NCRS Top Flight Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 3
From: Christiana TN
NCRS Top Flight Question
Have a mostly original '73 and was considering entering the car in NCRS flight judging. The car has not been restored and has just 33K miles. The car is very clean but nothing has been done to the chassis or under the hood. Would this be a waste of time or could I learn from the experience. Any thoughts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,503
Likes: 1,511
From: Little Rock AR
Do it for the learning experience. You will learn a lot and you might find it something worth diving into. If I were you I would purchase the NCRS manuals before you go and have it judged. They aren't that expensive and you do not need to be a member. The books are a good source of information.
-Mark.
-Mark.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
Do it for the learning experience. You will learn a lot and you might find it something worth diving into. If I were you I would purchase the NCRS manuals before you go and have it judged. They aren't that expensive and you do not need to be a member. The books are a good source of information.
-Mark.
-Mark.
having your car judged is an excellent learning experience to find out more about your car. You may find that is your car is all original and not restored that you even qualify for Bowtie judging. Keep in mind that CONDITION is only part of the scoring process in almost all catagories so actually a car that is "correct" even though the condition may not be in show condition can score very highly.
The NCRS Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide for your year car will go over all aspects of your car and how it's judged so you will understand better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
Hereis a link to the store page that has the judging guides:
http://www.ncrs.org/store/shop.cgi/p...22174048.11822
There are judging guides for all years from '53 - '93
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Wow, that's scary that people have such a distorted idea of what NCRS does.
The trailer queens are just a small piece of the pie. Equal or more attention and certainly more respect is paid to unrestored cars that can serve as learning examples of how the factory really put the cars together. NCRS calls this Bowtie judging and is my favourite part of the meets.
There's also sections for race vehicles, one-offs from the factory, road tours, 'driver' quality cars, etc etc.
The trailer queens are just a small piece of the pie. Equal or more attention and certainly more respect is paid to unrestored cars that can serve as learning examples of how the factory really put the cars together. NCRS calls this Bowtie judging and is my favourite part of the meets.
There's also sections for race vehicles, one-offs from the factory, road tours, 'driver' quality cars, etc etc.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Have a mostly original '73 and was considering entering the car in NCRS flight judging. The car has not been restored and has just 33K miles. The car is very clean but nothing has been done to the chassis or under the hood. Would this be a waste of time or could I learn from the experience. Any thoughts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
You'll gain insights and appreciation for that which makes up a "matching numbers" Corvette. You'll learn about date codes, broadcast codes and factory finishes. You'll get insights into the history of your Corvette and the extent to its originality.
Top Flight is an assessment of both condition and originality of various assemblies for the interior, exterior, mechanical and chassis. Bowtie is an assessment of a Corvette's originality and looks for clues that go beyond Top Flight such as shims marks, labels, and other factory remnants of originality assembly.
Bottom line...you'll learn what you've got parking in the garage and the extent to which it warrants Bowtie campaign.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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Your car sounds like it may be of survivor quality where it's mainly original and unmolested. I would have it judged as is before you do anything to kind of get your bearings as to what needs to be done, if anything. You don't want to start "restoring" until you have more info on what direction, if any, you need to go with the car. Sounds nice. Good luck 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Canastota Ny
Wow, that's scary that people have such a distorted idea of what NCRS does.
The trailer queens are just a small piece of the pie. Equal or more attention and certainly more respect is paid to unrestored cars that can serve as learning examples of how the factory really put the cars together. NCRS calls this Bowtie judging and is my favourite part of the meets.
There's also sections for race vehicles, one-offs from the factory, road tours, 'driver' quality cars, etc etc.
The trailer queens are just a small piece of the pie. Equal or more attention and certainly more respect is paid to unrestored cars that can serve as learning examples of how the factory really put the cars together. NCRS calls this Bowtie judging and is my favourite part of the meets.
There's also sections for race vehicles, one-offs from the factory, road tours, 'driver' quality cars, etc etc.
and get the correct answers 
now i know. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 315
Likes: 3
From: Christiana TN
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
mike ward is right, NCRS is NOT just about trailer queens, some are, some aren't, there are people who drive their top flight cars, WE know what we know about our cars and can get parts to fix them and we should thank NCRS for their part in making this happen, without them parts probably wouldn't be available the way they are today. Before NCRS MANY< MANY parts were not available to people....I know because before NCRS I owned a 67 435, 70 454 and I had problems getting parts at times. Plus, the NCRS has bled over to help others organize similar organizations for camaros, firebirds, hemis, fords, etc. NCRS and by the way I don't do trailer queens myself but am a member of NCRS as well as this and other forums which help spread knowledge to all in the corvette hobby
NCRS and by the way I don't do trailer queens myself but am a member of NCRS as well as this and other forums which help spread knowledge to all in the corvette hobby