Author Topic: Tucker Club Merger  (Read 1024 times)

joefrazer

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4043
    • View Profile
Tucker Club Merger
« on: December 29, 2017, 09:35:56 AM »
An interesting article that appeared in an online version of Hemmings Motor News. It seems the Tucker club has agreed to merge with the AACA. They cite dwindling membership as the main reason for the merger. Lower membership counts meant fewer resources and from there, it was only a matter of time until the club went bankrupt.

This is foretelling of many car clubs - as well as other social organizations. While the KFOCI is in a strong financial position, the future is unclear.

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/12/29/tucker-club-merges-with-aaca-museum-clubs-are-not-what-they-used-to-be/?refer=news

MarkH

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1083
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Tucker Club Merger
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2017, 12:04:17 PM »
Building membership was discussed at length a few months ago. The 2 Aero websites I mentioned with marque specific web names have added over 150 new members since then, now at about 1500 collectively. The 3 Kaiser-Fraser groups I know of now total over 1800. Those type groups run on a different dynamic than here, but are still potential club members

This club could buy some variation of a marque specific web address name, or even one web address for every marque here, for cheap,  and simply redirect every click on those addresses to this site, and club. Once again, just my 2 cents.

 https://www.godaddy.com/domains/searchresults.aspx?checkAvail=1&tmskey=1dom_03&isc=gofdb397&mkwid=RLQsKOE2_pcrid_78271492896137_pkw_godaddy_pmt_be_pdv_c_&aud=core+brand&domainToCheck=Kaiser-Frazer-Henry+J-Darrin-Willys-Aero.com
Fully restored '54 Aero Lark
Rusty '58 Austin Healey 100-Six
Barely running'74 Chevelle Malibu

kaiserfrazerlibrary

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3005
  • KFOCI Historian
    • AOL Instant Messenger - none
    • Yahoo Instant Messenger - none
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Tucker Club Merger
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2017, 01:38:28 PM »
Part of the attraction for a potential new member is being able to own one of the cars covered by a club.  Considering the total number of prototypes built (there was no actual Tucker production reflecting a finalized bill of materials for parts, assemblies, etc) that kind of closed the doors and the increase in sale pricing made the door close even more for the average enthusiast. 

Barbara and I have lived in various areas of the Eastern United States and now in Washington State.  We've noticed that K-F cars unlike a lot of other makes of the period draw people's attention because you rarely if ever see them.  When they talk to us we tell them why we got the Henry J, availability of parts to keep it going, and how being in the KFOCI further helps support & ideas on restoration/maintenance situations, etc.  We brought in at least 1 new member through our interaction with spectators.  I personally feel this is where the future of the club and membership growth lies.  Show people that cars are available at affordable prices, parts can be found to keep those cars on the road and in proper shape and that the information and technical assistance available through the club (not to mention other parts sources) is well worth the cost of membership dues.



Roadmaster49

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1343
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Tucker Club Merger
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2017, 08:02:26 PM »
I think most clubs with smaller memberships will join the AACA.  I wish the AACA would take a leadership role on this concept.

Most clubs are stubborn and insist on being independent. ALL car clubs including the AACA are seeing reduced membership. 

I never knew there was a Tucker Club. Just my opinion but that sounds rather silly. They made 48 or so Tuckers. Most are in museums or very monied collectors.  How many members could they possibly have had?  500? 

In most clubs, there are chapters dedicated to cars within the club.  This formula would work with the AACA.  AACA - Kaiser Frazer chapter.   It sounds odd, but you would join the AACA, then join the chapters you want to be involved in or know more about. 

Then. membership numbers become irrelevant as far as solvency is concerned.   KFOCI could continue to provide chapter members with a monthly bulletin and annual magazine (or whatever it would want)

I am just throwing out some ideas, I am sure they could be picked apart or added to, but most clubs dedicated to orphan makes will reach a point in the next 10 years when they will decide to dissolve or become a chapter of the AACA.

That's why I wish clubs were proactive.  Perhaps an alternative would be to have all of the "50's" manufacturers join a club. Hudson-Nash-KF-Packard-Studebaker*  That would place membership in the 20,000 range and some of us have been members of at least 2 of these clubs at the same time already! 

* Yes I know Studebaker lasted into the 60's
No old cars owned.