Requesting Flight Judge Opinions

[Clark K.]

My car is a 1965 L76 (327/365) coupe with factory A/C. I am now in the process of preparing it for the October regional meet. I am correcting a big chunk of the 208 originality deductions. (There were "only" 51 condition point deductions) The car took Chapter Top Flight with 96.3%.

The guy wasn't kidding when he told me that the last recovered points will cost big bucks. Well, I am now a believer since I have spent over $3,200 in the last month gaining jusst 35 originality points. That makes each salvaged originality point worth $91!

I am down to one point here and one point there. For example, my car got a one point originality deduction during last April's Chapter Flight Judging for something I cannot find in the 1965 JG. The Chassis team judge wrote on the yellow Chassis score sheet: "Not correct script" for the car's expansion tank. I have attached a photo for your review and comments.

I have a question for you NCRS judges out there. If such a deduction is made at the regional meet, should I politely contest the judge team's deduction using the guidelines in the Judging Reference Manual? One point is one point and it is important to me. -Clark

[Patrick H.]

Re: Requesting Flight Judge Opinions

Clark,

reading the judge's comment reminds me to say something I've mentioned for several years:

Don't believe everything the judge says or writes down!!!

This is especially true at a Chapter Meet but even true at a Regional. At times judges make mistakes (no, really) or are judging out of their area of expertise. Don't be afraid to realize that what they said or wrote is not the gospel truth.

I think I even make a judging mistake once.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Requesting Flight Judge Opinions

. .....The Chassis team judge wrote on the yellow Chassis score sheet: "Not correct script" for the car's expansion tank. I have attached a photo for your review and comments.

Clark -- as there's only one line on the judging sheets for [expansion tank, mounting, cap, overflow & return hoses/clamps] is there a possibility he/she was referring to the cap ? There seems to be more known variations in the script / locations of various stampings on the RC-26 caps, than on the tank. (I think Pete Lindahl has done some work in this area).

From your picture, it's hard to see in the detail required for an opinion.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Requesting Flight Judge Opinions

Good call, Wayne. It could easily be the radiator cap, though difficult to figure out from the picture.

Post us a better rad cap picture, Clark, and maybe we can narrow it down.

[Clark K.]

Re: Requesting Flight Judge Opinions

Wayne, I believe you nailed it. I misunderstood the area of deduction. Your analysis makes sense.

In looking again at the '65 JG, there are some specific criteria for the expansion tank cap but not the lettering on the side of the expansion tank. I must have a reproduction RC-26 (A/C) cap and there is an apparent discernible difference in the lettering from originals.

All this time (since April) I thought there was something wrong with my expansion tank.

So, my next question is: Where can I find a like-new original or correct rebuilt RC-26 cap?
-Clark

[Harmon C.]

Re: Requesting Flight Judge Opinions

I don't know where to find a RC-26 but the $91 average will go up if you do.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Requesting Flight Judge Opinions

So, my next question is: Where can I find a like-new original or correct rebuilt RC-26 cap?
-Clark

Eat the point.
It'll be a few hundred $.
Not worth it for 1 point. Time to move on to the next item.

[Tim E.]

Re: Requesting Flight Judge Opinions

Clark - I've seen the judges scrutinize and re-scrutinize the "AC" script on the radiator cap. If you search the archives, I believe you'll find some discussion and picture comparisons of original and reproduction caps.

As you prepare for the Regional in Killeen, TX in October, spend a lot of time ensuring your car passes each item on the Operations check. Those are the items that tend to bite owners and at 25 points a line, can add up quickly. They also tend to be "easy" to fix. We encourage owners to concentrate on those first!

See you in TX! Tim