C3-Air Cleaner Decal Judging

[Barry #41479]

I am having my 1978 SA judged for the first time this weekend. The original "Keep Your GM Vhicle all GM" decal, (late production 1978), on my air cleaner is faded on torn. I had ordered the replacement decal from Eckler's only to find that it is coded wrong with a "CG" code instead of a "CE" code as is correct for an L-48. After checking with every parts supplier I can think of I have discovered that only the "CG" sticker is reproduced, and those are incorrect still for 1978 given that they all are "Keep Your GM Car all GM" decals and the 1978 decal was changed to "Vehicle" midway through the production year.

Does anyone know where I can source a correct "Keep Your GM Vehicle all GM" decal with a "CE" code on the left side of decal as is correct for my late production 1978 with L-48? If not is it better to present for judging with a torn and faded original decal or try to repalce with the available reproduction sticker with what I know to be incorrect verbage? I was going to repaint the air cleaner base, (faded paint but otherwise in good condition), but should I jsut leave it all in current state until I can locate a correct reproduction decal and do the whole job, (paint and replace decal)?

[Jack H.]

Re: C3-Air Cleaner Decal Judging

It's not uncommon for reproduction houses to skip a given label/tag that was used for a short period of time (small market to support the tooling + inventory). You're on the horns of a dilema MANY restorers face, use an 'incorrect' reproduction item or keep the original item with its condition defects.

In your case, you've got something going FOR you--you HAVE the factory original item!!!! From a judging perspective, it's almost a wash. One way you face originality point deduction (incorrect Configuration of the label) vs. taking a deduction on condition.

Personally, I'd MUCH rather see the factory correct/original item than I would the common repro piece. Plus, I've known savvy judges to be suddenly 'stricken' with temporary blindness episodes when they see the real McCoy item that's simply aged (judging tears cloud the vision)....

[Roger Legge]

Re: C3-Air Cleaner Decal Judging

I wouldn't think it would be all that difficult to duplicate the decal. Find someone fairly talented with a PC and some graphics software. Maybe snag a CG code decal, scan it, etc, and have your CE decal. Ooops, does one need to be concerned with a license issue if one is simply making a single decal for personal use? Did I actually type this or did I just think it?

Roger

[Barry #41479]

Re: C3-Air Cleaner Decal Judging

Thanks guys for the advice. I think that I will leave on the original decal and keep looking for the correct reproduction. Would you recommend repaining the air cleaner base that is faded by masking off the original decal or just leave it alone and take the condition deduction for the faded paint?

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3-Air Cleaner Decal Judging

Barry Air cleaners are hard to get the finish judges are looking for. You may end up with the same deduction if you paint it. I think the heat under the hood dulls the paint over time and this is the finish they look for but as delivered may have been brighter. Lyle

[Barry #41479]

Re: C3-Air Cleaner Decal Judging

Thanks Lyle. I think that I have decided to leave it as is. I know that I will get major deduction for condition-but at least I will not have spent time repainting just to get a similar deduction. Plus this is the first time that i am having it flight judged so I am not expecting much more than getting a baseline to work from in the future. It is in good condiion but a 2nd Flight would probably be a major victory.