301 Garage out since mid-August.

[TA301]

Apparently, 301 garage is done. It was already wobbly for the past few years since owner/founder JJR went AWOL, with only a couple of posts in the past 5 years, or so. Too bad, as that website was valuable for the 301 niche segment.

[5th T/A]

Since my 1980 TA came with a normally aspirated 301 I was very interested in this site. I tried to join back in February of 2000, but never got any response back. Over the years I tried to join several other times. I would always get back some message not allowing it. I found a lot of great information at this site, so it's really sad if it's gone for good. There is a good technical resource available on 301 Turbo cars called Turbo TA Performance, https://ttaperformance.com/ The owner is very knowledgeable on the turbo 301. But since this is how he makes his living; I would assume he doesn't provide support for free.

This is a reminder just how fortunate we are to have TAC around and functioning. There is a small group of people who really contribute a lot to this site. I think many people lurk but don't contribute or are not members. For those members who do not post, please tell us what is on your mind. Did you used to own a Firebird? Maybe have one sitting in your garage buried under who knows what and just don't have the time or money to work on it? It's the individual stories that make these cars interesting. If you are a guest, consider joining and posting. For the most part this is a pretty friendly group of people. The interest varies from those who want a 100% original car to some amazing resto modifications. Recently TAJOE with his post on putting a 301 turbo engine into a third generation Firebird (like Pontiac intended to do), has gathered a lot of attention.

Thanks to all those members who support this site and keep it interesting!

[Zach]

I pretty much look into everything that gets posted just to absorb information, and rarely post anything. I myself don't know much about cars and don't feel confident giving my own thoughts on what other people are doing with their own cars. This forum as well as hitmans has helped tremendously with understanding my own 77 ta. My dad currently has his 68 firebird since he was 15, and had some others in the past so he has some knowledge but having a forum allows us to do things right, im the patience my dad doesn't have. I assume a lot of lurkers share the same standpoint as I have.
Anyways, that's my response for lurking around. Maybe once I know more of what im doing ill give more of my two cents.

[Wallington]

I tried to join the 301 pages a few times over the years, even though never owning one. I never could, so I stopped recommending them to others.

[roadking77]

Well put Larry, and thanks for the post Zach. I rarely have anything worthwhile to post but somehow my keyboard keeps clicking away

[b_hill_86]

I pretty much look into everything that gets posted just to absorb information, and rarely post anything. I myself don't know much about cars and don't feel confident giving my own thoughts on what other people are doing with their own cars. This forum as well as hitmans has helped tremendously with understanding my own 77 ta. My dad currently has his 68 firebird since he was 15, and had some others in the past so he has some knowledge but having a forum allows us to do things right, im the patience my dad doesn't have. I assume a lot of lurkers share the same standpoint as I have.
Anyways, that's my response for lurking around. Maybe once I know more of what im doing ill give more of my two cents.

I wish you’d at least post more pics of that car of yours! I’d love to have a GR yellow T/A.

As far as not knowing enough, I’m no expert by any means but I too have learned a ton from these forums over the years. Just go back to my early posts at hitmans site and see how much I didn’t know lol. I worked on cars a little at the time but didn’t know a thing about cars from this era. Everyone starts somewhere.

[Zach]

I pretty much look into everything that gets posted just to absorb information, and rarely post anything. I myself don't know much about cars and don't feel confident giving my own thoughts on what other people are doing with their own cars. This forum as well as hitmans has helped tremendously with understanding my own 77 ta. My dad currently has his 68 firebird since he was 15, and had some others in the past so he has some knowledge but having a forum allows us to do things right, im the patience my dad doesn't have. I assume a lot of lurkers share the same standpoint as I have.
Anyways, that's my response for lurking around. Maybe once I know more of what im doing ill give more of my two cents.

I wish you’d at least post more pics of that car of yours! I’d love to have a GR yellow T/A.

Yes, I really need to take some pics, I have barely any good pictures and I got zero references if people ask what it looks like. Hopefully get them taken sometime soon, it's already dipping below 40s in Minnesota. I'll make sure to post about it here soon, just gotta clean it up first.

[tajoe]

I just found this thread, and also am disappointed in the demise of the 301 garage. I know nothing about running a website, and in one respect can understand why Joe would end his run. Can't imagine the maintenance and time needed to keep one running. I know the 301 engine isn't very popular, especially with the traditional Pontiac crowd, and because of the age and scarcity of this engine, there really is very minimal interest, especially today. My reasoning for my project is explained in my 1st post of that thread.
http://www.transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=84412.0

As for the 301 garage site, is there a way to keep it visible for the interested, W/O all the maintenance of an active site? Could some-else, (TTA) acquire the rights to use it? I know he was the last moderator there, and we're thankful at least he is still in business. I just wish JJR let his members know his intent, B4 running the site aground. 

[TA301]

Allowing the 301 garage website to just go down without any evident attempt to revive it, is wrong. That website had a lot of information that was very valuable. Apparently, the last moderator, TTA Performance reached out to the founder but got no response.

[tajoe]

That being said, I hope Joe Rickter(? JJR) is OK.

[5th T/A]

I recall reading lots of great posts by JJR. I seem to recall he went AWOL for a while once before, so hopefully this is just temporary issue with the site being down and not a serious health issue!

[tajoe]

I think he's a pilot by trade, so maybe he's in a holding pattern. 

[turbobird]

Does anyone know if the content could still exist?
Is the site sitting dormant on a server somewhere or is it vapor?

[Jack]

I just hope JJR is okay... many people around me just passing. I don't like it.

[Raven]

It's possible the domain simply wasn't renewed, if the hosting account is still in good standing then the data should still be around. I would be willing to look into hosting it, assuming we could reach him and get things transferred. The biggest thing would be the data, I could always drop it on a new domain.

[Wallington]

I tried to join years ago, for whatever the reason at the time. Never a response.

[tajoe]

Go for it Raven. I would like to see that site reopened. Now that the 80-81 TA is starting to come around, and accepted for what it is, I think there are people still around that would visit it. You've seen some of the prices in the auctions for these cars? Crazy. Who'ld've thunk?

[Raven]

The domain listing is still private, I can try emailing the anonymized holder but no guarantee on a response. Again, I'm more concerned with getting a copy of the site data than the domain. If anyone has contact info for him, I'll try to get in touch and see if we can work a deal.

[Raven]

There is a snapshoot of the site (including part of the forum) on archive.org from December of 2021. I'll do some digging and see if there is any usable contact data there.

[turbobird]

That’s sort of what I was thinking.
I really miss the technical content and learning more about my car.
I have no idea about the expense or time involved but my life has unexpectedly changed and I could use a project.

[Raven]

For the moment, I'll try to download a copy from the archive, at least we'd have that.

[tajoe]

Well, all I can say is good luck, and I wish for the best. I'm still amazed that electricity even exists, and still don't fully understand it. And computers (?), is still all Greek to me. I wish there was a way to help you out, but I would just be a stick in the mud. I can't imagine how the owners and operators of these website even do what they do, so kudos for those who do, and thanks for their time.

[Wallington]

https://www.78ta.com/HTAF/index.php?topic=46619.msg449155;boardseen#new

[5th T/A]

I just hope JJR is okay... many people around me just passing. I don't like it.

I hear you Jack, its been 4 1/2 years since I have retired. In that time, I have lost numerous family members, co-workers and close friends. When those close to you pass, it's like part of your life goes with them.

[firebirdparts]

I have a ton of respect for those guys and the expertise they built up.  I hope somewhat it's captured.  Joe did a lot to help redeem it and the history of Pontiac at that moment, I thought.

[roadking77]

Well, all I can say is good luck, and I wish for the best. I'm still amazed that electricity even exists, and still don't fully understand it. And computers (?), is still all Greek to me. I wish there was a way to help you out, but I would just be a stick in the mud. I can't imagine how the owners and operators of these website even do what they do, so kudos for those who do, and thanks for their time.

, Im right there with you. I know enough about computers to get myself in trouble. Its TV that blows my mind 

[Wallington]

There was some info and contact details on 78ta.com but of course it has done its regular thing of crashing moments after I posted the link.

[apfstg]

All I can say is I’ve been a sponge since joining this site and I have more bookmarks on my iPad than I can look at one screen for - this place is awesome- as for the 301 - if there isn’t much out there for help I would think that would make it more special when completed and that’s what I look at at shows…

[5th T/A]

Sadly I think 301 garage is gone, just like Pontiac. Fortunately TAC is still here, enjoying while you can. The only constant in life is change!

[tajoe]

, Im right there with you. I know enough about computers to get myself in trouble. Its TV that blows my mind 

Yes! Exactly. I guess I can "kinda" see elect. flowing thru wires like water, but air waves, and radio waves???? Amazing people who figured that out. And what's more, what's out there, that we "don't" even know about? (But the animal kingdom does). Wild stuff, man. "Hey...Don't Bogart that joint" 

[firebirdparts]

That "Account suspended" screen over at 78TA didn't look like the usual, did it?

[72projectbird]

301G was a very informative site, but also slightly frustrating from a car enthusiasts perspective. I vaguely remember posting some pics of my other TAs in my 81s build thread, and they basically said they liked them, but the site was only geared toward 301 cars. Pretty odd, and came off super passive aggressive.

I stopped posting there a long time ago. Mostly because it was very cliquey. Still, it sucks to see all that information gone.

[FormTA]

Unfortunately these forums are disappearing with great info as well. I would love for some new blood (or new projects) to get posted here. I really enjoyed watching and helping others with their builds. Kinda why I have my two oddball builds posted right now.

[tajoe]

Enjoy forums like this while they're here. Most of the youth now-a-days could care less about cars, or anything requiring getting their hands dirty, (latex gloves galore has become the rage, as is some people still wearing masks, cause the government made it stylish).
I know a few of our members have sons with some performance interest, but basically what we have now, will fade away. I'm guessing 5-10 yrs. Hopefully I'll be proven wrong, but I'm doubting it. Once again, appreciate, and enjoy what we have now.

[Wallington]

78ta.Com link above works now, forum back online.

Also, it's 'couldn't care less'. Means the exact opposite.

[scarebird]

Enjoy forums like this while they're here. Most of the youth now-a-days could care less about cars, or anything requiring getting their hands dirty...

I would not bag on the kids too hard.

Examine it from their perspective.  The main reason we had cars was if we wished to see our friends we would need to be there in person or by landline phone.  Money to pay for a car or use of a car was tough - minimum wage job.  Insurance, fuel were stupid high costs.

Now with smart phones they can whistle up an Uber, facetime, snapchat, etc.  Much cheaper and little risk.

[tajoe]

I'm not talking about "transportation. I'm talking about as a hobby. This is todays youths hobby.


These phones are not used as a tool to many, but is an addiction. And unfortunately, not "just" the kids either. Of course there are exceptions to everything. I'm talking the majority. I'm pushing retirement age, and I see it all over the shop now-a-days. And not just there, but everywhere. I still don't own one, but only have this desktop. And I know there are times I feel guilty when I sit here longer than I should. But nowhere near as long as most today, on their phones. The youth, (under about 30ish) don't see it, cause they grew up with it. So this hobby that we all knew when we were growing up, are disappearing at an alarming rate. I've spoke of this before, some might recall. But go to any drag strip, car show, or swap meet, and see who's there interested. The stands at the tracks can't be filled anymore, unless it's a special outing, such as Muscle Palooza. and the other events participation crowd are all us grey haired, and balding. Not trying to rain on anyones parade, just sayin, feel fortunate that we still have left what is in front of us. And to those of you with siblings that do take an interest, kudos to you. 

[Wallington]

One thing I find disgusting is the amount of school kids that look like that ^  walking out the gate at school. They can't even get home first before finding out that their friends have also just messaged that they have also just finished, and oblivious that they are only 3 behind them. I also don't slow for people staring at their phones walking along who just blindly turn onto pedestrian crossings.