I’m a bit frustrated.

[Bill Blose]

I received my NCRS number, PV and Tech Judging manuals last week. I have read them cover to cover many times. I have also joined my local chapter. I have requested an unofficial judging at my expense by the national and local chapters as well as a restoration shop. No one has responded. I know for sure my car will fail a few of the PV tests and some of the tech tests. My issue is that so many of the tests are subjective and I don’t have the experience to judge those myself. As I understand it, if I take the car to an official judging as is, the PV portion of the test will be terminated upon the first failure. How in the heck do I go about having the vehicle fully judged as is so that I can make an informed decision as to whether or not to put my time and money into this car?
-BB 40448

[Mike M.]

Re: I’m a bit frustrated.

don't become frustrated. The PV test consists of very little if any subjective evaluations, ie, its narly all objective in that the item being judged either works or doesn't function as it left the St.Louis plant or bowling green. What year is your vet? What chapter did you join? With answers to these questions, i might be able to steer you to knowledgable members in your local and with expertise with the vet you own. BTW, i've never judged a PV vet that i didn't offer the owner the opertunity to take the PV test to compltion in the event one item failed to function as per the factory standards.Only once did an owner decline my invitation to continue the PV. good luck, mike

[Charles S.]

Re: I’m a bit frustrated.

I have only observed this process as a judge and OJ through the Regional levels over five years and have not yet subjected myself to what you are facing. I would offer the following observations from my experiences.
1. Start the car through the judging process at a local chapter meet. Be patient
2. Unless you bought an extremely rare car, get to know the chapter members who own the same car you have and ask for their assistance and opinions about your pride and joy. They've all ready been through what you are attempting. Relax.
3. Judge or observer judge at the chapter level in the year group you own. The first time out, you'll probably be paired with someone who has judged before, or, if not, you can learn from the cars owner even as it's being judged. Move up to the Regional level and you'll learn even more. Stay calm and open.
4. Remember that this is a hobby. You'll meet a lot of great people and learn a lot from experience but don't try to rush the process. As a judge, I can tell you it's easier to learn what you don't know if you relax and don't push the process. I'll bet that some really over eager car owners have had problems with judges and scores when they tried to rush the process and have not been given the benefit of the doubt or cut any slack when they got too anxious. Type A's did not fare well in the cases I've observed or been involved with. Just my opinion.

[Bill Blose]

Re: I’m a bit frustrated.

Mike,
Thanks for the reply.
Squeak and rattle and wind noise are major subjective PV tests in my opinion. The operating forces of the ashtray, heater / vent controls, seatback latches etc. are but a few more. I understand the does it work or not, those are easy.
I don’t know how the car performed when it left St. Louis. I was only a few years post diapers at that point.
Going by what I have read in the manuals and information provided by the NCRS I understood that “one failure terminates test”.
I have an early ‘68 and I joined the Florida chapter.
Any help will be appreciated.
-Bill 40448

[Bill Blose]

Re: I’m a bit frustrated.

Chip,
Thanks for the reply.
I don’t care if my car falls flat on its butt. I just would like to have a benchmark, to know what I have to work with.
-Bill 40448

[Mike M.]

Re: I’m a bit frustrated.

bILL: GET TO KNOW ED AUGUSTINE AND KENT KEECH. THEY'VE BEEN AROUND AND HAVE HAD THEIR CARS PV'D.IN THE EVENT YOU'RE NOT AWARE, PV'S CAN BE REPEATED NUMEROUS TIMES. PASSING A PV, TO ME , IS MORE SATISFYING THAN GETTING A DUNTOV. I USUALLY PUT AT LEAST 500 MILES ON ONE OF MY VETS THAT IS PREPAIRING FOR A PV. I AGREE THAT WIND LEAKS/NOISE IS SOMEWHAT SUBJECTIVE BUT SOME LEAKAGE OF AIR AROUND WEATHERSTRIPS IS ACCEPTABLE IN THE C-1'S AND C-2 CONVERTS . NOT HAVING JUDGED A C-3 ON A PV COURSE, I CAN'T ADDRESS HOW MUCH WIND NOISES CHUCKIE BERGE WOULD FIND SUBJECTIVLY ACCEPTABLE. Another good reference book for prepairing for a PV is the owner's manual which describes functionality of the car when delivered initially.If you are going to the florida regional in Jan, look Chuckie up and perhaps he'll let you observe a pv. good luck and don't hesitate to have the old girl pv'd. mike

[John M.]

Re: I’m a bit frustrated.

Bill,
Even though the guide says the test terminates, most judges will offer to continue the test to give you a good idea of everything that is incorrect.

Regards, John McGraw

[Terry M.]

Re: I’m a bit frustrated. *TL*

Bill,
It may be that no one has responded to your request for "an unofficial judging at my expense by the national and local chapters as well as a restoration shop." because it is not usual for a chapter to do that, and I am not aware that has ever been done on a National level. NCRS judges cars at Chapter, Regional and National meets. I am aware of some folks who will judge a car on their own, and I even did it once myself, but I don't recommend doing that. At an NCRS meet you will get many more judges looking at the car, and more eyes are always better. Find a meet near you, and enter the car for judging - you won't regret it.
I don't understand the reference to a restoration shop. Are you requesting a judging in a shop?
I too have offered to complete failed PVs, but there are cases (a water pump failure comes to mind) where this is not possible. There are also situations where there are so many PVs scheduled at the meet that completion might be put off until the other members have their chance at the PV.

[Reba Whittington]

Re: I’m a bit frustrated.

Bill, the PV is only done after a car has been Flight judged. The car must have been Flight judged within the past three years by the present owner. That judging will give you an idea of how original the car is, its condition, and how much work it needs. As others have suggested, take it to the nearest chapter meet and have it judged there.

[Kent K.]

Frustrated, or just scared?

Bill,

You're welcome to email me about anything regarding your '68, not that I know about them but maybe I could help you through some tribulations. If you and I live somewhat nearby, we could bust some knuckles together. We have a Fall Meet in Mount Dora ... perhaps you could have your Corvette judged and gain tremendously from the experience. If your car is being restored at a shop and you are trying to follow along to provide advice to the restorer ... ?

Depending upon where you live in Florida, either I can help, or I'll connect you with someone else,

Let me kno and good Corvetting,
Kent

[Bill Blose]

Thank You All!

Thanks for the responses on the board and via e-mail.
I have a much better understanding and a plan(s) of attack.

Thanks again, what a helpful group!

-Bill 40448