Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

[Marc S.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Hey terry! You are one of my mentors. Thanks for all your help. This is fun. I am stuck in one item. Trying to find that rare 1100543 alternator. That is really the only tough major find I have to my knowledge.

Not ALL Corvettes that left Flint, St Louis, or Bowling Green had typical parts on them. so even with an original owner, who is absolutely certain his Corvette "came from the factory that way" there can be deductions because parts if the car are not typical. It doesn't happen often, I have been there and got that T-shirt. Not a big deal.

[Terry M.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Hey terry! You are one of my mentors. Thanks for all your help. This is fun. I am stuck in one item. Trying to find that rare 1100543 alternator. That is really the only tough major find I have to my knowledge.

That's not hard. Try looking for a 1100884. It is all relative. Just keep looking.

[John S.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Hey terry! You are one of my mentors. Thanks for all your help. This is fun. I am stuck in one item. Trying to find that rare 1100543 alternator. That is really the only tough major find I have to my knowledge.

just a long shot , but when your getting the car judged ask if there is a Mike T. among the judges. I remember him showing me a rare C3 alternator housing. Mike might still have it in back of the C4 that he uses to get to all the ncrs meets.

[Marc S.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

just a long shot , but when your getting the car judged ask if there is a Mike T. among the judges. I remember him showing me a rare C3 alternator housing. Mike might still have it in back of the C4 that he uses to get to all the ncrs meets.

Thanks John. Would be great if I could connect with this person before getting my car judged. Odds are he won't be at my meet. Luck of the draw. If you or anyone else has any information please send me a message to my inbox. Thanks.

[Carl N.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Marc, it has been a long time since I had a car judged, but based on two regionals and 1 chapter I believe you should consider having a second judging - you may find issues the first set of judges over looked - when I have judged (only C-2's) I have found that the first couple of cars may take longer than the final cars especially if the team does not know each other and if the manual for the C-3 has changed since the last time they judged. I had some issues that were missed at all three NCRS events and at Bloomington (I just did not want to spend the $$$'s to correct)! Try to enjoy it as others have stated, you may find you really like process or as I did just attending events and the road trips - Good Luck Carl

[Marc S.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Marc, it has been a long time since I had a car judged, but based on two regionals and 1 chapter I believe you should consider having a second judging - you may find issues the first set of judges over looked - when I have judged (only C-2's) I have found that the first couple of cars may take longer than the final cars especially if the team does not know each other and if the manual for the C-3 has changed since the last time they judged. I had some issues that were missed at all three NCRS events and at Bloomington (I just did not want to spend the $$$'s to correct)! Try to enjoy it as others have stated, you may find you really like process or as I did just attending events and the road trips - Good Luck Carl

Thanks Carl!

My first experience is going to be a relaxing and enjoyable event. If I end up with NO award, will it be a disappointment? Of course I am human but I am certainly going to make an effort to correct things my first time. If I do end up with a Second Flight it will be an absolute delight! I may be completely satisfied and be done with judging after the first time. This remains to be seen. But I am certainly not going to stress over it. I learn more and more about my car all the time. It appears that the CEC system in my car is operational. I only discovered that such a system exists last weekend but really have been investigating it over the weekend. I am excited the parts appear to be there and working. I know in terms of judging my car my car has a lot going for it but it is far from perfect.

[Jim H.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Thanks Carl!

My first experience is going to be a relaxing and enjoyable event. If I end up with NO award, will it be a disappointment? Of course I am human but I am certainly going to make an effort to correct things my first time. If I do end up with a Second Flight it will be an absolute delight! I may be completely satisfied and be done with judging after the first time. This remains to be seen. But I am certainly not going to stress over it. I learn more and more about my car all the time. It appears that the CEC system in my car is operational. I only discovered that such a system exists last weekend but really have been investigating it over the weekend. I am excited the parts appear to be there and working. I know in terms of judging my car my car has a lot going for it but it is far from perfect.

Marc, I was in exactly your position about 9 months ago w/my '66 A/C, P/W, P/S, P/B base coupe and can attest to the wisdom of the advice you've been given above. Thanks to the advice of Don Hooper, I attended two meets in which I was not entered to get a feel for the process. Then OJ'd. Got the judging sheets and evaluated my car w/the JG countless times line by line figuring out what I could fix and what I couldn't. I gave myself plenty of lead time to avoid a last minute thrash. I got all the ops points. I should have spent more time detailing the fiddly areas and will do so next time. Like you, I went in with a good attitude - to learn and with appreciation that several experienced NCRS judges who didn't know me would spend many hours in uncomfortable positions next to my car to give me a detailed evaluation of it - for next to no cost. The meet (CCC/NCRS Chapter Morro Bay, May, 2013) was one of the most cordial, friendly, and informative automotive events I have ever participated in. The judges were patient and explained their comments in great detail, giving me a clear road map as to how I could improve my car. I had driven the car regularly (had just completed the Targa California - 900 miles over 3 days of California Central Coast back roads w/it) and had made many driveabilty modifications to my car and was fearful that this would annoy the judges, but not so. I second flighted (hooray!) with 87.4%. Follow the advice on this thread, give yourself plenty of prep time, sweat the details knowledgeably with reference to the judging sheets and JG, get the easy 10 points for cut-off switch, etc., get your mechanicals operating for the ops points, and you will have done your best. Who knows, you may come away with a ribbon and an appetite for more. In any event, you will likely have a great day with some future NCRS friends. Best of luck. JCH

[Marc S.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Thanks jim for the words of encouragement. I know don and although I met him once I feel like we know each other extremely well. He has given me great advice even before I bought my car and while on my hunt for my dream car. I am really starting to go through the car with others and myself. I am looking at smaller details now. I will simply just prioritize any corrections and if I get them done before my big day great. If not no big deal. I am shooting for november for the big day. I am already searching for smaller items and found several. I do need to correct my assessment of my cec system. Although the parts appear to be there and sounds like the solenoid is firing, the plunger and bracket may need adjustment. It is a complicated system that I hope to have working. I have to go pay for the part I just won on ebay for something else. It is becoming a habit now. Haha!

[Jerry K.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Was asked by a friend if I would enter with him at chapter meet, we were both having our cars judged for the first time in 2007. His was a fresh body off 58 that was trailered and not a flaw anywhere. I finished my 62 in 1995 and had 30 thousand miles on it since the frame off. I was not expecting to do very well, there were plenty of issues as mine is a driver. As an operations judge asked for the judging sheets saw that I was franticly trying to clean everything before judging began. He said there are very few point deducted for cleanliness, he said relax and enjoy the experience, you will do well. We both received top flights but out score the 58 because of his over restoration and I got those driving points. The judge that asked for those sheets and I became friends and have teamed as judges in chapter and regional meets."They trailer horses, not horsepower"

[Marc S.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Was asked by a friend if I would enter with him at chapter meet, we were both having our cars judged for the first time in 2007. His was a fresh body off 58 that was trailered and not a flaw anywhere. I finished my 62 in 1995 and had 30 thousand miles on it since the frame off. I was not expecting to do very well, there were plenty of issues as mine is a driver. As an operations judge asked for the judging sheets saw that I was franticly trying to clean everything before judging began. He said there are very few point deducted for cleanliness, he said relax and enjoy the experience, you will do well. We both received top flights but out score the 58 because of his over restoration and I got those driving points. The judge that asked for those sheets and I became friends and have teamed as judges in chapter and regional meets."They trailer horses, not horsepower"

Great story!!!! I did remember seeing somewhere in one of the manuals that stated "this is not a cleaning contest." I guess as long as you don't have a half eaten big mac hiding under the seat you should do okay in that regard.

[Marc S.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Well I got a real NICE surprise delivered to my doorstep last night.....

This being the 7041205 carburetor I had brought back to life for my little red car.

I was VERY fortunate to find this carburetor in such short time. Especially one that is so nicely dated for my build date.

Long story short. I found the carb, spoke to rebuilders, decided on who to use and here are some before and after pictures.

I was so delighted with the results.



The before!!!!!







and came back like this!!!!!

[Michael J.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Wow! That is a beautiful carb. I am normally a Holley guy, but that looks great, and very rare to get one to be correct for your car. Hope it runs as good as it looks!

[Marc S.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Wow! That is a beautiful carb. I am normally a Holley guy, but that looks great, and very rare to get one to be correct for your car. Hope it runs as good as it looks!

Thanks Michael! It showed up yesterday and when I opened the box it was like a ray of sunshine was streaming out of it. I just keeped looking at it. Keeping near the table so I wouldn't drop it. hahahaha I boxed it up for now and put it in a safe place where it will stay until installation. The funny thing is that when it showed up yesterday I ended up finding a correctly dated intake manifold for my car. It has the heatshield and correct housing still in place! But boy does it look greasy, dirty, and covered in oily slippery stuff. I bought it on yesterday and I am having it shipped to a machine shop near me where I have arranged to have it hot tanked. I was told not to have it sandblasted under any circumstances. I got the intake for really cheap, too. Once I have it cleaned then it will be checked for any imperfections. I think it will end up being a nice score as well! Another bizzare tidbit is that the intake was built around the same week the carb was. Quite interesting!

[Leif A.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Marc,

You're making this all sound too easy. You're supposed to have to go to "Indiana Jones" lengths to find dated/coded parts for your car. Good job and I hope your luck/persistence continues to pay off.

[Marc S.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Marc,

You're making this all sound too easy. You're supposed to have to go to "Indiana Jones" lengths to find dated/coded parts for your car. Good job and I hope your luck/persistence continues to pay off.

Hello Leif, thanks for your kind words.

Unfortunately, I ran into a stumbing block which no longer makes it sound too easy. I had to learn the hard way about how I need to learn to pay attention to detail. Although my initial reaction to receiving my carburetor was of great delight, there are several issues with it. Unfortunately, I cannot put the carb on my list of items "DONE." It is far from done and I am working on coming up with a plan.