I am somewhat new to Corvette originality and correctness verification. Trying to get educated enough to find a nice restored, original/correct C2. I have purchased and read a few books from NCRS. My concern is that I have not seen enough corvettes, with expert help, to develop solid knowledge. What are the best ways to speed up my learning curve to be able to make an informed purchase?
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Re: C2 Search/Buy assistance
Todd, perhaps the best way, in addition to buying and reading a current Judging Manual, is to become an Observer Judge at the next chapter or Regional meet. Select the year of car you are interested in and ask to observe the actual judging. This is also a good way to pick up on many of the subtlties not mentioned in the manual.Good luck.
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Re: C2 Search/Buy assistance
In addition to the advice Don gives you, consider joining and becoming active in your local NCRS Chapter. You'll find folks there who've been there, done that, got the T-shirt and are willing to lend a hand to help bootstrap you down the learning curve!
Also, here's another piece of advice that only YOU can ponder/resolve... While factory originality is one consideration, it's NOT the be-all/end-all. It's easy to get carried away in this sport/hobby and build a 'Frankenstein' monster -- a car so nice & factory correct/original that you're afraid to drive/use it.
If it's a classic Corvette you're after that you can drive and enjoy as a 'weekend warrior' vehicle, you may want to consider INTENTIONALLY deviating from a 100% correct/original objective to widen your purchase alternative sphere, lower your total acquisition cost and garner a reliability/performance factor in the process. This is a personal decision that requires you to take a hard look in the mirror and ask yourself what your objective(s) are for the car (campaign it and win factory concours awards or drive/use it, in many respects the two goals are mutually exclusive).
Also, spend some time studying the club's award/recognition programs. You'll find there ARE alternatives to sinking a lot of time/$$$ into a classic Corvette and create a museum piece in the process. Simple Flight judging (NOT pursuit of the Mark of Excellence Award) allows owner participation to influence the award outcome via the club's milage driven credit policy. It's possible to have significant deviation(s) from total factory originality and still get that Top Flight Award.
Last, there are award/recognition programs aimed at car + owner participation in club activities. These include the Founders Award and Sportsman Award. Both can be fun and rewarding WITHOUT the necessity to build 'baby' into a 'trailer queen'....
The BEST time to join NCRS + your local chapter and get active is BEFORE you buy that first classic Corvette and this is what I sense you're doing. GOOD!Comment
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Well said Jack *NM*
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Re: C2 Search/Buy assistance
All the above threds are important. But if you are looking NOW & want originality take a experienced person with you. DONOT take sellers word w/o verification. You could possibly overpay for a counterfit.A lot of C2s out there are not as advertised. I ran across several in my purchases. Good Luck, DonComment
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