Some newbie questions, starting with a Bowtie Q.

[David L.]

Hi All!

My first post to the tech board.

The Corvette I recently purchased has a Bowtie interior. Of course, I want to preserve the meaning of the Bowtie, but I want to know then what I am allowed to do with respect to basic upkeep of the interior. I would assume basic cleaning is allowed. A more pressing issue it that some carpeting is coming up in some areas and I was wondering if I'm allowed to re-attach this original carpeting with some contact cement? Does that violate the normal "wear and tear" meaning of the Bowtie?

While I've got the floor here for newbie questions, can anyone tell me what's the proper size spark plug socket? 13/16" maybe? I want to remove the plugs and check for fouling, etc. BB 427 engine. I'm assuming AC43's or similar.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[Jack H.]

Re: Some newbie questions, starting with a Bowtie

Hum, there's a terminology issue here.... The NCRS program is called Star/Bowtie. This is for unrestored Corvettes that merit recognition for being 'historically and educationally significant'. A Corvette can only be judged ONCE in this program (intent is not to 'improve' the car and return it as restored cars do under Flight judging).

There are four areas of consideration: Interior, Exterior, Mechanical and Chassis. A 'win' in each category merits a Star Award. Cars that win Star Awards in all four categories are called Bowtie. There's really no such thing as a 1-Star Bowtie car.... It's a single Star Award winning Corvette.

If the car you purchased was campaigned by a prior owner and received a Star Award for it's interior alone, then it's got a pretty gosh darn nice original interior. What can you do with it? Well, pretty much anything you want since this Corvette, by VIN, has already competed under the NCRS Star/Bowtie rules and it can NOT be judged again!

You can preserve it like it is and feel free to bring it to other NCRS events for either Flight Judging or general display. You can decide to drive it and pursue other club awards with it such as Founder's or Sportsman Award.

You can take it to another organization for judging as an unrestored Corvette. The NCCB at Bloomington comes to mind.... They have a similar award they call 'Survivor' which, while similar, has subtle differences. The motto there is 'worn in but not worn out'. The yardstick for originality is slightly lower than the criteria NCRS uses for Star judging (generally 65% vs. 80-85%) and instead of giving awards for each individual area, their award covers cars that 'win' in three out of four categories PLUS sucessfully make it around an open highway track of something like 40-miles (not a race; simply an issue of CAN the car complete the course). I think I've paraphrased the NCCB program correctly, but if I've misstated or omitted I hope others will correct me.

A final thing you can do, but I shudder to really think of it, is conclude the car's had it's 'shot' at taking top honors in Star/Bowtie and decide to go and actively restore it (in part or whole) and re-campaign it in the category of a 'restored Corvette'.

There's basically no 'rules' for what you can/can't do with the car. It's your physical asset and you can pursue any/all avenues!

[Nick Culkowski]

Re: Some newbie questions, starting with a Bowtie

If your Corvette has earned an NCRS Star Award for its interior I would strongly reccomend that you do nothing to the carpet, or for that manner, any other interior component. Originality cannot be improved or repaired. Carpet may become worn but cannot grow glue. You don't want do destroy history. Star awards do not come easily and are a significant element that affect a Corvette's value for those that understand the significance of originality.

[David L.]

Re: Some newbie questions, starting with a Bowtie

Thanks Jack. As a newbie, I got the terminology wrong and I appreciate the correction. The car is a 1-star winner. I understand the one-time nature of the Bowtie judging. My question was more about maintaining the spirit of award and the "historical and educational significance" of the car. I just read Nick's post too (thanks Nick). With this in mind I will leave it untouched and unglued.

Thanks,
Dave

[Terry M.]

Re: Some newbie questions, starting with a Bowtie *TL*

Dave - Jack and Nick have given you sage advice about your interior. I can add nothing to that.
The size of socket needed for your spark plugs depends on the year of your car, however you stated 427 CID so that implies 1969 or older. 13/16 is the spark plug socket you will need if the heads are original or of the same vintage as the rest of the car. 1970 LS5 (454 CID) was the start of the 5/8 inch spark plugs in the Mark IV engine.

[David L.]

Re: Thanks Terry! *NM* *NM*