Mondo

C'mon then, why? Especially the aerial... that's gonna be a chore to do, surely?!

To paraphrase X-Factor: "It's a yes from me!" Mine will have changed slightly by then too :)

Yep, my bad - I completely forgot there was a slot above the fabric section! Oops!!

Sorry, Bones, but you've just ruined that doorcard by cutting the seatbelt slot in completely the wrong place!! :( Edit: actually... I'm not sure....

Regarding the NEC, I'd personally like to see a SWB there. Yes, I own one (so that's one reason :lol:) but primarily because it seems that very few people outside of the Zed-world actually have any idea that they came in a 2-seater variant! So, depending on space available, I think it'd be good to try and get an example of all the body options there: SWB (both T-bar and Slicktop), LWB and Convertible. If we could get a purpose-built racer like Jaffa there, that'd be a spectacular contrast to the likes of FunkySi and JoelyP and, let's be honest, the amount of research and sheer work that's gone into his car would be (I think, anyway) a huge point of interest for a lot of people at the show. :thumbup1: Just my thoughts, gang :)

I know that we, as owners and lovers of these cars, want to try and increase the profile and popularity of them, but perhaps one huge Z32-specific meet/show is the way forward here after all...? I was gutted that I couldn't make it to Coventry for the 25th Anniversary bash, so something along those lines would suit me down to the ground. :) Or a camping experience in Richie's parent's garden with loads of other owners! That'd work too! :D

Genuinely couldn't have done it without you, Mark!! Helluva way to meet someone for the first time...! :lol: I'm getting the feeling that JAE as an entity is starting to pass it's "use by" date. The whole event didn't especially feel like an "extravaganza" and, as Bird said, it'd be just shy of £100 for Fran and I to go this year. And she hates me leaving her at home, even though she's hardly into the car scene at all... This Irish road-trip though... it seems like that idea has some serious legs now... :thumbup1:

Ditto. Always wanted to visit Ireland and a Zed roadtrip would be an ideal opportunity!

I'm genuinely unsure at this point in time as it'll depend on money and workload for me, so I'm not going to know til nearer the date. I'm stunned they've hiked the price up so brutally though!!

Ok, I've had a chance to sleep on this and, whilst I have nothing new to offer on the OP's original question, I feel I do have something to offer about the "state" of JAE. As Dutchgold has just said, there's only about 6 Irish members subscribed on this forum, and two of them made the trip across the water to JAE last year! One of them is our membership secretary and the other was pretty much responsible (with assistance from Bird's missus, Janine) for the food that was cooked and on offer on our club stand there! Without that assistance from someone who'd travelled a lot further than most attendees, the stand would've been a complete nightmare (in my opinion). Compare that to the OP's contribution to JAE: staying on the stand for one night before leaving for greener pastures, then saying how poor it was and then refusing to answer whether he'd help out with future club events! I think that the problem with this and plenty of other forums and car clubs out there is social media. Facebook is free and there are plenty of Z32 groups on it, whereas people quite rightly have to pay for full membership on here. A vast percentage of members are also active on the FB groups, which means that it could be argued that full membership is not "required" here, if you're that way inclined. I can imagine that the club coffers are not as full as they once were because of this, which of course has a knock-on effect on available funds for things like JAE or club-specific events. But then the active participation from the membership is hardly mind-blowing, and here's my yardstick for that statement: Car Of The Year 2015. How many people voted in that contest? 46. That's it. 46 members voted! Now, I'm pretty sure that we have more than 46 regularly active members on this forum, so I just can't figure out why the turnout was so low. If only 46 members can be bothered to vote in a free contest, how many are going to be prepared to drive any sort of distance for a club-organised event...? I wasn't overawed by JAE last year, but then JAE doesn't thrill me too much anyway. I pay more to be a member of this forum than the vast percentage, but I don't particularly want to know what my Trader fees are spent on. I know fine well that running and maintaining a website is a costly business and I know that the Commitee put funds towards plenty of goods and events throughout the year and, as has been said, I can tell that that is, for the most part, a thankless task. Peace out!

I don't see how it is, to be honest. You stated that JAE was poor for you from a club perspective - indeed, you stayed on the stand for a single night before you went elsewhere - but you won't say whether or not you'd be prepared to help out in the future to make club stands a better experience for you and for everyone else involved. The topic is simply evolving whilst the accountant digs out the books, no doubt :thumbup1:

So you ask a question that undoubtedly has a fairly complicated answer, and you ask it very directly... but then seem to take some offence when asked if you're going to help out with club events in the future...? I absolutely fail to see how Gary's question was asked either improperly or could've been asked in a better manner! Care to explain?

How is it hard to answer whether you're prepared to pitch in at club events in the future or not? Surely a yes or no would suffice? A maybe, perhaps...? As for your question: yes, the members do have a right to know how their money is spent. Could you have maybe asked the question a little better...? Maybe....

What was wrong with it...? It was just as direct a question as the title of this very thread... :thumbup1:

Then I apologise for saying you were never on the stand - I arrived on the Saturday morning so no doubt missed you there. Was our stand the best it could possibly be? No, it wasn't. Was it as bad as it could've been? No, it definitely wasn't! Personally speaking, I had a pretty good time at JAE in general and on the stand; I met lots of people I either hadn't met before or haven't seen for a while... my missus and our two dogs were welcomed with open arms... my Zed got a good reception from the people who looked at her... :) Did I expect this forum's management to put on some banquet? No - I expected to have to sort my own food and drink, so anything more than that (be it provided by the Commitee or by Tulip herself) was a serious bonus. 2015 was the first year in a new venue so there was obviously going to be teething problems with the setup and running of the club stand. Some things are simply unavoidable...

If memory serves, you weren't even on the club stand at JAE last year... the closest your car came was being parked on the green opposite the club stand.... If I'm incorrect here, I'll happily apologise. :)

Lemmy... David Bowie... now Alan Rickman, all great talents and all passing away within such a short timeframe! RIP, guys. Gonna be a sad year, I reckon.... :(

One member helping another, so gratis :) And yes: check your PMs :thumbup1:

I have some switch surrounds here, mate - I'll post them out to you :thumbup1:

Personally, I wouldn't do the centre console for a couple of reasons: 1. It could look a bit odd if the dashboard isn't done to match, as the two pieces join together and share the same texture. 2. It'd be a lot of work to remove the textured finish from the console so you have a nice smooth base for the carbon dipping to sit on. Just my $0.02 Richie, mate :thumbup1:

I have a full set of seals for all four calipers, as well as a complete set of pistons that may clean up ok... I'll also have a spare pair of alloy TT front calipers shortly as well. :thumbup1:

I have some almost new caliper seals here if they're any good to you? :)

Jimmer's son took a video of Kev and I leaving, but I haven't seen it yet - think it's on Instagram or something!

On Saturday, me and Kev (Harby300) toddled off down to Powerzed so he could collect his Zed. Whilst I was there, I decided to take the opportunity to pick up a Z1 solid prop for my car and, seeing as it was there and so was my Zed, have it fitted at the same time. :) I also had my dodgy starter motor swapped out for a replacement I got from Lee Dent and Jimmer had a look at my alternator as the belt was squealing under high electrical load - it turns out the adjuster bolt was missing! So that's now been rectified and the squealing has gone. The one-piece prop made a noticable difference on the drive home, so definitely money well spent. :thumbup: Whilst we were there, the (in)famous Mr John Dixon turned up in his V8 Shortie! Now that is some motor... it nearly sucked my eardrums out when he removed the intake cover and opened the throttle!! Twas a long day but good fun, but being there just made me wish even more that I had a larger amount of spare cash to lavish on my Zed.... :(

Is Croydon anywhere near Essex...? If so (or if not too far afield), then Terry might be able to pop across and do your timing belt :thumbup1: Mobile mechanic (I believe) with a good knowledge of Z32s and based in Essex.