67 427/390 Survivor

[Charles Frazer, Jr.]

I just got my 67 427/390 4spd a/c elkhart blue survivor, and I need advise on what to do now. I hope to go the bowtie route with it, and have already been told not to repalace the windshield, replace or repair the carpet, don't open the engine unless it is absolutely necessary to get it running, mildly clean engine with soap and water, and do what is necessary to get the brakes working.

I'm having a hard time with rule #1, BE Patient. I did some buffing on one side of the car and there is a little hope of making it look better without painting, and I did a little cleaning on one of the tail pipes. Then I got concerned that maybe I shouldn't even be doing that much.

I would appreciate any other tips that you can lay on me so that I don't screw up the chances of the car to go forward in pursuit of the "Bowtie" award. The car is super original since it has only had one owner until last week, when I bought it, and it has not been driven since at least '79.

Thank you all for any comments.

[Jack H.]

Re: 67 427/390 Survivor

Check the archieves for prior threads on Star/Bowtie vs. 'Survivor'. The first is the NCRS award and the second is the NCCB/Bloomington Gold award. While there are similarities between the two (both recognize/honor unrestored Corvettes), there are substantial differences in how the two recognition systems actually work (what is judged, criteria for receiving the awards).

Essentially the 'Survivor' award has a focus on Corvettes that are 'worn in but not worn out' meaning the car is actually in running condition and can cut muster on a road course as part of the award/test. Star/Bowtie cars are NOT tested for operability, may be maintained but not 'restored', and may only compete for the award ONCE (by VIN).

Also, obtaining the publication, NCRS Judging Reference Manual (the 'white' book; available at the STORE on this site) will give you full text on the various NCRS awards explaining the in/out details of how they work.

[Charles Frazer, Jr.]

Re: 67 427/390 Survivor

Thanks for the quick reply and the good information.

[mike cobine]

Re: 67 427/390 Survivor

Jack,

I think the use of "survivor" here is simply that - a car that survived unmolested. I don't think he had any thought to the registered service mark Bloomington Gold(R) Survivor(SM) collectible automobile class.

A lot of people used the term "survivor" in reference to such a car long before Bloomington Gold registered that term in June, 1989. And they still do, without any thought of BG when they say it.

http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=doc&state=mrpppk.4.20

And people are completely right to refer to a car as a survivor. It is only when using it in the class of certain automobiles for authenicating collectibles that it must be Survivor and the (SM) tag hung on it and credited to Bloomingotn Gold, just like referring to Flight Awards and doing that for NCRS. For example, NCRS cannot have a new judging or show class for "Survivors" and my local street rod club couldn't suddenly have a show class called "Survivor" because Bloomington Gold owns that term.

If I say I want my car judged as a Survivor(SM), then it has to do with Bloomington Gold. If I say I just bought a car in a barn and it is a real survivor, it has nothing to do with Bloomington Gold.

[Paul B.]

Re: 67 427/390 Survivor

Charles, I've been through Bloomington "Survivor" 3 times, once for NCRS Bowtie. Hopefully, will get into "Windsor" for Bowtie next year at the NCRS Nats. Anyways, with Bloomington "Survivor", the "judges" look for the car to be "at least" 50% or more ORIGINAL in the four categories of interior, exterior, chassis and engine compartment. Survivor, to me, is not as hard as NCRS Bowtie because the judging is "not as critical". The three or four Bloomington judges "ask themselves" when looking at each category "does this exterior appear to be at least 50% or more original?" Does this engine compartment appear to be 50% or more original?, and so on with the other two categories. Also, your car has to complete a 30-40 "road tour" with the other "Survivor" entrants, which I like. With NCRS Bowtie, four teams of two judges look at the same categories mentioned above. Here is where NCRS is more critical. In the categories of engine compartment & chassis, you must score an 80% or higher on originality. Exterior & interior must score an 85% or higher on originality. For each category passed, a "Star" is earned. Only cars that get all four Stars are "BOWTIE AWARD" cars. The other cars get a Three Star Award, Two Star Award and so on. As mentioned by someone else, there is no "operating" or driving tour with the Bowtie judging.

[Charles Frazer, Jr.]

Re: 67 427/390 Survivor

For clarification purposes I am refering to my car as a survivor because it has survived unmolested, albeit it somewhat worn, for all of these years.

I would like to pursue the NCRS awards route, and then if successful go from there. I do not plan to restore the car, but keep it original, and along those lines, would appreciate any tips as to what to do or not do to the car. Every thing appears to be correct about the car, it just hasn't run in 24 years, and has the brakes locked up. Short term goal is to get it rolling, stopping and running.

Thanks