Does the world need another car club
 

Living near SF it seems like everyone talks about how hard it is to get into R Gruppe. Any other sf bay area clubs come to mind? I'm debating starting one with some friends otherwise :)

Is this some sort of snooty thing where the members judge you and your car, and decide if you good enough to be in their club? Because I sure as hell wouldn't want to hang around with intergalactic size A holes like that.

rogus, you are grossly misinformed. HD, I think you know better than that.

—Former RGruppe #334

OK, so how does one get into RGruppe?

Can you do a search and bury this worn out topic?

It is well known that if you have the need, then you will find the events and show up. RGruppe has never shut the door on anyone other than their annual members only banquet. You get into the RG by osmosis if that makes any sense.

Once you do, then it will.

Oh, and their forum is for current members only. I have zero privileges.

Well... they shut the door on Tabs.

OK. Don't get upset, I was just wondering. I have heard that the group is very aloof and turns their noses on anything they deem not worthy but, I have no personal experience and no desire to join so I was just curious of the reputation was deserved. I did find this article and I can see why some folks would interpret the lack of organization as unfriendly. We a new employee joins the team at work I take some time to make them feel welcome...
https://autokennel.com/r-gruppe-de-mystified/
Seems to me that if the group wanted to be friendlier they would make an effort to be more welcoming so as to dispel the feeling that they don't care if you want to be part of the cool kids table.

Well...first you buy a black Audi wagon....

angela

Well played Angela

Hmm I regret asking the question. I really just wanted to see if there were any other clubs in my area.

Or, bring your '66 Volvo to an RG event and park it strategically.

Judging by your 21 posts thus far, you would have no idea what we're talking about regarding the black Audi wagon. Long story short: years ago, someone parked their black Audi wagon in the middle of a long line of long hoods for a photo shoot. Caused quite a stir over here.

But to answer your question, I'm only aware of PCA and RG. Have you tried any PCA events? They meet at Harry's Hofbrau monthly.

Social Events | PCA Golden Gate Region

I haven't been to any of their social gatherings for a long time. I wonder what they would think of my Beck Spyder "Porsche". There are definitely some snooty types. But a lot of down-to-earth types as well. If you want nothing but down-to-earth, you've got the '67 bug. And the Volvo too, I would imagine.

Thanks for the PCA tip and the Audi explanation! I was feeling a bit like a private that poked his head out too far above the trench there.

VW has a large following in the bay area with club meetups and shows regularly. Forums are great but meeting, talking shop, and looking at cars is always more fun in person.

You and I have met. I think you're an OK guy. Your have evidence of your statement?

No worries there rogus, the question comes up now and then. I am by no means a spokesman for the RG. I have been down that road and all I can tell you is what I have seen and experienced.

I never knew a snoot snoot associated with the Gruppe. Just a bunch of good guys and gals, BTW, that appreciate the days of the early Porsche conquests in racing and performance.

If the truth should be known, I crossed the lines and customized a 1988 Carrera into a sort of a 'back date'. But it was far from what the factory had in mind and you don't do that if you want acceptance from what would be purists.

Cost me my entire involvement with 911's forever.
See this:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1221361319.jpg

Rogus, first Sunday of every month, weather permitting, there is a "most excellent" gathering of cars in Portola Valley right off Highway 280 on Alpine Road, about 1/4 mile or less West at the Ladera Shopping Center, 3130 Alpine Road. Coffee and cars. Starting to see more and more Porsche cars showing up. Some absolutely amazing. In fact, since attending with my 40 Woodie, and meeting some of the P-car guys, I've decided to start a quest for another turbo look or turbo starting this January. Most of the guys I've met there have talked about how hard it is to get together with the cars. Seems these cars and coffees/gatherings/get togethers are becoming less and less. If you happen to make the next one and see a Red 40 Ford Standard Woodie with 2 10 footers on the top, please come by and say hello.
Bob

Now that's what I'm talking about! Looking forward to seeing you around then Bob.

Sweet ride. Definitely using "snoot snoot" in the future :)

I was an involved member of the 356 Registry 30 years ago. That experience was enough to turn me off to car clubs of any kind. I'm in PCA for the DEs. I have no interest in it or any club for any other reason.

Thanks, Zeke, for your perspective on this. You are spot on - your "osmosis" explanation nails it.

R Gruppe is a very simple club to "join" - all you have to do is show up and participate. Yes, you need an early car, because we are, well, an early car club. Kind of like the requirement to own an early Ford F100 if you would like to join an early Ford F100 club, or a '55, '56, or '57 Chevy if you want to join a club for those.

The real key is "show up and participate". There are no anonymous members taking up space on a roster, members that no one meets. If you want that, join the PCA - you can be a member for life and never show up, never participate. They don't care. We do. The R Gruppe is all about friends who enjoy sharing the hobby with one another.

Anyone and everyone are always welcome at any R Gruppe event, regardless of what you drive. About the only event that I can think of that we set aside anything at all for members only is our annual big gathering, our "Treffen". Our block of hotel rooms, and our banquet, are indeed reserved for members, due to the obvious logistics involved in planning for such things. But Treffen itself - the get together in the hotel parking lot, the camaraderie, the general tomfoolery, are open to all. Just find a place to stay and join us for the fun.

Rogus, since you are in the Bay Area, the best thing you can do is to start going to the cars and coffee events at Jim Breazeale's EASY (European Auto Salvage Yard). This is the monthly gathering of early Porsche enthusiasts (not all R Gruppe, by the way) in the Bay Area. You'll meet lots of R Gruppe folks there. Here is his website: EASY - European Auto Salvage Yard Give Jim a call and he will tell you which day they do this.

Again, with R Gruppe, participation is the key. Maybe that is why some folks think it is "hard". They think their super cool, super special garage/concours queen somehow "earns" them membership, and they can just fill out an application, send a check, and become a "member". No way. You just need to show up, driving your car. Rock chips and grease under your fingernails are what we are looking for, not some pampered "check book" restoration driven by some fool who is more interested in its collector value than in having fun driving it.

So, yeah, it really is that easy - just show up. Hang out with us, drive with us, and as long as you are genuinely interested in both (as opposed to just getting a sticker in your window), membership just kind of "happens". Like Zeke says, by "osmosis". Go meet the guys at EASY - you will have a good time.

I've been in a dozen car clubs, most car clubs are way too political.
PCA meetings made me feel like I was at a contentious Condo association meeting.

I just want to enjoy my car hobby not manage a club of guys that drive cars like mine.
I found more quality in smaller groups where there is less time spent on club business and more time spent bench racing or better yet driving. :)