"Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

[Dick W.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

Rich, we cannot judge from a picture, nor does the opinion here have any weight on the judging field, but the grindout appears to be typical of what I have seen. Be aware that no two grindouts are the same

[Rich G.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

Dick

Thanks for your input and that of all the other commentors. I was not looking for a judgement as much as an education, which I got. That's what makes this forum valuable to me.

Rich

[Karl K.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

I just came back from the Bloomington Gold car show and attended the
Gold School. There was a gentleman there that worked for Chevrolet back in the 60's talking about stamp pads. He said if there was a mistake made
when stamping they would take a grinder, grind it off and restamp it. He made it sound like there was not much care takin in how they did it.
I bet if you contact Bloomington Gold they could put you in touch with him. He spoke to us during the class.

[Jack H.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

Yes! Remember, the rules for determining block authenticity apply ONLY to originality. There is no scoring block for condition here...

So, judges are supposed to overlook/ignore the condition of the stamp pad (wrench marks, scratches, Etc.) and I'm SURE that not all do so...

[Ken R.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

Here are some photos from the Flint engine plant tour that Terry is talking about. Photo #8 shows the guy who did a grind out for us. No big deal to him at all. When I saw my 95 being built at BG, I was asked if I wanted to stamp my block as it started on the engine line. I was terrified of screwing it up, so I declined. Dumb move on my part I now think.

http://picasaweb.google.com/VLRobb66/FlintPlantTour#

On the new cars a machine does the vin and you can't even see it after assembly. So much for judging it in the future.

[Gary B.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

Thanks Ken. We must have been in the same group for the tour.

[Tim G.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

I brought a 250 horse Powerglide coupe to Waco for judging in 2003 that had 16,000 original miles. The car was built the last week of '65 production and had a ground pad. My belief is that the engine was originally built for a manual transmission car since the carb was original and coded for a manual transmission. Who would mess with a 250 horse Powerglide coupe? Being a 16,000 mile car, it was an amazing original car with all the warranty gaskets still on the engine. Al was the pad judge and I thought that this was either real good or real bad. He loved the grind and took numerous pictures of the pad, the engine received no deductions. Unfortunately, as the rarity of the engine option goes up, the speculation probably goes up also.

[Rich G.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

Tim

Thanks for that reply. I will someday hire Al to get an expert opinion, either good or bad.

I tried the judging thing, and it is not for me. I have the utmost respect for those who strive to meet the challenges of a Flight Award and also for those who give their time to as judges to reward the hard work of the owners. I just don't have the stamina required. I don't want this to sound bad, but it might, so I apologize in advance. I think some judges approach their task with the attitude "Guilty until proven innocent". I don't think it started that way, but there has been so much talk of "faking" that it is understandable that could happen.

It's been good to hear the reports on this topic and others where that has not happened.

Rich

[Jim C.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

Rich,

I posted response #5 and #6 above. As you read, I had some stamp pad problems too during judging. I didn't really go into it, but to some extent, I do agree that some judges might take a little tougher approach to such things. One of the guys judging my car DID NOT like my pad, and thought I might be "trying to pull something" on the judges. I've been told that this particular judge is very experienced, and from what I could see, he was. A very nice guy, who seemed to know his stuff. Fortunately, a few other very experienced judges overruled him. Later, after the judging was over, the same judge explained why he didn't like my pad, and disputed some of the information I presented explaining the possible reasons for its less than perfect appearance. A different judge later told me that had my car been a "big block" instead of a base motor small block, things may not have worked out as they did. The majority of judges, however, thought my pad was fine. ALL the judges I encountered were VERY professional, cool headed, and knowledgeable. But still, in the end, that kind of soured me a little too on ever going to another judged Chapter event, let alone a Regional or National. I just don't want to have to keep explaining my stamp pad.

I came away with a ton of good information, even from the judge who didn't like my pad. It's just their opinion and I'm sure it's a tough call for them sometimes. Like I said before, enjoy driving your car, and know that double strikes, after strikes, grind outs, etc. did happen all the time. Hopefully you won't stop showing your car to other Corvette lovers, I'm sure we all have something to learn from it.

Jim C.

[Louis T.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

Jim,

Post a photo of your pad. I'm sure we could all benefit from seeing it.

Save the wave!

Louis

[Chris H.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

I attended an Al Grenning seminar this past spring and he relayed stories of poor owners who had their pads "restored" because some "expert" had told them the the grind marks on the pad were now way original. How depressing.

[Mark P.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

I see a lot of focus on the originality of stamp pads but was wondering why we don't do the same for other parts that are rarely original like interiors, radiators and C1 air cleaners. It seems inconsistent.

[Clem Z.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

I see a lot of focus on the originality of stamp pads but was wondering why we don't do the same for other parts that are rarely original like interiors, radiators and C1 air cleaners. It seems inconsistent.

the "last stingray" did not have the original block as they pointed on the TV program the original block was dropped and broken. is a corvette with a replacement block more valuable than a corvette with the original block with no stamp pad ?

[Michael W.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

I see a lot of focus on the originality of stamp pads but was wondering why we don't do the same for other parts that are rarely original like interiors, radiators and C1 air cleaners. It seems inconsistent.

Maybe because there's no L88 interiors out there?

[Jim C.]

Re: "Factory" Grind out on Stamp Pad

Hi Louis,

I hate to admit this, but my computer skills are pretty bad, and I have absolutely no idea how to post photos on the tech board. I'm just glad I finally figured out how to post replies and questions.

Finally, I would be very happy to let ANYONE, and I mean ANYONE, take a look at my pad in person any time they want to, at my house, at a car show, at an NCRS event, ANYWHERE. When I was trying to find out more about my pad's authenticity and originality, I learned that information exists out there that could probably help me, and many others with similar questions like the one that started this series of posts. I this case, Rich G. had a very legitimate "grind out" question. Unfortunately, getting quality, educated, fact based answers to these questions can be potentially expensive$$$$$. I completely believe in free enterprise, and have no problem with guys trying to make an honest buck on their expertise. Doctors and lawyers, etc. do it all the time. I guess the Corvette hobby should be no different. If you can sell your knowledge, then why not do it? We can pay for the knowledge or try to acquire it in other ways. I choose not to pay for that knowledge. Consequently, I won't photograph my pad because I don't want it possibly included in any data base or library that is being used for profit.

That being said Louis, you or any other NCRS member are welcome at my home to look at my stamp pad any time. That offer comes with a free lunch and a cold beer. Happy driving.

Jim C.