Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis nuts?

[Collin MacDonald]

Last night on Ebay I watched a auction for an "orginal" Air Cleaner Chrome Wing Nut for a 63 Chrome Air Cleaner go for almost $80.00. No I am trying to restore a 63 coupe, and trying to stick by the NCRS JG, but, is this a waste of money? Now my car has not been judged, and I am trying hard to purchase the correct parts, most being reproductions, but is the judging to a point you spend 80.00 for a wing nut? If so, I think this is ridiculous. I have read many things about the Lacquer vs. Clear Coat, all the date codes, the issue with buying repro tires, even down to the wheels on the inside with a slide curve... Is it only me or are some of these rule a little wacky??? I don't want to be a party pooper, and am trying really hard to do the right thing, but if I spend $80.00 for a dumb wing nut because the repro thickness is a little thicker, then in proportion the car will cost over $500,000 to restore to top flight....is the NCRS going in the right direction...please don't flame, as I am not trying to water down the rule or the judging, but just trying to understand how one takes a car that was one step from being destroyed for ever and bringing back to showroom condition, when you are not a millionare, but still want to belong to NCRS and feel good about the thousands of dollars spend on the car to save it....does this make sense?

[Scott Butville]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

The best advice I ever got realtive to NCRS judging is to pay attention to the dollars per point. Not counting driving points and assuming you get the 10 point fire extinguisher and decal bonus, you could lose 280 points and get a top flight. If the wing nut is worth one point at $80, one could not spend $22,400 (280 x $80) on similar silliness and still be top flight. After the first time you have your car judged, you'll most likely find 30 or 40 points you can pick-up with almost no expense. A little time with the score sheets, the TIM&JG, honest self-evaluation and a spread sheet goes a long long way and can save thousands!

[William C.]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

Score to achieve top flight is 94% on a 4500 point judging scale. You can easily afford to skip the 1 point you will lose if a reproduction wing nut is incorrect and still have about 269 points left to lose elsewhere and still make top flight. Also don't forget the "Adds" you can obtain for driving points and bonus points on the operations section. For those who choose to spend large sums for items of little consequence, it is their choice to make, but it is not necessary to spend outlandish sums to reach the "Top Flight" goal.

[Collin MacDonald]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

I have been a member for two years, and have been restoring my 63 for three years. I still am a little confused on point etc., but understand I will learn in time. I hope to have my car judged locally for the first time later on this year in the mid atlantic area. Its just that I have been forced to buy repro parts (but am very careful to make sure they are correct) and yet when I read the posts here I get nervous because I like things to be perfect. Just like the finish on my car, I chose to go with base/clear coat, and wanted the car to look better then "factory". So I committed the mortal sin of building the Chevrolet SHOULD have built, instead of the quality that was produced. So this seems to make me an outcast in the NCRS world, but I get not credit for bring a 63 coupe back from the brink of being crushed, to a great looking car. I chose Stainless Steel Exhaust, SS brake lines, glass for the instruments, quartz clock, and several other small items, simply because I want the car to last.
Am I screwed up in my thinking? Seems like the same cars are getting flighted but by different owners, so is the NCRS way to buy a top flight car, and as the new owner be recognized for buying it, or is it to save a Corvette from destruction and return it to the best look you can? I am just confused, and get more confused reading all these posts and seeing SOOOO much money being spent for trival items...sorry to rant, but I just don't understand what the true meaning of the NCRS really is...

[Mark D.]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

Seems to me that 80 bucks is a lot to pay for something as small as a wingnut, however, if the person that purchased it wanted it and was willing to pay that much for it and didn't ask me for the money to buy it, then I figure it is none of my business and I'm happy for them.
I'm not going to ask the membership to join me in trying to determine if the purchaser is 'nuts'. Each of us has our own areas that are important to us and some can afford, and are willing, to pay lots of money for certain items that are important to them.
As has been stated, a repro wingnut is worth, at most, 1 point to most judges. It is up to the restorer to decide if that 1 point is worth whatever is needed to buy the part.
Since you did ask, I'd say restore your car as you see fit and with what makes you happy. While your at it, let the guy who spent 80 bucks on the wingnut do the same. Good luck with your car.
Regards,
Mark Donnally

[Collin MacDonald]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

Mark,

Good reply. I make no judgement of the person buying the wing nut, and if that's his thing fine, let it be. I am looking at it a little deeper then that, what I am questioning is the reason why the person would or wants to spend 80 dollars for such an item. Of course I don't know what is going on in his/her mind, but reasoning of the situation dictates if the judging rules were not so rigid, then would the same person buy the wing nut for 80 dollars, and as the seller of the item, it only wants me to jack up prices more and more.

So what came first the chicken or the egg? Regardless it seems the rigid rules only foster the escalation of prices to a point you are limited the number of people who want to restore a Corvette, in turn limited the number of members in the NCRS...just my thought, and please don't take it that I am bad mouthing NCRS, I happen to think the world of this club and its members, its just I hear more prospective member, not become members because the percepetion this is a rich man's club, limited to people who can only afford to buy a completed car.

[John Daly]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

At the judging seminar last weekend in Dallas there was an absolutely awesome 1966 convertible with an original AC212CW air filter element in mint condition,
It was just as described in the manual with the mesh cut on the bias, embossed lettering on the top and the correct one side only ribs. Some commented it's worth was at least $750 and possibly over $1000...............go figure

[Roy B.]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

My 55 is not NCRS quality by their standers , too many accessories this or that. But if you enter the game you play by the rules. Or like me , just enjoy what you have and be happy for other's values. There are many things I don't like about NCRS and don't agree on many things judged that are wrong that they say are right, but that's the game.
To many people feel peer pressure from others and are un-happy .Never thought it would ever cost $250.00 to show your Corvette and watch some person worry over the correct Air Cleaner wing nut.
That is the reason I gave up on having my corvette ever judged for 26 years. Now this is just ME but I don't see the fun in it any more. I've stated this many times that NCRS is a great organization for many things. So pick one out??

[Steven S.]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

Collin, there is more to NCRS than a top flight award. I also have a '63 that was 1 step from the junk yard (if fact I wonder if I would not have been better off to let it go there sometimes). I have had it for 12 years. My commitment to myself was to drive it. But, when it needed fixing, I would use correct parts. 12 years later, it still is not a top flight car, but it has participated in the Founders Program and I have been awarded that award. In it's own way, that is almost as hard, if not harder to do than top flight. I am proud of it, just as I would be with a top flight from a National.
Think about the other ways to participate and enjoy your car! You own it and can make it anyway you want. What others think does not matter.

Steve

[Jim S.]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

I agree with everything said so far. From the "thats nuts" comment, to the " thats his choice " comment.There are always two sides to any viewpoint. If however, I had to choose a side on the debate team,I think I would lean to the "THATS NUTS" side!

It would seem that NCRS, and others, are escalating Prices on what would seem to be rather trivial items. Let's face it , the mil thickness on a wing nut is a pretty trivial item , and $80 is a pretty heafty price for a wing nut!

Now as to what can be done about this ,I think I am going to buy a bunch of wing nuts ,grind them down and make a fortune!

[Dale S.]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

I'm going to sell my original and buy a repop. Lets hope there are two out there that will pay that. Dale

[Patrick H.]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

There were a few beautiful original cars there last weekend. I drooled over all of them...the 67s, the 66, the 64. Wonderful.

Patrick

[Kent K.]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

Collin,
Pick your points and pay for the ones that are within your pocketbook. For example, original tires may cost thousands but are only worth 3 points. The fire extinguisher, NCRS decal and battery cut-off switch provide an extra 10 points so, I figured I'm 7 points ahead from the start while using reproduction tires which closely approximated the OEM ones. Since I am unfamiliar with '63s, you'll have to do your own studies for money vs. points issues. All I can say is it worked for me first time out each step of the way towards my '67 Duntov award.
Kent 6201

[Robert C.]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n *NM*

[Dick W.]

Re: Original Air Cleaner Wing Nut.$80.00? Isthis n

I have been on all three sides of the equation. Vendor selling parts, owner paying to have his car restored, and restoring cars for a living. Early on I figured out that on most cars you could buy a Duntov/Bloomington Gold quality car for less money than you could restore a car. I did several cars that the restoration cost more than the car was worth. I forwarned the owners trying to get them to buy a finished car. Each to his own.

And then you get the owner that wants a 100% correct restoration. Money is no object to some of them.

Did the rules drive the prices at Barrett Jackson?? I don't think so. If you followed the previous post about some cars. Pretty, ego, Jack Daniels, and shiney drove the prices up.

No one is forced to do anything that they do not want to do. This is America. (oops! forgot taxes and a job) Pick up a copy of the DuPont Registry or the Robb Report. It is not only Corvettes, it is all muscle, high performance, collectable, and exotic cars that have gone through the roof.

For most of us this is a hobby. We spend descresionary monies on our cars, whether it be a Corvette, Ferrari, Bugatti, Model A, or what ever. Most do it for the love of the cars. To me (and most of this board) the cars are my life, growing up in a dealership, helping (hindering?) restore a truck when I was about eleven. Many since then, not only Corvettes. Did a 57 Cadillac in 1979. Owner had the chrome done. The bill was over $12,000 then. Not sensible, but what he wanted and he was paying the bills.

It is the owners money to do what he/she wants to do with it. More power to them