Paint Code: Prime

[Michael H.]

Does anyone have a genuine 63-67 car with a trim tag paint code "PRIME"? Just wondered how the judging would go on something like that. Guess it would only be correct and full points if it showed up in primer. I remember a 63 conv advertised in Vette Vues years ago that had the "PRIME" tag but never did record the VIN. I'd like to have a good quality close-up pic of the trim tag if anyone has one.

Michael

[Dick W.]

Re: Paint Code: Prime

Yes Michael, if the tag calls for prime, it better show up on the judging field with primer. That has been the rule for several years, maybe 10 or so.

[Loren L.]

It's also an assinine rule

Think about it - this is a car that SOMEONE had enough influence to get Chevrolet to CHANGE their procedures; but we're going to keep the current owner from showing his car to the membership - talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. What else might we be missing by telling that owner to 'STAY AWAY".

[Dennis C.]

Loren...

NCRS does absolutely nothing to "keep the current owner from showing his car to the membership." The member with a primer car would receive full credit for his paint if shown as it rolled off the assembly line. It's called a "Judging Standard." It's worked pretty well for 30 years. I would think if you let a primer car be judged on the field as a legitimate dealer painted car, it could be a flame job, racing stripes, dune buggy metal flake, whatever - the judging standard goes out the window and the owner does whatever might turn his crank, and the judges have to accept whatever they see as a dealer/buyer thing and whatever the current owner tells the judges is correct.

If a buyer does not like the NCRS Judging Standard and wants to have the car judged by NCRS judging standards, and this 30 year old judging standard upsets the buyer - don't buy the car. There are a bazillion out there that very nicely meet our standard.

Our Judging Standard is not an assinine rule IMHO. Best, Dennis

[Gerard F.]

Re: It's also an assinine rule

Agree, you probably ought to give it plus points as unique, and judge it for condition only. Do we get to vote on this?

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Jack H.]

Yes....

one of your UK chapter members has such a car. Its trim tag clearly reads 'PRIMER' and he did due diligence to trace the origin of the car. Turns out it was a Gulf Oil racer that was wrecked & abandoned in Europe then subsequently 'restored'.

Now, the owner's dilema is what to do? As a daily driver/Flight car we WOULD take a full deduction on paint for showing the car in any form except as it originally shipped from the factory (in primer). But, almost all of these 'primer' cars have a unique history behind them that current owners SHOULD research.

If the car were restored to it's full race configuration (roll bars, custom paint, lightened up/race interior), it'd qualify for a run at the NCRS American Heritage award. There, we're not talking 'peanuts' in terms of final value! So, the rule in our standards isn't ridiculous....

Reading the rule book FULLY will open your eyes and realize there are MANY other award categories at NCRS beyond simple Flight Judging. If you don't put a square peg in a round hole (ignore a PRIMER car's unique prior history and force it into Flight class with the restoration/preservation), the system DOES work and makes a lot of sense!

[Stephen P.]

Re: Paint Code: Prime

My 65 coupe has a blank paint code. The Dobbins Vette Vues Fact Book shows a similar trim tag with a blank paint code and states that it was a factory primer car. I haven't been able to trace my car back to find out exactly how it came from the factory. The 65 NCRS Judging Guide is specific in stating that Owner has to prove what finish was on the car at the factory if there is a special paint code. My car is a driver, so the NCRS rules are not an issue with me, but would probably detract from the value for someone wanting to judge the car, rather than increase the value because it is unique. Al Grenning, the trim tag expert has reviewed a photograph of the trim tag and advised me that it could have been a factory primer car or just a screw up in stamping at the factory.

[Loren L.]

Re: Loren...

My point is a simple one - judge the car on whatever paint is on it, regardless of color. Hold him to the same lacquer standard (if that still exists) and everything else. But don't make the owner shoot a primer coat to have it judged. In 1976, Lou Grubb of Lou Grubb Chevrolet ordered one in primer and then went to street rod painter and painted it a glorious Cadillac Turquoise.

[Michael H.]

Read All The Posts And........

...So far, I'm convinced that if I owned a factory "PRINE" car, I'd restore and show it in primer. I think it would be interesting, especially with all the chrome, trim and emblems in place. On the judging issue, I feel that anyone that bought a car like this well knew the problems that may come up in judging when they bought the car so I would lean toward deducting points if the car were painted a color instead of in primer but I'm still thinking about that part. Leaning towards a deduction for color.

Michael

[bruce11495]

Good point......!

I have to agree with Loren.........contrary to the "popular vote"
The car SHOULD be given some sort of "bonus" points for the way it was ordered. If the owner was real smart, and lied like all the "original" engine cars, and said the dealer painted it such and such colour. The car would be accepted as something special the way it is. If it was an L88, or a radio delete car it would be something special.............just like this "primer" car

[bruce11495]

Re: PS .... Good point......!

The car is "rare" for all the wrong reasons. Like a 427 with a 3 speed tranny.............DUH What was the original owner thinking.

[Mark #28455]

Re: Read All The Posts And........

I guess this is what separates the hard core NCRS member from the rest!

Why would you spend a truckload of money to restore a car in primer? It'll be butt ugly, you'll never be able to sell it, it'll be impossible to properly paint later without disassembly,and a trailer queen to boot because it's restored!

Paint it whatever correct corvette color you like, The deduct for wrong color is 80 points - that's about 2% of the total, and then drive it to the meet to get the driving points to help cover the points you lost on the paint.

Just my opinion! In reality, do whatever makes you happy with your car, as for me, I would rather have a car I can drive that makes people stop and point because it's beautiful not because it's primer.

[Bill W.]

Re: Paint Code: Prime

In 1975 I painted 2 cars that were shipped in primer. the rubber bumpers and small trim parts ( head lamp bezels,vents & painted int trim) were painted silver. the cars were gray primer and full of dirty ,greezy hand prints from being built. the trim tags had 2 dashes where the paint code would have been. At that time the owners paid $100.00 extra to get a prime car. both cars were painted a.m.c. purple.
My understanding is ,If the car was in prime it had dashes or no stamp. if it was painted with a non corvette color at the factory it would have spec. stamped.

[Rick S.]

Re: Read All The Posts And........

Mark,
I couldn't have said it better, butt ugly is butt ugly. Gee, is that basecoat/clear coat primer?
Rick

[Mike M.]

Red suede Mid-year---Very Kewl! *NM*