C1 - Air Cleaner Grommet

[Brad K.]

In the 58-60 judging guide (4th edition) in the carbureted air cleaner section there is a reference to "Carburetor stud holes are reinforced with a brass grommet". My air cleaner (what I believe is an original) does not have this brass grommet. Can someone please define was is expected to be there as I have never seen one before. ie: ID/OD, shiney or dull, etc.
Thanks,
Brad
#18060

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 - Air Cleaner Grommet

What you are asking about is just what I've said before about repro's items being bought ( but they are prettier) then the original parts being sold, and easier then going through the trouble of locating original parts.That is the reason many Corvettes are all looking alike.So now the judging manuals are reflecting what many people are seeing ( not original parts but repro's). Your air cleaner is only one example. NO original had a brass retainer! or 55or56or57-and so on.But it's pretty! Would you put a used not so pretty air cleaner on your Corvette to be judged and lose pretty points . My 55 Corvette has many ( not so pretty parts) but are REAL. If I had my Corvettes judged I would lose so many points on pretty condition and original parts they would need to come up with a Filth Flight Ribbon. I drive my Corvette and in 22 years have added over a 100,000 miles on her. OK again I don't need hate mail.
PS the repro's use a brass retainer to hold the inner sound deadner and retainer.Original's were spot welded togeather.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 - Air Cleaner Grommet

What you are asking about is just what I've said before about repro's items being bought ( but they are prettier) then the original parts being sold, and easier then going through the trouble of locating original parts.That is the reason many Corvettes are all looking alike.So now the judging manuals are reflecting what many people are seeing ( not original parts but repro's). Your air cleaner is only one example. NO original had a brass retainer! or 55or56or57-and so on.But it's pretty! Would you put a used not so pretty air cleaner on your Corvette to be judged and lose pretty points . My 55 Corvette has many ( not so pretty parts) but are REAL. If I had my Corvettes judged I would lose so many points on pretty condition and original parts they would need to come up with a Filth Flight Ribbon. I drive my Corvette and in 22 years have added over a 100,000 miles on her. OK again I don't need hate mail.
PS the repro's use a brass retainer to hold the inner sound deadner and retainer.Original's were spot welded togeather.

[Brad K.]

Re: C1 - Air Cleaner Grommet

Ray,
I hear what you're saying about how cars are "better" with all original parts and agree with you 100%. But.....if what you say is true, why on earth does the Judging Guide specify reproduction parts? I thought NCRS JG's were supposed to specify everything that was present "as it rolled off of the production line" in 1959. I don't want to open another discussion about how "the judging guide is wrong" !!! Please don't !
Brad

[Brad K.]

Re: C1 - Air Cleaner Grommet

Ray,
I hear what you're saying about how cars are "better" with all original parts and agree with you 100%. But.....if what you say is true, why on earth does the Judging Guide specify reproduction parts? I thought NCRS JG's were supposed to specify everything that was present "as it rolled off of the production line" in 1959. I don't want to open another discussion about how "the judging guide is wrong" !!! Please don't !
Brad

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 - Air Cleaner Grommet here I go again.

Remember NCRS has been around for a long time and I will say it's the best Corvette organization to belong to if your intention is to bring or show your Corvette as it left the factory., thinking then as is now , is to restore your Corvette to ORIGINAL and not to restore your Corvette with obvious incorrect or repro's parts. That is the reason for the two categories. What I'm saying which many members don't like to hear and few will speek out about is that many Corvettes are be coming Generic.
All having the same bolt marking, part design, so on and so on. The only gaol is to meet or satisfy the JG ( right or wrong) get a first flight and what ever pedigree papers one can get."Unforcedly" it comes down to the Money. That is OK, great, and wonderful, I have no problem with that at ALL. We put a great amounts of money in to our Corvettes and expect to get it back down the road or were all crazy to do so.Some NOT all people that repro parts make bad or incorrect parts, this has been going on for years.Many older judges ( but few) know the difference but even grown ups have peer pressure.Few will rock the boat and will over look descent. I read many posting and see to often people insulting each other when they feel stepped on.Every one now wont's documentation for every thing and if you don't have it ( what do you think they think of YOU).Using my 55 Corvette, show me documentation for three different design headlights, main wiring, a yellow 55 having green and yellow seats or yellow and green seats combinations.Your Corvette will have many design changes during production can you show me ALL that documentation to prove it to me. ?? OK I've pis---ed off enough people.I already hear the response. But I don't give in to peer pressure.I take the consensus of owners.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 - Air Cleaner Grommet here I go again.

Remember NCRS has been around for a long time and I will say it's the best Corvette organization to belong to if your intention is to bring or show your Corvette as it left the factory., thinking then as is now , is to restore your Corvette to ORIGINAL and not to restore your Corvette with obvious incorrect or repro's parts. That is the reason for the two categories. What I'm saying which many members don't like to hear and few will speek out about is that many Corvettes are be coming Generic.
All having the same bolt marking, part design, so on and so on. The only gaol is to meet or satisfy the JG ( right or wrong) get a first flight and what ever pedigree papers one can get."Unforcedly" it comes down to the Money. That is OK, great, and wonderful, I have no problem with that at ALL. We put a great amounts of money in to our Corvettes and expect to get it back down the road or were all crazy to do so.Some NOT all people that repro parts make bad or incorrect parts, this has been going on for years.Many older judges ( but few) know the difference but even grown ups have peer pressure.Few will rock the boat and will over look descent. I read many posting and see to often people insulting each other when they feel stepped on.Every one now wont's documentation for every thing and if you don't have it ( what do you think they think of YOU).Using my 55 Corvette, show me documentation for three different design headlights, main wiring, a yellow 55 having green and yellow seats or yellow and green seats combinations.Your Corvette will have many design changes during production can you show me ALL that documentation to prove it to me. ?? OK I've pis---ed off enough people.I already hear the response. But I don't give in to peer pressure.I take the consensus of owners.

[Brad K.]

Re: C1 - Air Cleaner Grommet

Thanks for the response, Roy. I'm sure there's considerable controversy over "real" cars vs. "made" cars which is getting worse as the sport matures. I'm quite sure that your car is about as original at they come, which ought to command respect within NCRS. I'm also sure that as parts become more scarce and prices continue to rise, newcomers to the sport are to quick to slap on a repo just in time for judging and sometimes wrongly make it through to achieve the highest honors. I also hope that common sense would prevail and the "old-timers" continue to provide the education required to keep NCRS on the right track.

My car is a '59 which is the only Corvette I've ever owned. I bought it 34 years ago in 1970 and it was 11 years old when I purchased it. I'll NEVER sell it because when I die I'm leaving it to a deserving person in my family! I only recently retired and decided to "restore" it while I am still able ! I've been collecting original parts and restoring them for about 25 years now and hope to begin showing it next summer. I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks,
Brad
#18060

[Brad K.]

Re: C1 - Air Cleaner Grommet

Thanks for the response, Roy. I'm sure there's considerable controversy over "real" cars vs. "made" cars which is getting worse as the sport matures. I'm quite sure that your car is about as original at they come, which ought to command respect within NCRS. I'm also sure that as parts become more scarce and prices continue to rise, newcomers to the sport are to quick to slap on a repo just in time for judging and sometimes wrongly make it through to achieve the highest honors. I also hope that common sense would prevail and the "old-timers" continue to provide the education required to keep NCRS on the right track.

My car is a '59 which is the only Corvette I've ever owned. I bought it 34 years ago in 1970 and it was 11 years old when I purchased it. I'll NEVER sell it because when I die I'm leaving it to a deserving person in my family! I only recently retired and decided to "restore" it while I am still able ! I've been collecting original parts and restoring them for about 25 years now and hope to begin showing it next summer. I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks,
Brad
#18060