What does a NCRS car actually mean?
I understand what the organization does, but is this "distinction" hard to obtain?

 

Yes.
Go here: https://www.ncrs.org/

 

This will tell you all you need to know
https://www.ncrs.org/services/judging-awards.php

 

thanks, how is this verified, I noticed a NCRS windshield sticker can be purchased for $3

 

Having a window sticker only means that the owner is or was a member of NCRS. Anyone with the dues can join. I am a NCRS member but I have never had my car judges. I have a NCRS decal on my car.

I think what you are really curious about is judged cars, correct? Flight judging is to compare a car that someone has restored (or is a survivor) to how it was when it came off of the assembly line. They look for correct numbers and codes for all of the components of the car.

They now also now perform "sportsman" judging on modified car.

If drill down on the site, it describes the different awards the cars can be eligible for after judging.

I hope this helps.

 

I also have the NCRS sticker on my windshield on my 70 I have been a member since 1992 and have never had it judged but have been to many meets.

 

I'm looking at a car where the owner claims the car was NCRS judged. Didn't mention if they won anything but what do you need to go through to get judged? And is there a public record or some sort of documentation to ask for? Sorry but completely new to the classic car world....

 

I believe NCRS keeps a record of cars that attained awards but not sure about cars that were judged but didn't achieve awards. If the car was indeed flight judged the owner should still have the judging sheets as you get to keep them.

 

You've gotten some good advice here. NCRS (National Corvette Restorer's Society) is an organization dedicated to preservation and restoration of vintage Corvettes to the standard of how the vehicle originally left he assembly plant. There are 5 areas for judging - OPERATION, EXTERIOR, INTERIOR, MECHANICAL AND CHASSIS. There are specific criteria, centered around originality and condition of the vehicle. Judging is certainly not for everyone. Some like the notion of originality and some prefer personalization or just a nice driver. The new category is CONCOURS (not Sportsman - that's different) and as stated above, judging is available for restomod cars.

My story had me wanting the C3 I couldn't afford when I was in high school. I bought a nice little '72 convertible in 2005 to cruise to the ice cream stand. Yeah, right. The disease grabbed hold of me and now I have it to a very high level Top Flight car. BTW, "Flights" are the scoring ranks of judging. Top Flight is assigned to a car that scores 94% to 100% of available scoring points. Second Flight ranges from 85% to 93.9% and Third Flight runs from 75% to 84.9%.

Flight judging results are captured by NCRS and should be available to the "right" person. What I can't recall is whether any person is the right person or not. Perhaps someone else here will jump in.

Speaking for myself, being a member of NCRS has taught me so much about these cars and my car in particular. The cost of membership is immeasurable. Most importantly, however, I have met so many great people that share the common interest. These relationships are something I treasure. With the chapter arrangement, you are able to mix with fellow owners and cars that can and will help you with anything you need regarding technical support and even a helping hand if/when needed. Like this board, there is a technical board through NCRS too. A fair number of the members are veterans of the hobby and some even worked in the assembly plant and on the program back in the day. Their knowledge and experience is awesome and free with the membership.

Here's a link to more judging detail:
https://www.ncrs.org/services/judging-awards.php

Hope this helps!

 

Does the seller have the paperwork? Anyone can get their car judged, for a fee. The final score is all that really pertains to originality, and much of that is for period correctness, not the claim that it "was judged". If the paperwork exists, make the seller provide it, if it has value. Otherwise, it is just another tall tale.

As always, buy a car based on condition first. What kind of car do you actually want to buy?

 

In flight judging, the owner receives the marked score sheets once judging, tabulation and results recording is completed. In Bowtie judging (soley originality as installed by the factory) score sheets are not returned. Bowtie judging or survivor judging is selected items are pass or fail. In contrast, flight judging scores both originality and condition. Cars that are restored are typically entered into flight judging while survivor-type Corvettes are judging through the Bowtie process.

Some owners pass along the paperwork...some don't! All Corvettes judges are entered into an NCRS data base and tracked by their VIN along with the results...Bowtie cars are judged only once.

Some clarification which draws from the above...flight judging is both originality and condition and relates to "period correctness."

NCRS has rolled out a new judging program that judges cosmetics, NOT related to period correctness and titled concours judging.

 

Thanks for the clarifications!

 

You don't WIN anything. Judging is only a affirmation of the level that your Corvette is to one that would have come off assembly line.

 

true, I guess it's more like a pre-owned certification

 

FWIW, that particular award is based on the car being inspected on that particular day and time. Once the car leaves the area he could be returning original parts he borrowed or needed to buy replacement parts because the originals are no longer working since then. ie. tires, battery, brakes, etc.

I have a NCRS sticker in my window, might get a 1point out of 100 if judged

 

...didn't see it noted, but you do have to be a member of NCRS to get a Corvette judged. Just wanted to let others know.

 

Not Correctly Restored Corvette

 

Not Correctly Restored Stingray?

 

Dont think it was mentioned but there is also regional and national judging events. I would not necessarily compare it to a pre-owned certification. Have the car checked by a mechanic familiar with older cars and specifically corvettes.