I thought this would offer a good discussion topic. This is a NCRS test that is not duplicated by any other auto enthusiast organization, at least none that I am aware and is a real nail biter. It requires the car owner to prepare his Corvette to a mechinical level equivalent to the manner for which it was engineered [not delivered to the dealer]. It has approximately 135 items to be tested. Each item must pass its test before the judge goes on to the next item. You are allowed only one failure for which you have 15 minutes to repair. If it is not reparied in the aloted time period, the test is over. The test includes a 10 mile road test.
Would anyone like to share their stories, emotions or experiences.


[Modified by ED DINAPOLI, 9:29 PM 12/20/2002]

 

The P.V. is THE most demanding test of a truly fine restoration (I've never done it with my Top Flight cars); Bill Nichols, one of my Chapter members, has TF'd his '67 427/435 convertible several times, took it to the Asheville, NC Regional last spring for his P.V., then took it to the National in Monterey in August for final Top Flight judging (must get 97% with no bonus or driving points) to get his Duntov, and got it - a tremendous accomplishment. Cosmetic restorations are one thing, but passing a P.V. where EVERYTHING has to work and the car has to perform exactly as designed is quite another. :steering:

 

well lets see said to my self. self it was not stress full enough to top flight my
car with some very knowledgeable friendly strangers trying to violate foxy
[my car 76 fox no my wife ] i said let's try to complete go phycso and
pv drove to bend oregon 675 miles one way before i left went through
the book on trial run could not get alarm to work replaced horn repaid
alarm/door switch [it fell out when to car to judging Field taped up to stay in ]
and tryed to get park brake to work [i know they did nit work from factory
this is a gm joke to drive us nutty ] well i was scheduled for second day
because i could still carry on a simple two or three word conversation
saw the other who went throw it the first day and knew i was done for no car ever work that perfect . now my turn could not sleep all night could
no longer carry on a conversation marvin burnett my pv judge came over
and calmed me down so i could talk we went over the car everthing thing going ok until the alarm it did work on driver door It fell out day before and i taped
in place [note they need to ground so do not tape ] i fixed my one fix
went on road test and came to a hill [probably straight up ] and pulled on the
un tried park brake i could not believed it rolled back 1to 2 '' [it seamed like
for ever ] and held i was so exacted that i went past the turn around spot
[ i know i was in heaven on earth at the time ] and messed up the odometer
reading [we subtracted the mile over that was still right on ]
and got back with a passing pv i am still over joyed by the way it was
the first time i try-ed and foxy still works like new not sure of park brake though.

docmow

ps sorry at my lack of writing skills

 

I would have to say that PV is the most demanding test imaginable. I have never done one, but have seen the judging. Items such as ease of cold starting, cold idle speed, kick down to warm idle speed, etc.

Any 20+ year old Vette that can PV is very impressive.

 

Ugh, just going through the operations section of Flt judging is bad enough....don't think I'll ever try a PV....nerves couldn't take it. :steering:

 

docmow, 675 miles before a PV, thats got to be some kind of a record. I know the last 10 miles were the most difficut. I drove 150 miles in commuter traffic [3.5 hours] and I know what condition I was in.

qq82, Jerry you are such a detail guy, I know you would do well. If your neves did not give out.;)
Ed

 

yes it was ed but after receiving it just flu home on cloud 9
docmow

 

docmow,
What was the one item in the test caused you the most concern? My concern was the wiper door not opening in conjunction with the start up of the wiper arms. You need to use the wiper switch [ I call it the mystery switch, as its a mystery as to what is going to happen when you turn it on] to activate the system. :eek:
Ed


[Modified by ED DINAPOLI, 6:36 PM 12/28/2002]

 

I'm headed to Orlando with my 71 Steel Cities Grey LT-1 roadster in January for a PV. I've been through numerous dry runs and the car is capable but with a fiberglass car one never knows. I've done it before on a C-1 but these C-3's are quite a challenge. I'll keep you posted on the result.

 

Dave,
I wish you the best of luck. I had Terry McManmon as my PV judge and he was absolutely wonderful in calming me down. Hope you have the same experience.
Ed

 

Ed, I have gotten to know Terry through the flight judging process when he was the 70-72 team leader and later as the editor of the Restorer magazine and you can't find a more committed NCRS member. He is a true credit to the organization. Another top notch guy, Chuck Berge, the current 70-72 team leader, will most likely do mine. All I need now is a little luck to get through it. Thanks for the encouragement. [IMG][/IMG] :cheers:

 

Dave, I plan on going as well (not bringing the car) and look foward to seeing your car put through it's paces...best of luck!!

 

Jerry, Thanks for the encouragement. The test will be Thursday. Hopefully Thursday night will be cause for celebration. If not we'll try it again somewhere. See you there. :cheers:

 

ed my Major frett was the park brake
docmow

 

There was a fellow at the Quebec Regional last summer who PVed his 53! His car was featured on GMA & the Today show.

:seeya
Guy

 

I PV'd my 69 L88 in Cypress Gardens in either 89 or 90 and it was definately the hardest thing I've ever done in car showin'. The things that I was most concerned about were shifter rattle (the judge had me lug it a little and it was flawless that day) and any brake pull/vibration when stopping from speed. Since the car doesn't have a choke, they had to cut some slack on it's cold start and run manners. The car never missed a beat and passed with no corrections required, but when I got it home and went to take it out of the trailer it lost a tail light bulb so I guess I dodged a bullet. After all that, and two Top Flights, I never got around to Duntov'n it, and of course after all this time the process would have to start over from square one.

 

"It requires the car owner to prepare his Corvette to a mechinical level equivalent to the manner for which it was engineered [not delivered to the dealer]."
________________________________________ _______________________
Did any of them pass a test like this when brand spankin' new?? :D

...And after the dealer got finished with it, did it run any better? :D :D

I would almost have to consider any '50's, '60's, or '70's vintage restoration that could pass this to be "over-restored" !! :D :D :D

Despite all their flaws, I love old iron (and fiberglass) so much more than today's stuff. It's almost gotten boring to go out to the new car in morning knowing that it's gonna start first time without flooding, provide a relatively quiet ride to work, and not require a points and condensor change every 10,000 miles (at the minimum).

 

"Despite all their flaws, I love old iron (and fiberglass) so much more than today's stuff."

Meeeee too. Having a bunch of old Corvettes and with people around here knowing I've been foolin' with em for years, I'm frequently asked the question, "what do you think of the new ones?" The answer's always the same: "I dunno, they're probably okay. I rode in one once and was bored, so I never did it again."

Gimme that rumpity rump idle, the solid lifter rattle and that stinkin' race gas now required, anytime over the luxury and comfort of the new 'uns.

 

I agree as well. I realize that many of today's cars are faster amd more refined, but there is just something about the feeling of raw horsepower. I prefer to drive cars rather than sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

docmow, The parking brake test is a killer [next to the wiper door]. We all know that the PB is a week spot, but it must be tested. My PB was tested on a incline coming out of a parking garage [10-12 degree incline], for which the PB holds very well in reverse. I thought that I passed with flying colors. On the return form the road test, I was asked to test the PB again on the same incline going foward into the garage, my heart was in my throat. This was the final item to be signed off. I pulled on the handle so hard that I thought it would come off in my hand. But it passed.

Guy82, The 53 is a simple Corvette , but to PV a car that old had to be a real challange.

Solidlifter, It is a real shame you did all the hard work and did not pursue a Dontov. You have 3 years to put the 2 97%Top Flights and the PV together. Any Chance of completeing the requirements? You know that there are only about 600 Corvettes in the world that have recieved this award.

Lemansblue68, The PV is not really asking for something the car wasn't equiped to do. It is asking that everything is working on one particular day of the test. My car probably would have passed from the dealer. Most of the time the dealers had a hard time getting eveything to work at the same time. You had to keep bringing the car back untill they got it right or you tired of bring it back.

As far as the old vs the new, I agree that the old has a feel and mystique that you cant readily define other than the fact that you know you love it.
Ed