Every once in a while, I have posted articles entitled “Not About Cars” (with varying subject matter). On the eighth birthday of Canadian Rodder, I think it’s fitting to post 2008′s edition of Not About Cars.

As I have noted on numerous occasion, the reason I selected Canadian Rodder as the name of the site (and not Canadian Rods, etc.) was to place emphasis on the rodder. That is, the people that make up this hobby – and industry. Sure, the cars are cool. After all, they bring us together and are our common interest. But, we’re people first and I’m constantly reminded of that.

In 2003, the Canadian Rodder forum was launched and the larger “community” was born. Local and regional groups have come together and we have met and made friends – I dare say from all over the world. There have been events, both large and small, that have galvanized our sense of community – from the chop of David Brown’s Lincoln to the 2007 Canadian Hot Rod Tour.

More recently there have been several occasions where individuals from all over our domain have received an outpouring of concern and encouragement relative to life’s curveballs. If you frequent the Canadian Rodder Forum, you’ll be familiar with these outpourings.

So, with another year behind us, I’m gratified that we are rodders first – Canadian and otherwise.

After almost eight years, the signature “flash” page with the photo and “dig it” is gone. Naturally, we still want you to dig it but this change will make it easier for us to update this portion of the site and allow us to add more features, such as Recent (forum) Posts, in the left hand column.

Also, the Canadian Rodder Marketplace has been moved to it’s own page with a rotating sample of sponsored links in the right hand column. Sponsored links will also make their way to the Hot Rod Forum right hand column.

This is a work in progress so we’ll be adding additional navigation to take you to stuff that is buried in the site.

You will also notice that, being a blog format, YOU can comment on any these ramblings by clicking on the “Comments” link below.

So, hope you like the new format……Frank