer & Editor.

Ego(s) have, unfortunately, & are, an aspect of car clubs, their officers, leaders, etc. At the 1st National I attended, in the mid-60s, at Hamilton, Ohio, the town gave the Club trophies to be awarded as we saw fit. Several of us were picked (myself, Carl Weber, and another whose name I don't remember) to award them as we hadn't driven a Hudson. We gave the top award to an excellent completely original '37 T coach (cheapo) & 2nd place to a jazzy looking '35 H8 conv. because it's paint color wasn't correct, had '54 chrome wire wheels, & chrome plated dash panels. The '35 owner was so incensed he left the Club, started his own Club, the THE Club (which some of you old timers will remember), and subsequently went broke funding it! This is why the Club does not have judged meets (which some, trophy hunters, object to).

I offer these thoughts of mine & not in criticism of those of you who've stated your feelings & thoughts in prior posts to this thread. Perhaps we can discuss some of these things at the National over a beer?

Peter K... Great summary of the "Good 'ole daze" I remember dem daze too... but like you I moved on and continued Hudson'in in my own way. Thanks for the memory jog. :rolleyes:

I have been a member of the national and MidSouth chapter HET club since I learned of it in 77 or 78. Did not try to get any changes made as a new member. After a few years was elected VP. In a couple more years Pres. While pres. suggested holding the National meet. We chose Nashville. No nice hotel or motel would even talk about a year ahead as they were all booked up for a year or 2. We looked at several places. The motel we chose had the room we felt would be needed at a resonable price. We had several chapter meeting to make plans and at the National put in our bib for the 99 meet. I think this was the first time a national had been awarded this far ahead. At the time we done this the motel was a very very nice & clean and upper class. We had looked it over good. We still met there for our planning. Then it sold to another company and started on its way down. No way could we find another place for the national and believe you me they were looked for but every thing was booked up in Nashville. In a year or so after the meet dozers cleared it all away.

Tom, you bring up a good question. When did the National meet switch to ending on a friday instead of a saturday?

:confused:I will add my two cents worth. I live in Nevada and attended the 2005 National in Reno. It was alright and I know some people were disappointed in it. I had no real input with any of the planning, and when I did speak up,I was not heard. But that has not made me quite the HET Club. There are a great many people with lots of Hudson knowledge, parts andencouragement. When one goes out on their own, it is easy to become cdiscouraged and lose interest.

All clubs, regardless of their primary intent, be it cars, boats, bikes, hiking or whatever have the few that do a lot of work and dedication for the benefit of all interested parties, even when those people do little or nothing, some have the nerve to complain even.

The dues in the HET are a fantastic deal. One can make new freinds, memories, enjoy theri cars for less than a dinner and a movie. Arnie in Nevada

Just started on my small towns village board. I have noticed certain individuals like to complain but nobody likes to come up and say thanks for things that go well.



Now not knowing you personally but getting a feeling from you from previous posts, (such as ...and i'm paraphrasing here ...that XXXX fuel pump XXX Got one kostansik and its MINE).



Pat it seems to me you have alot of anger towards the club and maybe just in general. Are there any areas of the club that you might be thankful for? You never seem to positive on your posts. That in some small way may explain why they were turned off by your comments in Reno.

I Can Only Speak About The Pittsburgh National In 2004 If You Were Not Regestered At The Meet You Could Not Attend Any Function With Out A 2004 National Meet Name Badge I Did Have To Ask A Few Guys To Join The National Club And Pay The Regesteration Fee We Put Alot Of Effort In Getting It Done (now If Some One Was There For The First Time And Was Not A Member We Had A Few ) You Were Asked To Join I Can Only Remember 1 Guy Who Said No And I Ask Him Not To Attend Any Meet Activitys I Had To Ask Him A Few Times To Leave Some Things He Was Not Happy But Thats The Way I Saw It No Free Loaders

Aaron D. IL wrote:

.....But when you're starting out at 30 and that's more than half your savings like me. Two things won't happen, you won't see a lot of younger guys at nationals, and you won't see the ones who do show up, at every national. I'm not sayin, I'm just sayin.

... I expect to stick out in the crowd. Expenses for a trip like this wouldn't allow for my husband and kids to attend, but that isn't stopping me from flying out! This will be my first solo vacation since before marriage and kids... so that in itself in additon to putting faces to names, tech sessions, a HISTORIC year for HET and Hudson Motor Co... this National is priceless.



I've been blabbing my mouth about heading to Detroit for the HET National, and have had responses like, "Wow, you're really into this Hudson thing!"

Sarah Young wrote:

... I expect to stick out in the crowd. Expenses for a trip like this wouldn't allow for my husband and kids to attend, but that isn't stopping me from flying out! This will be my first solo vacation since before marriage and kids... so that in itself in additon to putting faces to names, tech sessions, a HISTORIC year for HET and Hudson Motor Co... this National is priceless.



I've been blabbing my mouth about heading to Detroit for the HET National, and have had responses like, "Wow, you're really into this Hudson thing!"

Yeah I'm in the same boat but since this only happens once in a century I think it's priceless too.. Being into this Hudson thing is an obsession. haha.. See you Sunday

Jon, We can't attend this year so can you find somebody to carry on with Jack Smith's "Tradition" in the parking lot where the Hudsons are ? I will be at home in my gargage doing the honor with my Hudsons.