1973 Judging Question

[Dennis H.]

Having owned a number of C2/C3 Corvettes over the last 30 plus years my latest is a 1973 Coupe, L82 4-Sp with 43,427 orginal miles. Given my initial walk through on the car I'm guessing it 80-90% as delivered from the Chevrolet dealer in 1973. I have every dealer document (window sticker/invoice) to include the owners packet with all the original items. The only thing missing is the key envelope with the key knock outs.

Car was repainted about 10 years ago in BC/CC and have not seen more than 3000 miles since than. There is not a single stress crack anywhere on the car I can find. The interior is like a time capsule and is 100% original as delivered. The only flaw I could find was a small crack on the drivers door panel.

Now the bad, 5 years ago the original owner got talked into "hot rod" parts and swapped out the cam, heads, intake and carb with mismatched junk. BONUS, he kept every part to include nuts and bolts he pulled off the car and all that's in my garage. I will be reinstalling all the original parts back on the car. He put 1978ish wheels on the car but again kept the factory rally's which I have as well. The only thing missing is the AIR (smog) system that was removed back in the 70's so I will have to start the hunt for these correct parts.

I think this car is very worthy of judging and will be doing an end to end walk through on this using the latest 73-73 TM/JG manual I just received in the mail.

Guess my judging question is how does one start down that road, there is no NCRS Chapter listed on the NCRS website for my Huntsville AL area but I did find this in my internet dumpster diving;

NCRS - Tennessee Valley Chapter
c/o Ed McComas

Guess that's it for now, I'm sure I will have more questions as I put the engine back to as delivered condition. Here is a picture of the car.

Dennis

[Dennis H.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Was just looking at that NCRS - Tennessee Valley Chapter c/o Ed McComas phone number and it showing an area code of 205 which hasn't been used in this area for many years. I found that on a Vette Works International website.

[Don H.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Dennis
to get started in judging your car, you need to get it to a chapter (or a Regional Meet). Your nearest chapters are FLA, Louisiana, and Southeast (based in GA). You're lucky in that Louisiana has a Regional scheduled for next Spring, and the 2022 National is scheduled for Mobile AL. You can find the Calendar of upcoming events inside the cover of the current Driveline magazine and Contacts for all Chapters on Page 5 of the Driveline. Those contacts and the Calendar are also shown on this website. Good luck,

I should also add you can see what meets and virtual schools are upcoming by clicking on the Services tab in tool bar above, then Coming Events. Then you can click on Event Registration if you want to enter a meet. But, you have some work to do on your car first. https://www.ncrs.org/services/coming-events.php

[Dennis H.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Thanks Don, I will reach out to the NCRS Southeast Chapter and go from there.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Thanks Don, I will reach out to the NCRS Southeast Chapter and go from there.

The virtual judging schools are a good thing in these times. They will give you a chance to see how judging is done, even if the parts involved are not specific to 1973 or to your car. The NCRS Judging System (called the Matrix System) is explained in the NCRS Judging Referance Manual. That Manual is under revision as we speak, so watch for the new revision and grab it when it comes you. Be patient; that may be a ways down the road.

Once meets begin again, even without your car finished, they will give you a chance to Observer Judge (OJ) to gain more experience with the NCRS judging system. Another program at Regionals and National is to register for the Advanced Judging Seminar. There is more judging knowledge to be gained there. All of these programs are designed to explain how NCRS judges cars; and are worth while even if you don't intend to become a judge. An educated owner will have a leg up in preparing your car for judging, and all that experience will advance the judging of your car.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Hi Dennis,
Welcome! Nice to see you decided to put the car back together as original as possible. Also nice to see you decided on a 73. I saw your post this morning on the CF. I would be very happy to help answer any questions you might have along the way.If I can't, I can sure steer you in the direction to other 73 owners who can. I was an active member on the 73-74 TIM&JG 3rd Edition Team as were a few other very active NCRS Discussion board members. We would be more than happy to help in anyway. Feel free to private message me your email address if you'd like.

[Tom R.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Dennis

To add to posters above, I would suggest you get a copy of the judging sheets (available online - see above) and do a self-audit of each section. You'll then know what work remains by section and what to expect on the judging field. Sounds like most work will be in the engine compartment but the audit may reveal other areas needing attention like chassis. Something as simple as ensuring brake calipers are semigloss black escape the attention of owners but experienced judges pick up on these hidden maintenance miscues.

Had to hunt around for the link to the judging sheets but here ya go!

https://www.ncrs.org/services/judging-score-sheets.php

[Dennis H.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Thanks for the link on the judging sheets. How are point values assigned?

Example;
Mechanical - Carburetor
Originality - 30 Points
Condition - 15 Points

I'm assuming the full 30 o

riginality

points for having the carburetor that was delivered on the car but how are condition points assigned on a 0-15 point scale or is it all or nothing?

[Tom R.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Thanks for the link on the judging sheets. How are point values assigned?

Example;

• Mechanical - Carburetor
• Originality - 30 Points
• Condition - 15 Points

I'm assuming the full 30 originality points for having the carburetor that was delivered on the car but how are condition points assigned on a 0-15 point scale or is it all or nothing?

Yes, originality awarded for carb with part number that matches power team and emissions and a date code that falls within the six month timeframe. Condition is finish, obvious wrench marks for repairs/replacement, etc. Depending on the finish, expect perhaps 20% deduction on condition or three points.

[Reba W.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Florida has a chapter meet scheduled for April 9-10.

[Dennis H.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Florida has a chapter meet scheduled for April 9-10.

I'm guessing 2021 will be spent getting the car put back to orginal and given my full time job any NCRS type events will have to be local or within 2-3 hours. 2022 is wide open as I will be fully retired with nothing but time on my hands to persue whatever.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

I'm guessing 2021 will be spent getting the car put back to orginal and given my full time job any NCRS type events will have to be local or within 2-3 hours. 2022 is wide open as I will be fully retired with nothing but time on my hands to persue whatever.

Sounds like a plan! Once you get your hands on the Judging scoring sheets, I would highly recommend you start with the operations section, making sure that everything works as GM originally intended. This is where you take the biggest hit in points. Each item scored is worth 25 points. Those really add up in the end. Items like a correctly functioning anti-theft system, seatbelt warning system and TCS Emission system & components can be challenging but thats all part of the fun.

[Eric P.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Hi Dennis,
i can't see the interior in your car, but we may have twins? Not only are the cars the same exterior color, drive train, and mileage, but the stories behind them are equally similar and interesting as well. Just a thought, when you put the original wheels back on the car, be sure to get the correct valve stems and weights if possible. Also Kelsey Tire makes a great looking RWL GOODYEAR STEELGARD reproduction tire. It judges well.

You have a great car, and story to tell and share at the judging meets. I hope we get the cars to the same meet somewhere down the road, maybe 2023 for the Year of the 1973?

Best Regards, Eric Patty

[George H.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Eric and Dennis,

Add one more '73 to the list of cars needing to be judged. My Vet is a LS4 454, M21 4-speed, Coupe, 953 Metallic Yellow, never been painted, with matching numbers. Has the original date coded engine, transmission, differential, factory AC Frigidaire, Q-Jet, 61 amp generator, EGR valve, A.I.R. System Pump, wheels and rims etc. Was delivered with Firestone 500 WS tires (P21 Recall). Try to find Firestones today!! I live in Ocala Florida and a member of the Florida Chapter but have not participated in any events. Little things I'm sure add up in point deductions. I had my car mechanically serviced and restored by a Corvette shop in 2015 with what I believe are factory GM parts. Overhauled engine, suspension, brakes, shocks, and exhaust. Yes, all parts replaced were original prior to having the work done. The car was really not safe to drive and was blowing smoke badly. Only judging will tell if the work was done correctly. Let me know if I can be of any help with your restoration. I'm the second owner having purchased my '73 from a friend in Gainesville 41 years ago,1980.

George Hunt
Ocala, Florida
NCRS # 63376
Email: huntg382@gmail.com

[Dennis H.]

Re: 1973 Judging Question

Eric

My Trim Code is 400 (Black). My car was delivered with the Goodyear Steelgard WS (white strip) tires and yes I did look at the Kelsey Tire website and I would hope they judge well at $380 EA.

Attached is the window sticker for my 73.

Dennis