Newbee question here.

Is there any downside to having your car judged by the NCRS? Other than finding out what you thought was an orig car is actually a poorly spliced together pos.

I think it would be good to know exactly where my car stood as far as originality, correctness, and where it needs improvement.

 

Some folks aren't exactly keen to the idea of having other people sit in, lean on, and poke around on their Corvettes. And I'm pretty sure the judging sheets are stored somewhere. If you can get comfortable with that idea, you should be OK to go.

Personally, I think it's a bargain. You get (for the most part) top-notch expertise regarding your car for cheap.

 

I've been judging '68-'82s since '98 and the one downside I see "sometimes" is the disappointment in the first time owner's face when he's told his car doesn't have the original motor in it("Yeah but the last guy who's owned it 15yrs said it was"), doesn't have the original paint OR correctly applied "correct paint"(Yeah but the old lady who owned it said it was"), that's probably what that Earl Sheib receipt in the glove box was for. Car is judged with BFG T/A tires("Those are the original tires-that's what the Corvette dealer said that I bought the car from")and on and on

If you are interested and don't take offense to have your car "gone over", when you're done you'll pretty much see where your car is as far as "originality, correctness, etc." You'll learn more about your car in one day than probably the whole time you've owned it. I've had three out of six I've owned judged and do not regret it-it's also a great learning experience about your car. Best thing to do is take it to a local Chapter meet in your area. This is usually a more laid back local club function and you'll feel more at ease. Then, if you want to go farther with the car and have it scrutinized a little further, take it to one of seven Regionals around the country. Usually the more(most)experienced judges from around the country are there to judge.

 

A good start would be the NCRS guide book. Very informative, and done in the privacy of your own garage.
Eddie

 

Paul - you're an NCRS judge ???

Damn, I'll take back a few things I've said in the past

 

You'd be surprised how many there are of us around here.........

 

Well I think my frame is original, I think?

 

Only part-time. A few weekends a year

 

I'd like them to judge my dads car and see how it stands. I would say mine but I don't think c4s are really judged yet huh? lol

 

1984-1989 Corvettes are now indeed being judged at the NCRS meets.

 

 

On a tangent, how can you determine if the engine is original if the numbers were machined off the pad? I know about the casting dates and 2 month window, but that's still pretty inconclusive, isn't it?

 

uh-oh; guess I better get a few apologies ready...

Really though; I have never been exposed to any NCRS "judging"; so have never made any comments about that part.

But I have had a few NCRS local chapter officers try to be-little me.
And of course... they got it back right in their face.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. I think I will try to bring it to the Atlantic City event that Kerbeck is advertising.

Although I plan to keep the car for a while, I'm betting off knowing now where I stand versus being thrown a curveball down the road if I have to sell.

If per chance I was snookered when I bought it, I will have to take the attitiude that I still love the car and continue to enjoy it for what it is - a classic American car.

Don

 

Well unless your car is so perfect that it even smells new. I wouldn't get my hopes up or leave a loaded gun around. They're brutally honest and can really poke a big hole in your ballon.

 

I wouldnt mind going through it just to get the comprehensive knowledge and to find out exactly how long my list of missing items is lol

 

We're everywhere....like a fungus.

NCRS judging at the Chapter level is a real bargain, IF NCRS type judging is "your bag".

I've been a NCCC member for 35+ years. I support my club, but their judging is strictly a beauty contest and a "dirt hunt". Looking for lint on carpets isn't my thing. I'm more of an originality guy, and don't care that much about condition/cleanliness.

NCRS isn't about "clean and smells new". There are many "survivor" cars that Top Flight with worn carpet, chipped paint, etc. There are many dirty, driver cars that Top Flight too. The NCRS judging point system is "loaded" toward the Originality side of judging, not the Condition side. Chuck