I had much of this composed shortly after the National Convention in San Antonio but have been delayed due to other commitments. This is quite long, yet deservedly so.
Our Organization has recently witnessed a new milestone. A 100% Judged Corvette. I do not know of any previous example of this. I always thought this was impossible. In nearly 30 years of being a NCRS Member I have never witnessed this. I must admit I always imagined there was a secret society in our organization that would never allow such a thing. My phobia of this suspicion has been relinquished. What I'd like to do here is review how one particular 1967 Corvette got to this level. I have been close to this car from restoration day one. These are my thoughts and the thoughts of my good friend Frank Tetro, the Owner and Restorer of this car.
Frank asked me months ago to join him on the trip to Texas and I am thankful that it resulted successfully and that he shared his success with me. He and I and others have been chasing points on several cars for several years, both on his own car, my restorations, and other restorations he has undertaken. What we learned on all of these restorations together helped improve the bottom line on the Summary Sheet on all of these cars.
Previous Judged events and itemized deductions were a guide, but he went beyond that to continually research, improve and implement. We've been brainstorming together along with many other passionate restorers and experts to try to find the right recipe for success. Over time we've been told by those in the know, "...you guys are figuring this out aren't you?" We'd smirk and give a little nod and say nothing. It truly makes you feel good when you hear things like that. It also drives you to work harder to do better. How does one get to that level? There are many factors involved. Here is a culmination of thoughts we've come up with. Frank and I have talked this over and decided to share our thoughts. He and I have similar mindsets when it comes to this. He asked me to put it on paper.
Most importantly, the candidate car must be authenticated. It must have a Tank Sheet authenticated through NCRS and lineage which identifies it as potential for success. It must have it's original assembly line installed cylinder block with valid cast date and stamp pad, unanimously verified by experts with a vast database reference. A simple viewing of a stamp pad may not always be a guarantee of originality. Full confidence is key.
As we know, pre-1967 cars don't have Tank Sheets, however a original Window Sticker with a recognizable IDENT# can be verified through NCRS. A Warranty Book and Protect-O-Plate(POP) is a major player in a cars lineage but not a factor in NCRS judging. Frank's car was such a car with the above attributes. It was authenticated before purchase and the restoration began.
The Restoration drives the budget. The budget cannot drive the Restoration. The mindset must be predetermined that it will be a expensive restoration. Of course it is understood that not everyone can do this. If the goal of maximum achievement is overcome by costs then the goal can never be attained. Plan for the unexpected.
One must acquire and restore assembly line parts. Restoring or acquiring these items is a challenge, very time consuming, and of course costly. Everything to be used in the restoration must be original parts. Reproduction parts may be functionally adequate, of similar configuration and finish, but may not not score well. There are many details which must be considered.
"Paint" is a Exterior Section killer and can make or break a car. Strive to ask questions when reviewing results and be persistent in your queries. Frank had a partial deduct at the 3 previous events. Three weeks before the the National Event he decided to remove all trim and chrome, bag the car below the rockers, repainted it, then reassemble the trim and chrome. All of this at the last minute to get better results. He did this because his previous outings resulted in disappointment. Then a few days before the Event, he found original NOS bumpers, so he then de-chromed it again and installed the assembly line-like bumpers.
Other details will be obvious as time progresses. Communicate with others for help. Don't go it alone. Build a team of players and help each other. This was the mindset here. We all brainstormed and shared and helped. There were likely a dozen people that knew about this particular car during restoration. We researched, asked, implemented, corrected mistakes........ repeat. This went on for several years.
Plan on multiple Events. It may take several attempts to get the highest possible score. That schedule in itself is a costly adventure.
At each and every event, carefully listen to the Judges. We have many experienced Judges that have a vast knowledge about these cars. There is always something new to learn from them. Be attentive and ask questions for the next points chase, then implement. Then do it all over again at the next Event. Remember that not everything will get noticed, so plan on surprises along the way. Stay relaxed, stay calm, stay reasonable, and move on to the next event stage after implementing changes. Valid disputes need to be handled with politeness. Judges are volunteers and do this as a similar passion. They truly want success for both themselves and owners. Learn all you can with the right attitude and you will succeed. If you cannot do this with the proper attitude you should reconsider further event activity.
Operations is by far the most important area. The car must operate flawlessly. This is the most important Sectional area. A failure here is catastrophic. Before you go to a event, recheck everything. When you arrive check it again before Staging. Long trailer rides or a long driven miles rides can loosen things up. For example, we had a Brake Lamp failure on one of the cars when we pre-staged, which was a loose connection that came about due to the 1000 mile trip.
Yes we now have a Corvette among us with a Judged result of 100%. Mind you, with 4500 points and a 10 point bonus, this leaves 10 free points. Also keep in mind that Driving points cannot be used to attain a score of 100%, only the Bonus points. This car did in fact have a few points deducted, but not more that 10. If we didn't have the Bonus Points, I would not be writing this.
This historical car event is a combination of many things. A little luck was probably involved too. The Moon and the Stars and the Planets were probably all in their right places for this to happen. The Judges may have missed a few things. We may have missed a few things that didn't get noticed. We were fortunate that not a single lamp filament decided to burn up on us. That not a single electrical connection failed. That the windshield washer pump seal didn't malfunction. All of these things were on the side of fate. It all just worked. The right bolts and nuts and screws were in their right places. The chrome looked typical in the right places. Everything worked out and just it just came out right.
Frank has shared his knowledge with many other restorers and enthusiasts. I'm very proud of Frank for this, as many of you know this is my charter as well. We have similar mindsets. He and I have been very close since we first met over 3 years ago. He has worked very hard to get his car in it's present state. It took a total of 4 NCRS Events, several Regionals and then this National to get his to this exceptional level. It has a Bloomington OEM Gold, a Hilton Head Concours D'elegance Best In Class, Chicago Super Chevy win and maybe a few others I've missed when I wasn't with him.
Frank was there for me 3 years ago helping me with my 1967 project while he was restoring his own car, helping me and sharing knowledge. He helped me with references to the right vendors for some of those tough to find assembly line parts and specialized repair and restoration vendors. We were both doing our project cars at the same time. We were likely on the phone or emails every day.
He also helped me communicate with Mark Donnally as I was contemplating the decision to have it judged in Lakeland. Thanks to Mark and his vast knowledge, he helped me authenticate some important parts of its build lineage and other important features. Mark was added to my "Hero" list at that time. As we found out later after attaining Top Flight status on that car, we learned even more about the car and it's lineage. In the future I will tell that story as the Organization uncovered some unique information for us. This will be quite a story in itself that unfortunately I must refrain from at this time..
So in final summary, it certainly has been fun. What is also special is that all of the timing was right. A 1967 Corvette getting a 100% on it's 50th Birthday and on the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 Corvette at our own NCRS National Convention.
Remarkably I was there to be a part of it all. It truly doesn't get much better than that.
Rich & Frank
========
100%
Our Organization has recently witnessed a new milestone. A 100% Judged Corvette. I do not know of any previous example of this. I always thought this was impossible. In nearly 30 years of being a NCRS Member I have never witnessed this. I must admit I always imagined there was a secret society in our organization that would never allow such a thing. My phobia of this suspicion has been relinquished. What I'd like to do here is review how one particular 1967 Corvette got to this level. I have been close to this car from restoration day one. These are my thoughts and the thoughts of my good friend Frank Tetro, the Owner and Restorer of this car.
Prelude
Frank asked me months ago to join him on the trip to Texas and I am thankful that it resulted successfully and that he shared his success with me. He and I and others have been chasing points on several cars for several years, both on his own car, my restorations, and other restorations he has undertaken. What we learned on all of these restorations together helped improve the bottom line on the Summary Sheet on all of these cars.
Previous Judged events and itemized deductions were a guide, but he went beyond that to continually research, improve and implement. We've been brainstorming together along with many other passionate restorers and experts to try to find the right recipe for success. Over time we've been told by those in the know, "...you guys are figuring this out aren't you?" We'd smirk and give a little nod and say nothing. It truly makes you feel good when you hear things like that. It also drives you to work harder to do better. How does one get to that level? There are many factors involved. Here is a culmination of thoughts we've come up with. Frank and I have talked this over and decided to share our thoughts. He and I have similar mindsets when it comes to this. He asked me to put it on paper.
The Candidate
Most importantly, the candidate car must be authenticated. It must have a Tank Sheet authenticated through NCRS and lineage which identifies it as potential for success. It must have it's original assembly line installed cylinder block with valid cast date and stamp pad, unanimously verified by experts with a vast database reference. A simple viewing of a stamp pad may not always be a guarantee of originality. Full confidence is key.
As we know, pre-1967 cars don't have Tank Sheets, however a original Window Sticker with a recognizable IDENT# can be verified through NCRS. A Warranty Book and Protect-O-Plate(POP) is a major player in a cars lineage but not a factor in NCRS judging. Frank's car was such a car with the above attributes. It was authenticated before purchase and the restoration began.
The Budget
The Restoration drives the budget. The budget cannot drive the Restoration. The mindset must be predetermined that it will be a expensive restoration. Of course it is understood that not everyone can do this. If the goal of maximum achievement is overcome by costs then the goal can never be attained. Plan for the unexpected.
The Restoration
One must acquire and restore assembly line parts. Restoring or acquiring these items is a challenge, very time consuming, and of course costly. Everything to be used in the restoration must be original parts. Reproduction parts may be functionally adequate, of similar configuration and finish, but may not not score well. There are many details which must be considered.
"Paint" is a Exterior Section killer and can make or break a car. Strive to ask questions when reviewing results and be persistent in your queries. Frank had a partial deduct at the 3 previous events. Three weeks before the the National Event he decided to remove all trim and chrome, bag the car below the rockers, repainted it, then reassemble the trim and chrome. All of this at the last minute to get better results. He did this because his previous outings resulted in disappointment. Then a few days before the Event, he found original NOS bumpers, so he then de-chromed it again and installed the assembly line-like bumpers.
Other details will be obvious as time progresses. Communicate with others for help. Don't go it alone. Build a team of players and help each other. This was the mindset here. We all brainstormed and shared and helped. There were likely a dozen people that knew about this particular car during restoration. We researched, asked, implemented, corrected mistakes........ repeat. This went on for several years.
Judged Events
Plan on multiple Events. It may take several attempts to get the highest possible score. That schedule in itself is a costly adventure.
At each and every event, carefully listen to the Judges. We have many experienced Judges that have a vast knowledge about these cars. There is always something new to learn from them. Be attentive and ask questions for the next points chase, then implement. Then do it all over again at the next Event. Remember that not everything will get noticed, so plan on surprises along the way. Stay relaxed, stay calm, stay reasonable, and move on to the next event stage after implementing changes. Valid disputes need to be handled with politeness. Judges are volunteers and do this as a similar passion. They truly want success for both themselves and owners. Learn all you can with the right attitude and you will succeed. If you cannot do this with the proper attitude you should reconsider further event activity.
Operations is by far the most important area. The car must operate flawlessly. This is the most important Sectional area. A failure here is catastrophic. Before you go to a event, recheck everything. When you arrive check it again before Staging. Long trailer rides or a long driven miles rides can loosen things up. For example, we had a Brake Lamp failure on one of the cars when we pre-staged, which was a loose connection that came about due to the 1000 mile trip.
Bonus Points
Yes we now have a Corvette among us with a Judged result of 100%. Mind you, with 4500 points and a 10 point bonus, this leaves 10 free points. Also keep in mind that Driving points cannot be used to attain a score of 100%, only the Bonus points. This car did in fact have a few points deducted, but not more that 10. If we didn't have the Bonus Points, I would not be writing this.
Planet Alignment
This historical car event is a combination of many things. A little luck was probably involved too. The Moon and the Stars and the Planets were probably all in their right places for this to happen. The Judges may have missed a few things. We may have missed a few things that didn't get noticed. We were fortunate that not a single lamp filament decided to burn up on us. That not a single electrical connection failed. That the windshield washer pump seal didn't malfunction. All of these things were on the side of fate. It all just worked. The right bolts and nuts and screws were in their right places. The chrome looked typical in the right places. Everything worked out and just it just came out right.
Summary:
Frank has shared his knowledge with many other restorers and enthusiasts. I'm very proud of Frank for this, as many of you know this is my charter as well. We have similar mindsets. He and I have been very close since we first met over 3 years ago. He has worked very hard to get his car in it's present state. It took a total of 4 NCRS Events, several Regionals and then this National to get his to this exceptional level. It has a Bloomington OEM Gold, a Hilton Head Concours D'elegance Best In Class, Chicago Super Chevy win and maybe a few others I've missed when I wasn't with him.
Frank was there for me 3 years ago helping me with my 1967 project while he was restoring his own car, helping me and sharing knowledge. He helped me with references to the right vendors for some of those tough to find assembly line parts and specialized repair and restoration vendors. We were both doing our project cars at the same time. We were likely on the phone or emails every day.
He also helped me communicate with Mark Donnally as I was contemplating the decision to have it judged in Lakeland. Thanks to Mark and his vast knowledge, he helped me authenticate some important parts of its build lineage and other important features. Mark was added to my "Hero" list at that time. As we found out later after attaining Top Flight status on that car, we learned even more about the car and it's lineage. In the future I will tell that story as the Organization uncovered some unique information for us. This will be quite a story in itself that unfortunately I must refrain from at this time..
So in final summary, it certainly has been fun. What is also special is that all of the timing was right. A 1967 Corvette getting a 100% on it's 50th Birthday and on the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 Corvette at our own NCRS National Convention.
Remarkably I was there to be a part of it all. It truly doesn't get much better than that.
Rich & Frank
========
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