Most of the Great One's are Gone

[HKS]

Well, he wasn't here exactly, but here's a great one -or so they say:

Great one.

That is just how I feel right now.

[maxkemp]

Maxkemp you said

All it takes is participation. You joined in 2008 and to date only 134 posts........ Need one say more

Missing those I would call on the phone, PM or meet up with at the events. Participation in a stream isn't everything. I stand by my comment, the Great One's are gone! Maybe not in your region, in ours, the South and Deep South, they are. I'm a year younger than you.

[maxkemp]

All I can say is I'm still here after 20 years. No guarantee I'll be here for another 20 years.

Sir, so happy you responded. How's the Judge doing?

[maxkemp]

A lot of the original owners and participants on this site were in their 50's, 60's, and 70's back in 2002-2005. I suppose a number have passed over the years; but a good number just moved on to something else. It was the hot car of the day and they were Thunderbird enthusiasts while it was new and under warranty or extended warranty. I couldn't believe how many were selling their cars once it was over 10 years old and they couldn't cover it under the Ford warranty programs anymore.

I was 39 when I bought my 03 MSG. I'm 58 now. Thunderbirds of various years always turned my head since I was probably about 5 years old. When Ford brought these back I knew we would never see another car that recalled the original 55-57 Thunderbirds as well as these and I knew I would somehow get one. Then in 2008, I picked up a 05 Inca Gold from Bill Norman in North Myrtle Beach, SC who I met through this site. Bill passed a number of years ago now.

Social media has changed things too. Messageboards just aren't as popular as they once were. There are some very active Thunderbirds sites on Facebook and I find myself interacting with many of the same people I used to see here as well.

Oh well, I'm just rambling now.

We've never had the pleasure of meeting you. I guess it's because we reside in Tx. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I do miss the Great Ones! Should I say, the Originals, the Founders?

[BirdsAndBugs]

We've never had the pleasure of meeting you. I guess it's because we reside in Tx. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I do miss the Great Ones! Should I say, the Originals, the Founders?

Shelley, thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately due to my career and a number of health issues since 2009, I've never really attended any of the TBN events with the exception of Desert Thunder II as that was put on by our Thunderbirds of Las Vegas group. I'm grateful I had the opportunity to meet a number of the people that I had corresponded with online here at TBN up to that point and since.

[2K2BIRD]

Hey, after 20 years I'm still here. I may not be one of the great ones, but I am a legend in my own mind.

[Gobird]

Sir, so happy you responded. How's the Judge doing?

The Judge is just fine and in better health then I am in ,

[BirdsAndBugs]

Hey, after 20 years I'm still here. I may not be one of the great ones, but I am a legend in my own mind.

I wish there was a LIKE button for that Paul. I've definitely enjoyed meeting you when you were here in Las Vegas and corresponding online all these years here on TBN and Facebook.

[carntz]

We too have some of the works by "The Great One" on vinyl. We enjoy his and this type of music at least 3 times a week with an open bottle of red, the lights dimmed and the fireplace glowing. And yes the retro T-Bird is one of the great ones as well.

[007Cruiser]

Hey, after 20 years I'm still here. I may not be one of the great ones, but I am a legend in my own mind.

You are way too modest. You are definitely one of the TBN greats.

[EllisonCal]

You are way too modest. You are definitely one of the TBN greats.

AMEN!

[EllisonCal]

Many of the great ones are still here and posting regularly.

I don't think it's a good idea to pick on someone who posts rarely any more than insulting someone who posts too much. Everyone isn't talkative like me. If I wasn't on Facebook, my wife (whom I love dearly and have been married to for almost 54 years) wouldn't see any of the pictures my kids post daily on FB.

[AZTB]

I've been reading comments and I'm finding the most recent comments were made over a year ago in a lot of posts, most of the posts. At one time, this site was buzzing with activity from those in the community,"family". We still have our '03 Torch Red and enjoy her as much as we can. The "Great One's" would complain if they witnessed the mileage. I just saw a post from someone trying to sell a strut bar? Must think we are putting down tons of power to twist that Lincoln frame? We've lost so many in the last 10 years. The best of the best, we've lost.

Maxkemp you said All it takes is participation. You joined in 2008 and to date only 134 posts........ Need one say more

I don't think it's a good idea to pick on someone who posts rarely any more than insulting someone who posts too much. Everyone isn't talkative like me. If I wasn't on Facebook, my wife (whom I love dearly and have been married to for almost 54 years) wouldn't see any of the pictures my kids post daily on FB.

I didn't sense that the original poster was being picked on at all, Cal. What I did see is that some of the folks posting to this thread were calling him out on his assessment vs his activity. If someone says a site's not "buzzing with activity", then you have to wonder what is it that makes a sight "buzz"...it's NOT people signing on a reading, it's people signing on and posting. And while I agree that we have lost a good number of incredibly precious people, some of those left of their own accord, and others have passed away. They all are, and were, great folks...but every generation, or new group of people, bring in a new group of "best of the best".