I tell ya man. I dont know you Geno. I have read your posts, I know other people that know you, and I am very impressed with the "operation" you have assembled.
I have worked for alot of "enthusiasts" in my short time on this planet, and I have yet to have been priveledged enough to work for someone who is not only as well known in his "community"(Mark VIII/L-M/FoMoCo), but has the GONADS to not only ignore the rhetoric, but turn a blind eye for the sake of never having a battle of wits with un-armed opponents. Its real simple... success breeds contempt. You dont see them writing B.S. about someone like me, do you? No. Thats becasue I havent pioneered my way up to the top of my game. If I had one of the most succesful businesses that caters to the limited aftermarket of the Lincoln/Mercury/Ford performance industries, perhaps they would be trying to bring me down too. Its a sick compliment, but a compliment at that. The higher you climb, the farther up they have to chase you.
I can assure you, Geno, that if you had a shop in my home town, I would be banging on your door every single day, trying to prove to you that I could be the best damn employee you ever had, and I could market your business better than any person on this planet. All of this... just to be able to wear a shirt that has your company's name on it, and to learn, learn, and learn the secrets to having a successful business in the automotive market. It isnt easy, I know. I am willing to bet those nay-sayers sign the back of their checks, not the front. Let them try to see how hard it is to pay, AND play.
I recently signed up to that forum, and within 4 posts, some Mustang punk was after me wondering what the point of me posting my drag racing video of me "slapping" a Mustang GT at the track in my Mark VIII. He completely ignored the fact that I had a cool video that featured a "modular" Mark VIII AND a New Mustang GT, caught on film, and I just happened to spank the living crap out of the Mustang driver at the tree.
http://www.markviii.org/~blackicelsc/slapthatstang.mpg
I forgot more about the 1320 than most of them will ever know. I dont own a business. I havent pioneered products and modifications to make a 4000 lb luxo-sled scream down the quarter mile while humiliating "factory" muscle cars, and sitting in plush leather appointments, for a fraction of the cost.
I have owned and raced 13+ mustangs. I have had to learn the hard way how to make HP. Anyone with a $40k/yr job can go down to the local Ford dealer, slap a downpayment on the table, and drag home a pony-car. Then open a magazine, and mail-order all their horsepower.
I beg them to try to build a car that was designed to deliver Mr. Corporate America to the office, and turn it into the tire boiling, neighborhood terrorising, eye-candy car that you have..... from scratch. Then, let them build a business around it, and support thousands of people who aspire to achive the pinnacle of their industry... like you have.
I could go on that site, and defend you, but we all know; you dont need me, or anyone else to fight your battles for you. Your resume speaks for itself.
And, for the record. I know for a fact, there isnt a single publication out there that will "come to you" upon request. If you want to be "featured" in a magazine spread, you have to earn it. And Geno.... believe me man... you've earned it.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go whipe my nose... it smells!
-signed.... a Geno supporter. (p.s. I bet that Cobra picks up alot of dates!)
BlackIceLSC-VP LODNCA
http://mark8.org/lodnca
94 Black/Black M8
95 Champagne/Saddle M8
