Torn top

[Don M.]

Guys, I just bought what I think is a good Bow Tie candidate, original paint, interior, great clean chassis, engine compartment looks 2 years old, 35,000mile 64. Now here is my dilemna, just before I bought it, the previous owner put a tear in the top, about 3 inches, right at a cross bow seam. Any ideas??? I can have my local vinyl repair guy take a shot at repairing it. Help

[Dick W.]

Re: Torn top

Guys, I just bought what I think is a good Bow Tie candidate, original paint, interior, great clean chassis, engine compartment looks 2 years old, 35,000mile 64. Now here is my dilemna, just before I bought it, the previous owner put a tear in the top, about 3 inches, right at a cross bow seam. Any ideas??? I can have my local vinyl repair guy take a shot at repairing it. Help

Any visible repairs will cost you that item in Bow Tie judging.

[Don M.]

Re: Torn top

uh oh, well it's a hard top soft top, all original paint, (I've had quite a few sharper guys than me look at the paint), let's figure engine and chassis pass, can it bow tie with a new top??

[Dick W.]

Re: Torn top

Yes you can, it just makes it a little harder, but if the car is as original as you say, you could possibly still get it. Go to the tool bar at the top of this page. Look under awards and read the Bowtieguidelines.

Sounds like a nice car

[Patrick H.]

Re: Torn top

Or, just leave it as-is until you go through the process. Then have it repaired by someone who knows what they are doing once you have your awards.

Patrick

[Don M.]

Re: Torn top

ok, I guess I better read the judging criteria, I'm not sure I understand.If I get a deduction for the tear, is that the same as trying to repair it, do you then get a complete deduction for the top? could you still bow tie if the rest of the car carries itself?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Torn top

ok, I guess I better read the judging criteria, I'm not sure I understand.If I get a deduction for the tear, is that the same as trying to repair it, do you then get a complete deduction for the top? could you still bow tie if the rest of the car carries itself?

Don,

There are NO line item deductions for wear/tear/condition when undergoing Bowtie judging. Every item on the car pass/fails based on originality ONLY. A part can look like sh*t but if it's original to the car it will probably "pass" as an item.

You replace a top, you "lose" that item.
You repair a top you "might" lose that item.
You wanna chance it? Not me.

The caveat is that each section of the car (Int/Ext/Mech/Chassis) has a team of 2 judges, and they "vote" on whether or not their section of a car is "worthy" of receiving a "Star." If your car receives all 4 Stars, then you have a Bowtie Award. If you only have 3, then you have a 3 Star Award. Note that if a section of your car is sufficiently "worn" as to be considered "not worthy" of being kept in its current condition for education and reference then that can keep you from a Star just like replacing parts can keep you from a Star.

Please read the criteria as Dick notes above.

Patrick

[Don M.]

Re: Torn top

I think I understand, I will read up. I'm probably better off leaving it alone. I understand its 80-85 original, I guess I'm confused because my car is a hardtop softop. Since the hardtop is great will that carry enough of the exterior? As far as usage, I'll either drive it with the hartop on, or softop down

[Patrick H.]

Re: Torn top

Since the hardtop is great will that carry enough of the exterior?

Only on the day of judging can that question be answered.

[Don M.]

Re: Torn top

Thanks guys, I have till next year so I have time , but I think it is best to leave the top alone!

[Harmon C.]

Re: Torn top

If you repair the top and go for the Bowtie with the hardtop on the car you may be OK. If you start fixing things the Bowtie will go away fast. I have not seen hardtops removed for Bowtie judging but I don't recall seeing a two top car on the Bowtie judging field.