[Cloud9...68]

On page 43 of this month's Panorama is a description of a new 968 register, started by a fellow named Dick Petticrew. Aren't there already a couple of 968 registers out there? What purpose does a register exactly serve? I've filled out my car's information for at least one, and haven't seen anything tangible come from it.



In the article, Mr. Petticrew states that the new register will provide 968 owners with "...a focal point with the purpose of exchanging information and holding events promoting this wonderful car, as well as preserving its future." Isn't that pretty much what the forums do, and then some? Not to knock the concept of the register, I'm just wondering what its purpose actually is. Thoughts?

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[bob blackwell]

There is only one "Official PCA 968 Register" and dick Petticrew is the Advocate, Don Hassenbein is the Co-Advocte. I have been a member for several years and there is no tangible benefit to being a member. Mostly a point of pride for those of us who are hopelessly enamored of this rare and wonderful sports car. We do have an official 968 Register Logo and You may purchase T shirts and Polo shirts with the Logo on them. come join us and maybe someday the 968 Register will be as popular and well supported as the 356 Registry is! The 968 Register is seeking a website and someone with the knowledge to operate it. so far this Forum and 968.net are more beneficial than 968 Register Membership. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[flash]

i'm not getting the point of multiple locations either



while i applaud the efforts to create a registry, whereby we can track cars, and perhaps manage their histories for future buyers, it does seem to be at odds with the intentions of sites such as this one



i think a better solution would be to tie the registry to this site - then, it would be available to all, managed and maintained by what is clearly the most up to date, best managed and maintained, and most complete 968 site yet to hit the web, and would eliminate the multiple efforts that only serve to make it more cumbersome for everyone



those people who already have registers going, you guys should consider posting it here

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[cosimo]

I have registered with the 968 Register and to be honest I see no advantage to joining the Register (not Registry). I have taken exception to Dick Petticrew's statement regarding this year's 968 celebration in Newtown, PA. It doesn't cost anything so I guess you get what you pay for. I have window stickers if you want one. It would be great if there was some communication regarding our cars but I have seen nothing. It's just a list as far as I can see.

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[flash]

i can see the benefits, if, for example, thy keep a record of the car's ownership history, and provide that to people - this would be a great help when buying or selling a car, and would be much more helpful than carfax



however, the information would need to be posted or made available through a site such as this one - given the 4 sites out there now, this is the best choice by far



otherwise, it's just an owner's club with no newsletter, website of its own, or anything



they do have cool t-shirts and stickers though

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[RPM]

Simple explanation of the original question: one is a PCA sponsored and sanctioned activity. If they were to have events it would be insured as all PCA activites are. I don't know the details, but my guess is that Dick's 968 Celebration statement was a lawyer-required clarification to officially distance PCA from what is not a PCA event. Since not all attendees are members and the event is not hosted by a region this was probably a wise course of action.



My hope is that the PCA 968 Registry will at some point become like the 356 and RS America registries with cool websites and lots of Parade-related (and other PCA event) stuff. Perhaps the time will come when this site (or the 'other' site) will become connected with the registry. Of course it is a PCA-affiliated activity with all of the plusses, and a few small and not-worth-noticing minuses.

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[Simuse]

I'll second both of flash's posts. Honestly when I first bought my car I found - as with most things web related nowadays - a lot of great starts that went no where due to time and resources (pesky time and resources).



I actually mused about starting my own register for a brief time - being up my alley technically - then quickly realized time and resources would bite me in the &^%$ as well - and it would be just another best intents attempt to duplicate what is already there...



It doesn't appear as though what we would like exists now - up to date and complete. Do a search on PCA 968 Register and see what comes up - lots of old stuff. Even the PCA 968 register itself ( http://968sig.pca.org/ ) is still talking about 2003 events. There's no latest news, and the link to register itself is broken.



Not to slam on anyone - again, I think all these start with the BEST of intentions to create a great resource for these cars we love.



At least I think we could all agree on the clear goals - one place for the info, a starting point for all the cars, and then current status if known. I mean - of all that were imported into N America (realizing this site is not geographic specific) - how many are left? How many 92 black cabs (like mine) were made? It would have been so cool to have got my car, or been about to get my car, and been able to go to such a place and there's the info.



This would be a great resource - tied to this site or somewhere else - but one place for the info. That would be totally cool.



The bad news about integrating into this site is that forums are very difficult to "manage" long term. This site will sooner or later run into this as well when a new thread is started that is the same thread that has been started many times before and in one of those old threads there are the answers someone is really looking for but it's heard to find amidst the babble and such.



Not that babble is bad - it's good - opinions and ideas sparking more opinions and ideas and discussion...but at some point a discussion forum can easily become unmanagable as a technical reference.



Now....I'm beginnning to babble. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[bob blackwell]

Several of us agree and would like to see the 968 Register associated with this site. I have suggested to Don Petticrew that he contact Eric Sandoval about linking the two, but so far nothing has happened. I hesitate to make direct overtures without the 968 Advocate (Dick Petticrew) being invoved. A site such as this one is would be a great asset to centralizing the information about our cars. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[apex]

I'm all for it! Let's link'em up if possible!

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[bob blackwell]

Well, I shall contact Dick Petticrew again and see if he will get in touch with Eric. Bob Blackwell.

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[bob blackwell]

Just got an email from Dick Petticrew (968 Register Advocate) and he has asked Don Hassenbein (968 Register Co-Advocate) to coordinate with Eric Sandoval and Ray Starbird to see if we can link the 968 Register with one of the websites. Hopefully we will have an operating 968 Register web location soon! Bob Blackwell.

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[flash]

i would not even bother with .net - since ray has not updated his site in over 2 years, i don't think that is a good match at all - in fact, i think it would be a huge mistake, or at least a complete waste of time, to pursue any involvement with that site, as it is bound to mean complete abandonment of the maintainence of the registry



the whole point i am making is that the registry would be a useful tool for members, sellers, and buyers



it does, however, require that the site that hosts it is utilizing current software, has an excellent search engine, and most importantly, is maintained regularly



.net has long ago given up on that - it is really very much like a brain dead patient, only existing, at this point, on artificial life support

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[flwbyu]

I will talk to Dick next time I see him at one of the DE events. I agree that this would be a good place for the registry. ;-)

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[bob blackwell]

Good idea, we can all contact Don Hassenbein (RedBaron) who frequents both sites and make him aware of our desire. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[bob blackwell]

Don Hassenbein may be contacted at: dhassenbein@comcast.net Bob Blackwell.

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[flash]

this is getting cool - i'd love to see it take off

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[RPM]

I assume that all PCA 968 Registry members are PCA members as well, while many 968 Forums members may not be. I wonder if a connection of the two poses any potential conflicts - for either the 968 Forums or PCA?

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[flash]

i doubt it - pca allows non membrs to attend their events (though participation in some is limited) - it's functionally pretty much the same thing



is pca membership required for the registry?

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[94SilverCab]

PCA Membership is required to join the 968 Register.

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[flash]

okee dokee



i still don't think it would be a conflict though, and in fact would be in the best interests of pca to allow non members to view the list - it would make it that much easier for somebody to buy a car, and then become a member

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