1966 L79 Roadster - Flight Judge or Not

[Edmund C.]

All: My Corvette is an exceptionally clean and stock 1966 Nassau blue, L79 Roadster. Three owners to date and all documentation from July 1966 forward. The only deviation from stock are a set of side pipes that were installed in the 1980s. My Question: I’m thinking about having her flight judged in Massachusetts in April, however, I really don’t want to remove the side pipes. If I keep them on, would this adversely affect any chance of receiving a Top Flight certification (if all other items were in NCRS order)? Any advice appreciated.

[Don H.]

Ed
I say absolutely have your car judged, if you want to. Top flight is easily obtainable if the car is very original and well maintained, even with the added pipes.. The topic was extensively discussed in this recent thread ----- >
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/forum/te...es-on-aos-body

[Keith B.]

have it judged and enjoy the process

[Larry E.]

Edmund: I just went through the same thing you are asking. Search

Points reduction For C2 added sidepipes on AOS Body

It was in Jan. 2025 with 33 responses. All of your questions should
be answered if you read this. My car is a 66 Base Engine Coupe. It is
is very much all original including all LOF glass and drivetrain. It scored
almost 98% in the Concours Stock Class. I would suggest going through
the Concours Class. 1st. to see where you stand. My final conclusion
was NOT TO TRY for FLIGHT JUDGING AS IS WOULD BE JUST TOO CLOSE
TO GET TOP FLIGHT OR SECOND FLIGHT. For me getting second flight is not worth the time and effort. Getting Top Flight can be done but not very easy.
AFA getting points for driving your car is up to you; for me IT IS FAR TOO
RISKY IN TODAYS ENVIORNMENT. jmho Thanks>Larry

[Larry E.]

Edmund: Just an added note. I would run your car through the Concours Stock Class first
as stated and if you can not attain a ~98% or above score then>I believe you could not
get a Top Flight in Flight judging. Of Course JMHO>Larry

[Thomas N.]

Ed
If you are interested in Top Flight and Flight judging by all means bring it to the New England Chapter meet and you will get a baseline of what the car is. The Chapter Events are low key and you'll learn a lot about your car. Your profile says Texas, but you are a New England Member. If you are local, register your car and bring it to Corvette Mike's. Concours Judging and Flight Judging have no influence on one or the other, either way.

Another alternative is we could set up a Judging School on your car at your house, if you are interested. The New England Chapter is always looking for opportunites to help the owner out with their car, and help guide them on their journey with the NCRS. We're here to help!

Tom Nowak 10784 New England Chapter Chairman

[Edmund C.]

All: Many thanks to you all. I will press ahead and I really appreciate the support. I live in both Houston, Texas and Chatham, Massachusetts. I shipped the Vette up last summer. I actually did flight judging a few years ago in Grapevine, Texas. The fellowship was a blast. The 1966 I had then was a beautiful driver and only got a Third Flight. Notwithstanding that, I really didn’t care because it was so much fun.

[Ed H.]

Edmund,

We would certainly welcome seeing your car either for the Concours Stock Class division or for Flight judging at the Carolinas Regional in Clemson SC, April 3 - 5. As others have mentioned taking your car through Concours Stock Class at Regional would be a good way to learn about the process and how your car might do in Flight judging.

Ed Harbour
CCNCRS, Chairman

[Mark E.]

With TF, you'll learn more about the originality of the car; not so with Concours.

You can always do the math afterwards: "How would it have scored with stock exhaust?" and know you have a documented TF car with this simple change.

[Joseph S.]

Edmund, We have a Chapter meet in Carver MA coming up this spring. If you register the car for Flight judging you can get a good evaluation there. Most of the judges will be Regional level at that meet. you'll know what's necessary to take it to the next level if you wish.

Good Luck!! Joe

[Terry M.]

Ed,
Based on your post, you have some interest in having your car judged. Additionally, you have indicated that the car is "exceptionally clean and stock". For what it's worth, my recommendation is to have the car flight judged. From a comparative standpoint, that will give you a good baseline for where the car is and what may be needed to advance in future judging. I would suggest you get the most current judging manual if you don't already have it. Also, get yourself a set of blank judging sheets from the NCRS website. You can go through the car judging yourself but, with limited experience, you would be better off finding a member that has some judging proficiency and judge the car together. The side pipe issue is a big points hit so you'll need all the points you can get on everything else. Not sure if driving points will enter the mix but you definitely should make sure to get the bonus points for the NCRS window sticker and fire extinguisher (spelled out in the judging manual). The judging process is extremely rewarding in my experience. Perhaps even better are the people you'll meet. When I started my restoration back in 2019 I was a newbie with regard to the people in our hobby. Now, I have friends all over the country.

Good luck to you, no matter which direction you choose to go.

Terry

[Edmund C.]

Follow Up Flight Judging Question: For the upcoming Massachusetts Flight Judging event on April 12, I plan to carefully prep the Corvette like I did a few years ago in Texas (with a different C2). I currently have “knock-off” Western knock-offs and was planning to pull them off & put the original wheels and hubcaps back on and the hardtop. I also have lots of original documentation in a notebook. Should I bring that too or leave it at home? Sorry for all the basic questions, however, probably better to ask now than in April. Best regards, Ned

[Terry M.]

Ed,
Regarding original documents, the only pertinent ones would include the original glove box articles if you have them. Otherwise, repros are needed. Also, if you have the original window sticker, affix it to the driver’s door glass. Otherwise, again, a repro is needed. Good call on the wheels and tires. Tires must be bias ply even if repro. Also, good call on the hard top. With that in place I don’t believe the convertible top and mechanism is judged. Judging manual review is a MUST!

[Gary B.]

A window sticker is not required for NCRS flight judging. At least not for C2s.

Gary

[David H.]

... Sorry for all the basic questions, however, probably better to ask now than in April. Best regards, Ned

Edmund

Purchase a copy of "Corvette Judging Regerence Manual" (JRM) 9th Edition from NCRS Store.

Page 1 starts an "Owner's Advisory" - read that, it'll answer many questions.

Page 8 begins "Judges' Advisory" - read that to understand how your judges should be working.

Other Sections detail NCRS' judging process and standards. JRM is applicable to all years judged.

JRM - "Owner's Advisory" will give you a good grounding on what to expect and what to do.

NCRS' 1966 Technical Information and Judging Guide (TIMJG) has judging detail on your specific year Corvette.

TIMJG tells you What to Judge, while JRM tells you How to Judge.

Dave