Bowtie Judging

[Mike M.]

I had my '65 Coupe judged at a Chapter meet this weekend. It was judged as a Second Flight. As I had no expectations of getting any type of Flight selection, I was very pleased. I am new to tne NCRS scene. I thought that this '65 (I am the third owner) was very original and the judges agreed with that assumption. A number stated that I should attempt to have the car judged in a larger setting with the ultimate goal being to get it judged as a Bowtie contender. I am seeking more information about the process. As I understand it the car would have to be flight judged again at a Regional event with application made to get it Bowtie judged? Is the Bowtie judging done at those Regional events also? The next Regional close to me would be in Fl in Jan.
Also, it is possible to be certified as a Bowtie car is certain areas (say interior, exterior), but not all areas (my car was weak in the chassis area due to some replacement parts-radiator, starter)?
I would appreciate some clarification on the Bowtie process. I am in Mississippi and a member of the Louisiana NCRS chapter. The Flight judging yesterday was most enjoyable with a most professional bunch of fellows all very interested in helping me understand what I had and what I needed to do to move up the Flight ladder. Thanks, Mike

[Dave S.]

Re: Bowtie Judging

I had my '65 Coupe judged at a Chapter meet this weekend. It was judged as a Second Flight. As I had no expectations of getting any type of Flight selection, I was very pleased. I am new to tne NCRS scene. I thought that this '65 (I am the third owner) was very original and the judges agreed with that assumption. A number stated that I should attempt to have the car judged in a larger setting with the ultimate goal being to get it judged as a Bowtie contender. I am seeking more information about the process. As I understand it the car would have to be flight judged again at a Regional event with application made to get it Bowtie judged? Is the Bowtie judging done at those Regional events also? The next Regional close to me would be in Fl in Jan.
Also, it is possible to be certified as a Bowtie car is certain areas (say interior, exterior), but not all areas (my car was weak in the chassis area due to some replacement parts-radiator, starter)?
I would appreciate some clarification on the Bowtie process. I am in Mississippi and a member of the Louisiana NCRS chapter. The Flight judging yesterday was most enjoyable with a most professional bunch of fellows all very interested in helping me understand what I had and what I needed to do to move up the Flight ladder. Thanks, Mike

Mike,
Welcome to the NCRS.
I'll offer some help as I've been through it a few times.
The judges must have felt there was some good potential thus the recommendation to go foward. You should purchase the Judging Reference Guide from the NCRS store and that will explain things in words however the advice given seems accurate.
I would suggest you register the car for Kissimmee in January for flight judging and a Bowtie review by the 65 team leader who is Mike Murrary. The experienced judges will be there and in conjunction with Mike they will discuss the car with you and advise you of your possible outcome during Bowtie judging. They cannot certify anything as the car will be Bowtie judged only at a National Convention and the judges at that meet will determine the ultimate outcome. Also, you have only one attempt at a Bowtie.
The car will be Bowtie judged in 4 categories (interior, exterior, machanical, chassis). You will recieve a star for each category that passes the originality test and a Bowtie award if you pass all 4 categories.
The other thing to consider is I believe it must be Bowtie judged within 1 year of the Bowtie sign off by Mike. Seeing as the National is in California in 2012 and Virginia in 2013 that may be a consideration for you.
The New England chapter had a member with a 65 coupe thet went through the same process in 2010 and ultimately was awarded a Bowtie at the 2010 National in Novi.
Best of luck. You'll have lots of challenges and fun along the way.

[Gary C.]

Re: Bowtie Judging

Mike,

Second what Dave said. And welcome to NCRS! Recommend you purchase the Judging Reference Manual and the 1965 Technical Information and Judging Manual from the NCRS Store www.ncrs.org/shop

The Judging Reference Manual explains all the different Judging categories including Bowtie, etc. processes and responsibilities.

The Florida Regional is the first NCRS Regional Event and has the C2 classes are always full. You can find the Florida Regional registration form in your Driveline or in the Driveline on-line available from the top blue menu.

Good luck with your car!

Gary
....

[Reba W.]

Re: Bowtie Judging

Dave has given you some very good advice as he has been through this process more than once.

You asked about being judged in fewer than the four categories. A car receives one star for each section judged. If one is not achieved, the car is known as a one-star, two-star, or three-star car, not a Bowtie, which means all four were earned.

An owner can even opt out of categories he/she knows won't be achieved, and sometime the team leader will even eliminate one or more as possibilities based on the regional judging.

[Chris E.]

Re: Bowtie Judging

I haven't been through the Bowtie process as a car owner, but I can tell you this.

"Only" getting a 1, 2 or 3 star award is a BIG DEAL. Especially for a car that is close to 50 years old. There are ABSOLUTELY not a lot of "star" cars running around. I would STRONGLY encourage you to consider going to the Florida Regional to see about getting your car signed off to go to Nationals.

Logistically, I'd also ask the question about how long the "sign off" is good for. Yes, I know, a year. But can you get the approval in January 2012 and still go to the 2013 nationals in Hampton, VA? That would be a HECK of a lot closer for you. The good news is, there almost ALWAYS seems to be a Florida regional in January.

[Terry M.]

Re: Bowtie Judging

I haven't been through the Bowtie process as a car owner, but I can tell you this.

"Only" getting a 1, 2 or 3 star award is a BIG DEAL. Especially for a car that is close to 50 years old. There are ABSOLUTELY not a lot of "star" cars running around. I would STRONGLY encourage you to consider going to the Florida Regional to see about getting your car signed off to go to Nationals.

Logistically, I'd also ask the question about how long the "sign off" is good for. Yes, I know, a year. But can you get the approval in January 2012 and still go to the 2013 nationals in Hampton, VA? That would be a HECK of a lot closer for you. The good news is, there almost ALWAYS seems to be a Florida regional in January.

Yes, a 1-star, 2-star or 3-star car is important and worth having. The sad thing is we are all type A personalities and no one wants less than perfect. That is really too sad because we don't often see the cars without all four stars, and even past 5-star Bowtie Award cars once their display requirements are met. They become, as my wife puts it, garage monuments.

The "Bowtie sign-off" is good for one calendar year. If one gets the sign off at a 2012 Regional that follows the 2012 National Convention -- Altoona, Pennsylvania or Frisco, Texas -- those are good for the 2013 National as are Florida in 2013 and subsequent. A "Bowtie sign-off" at Florida in 2012 is good for the California National in 2012 and not later.

Remember there are only four Bowtie cars judged per class at the National Convention so it is good to have ones ducks in a row.

[John F.]

Re: Bowtie Judging

Welcome aboard Mike. I had my 62 flight judged and signed off for Bowtie at the Frisco, TX. Regional. I plan on taking it to the National in San Diego, CA. to see what it will attain. I am not sure when registration opens up for the 2012 National. Remember, it is only original once!

John F

[Mike E.]

Re: Bowtie Judging

Mike--
I had the privilege of heading the first judging team ever to do Bowtie Judging--at Warren, MI in 1992. I've also been the recipient of 3 stars for a 71 LT-1 convertible and 4 stars (Bowtie) for a pair of 62's. I've kept track over the years, and if I haven't missed any, there have been only 8 62's granted 4 stars in the now 20 years we have been judging them. That's an indication of how difficult it is to achieve.
First bit of advice--whatever you planned to do to the car--STOP. Make sure that it will not in any way alter the appearance of the part. Every part is judged on whether or not it appears to be the original part, with the original finish, installed on the car at St. Louis in 1965. Expect to lose on battery, tires, probably exhaust, oil filter, air filter. After that, what has been changed, repainted, repaired, replated. That will all cost points.
The intent of bowtie judging is to reward those owners/cars that truly still have the parts and finishes that they left the plant with. It's far better to have a scruffy part than a shiny, repainted part. Shiny, replated, repainted, will mean no credit--correct, scruffy, no wrench marks, will get credit.
FWIW
Mike Ernst

[William D.]

Re: Bowtie Judging

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the NCRS! I had my 65 coupe judged at the National in Novi and the car was awarded the Bowtie award. You must be very careful not to change any parts or repair any finishes. I would recommend a very through cleaning with brushes(not wire) and degreasing cleaner such as simple green. A very detailed cleaning of the mechanical and chassis areas of your car will be helpful. It also allows the judges to be able to see numbers, date codes, stampings and finishes. Good luck and enjoy the experience.