Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

[Michael S.]

Getting my 65 coupe judged (certification) at Bloomington on Friday. I read the judging guidelines and reviewed the judging sheets but still have a few minor questions on the judging:
- Window sticker should be place on drivers side window upper right hand corner according to AIM, is that correct?
- Should I remove disconnect switch on negative battery cable?
- Should I remove fire extinguisher?
- Assume that wheel covers should be on wheels even though they were not installed when car was sent to dealer.
- Do you need a written list of all major components/parts with numbers and date codes for judges to review?
- Will jack and spare tire need to be completely removed for judges to review?

Thanks for any advice.

[Tom H.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

I would remove the non factory battery disconnect. I had to remove them for judging in the past per judges advise.

I would remove jack and lower the spare for inspection. It is OK to present the car with the wheel covers. A list of numbers might be handy to have, but good judges will want to personally inspect your vehicles numbers and dates. I would take fire extinguisher along, but would remove it from car unless rules state otherwise. Not sure on the window sticker, but the placement according to the AIM should be acceptable.

If this is your first time, remember, like the NCRS the judges are there to help you achieve the gold.

[Terry M.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

Getting my 65 coupe judged (certification) at Bloomington on Friday. I read the judging guidelines and reviewed the judging sheets but still have a few minor questions on the judging:
- Window sticker should be place on drivers side window upper right hand corner according to AIM, is that correct?
- Should I remove disconnect switch on negative battery cable?
- Should I remove fire extinguisher?
- Assume that wheel covers should be on wheels even though they were not installed when car was sent to dealer.
- Do you need a written list of all major components/parts with numbers and date codes for judges to review?
- Will jack and spare tire need to be completely removed for judges to review?

Thanks for any advice.

1) Window sticker I will leave to those who have 1965 judging experience (not me).

2) If the car were a 1970-72 I would answer yes, remove the battery cut-off. The car didn't come from the factory that way.

3) You can place the fire extinguisher by your lawn chairs behind the car. The judges will not be interested in it, and there is no sense having it in their way.

4) You assume correctly regarding the wheel covers, even though you are correct that they were shipped inside the car. You raise a very good question here, and that is one of the places where Bloomington Gold is inconsistent with its own standards.

5) You do not NEED a list of the dates and numbers, btu it might come in handy to have.

6) Yes the Jack and spare tire have to be completely visible -- and removal is the only way to accomplish that.

Often the Bloomington Gold judging teams will meet with the owners before judging begins, and there is almoist always a general owner's meeting at which questions and instructions like this are covered.

[Henry S.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

Michael, Good luck. As Tom said the judges are to help you achieve the gold if possible. They are your friends, enjoy the day! Shooter

[Jack H.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

On the window sticker, the judges will expect it to be positoned according to the AIM (for '65, that's on the LH side glass). One other caveat, Judges will expect it to be as factory made (paper NOT covered with plastic laminate) and affixed to the glass as was then current practice (two columns of rubber cement changing over time to 100% soft glue backed). The use of double sided Scotch tape should extract an originality deduction (don't ask me how I know...).

Last, what's on the window sticker had better agree with the configuration of the car as you present it for judging!

I know of one local NCRS member who went to great pains to dig up a set of NOS, non-DOT, 670x15 blackwall tires for his '63. At Bloomington they took MAJOR deduction(s) for the rubber because he'd made an 'oops' with his window sticker calling out optional P91 nylon cord blackwalls which didn't agree with the NOS base rayon cord blackwalls on the car!

The exterior judges opted to go by the window sticker description vs. cutting him some slack which was always the case at NCRS...

[Michael S.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

Good advice. I had to get a reproduction window sticker from Triple A Enterprises as I did not have the original. I ordered it without any lamination on it and it correctly describes my car and its options. I think it looks pretty good.

I was told on the glue to use elmers mucelage (sp.?) but I could not locate any of this type glue where I live. I bought a clear glue stick and was going to use that. Do you suggest using another glue?

Also, I am somewhat confused on how to apply the glue. I was going to just glue it in each corner but you suggest using two columns of glue running vertically on the window sticker, is that correct? It seems like if I use too much of this glue, it will keep you from being able to easily read the sticker once it is glued on the window. Maybe I am making too much out how to glue it on the window, not sure.

Thanks.

[Michael S.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

Terry - I just re-read the Bloomington Owners Advisories pamphlet that was sent to me. It says that an on-board fire extinguisher must be in each car entered. So I will make sure it is in the car. With that said, it would seem to make sense to keep my battery disconnect switch installed.

[Bill O.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

I think you are perfectly safe leaving your battery disconnect switch installed. I got Gold last year with no deducts for the disconnect.
Although I have the window sticker, it wasn't on the window when judged but instead in a binder with all the other GB stuff....no deducts.

The judges are knowledgeable and really helpful...they make notes in the margins of the sheets (which you get back) and discuss all deducts with you. You will learn tons of stuff about your car!

Good luck.

Bill

[M W.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

So should the wheel covers be on or off for judging? Leaving tomorrow and want to triple check everything.

Thanks,
Craig

[Terry M.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

Terry - I just re-read the Bloomington Owners Advisories pamphlet that was sent to me. It says that an on-board fire extinguisher must be in each car entered. So I will make sure it is in the car. With that said, it would seem to make sense to keep my battery disconnect switch installed.

I was not aware of the fire extinguisher requirement. Now in a few days I'll have to ask who of the judges is checking for the fire extinguisher. Boy, this is going to be fun.

[Michael S.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

I left my wheel covers on, took off the battery disconnect switch, put the fire extinguisher in the car, and glued the window sticker on the driver's side window with clear glue. I am calling this good.

The car is in the trailer now and we will leave tomorrow for St. Charles. I am sure Bloomington will be a good experience and I am looking forward to it.

Thanks for all the responses to my post.

[Oliver B.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

Guess, I have to re-check my AIM, but I thought the window sticker was attached to the passenger side window (at least for the late 70's like my 77)...!?

[Tom H.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

I left my wheel covers on, took off the battery disconnect switch, put the fire extinguisher in the car, and glued the window sticker on the driver's side window with clear glue. I am calling this good.

The car is in the trailer now and we will leave tomorrow for St. Charles. I am sure Bloomington will be a good experience and I am looking forward to it.

Thanks for all the responses to my post.

I think you are well prepared. Let us know how all of the hard work paid off.

[M W.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

Which side window should the window sticker be placed on a 64 and will they deduct a point or two if I leave my NCRS sticker on the window? Hate to remove it since it's the only one I have.

Thanks,
Craig

[Terry M.]

Re: Minor Bloomington Certification Questions

Which side window should the window sticker be placed on a 64 and will they deduct a point or two if I leave my NCRS sticker on the window? Hate to remove it since it's the only one I have.

Thanks,
Craig

Sometimes there is a deduction for the NCRS sticker, sometimes not. NCRS stickers are easy to come by. If you attend the Florida Regional or the National Convention -- just ask at the NCRS booth. Otherwise a SSAE, and a note with your membership number, to Cincinnati will get you one.