1st time for judging

[Michael W.]

Re: 1st time for judging

I'm disturbed by your comment "It would be a long miserable 1200 mile trip home with a 2nd or 3rd flight" There's no shame in not a getting a Top Flight first time out. Most cars don't in fact, that's the whole reason you can have a car Flight judged as many times as you wish.

If you're going to the FL meet anyway, or just to get out of the snow then don't worry about which colour ribbon you get. Otherwise do yourself a favour and take the car to some local chapter or regional events first. The 'miserable' drive home would be much shorter.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1st time for judging

I'm disturbed by your comment "It would be a long miserable 1200 mile trip home with a 2nd or 3rd flight" There's no shame in not a getting a Top Flight first time out. Most cars don't in fact, that's the whole reason you can have a car Flight judged as many times as you wish.

If you're going to the FL meet anyway, or just to get out of the snow then don't worry about which colour ribbon you get. Otherwise do yourself a favour and take the car to some local chapter or regional events first. The 'miserable' drive home would be much shorter.

[Keith B.]

Remember the manual is only a "guide"

I have learned throughout my time around the judging area that following the manual should get you the essential information that you need to score well if followed. I was in your same shoes several years ago with a 1967 (small block) that recently received the award of Duntov at the last nationals with another owner. When I restored the car I used the manual for a large portion of restoration. I also had asked many questions on the board and I video taped many known Top Flight cars over the years to see how things were "supposed" to be. I also asked as many questions as I could while at judging events.

What the manual misses even when followed to a tee is the simple subtle diferences in parts (mainly restoration) that cost you here and there a point or two. It is really amazing how nice the judges are at the events and they want your car to score well when the car is done right with effort. You really have a pretty large amount of points to play with if you have a correct block, pad, and paint, and you get through operations without deduction. It is really difficult to loose 270 points in the simple four areas unless there are parts the simply do not belong or you have parts that are badly worn.

All cars are looked at with scrutinty when it comes to the motor and pad but as the owner of a 65 big block I will tell you everyone wants to take a real close look to give their opinion on the pad. Don't be fooled the Regional judges are going to know a restamp and take the points if it is not real. If your pad is clean sleep soundly if not plan on the full deduct and move on to assure not to loose points elsewhere.

Pay attention to detail. Detail really makes a huge difference in the overall look of the car. The cars that score well have very good detail. Detail = points. Go to Florida with confidence and come home happy.

[Keith B.]

Remember the manual is only a "guide"

I have learned throughout my time around the judging area that following the manual should get you the essential information that you need to score well if followed. I was in your same shoes several years ago with a 1967 (small block) that recently received the award of Duntov at the last nationals with another owner. When I restored the car I used the manual for a large portion of restoration. I also had asked many questions on the board and I video taped many known Top Flight cars over the years to see how things were "supposed" to be. I also asked as many questions as I could while at judging events.

What the manual misses even when followed to a tee is the simple subtle diferences in parts (mainly restoration) that cost you here and there a point or two. It is really amazing how nice the judges are at the events and they want your car to score well when the car is done right with effort. You really have a pretty large amount of points to play with if you have a correct block, pad, and paint, and you get through operations without deduction. It is really difficult to loose 270 points in the simple four areas unless there are parts the simply do not belong or you have parts that are badly worn.

All cars are looked at with scrutinty when it comes to the motor and pad but as the owner of a 65 big block I will tell you everyone wants to take a real close look to give their opinion on the pad. Don't be fooled the Regional judges are going to know a restamp and take the points if it is not real. If your pad is clean sleep soundly if not plan on the full deduct and move on to assure not to loose points elsewhere.

Pay attention to detail. Detail really makes a huge difference in the overall look of the car. The cars that score well have very good detail. Detail = points. Go to Florida with confidence and come home happy.

[Jack H.]

AGREE!!!! *NM*

[Jack H.]

AGREE!!!! *NM*

[Don S.]

Re: 1st time for judging

Make sure you have the correct battery.There seems to me to be an awful lot of point deductions for the incorrect battery. If you do not have the correct tar top battery, then at least have the correct make. You will only then lose 1/2 of the battery points.Yes everything should be working, you should have the fire extinguisher. battery cut off switch, and the decal. Driving ponts really help . My car made it into the top flight category last year at Kissemmee when I received the driving points (I received 175 points for 175 miles or 1.75 actual points.) I do not know if you have side pipes and if you do if they are original. I also got only a second flight on my second car because there is an awful lot of point deductions for side pipes on a car that never had them originally. I would think that you could not get a top flight if you had side pipes that were not on the car originally. (deductions for exhaust, paint, body etc.) Good luck and have fun. The judges are tough but they are on your side. Also be on time the day of the judging. dont sleep in.

[Don S.]

Re: 1st time for judging

Make sure you have the correct battery.There seems to me to be an awful lot of point deductions for the incorrect battery. If you do not have the correct tar top battery, then at least have the correct make. You will only then lose 1/2 of the battery points.Yes everything should be working, you should have the fire extinguisher. battery cut off switch, and the decal. Driving ponts really help . My car made it into the top flight category last year at Kissemmee when I received the driving points (I received 175 points for 175 miles or 1.75 actual points.) I do not know if you have side pipes and if you do if they are original. I also got only a second flight on my second car because there is an awful lot of point deductions for side pipes on a car that never had them originally. I would think that you could not get a top flight if you had side pipes that were not on the car originally. (deductions for exhaust, paint, body etc.) Good luck and have fun. The judges are tough but they are on your side. Also be on time the day of the judging. dont sleep in.

[Benjamin C.]

Re: 1st time for judging

Thank you everyone for the advice. I bought this car in 1994 from the Chapman collection in Boston. It came with the bolt on wheels, speed warning and headrests. A lot of documentation came with the car, including a top flight in 1986 at a southwest regional. I think todays standards are much tougher. About six weeks ago I decided to do some minor cosmetics. Needless to say the engine is out, the suspension is apart etc. Some minor cosmetics....several bolts were incorrect, the voltage regulator and starter were not correct. That is why I think today's top flight is tougher than a 1986.

Noland Adams used my car and many other cars for documentation in his hard covered book. I spoke to Noland about my car to get the phone Number of Tim Sargent. He restored the car and Noland lives very close to him in Calf. Does anyone know Tim Sargent?

Thanka again everyone.

[Benjamin C.]

Re: 1st time for judging

Thank you everyone for the advice. I bought this car in 1994 from the Chapman collection in Boston. It came with the bolt on wheels, speed warning and headrests. A lot of documentation came with the car, including a top flight in 1986 at a southwest regional. I think todays standards are much tougher. About six weeks ago I decided to do some minor cosmetics. Needless to say the engine is out, the suspension is apart etc. Some minor cosmetics....several bolts were incorrect, the voltage regulator and starter were not correct. That is why I think today's top flight is tougher than a 1986.

Noland Adams used my car and many other cars for documentation in his hard covered book. I spoke to Noland about my car to get the phone Number of Tim Sargent. He restored the car and Noland lives very close to him in Calf. Does anyone know Tim Sargent?

Thanka again everyone.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1st time for judging

Hi Kelly,

My 59 will be judged there for the first time also....

I live about 120 miles from Kissimmee and plan on driving there. I drive it any chance I get. I've owned the car 21 years, been a NCRS member for almost that long and have never had it judged. Over the years I've been to many meets and observed cars being judged to always learn more. This was the best way to get experience and learned much that way. I have recently been using the JG, and need to get the sheets to prepare. I have spent hours on the forum researching which has been a great help too. I am so glad I joined NCRS after I bought the car, as over the last 21 years whenever I worked on it I tried to upgrade to originality.

I have always had the sticker since I joined, always a battery disconnect and always fire extinguiser(actually carry 2). On a hot day in August of 1995, a fire extinguisher saved the car. The front wcfb of my dual fours decided to flood and fuel hit the hot exhaust manifold. When leaving a downhill parking lot, I pulled out, heard a backfire and smelled something bad. Pulled over, popped the hood(praying the broken hood cable devil wouldn't get me!), grabbed my mini-halon out of the center glove box and quickly put out the flames. My wife was with me and we both sat on the curb for ten minutes catching our breath.

My car is not one of the best examples and have always been a bit intimidated but am hoping it will do fairly well. I'm looking forward to seeing other cars to learn even more too. The most important thing I'm trying to keep in mind is to have fun no matter what the result is. Any flight will make it worthwhile to me.

Nervous....but excited,
Rich Mozzetta #13499

[Richard M.]

Re: 1st time for judging

Hi Kelly,

My 59 will be judged there for the first time also....

I live about 120 miles from Kissimmee and plan on driving there. I drive it any chance I get. I've owned the car 21 years, been a NCRS member for almost that long and have never had it judged. Over the years I've been to many meets and observed cars being judged to always learn more. This was the best way to get experience and learned much that way. I have recently been using the JG, and need to get the sheets to prepare. I have spent hours on the forum researching which has been a great help too. I am so glad I joined NCRS after I bought the car, as over the last 21 years whenever I worked on it I tried to upgrade to originality.

I have always had the sticker since I joined, always a battery disconnect and always fire extinguiser(actually carry 2). On a hot day in August of 1995, a fire extinguisher saved the car. The front wcfb of my dual fours decided to flood and fuel hit the hot exhaust manifold. When leaving a downhill parking lot, I pulled out, heard a backfire and smelled something bad. Pulled over, popped the hood(praying the broken hood cable devil wouldn't get me!), grabbed my mini-halon out of the center glove box and quickly put out the flames. My wife was with me and we both sat on the curb for ten minutes catching our breath.

My car is not one of the best examples and have always been a bit intimidated but am hoping it will do fairly well. I'm looking forward to seeing other cars to learn even more too. The most important thing I'm trying to keep in mind is to have fun no matter what the result is. Any flight will make it worthwhile to me.

Nervous....but excited,
Rich Mozzetta #13499

[John H.]

Re: 1st time for judging

B.J. -

You have mail.

[John H.]

Re: 1st time for judging

B.J. -

You have mail.