Warrior Project Wrap-up

[pgackerman]

The car's delivered, our Veteran is happy, we can all pat ourselves on the back, then sit down and drink a beer...

But a few questions remain and a few thoughts should be aired.  I'll stimulate the discussion with this question:

What did we (meaning the Georgia Fiero Club) do right, what did we do wrong, and what should we considering modifying if there is ever a "next time"?

Consider this a place to post lessons learned for the next time anyone undertakes a year-plus long project.

[Fierofool]

The things I did wrong was trying to find a recipient through the organizations I contacted.  Of 5 organizations that tout themselves as helping Veterans, none were truly interested or put forth much effort.  Only 1 of those organizations ever presented possible candidates.  The others wanted money or offered nothing.

The Augusta Warrior Project was a Godsend.  Thank you for your efforts through them. 

I believe that one of the things we did wrong, and there really wasn't much else we could have done, but it didn't get road tested.  Not being registered and insured, we couldn't take it out and be sure it was roadworthy.  Working on the car was difficult since we couldn't get enough people together at one time and often enough to make the preparation speedy. 

[pgackerman]

Your first point makes me wonder if the club should accept projects with restrictions.  In this case, the restriction was the car must go to a Vet.  Noble intent, but as you pointed out, not easy. 

Your last point about road testing is very true.  Getting the car around was filled with some angst.  We always made sure another Fiero was tailing the donor car so if there was a problem we had more credibility and resources.  What can we do to fix registration, insurance, and road testing in the future?  Ideas anyone?

[f85gtron]

Buy a private road coarse and garage!

[Fierofool]

Wounded Warrior Project was our 2014 choice as a charity recipient.  The cars came into being shortly after the members selected Wounded Warrior Project.  You know the story of why it became just Warrior Project.

Had the car been out here, for example, I probably could have road tested it around here.  It might have been a bit more accessible to more members, with the club having or had only 3 active members in the area where Ron's house was.  Now, Steve is the only one in that area.  Don was too ill to do much, and I'm afraid had it been at his house, he would have expedited his own death, though it was eminent.  Every one other than I have full time jobs.  I could have done the smaller, lighter tasks, but things like the suspension, at present is beyond my physical restrictions. 

There probably will be no more vehicle donations.  The other 88 is currently planned to be sold. 

[pgackerman]

Let's look at this another way.  Did the club meet its goal(s)?

I'm guessing the goals were to deliver a quality vehicle and generate publicity for the Fiero (and the Club). 

Were there any other goals?
Should there have been other goals?

[Fierofool]

My train of thought on the matter:

Originally, there was no though of creating publicity for the club.  I don't think anyone else had that in mind, either.  At least no one mentioned it.  The main goal was to provide a car for a deserving and needy Veteran.  Since we had an automatic vehicle and a manual and the automatic seemed most viable, we discussed finding a Veteran that may have a left leg or foot missing, therefore not being able to operate a clutch.  They needed to have both arms and hands to handle a car without power steering.  Single, or married with no children would have been ideal due to the child seating limitations.  One school age child would been acceptable, too. 

The publicity was an afterthought and secondary.  There wasn't a great deal of effort in that area on our part until Jeanette mentioned that she could get the media involved.  I guess I was the one that decided we could take advantage of that and promote the club.  The more members we have, the more we can do and the publicity couldn't hurt membership.  It may not help us, but it couldn't hurt. 

I think we've achieved our goal, though it not be totally complete due to the unidentified issues.  Should we ever undertake something like this again, I believe we should start with a car known to be able to put on the road, with issues.  For example, my 86SE.  Basically, it needs tires, AC repaired and headlights converted back to pop-ups rather than the flushmounts.  It can be driven daily as it is, but not nightly. 

Again, these were my thoughts on the project.  Others might have had other thoughts and goals we should met. 

[pgackerman]

You've given me an idea.

Let's pretend you're a stereotypical craigslist poster interested in selling your '86SE.  According to Paul Vargyas your SE is worth $1000 (I4) or $1300(V6).  I'm using poor condition since it can't be driven half the day or in bad weather.  Options/miles would also raise/lower the price.  The owner doesn't want/can't fix it themselves.  After a month or so they start to consider scraping the car for $100.  Then someone comes along and offers to fix the tires, air, and headlights if they'll split the sale price with them minus expenses.  Let's say $750 to fix everything and the car is raised to good condition.  Sale prices are now $1300 (I4) and $1500(V6).  Subtracting $750 leaves $550 and $750.  Split the difference and it's $275 and $375. 

With an I4 the owner gets $175 more than the would have scrapping, or $725 less than they wanted.
With the V6 the the owner gets $275 more or $925 less. 

Now let's say The Club was the 'someone' mentioned above and all we wanted was to not lose money, put a Fiero on the road, and get a $50 donation.  Now the owner gets $500 or $700.

As a pretend craigslist owner I might not take the first deal.  But I'd seriously consider the second. 

Is this a concept the Club would like to pursue with the goal of putting more Fieros on the road at year's end than at the beginning? 

Can we start a Fiero Rescue Program?

[Fierofool]

It's a good concept, but the problem is getting enough people that would work on the car and finding someone to buy it.  We can hardly manage half a dozen people to attend a meeting. 

My brother is constantly running into people who Just Gotta Have One, but when called, they never follow through.  He's probably brought me a half dozen names and phone numbers in the last year.  Just like Randy at Eagle, he wanted our technical advise to help him get his Indy back on the road.  Two phone calls to him have been answered by his son with no return call. 

Another thing about Paul's evaluation of the 86SE.  I believe he's too low on many of his listings.  Still again, some are too high.  But again, even at the lowball prices, the Fiero just isn't selling.  Look at the Formula slowburn57 has.  A good car and worth twice the asking price. 

We might rescue some vehicles by helping current owners.  I know of at least two 3800's that are in the possession of a mechanic, but the owners can't get them back and apparently no progress has been made for over a year.  As I understand, most of their problem is wiring.  Ron S. and Roger seem to be very capable in that area, and other members are knowledgeable of the mechanicals.  We could help people resolve problems without having to invest in a vehicle.  We would just need a place to work and the people to do the work. 

[pgackerman]

Let's use slowburn57's Fiero as our example.  I've only seen one ad here: http://www.gafiero.org/bbs/index.php?topic=2130.0

Now let's say he posted it on Craigslist in Alabama, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbia, and everywhere else we have members.  AND in the post makes it clear this car has been worked on by The Georgia Fiero Club, who provided a Warrior Project Car with lot's of links and other proof. 

Would you rather buy a car from a Club that has worked on cars, or an individual selling a vehicle? 

So the idea would be to have the club check out the car, work with him to get tires and alignment, then ask a fair price.  The same idea would work with Fireofool's '86. 

A portion of the club would have to meet, work on the car, check it out, and provide storage/resources to repair and sale the vehicle with the expectation of being reimbursed for parts and (maybe) a donation.

[pgackerman]

An Update, sorta:

A co-worker told me he saw a great looking silver Fiero parked in front of a house.  Said it was, "Sharp!".  After a few questions I figured out where he saw it and told him that was the Warrior Project car.

He was impressed. 

Looks like we're getting some advertising off Barry's car.

[pgackerman]

Bad news.  The Warrior Project Fiero we gave to Barry B caught fire last night.  Here's a link to 3 GRAPHIC pics; you've been warned.

https://plus.google.com/photos/101244603559962497427/albums/6434256914411277473


And here's what I know:

Barry:
On Jun 21, 2017 5:52 PM, Barry * wrote:
I have some horrible news (WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT), last night while I was at work my car caught fire in the parking lot, and I have no idea why.
This really ***ing sucks.
Sorry for the bad news, but can you pass it along to the guys.

Me:
On Jun 21, 2017 6:35 PM, "PGA wrote:
That is terrible.  Was anyone hurt?  What's the damage?Â

Barry:
No one was hurt, but the entire engine compartment is toast, windows busted, roof melted, side plastic melted, interior damage, but the rims and front end did survive.
Insurance company will probably total it.
I hope I am able to keep it, but I doubt it.

[Fierofool]

Speechless!  Heartbroken!

[GTRS Fiero]

 

Dang!  Terrible news!  That was a nice car.

I wonder what caused the fire.  Short?  Fuel leak?

[GTXVette]

   

    well that looks like a Project,  call the Agent buy it back, or talk them into sponsering a reBuild and another Donation