New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

[Bob I.]

Hi my name is Bob
I just joined NCRS and I have a 1957 Fuel Injection radio/heater delete, big brake, 8000RPM tach, halibrand wheels car restored 30 years ago with only 775 miles on since restoration. The car has never been judged and I want be be prepared. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank You

[Gary J.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

You can print the judging sheets off the web site, which would be a big help. Then take the '57 Judging Manual and go through it one section at time along with the score sheet. This way you can check components and fasteners and installation. One of the most important thing is to make sure all your Ops work. It doesn't take but one or two items and you are down points right quick.

[Michael J.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

Good advice from Gary, the score sheets are here:

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

The TIM&JG (Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide), as well as Operations manual are here:

https://www.ncrs.org/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_4

And I would also suggest you contact someone at your local chapter and see if they could suggest someone familiar with C1s to give you some in person tips and discussion about what to expect. Good luck!

[Mike M.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

bob: welcome to NCRS and c-1 ownership. since the 57 isn't an air box optioned 57, u will loose points if the steering col mounted AC tack is present when judged. also loose the decals on the valve covers. and the halibrands will take a hit also. if u post more definitive photos, we can probably help. getting a c-1 owner in your area would help too. beautiful 57. mike

[Bob I.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

You can print the judging sheets off the web site, which would be a big help. Then take the '57 Judging Manual and go through it one section at time along with the score sheet. This way you can check components and fasteners and installation. One of the most important thing is to make sure all your Ops work. It doesn't take but one or two items and you are down points right quick.

Gary
Thank you for the advice I did download the forms and they are very helpful.
A lot of work ahead !
Bob

[Bob I.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

The problem is I do not know where the closest local chapter is, I live in Reno Nevada any suggestions.

[Bob I.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

mike
this car being a pre airbox car # 2276 brings up a whole basket of issues, according to extensive research and testimonials, going back to the 1960's on this car, it came from the factory with RPO 684 Suspension, brakes and has A 4 7 on the big shocks, and other evidence race options form the factory, the car was owned and sold in 1970 by Mike Pillsbury and traced from there to the current owner, with all previous owners concurring about the same options. Im new to the judging part of the Corvette world but I have been buying, restoring and selling Corvette's non stop since 1973. Where do I go from here ?
bob Infantino

[Don H.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

The problem is I do not know where the closest local chapter is, I live in Reno Nevada any suggestions.

Bob
the nearest chapter serving the Reno area is the Northern CAL Chapter. An outstanding chapter made up of wonderful friendly people.
You can find all the Chapters and all other contacts listed under Contacts in the large tool bar above the banner at top of this webpage.

https://www.ncrs.org/contact/index.php

Other chapters somewhat near to you are the Bonneville UT chapter, the NoWest Chapter, and the Rocky Mountain Chapter. There is a NoWest Regional meet scheduled in Redmond OR in September that you can register for and attend, and may even be able to still get your car into for flight judging. The sign up info is in the Coming Events under Services/ Coming Events/Registration in the tool bar. The Northern CAL Chapter has a Fall Chapter meet scheduled for Folsom CA that is not too distant from you. Members from Reno will be there. I suggest that you make contact with the Inghams at NoCAL and join the chapter, and sign up for the meet. They would love to have your participation.

ps, your car sounds like a real unique one and a head-turner.

[Joe R.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

Bob,

Welcome, you have just mentioned (Mike Pillsbury) the most knowledgeable person who ever lived and shared his expertise on old race cars. We all miss him dearly
Sounds like you know a lot about old Corvettes also.
If you want to show your 57 start with what has been laid out to you and take it to a Chapter meet to start. DON't wade into a Regional or the National meet first.
Take your time and get to know people like Mike McCagh #14. He's been there and done that!
Wish Pillsbury was still here as he could quote you chapter and verse on your 57.

JR

[Bob I.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

Bob,

Welcome, you have just mentioned (Mike Pillsbury) the most knowledgeable person who ever lived and shared his expertise on old race cars. We all miss him dearly
Sounds like you know a lot about old Corvettes also.
If you want to show your 57 start with what has been laid out to you and take it to a Chapter meet to start. DON't wade into a Regional or the National meet first.
Take your time and get to know people like Mike McCagh #14. He's been there and done that!
Wish Pillsbury was still here as he could quote you chapter and verse on your 57.

JR

Thank you for your encouraging words, I just acquired my car from Rich Mason. He, Mike Pillsbury and I went around the block a couple of times. This Corvette was in and around the same shop ( CarTech by Gene Smith ) Rich was having his 57, (now mine) done while Gene was also doing my 1965 FI Coupe. We all exchanged parts, blood sweat and tears over these cars and many more. This 57 is the last collector car Rich Mason sold, and the list is too long to mention. 1957 # 2276 was Rich's favorite and I feel privileged to have had him sell it to me.

[Mike M.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

i too wish ole mike pillsbury was still above ground. he was not only c-1 knowledgable, but a character as well. and rich mason is also a good guy who is super knowledgable . haven't seen rich in years but hope he is doing well. u can email me at marylandmissile@atlanticbb.net . email me for my cell phone # if you want to discuss 57 FI's. i've got three currently, a 283 4 speed i've had since 1970, a 250HP power glide i've had since 1971. i picked up the third, an air box, last year. the first two are duntov cars i personally restored. i'm currently preparing the air box for its PV this summer at the altoona regional and will almost certainly have it at las vegas in 2018 for duntov judging. if u are going to carlisle this august, i'm only 30 miles out of the way on your way to carlisle. mike

[James G.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

Hi Bob,
Welcome to the crazy world of NCRS and 57 enthusiasts. Mike McCagh knows 57's very well. You might enjoy a trip to Carlisle this August. I know of a significant 57 that is suppose to be present. And a trip to Mike's farm is a real adventure. Then add Frank Buck's farm in Gettysburg. He has some great 57 Corvettes including the Bob Moaut Air Box racer and the Joe Freitas 57 Tribute racer that Joe and Dave MacDonald raced in the late 50's, early 60's. I see two weeks needed to enjoy it all. Call Rich, If you guys are going, I will also try and make the show.

[Bob I.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

Hi Bob,
Welcome to the crazy world of NCRS and 57 enthusiasts. Mike McCagh knows 57's very well. You might enjoy a trip to Carlisle this August. I know of a significant 57 that is suppose to be present. And a trip to Mike's farm is a real adventure. Then add Frank Buck's farm in Gettysburg. He has some great 57 Corvettes including the Bob Moaut Air Box racer and the Joe Freitas 57 Tribute racer that Joe and Dave MacDonald raced in the late 50's, early 60's. I see two weeks needed to enjoy it all. Call Rich, If you guys are going, I will also try and make the show.

Jim
I was wondering when you would hear about my official ownership of 2276. Hope your well and looking forward to talking to you soon.
Bob I

[John N.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

Bob
Great car with neat past ownership!!! The first known RPO 684 cars produced were in May 57. It was thought that there was a earlier big brake option however the current judging guide does not list it. What part number and date code is on the rear springs? Does it have the rocker panel ducting? The 410 and 411 shocks were used on the factory 56SR1s. How is Rich and Char?
Regards

[Bob I.]

Re: New member looking for help before bringing 1957 Corvette to be judged.

Bob
Great car with neat past ownership!!! The first known RPO 684 cars produced were in May 57. It was thought that there was a earlier big brake option however the current judging guide does not list it. What part number and date code is on the rear springs? Does it have the rocker panel ducting? The 410 and 411 shocks were used on the factory 56SR1s. How is Rich and Char?
Regards

Thank you for your reply, I see Rich or talk to him almost every day, my Corvette is in his almost empty building until i can make room at my home for it. He is aware of all my new friends at NCRS and is excited to see my progress in having the car judged. Along with the car Rich gave me his folder on the car. There are two interesting letters concerning this Corvette ( 2276 ). The first is from Mike Hunt responding to Rich dated !/5/1988 with interesting comments on cars 2178 stating that it was a big brake no airbox team car, 2276 ( my car ), 2281 another no airbox big brake car then owned by Frank Buck and 2361 also an non air box big brake car.
The second letter dated 10/11/89 was from Raymond Masciarella who at the time owned 2281 and stated his car had the big brakes and he was in touch with Mack Yates who ordered the car and raced it he was also co-owner of Barford Chevrolet of Clayton, MI and he said he ordered it with the RPO 684 option and he insisted he also ordered it and got a 4 speed as well. These letters were written 29 years ago and I would hope that the information of today might corroborate the findings of long ago. If Chevrolet only made 51 rpo 684 cars and 43 were airbox cars than only leaves 8 non air box RPO 684 cars and I understand at least 3 RPO 684 cars were 270 HP cars so that leaves 5 FI big brake non air box cars and Mike Hunt if I'm correct knew of at least 4 including mine. How can the judging of 2017 not take this into consideration.
Thanks
Bob Infantino