by John.Reddie » Mon Feb 10, 2014 11:53 pm
I've been the most "deathly quiet" around here for some time, and since I built and allegedly run the site that's hardly helped.
But this is about to change...
The site needs an overhaul and I'm up for ideas. Making it more interactive so people can write up their own "blogs" etc. is definitely a good idea. My biggest bugbear is changing this now defunct (and easily hacked) forum over to something more modern and the decision is probably between a full WordPress site or just a newer (more secure) forum system. There are pros and cons with both approaches and while I now have some time again, it's not unlimited.
Then there's our register - "200 CSKs". I've seen a fair few "duplicates" over the years in the emails that have come in, and it seems simple enough to ask people to supply full owner's name, email (can be private or public as desired), CSK number (with any verification (eg photo!), registration plate, approx location, condition and basic features (auto/manual etc.) but hardly any request for inclusion on the 200 CSKs list comes with all of this, let alone photos of the vehicle. As values increase it obviously becomes more tempting to try and "pass off" a CSK clone, and so I think it pays to be cautious!
That said, there are clearly many omissions to our "200 CSKs" page so here's an appeal to anyone who's got a car that's been left out, and who can supply the above details, to get in touch with me and I WILL put these online. Yes, even if you've done so in the past and got nowhere. (Sorry!).
If you're missing any of the above (eg the CSK plaque and hence number) then please contact me anyway and we'll try and establish provenance some other way. I don't want to become Judge and Jury here, I have no right to do so, but I think there is a duty of care to be exercised before publication! So input from everyone is much appreciated - especially previous owners and or those in touch with the other official registers etc. etc. In future I propose to publish details of "proposed" inclusions which are incomplete and let the members of this site decide what we'll include - it can't be any fairer than that.
If people could notify me if/when they sell a vehicle on then on course it's easy to update the details and keep the list accurate. I think that might have happened once, but clearly these cars are changing hands between active users of the site so please help me update the register as this takes place!
Lastly, when I started the site (years ago now) I attempted to organise a CSK rally. The idea was to come up with a route around "middle England" which should pass close enough to entice everyone with a running CSK in the UK to come out and join at least part of the route. Interest was scant, to be polite. Although some were prepared to come from abroad support from the UK wasn't great. So it never happened. Now I know we have thirsty beasts, but if we're to form a club, surely the idea is to get the cars (and us) together - so perhaps we could try again, maybe organising something off the back of another RR event which some CSKs might be attending already? If anyone wants to post some ideas then maybe we can make this happen?
My CSK is in pieces and likely to be that way for quite some time as we search for good metal to weld to! So owners whose vehicles are off the road should also be able to attend and perhaps a ride in someone else's pride and joy might encourage those of us whose restoration projects have lost momentum!
John
John - CSK072
WebMaster - www.rangerovercsk.com