NCRS judging question
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 190
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From: Henderson Ky
NCRS judging question
my question stems from my recent corvette search. while looking at many corvettes for a couple of months i came across a few really low mileage cars. like, a 78 pace car with something like 12 miles on it. it was kept in a garage in a plastic inflatable bubble.
if you took this , or another car of the same caliber to a ncrs show how would it be judged? how can any restored car compare to a car like this that is 100% factory perfect?
if you took this , or another car of the same caliber to a ncrs show how would it be judged? how can any restored car compare to a car like this that is 100% factory perfect?
Last edited by 80vettefan; Jan 31, 2007 at 08:30 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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The car would be judged as-is, where-is. No different than any other car, no special allowance made.
I've looked at a few very low mileage pace cars- and I've yet to see one that really did not deteriorate or get messed with in some way since new.
Pretty hard to stop the hands of time for almost 30 years.
I've looked at a few very low mileage pace cars- and I've yet to see one that really did not deteriorate or get messed with in some way since new.
Pretty hard to stop the hands of time for almost 30 years.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The '78 NCRS Judging Guide outlines exactly how the car will be judged. Ditto for all C3s. Thanks to the NCRS, we have a level playing field for all. My hypothetical 100K driver '78 and the low-mile PC mentioned in your post would be judged the same way. Each car has an equal chance at a flight award.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jan 31, 2007 at 09:23 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
The '78 NCRS Judging Guide outlines exactly how the car will be judged. Ditto for all C3s. Thanks to the NCRS, we have a level playing field for all. My hypothetical 100K driver '78 and the low-mile PC mentioned in your post would be judged the same way. Each car has an equal chance at a flight award.
I do just fine in my 57k driven 1985 being judged along with the 12k/14k trailered early C4s ...
... and I drive it every Sunday morning!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
The contrast is that if you took a low-mileage original and compared it to the judging of a restored 100% factory perfect, the 100%er would probably walk away with more point deductions due to the fact that it was over restored. Most late model C3 judges are familiar with factory imperfections and expect to see those. Absence of such suggest too much effort to make perfect that which never was when that 78 Pace Car rolled out of the factory.
I teach a course on NCRS Judging and we use lots of slides to train judges what to look for. Even the seasoned judges walk away learning something new.
Judges (all years) appreciate a low-mileage original Corvette. These Corvettes also serve as examples for judges schools and are used to train judges on original factory production methods. Can't do that with a 100% perfect Corvette because it has destroyed all originality.
Hope this helps.
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Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 336
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From: Somewhere Texas
Something else to consider about th e'78 in a bubble, it can be Bowtie judged and a restored car cannot. A Bowtie award means the car is original--untouched at least for the most part. You can only get original one time. That is something special.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,364
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From: Beecher Illinois
The contrast is that if you took a low-mileage original and compared it to the judging of a restored 100% factory perfect, the 100%er would probably walk away with more point deductions due to the fact that it was over restored. Most late model C3 judges are familiar with factory imperfections and expect to see those. Absence of such suggest too much effort to make perfect that which never was when that 78 Pace Car rolled out of the factory.
. I cringe whenever I see this type of thing on mine! But would you DARE repaint your Pace Car to this level of quality?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
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From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
That's absolutely correct - Bowtie is one thing I'll never have with my relatively high mile car ...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 31,497
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From: Huntsville AL
I have judged lots of C3s for NCRS over the years. I had the pleasure of judging the exterior on the yellow ZL1 car, and a number of nicely restored L88 cars. I have judged in all categories except PV.
The only car that I judged that did not receive ANY deductions was the engine compartment (mechanical) on a 1978 Pace car with 12 miles on it. Those factory imperfections were a thing of beauty.
The only car that I judged that did not receive ANY deductions was the engine compartment (mechanical) on a 1978 Pace car with 12 miles on it. Those factory imperfections were a thing of beauty.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 605
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From: Purcellville, Virginia
I am not sure what the intent of the original question here was, but if you are buying a car to keep (as opposed to drive) and you want to win awards - go through the program and take the car to a National for Bowtie judging. Fortunately I have an original car that I can also drive; I just took my '67 BB to San Antonio for Bowtie Judging - what an experience! (And, yes its quite a feeling knowing its only original once.)
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 324
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From: Dacula Georgia
This car would almost certainly get all of the originality points and the deducts then would be for the condition, (some deterioration over time for sure). Unless it is filthy and rusty under the hood and chassis it would be hard for this car not to judge well. But the best value for this is to be judged as a bow-tie candidate where the aging over time with no restoration is truly appreciated.
Good Luck if you decide to purchase.
