First time being Judged

[Thomas S.]

Any advice from veteran members on these two items.
My car is a 1974 coupe. Everything is complete except:
- missing AIR pump, bracket and some hardware is present.
- Carburetor is Rochester Q-jet, but is wrong date code.
I have taken care of small details like stickers, owners manuals, belts,
etc. When I score myself, I am very close to TF. I have read many posts re; judging, but nothing regarding these two items.

[Tom H.]

Re: First time being Judged

Your biggest issue will be the totally missing smog pump and hardware. I would put it on the field and see how it scores. If the carb and pump are the two biggest issues when all the smoke clears, correct the two issues and go at it again !!

[Michael W.]

Re: First time being Judged

If you've used the downloadable judging score sheets to assess the car, your own score should be pretty close. One of the 'easier' decisions in flight judging is for hardware that's missing. A judge can't give credit for what's not there.

A carb with the correct P/N but not a correct date code is also easy to decide- the judging sheet has it's own line item specifically for that. Present version shows 5 points.

[Lee S.]

Re: First time being Judged

Don't take anything for granted on the operation of everything on your car. This is always a big hit if not prepared. In your car... Seat Belt disconnect and override? WS Washer, wipers, AC, clock, radio, interior and exterior lighting?

Check everything in the operations section and make appropriate fixes.

[Don G.]

Re: First time being Judged

Tom

If you haven't already done so, be sure to do the operations tests several times. Many first time participants lose significant points because of operation failures. This will also assure you are familiar with all the features that have to be demonstrated. One troublesome feature unique to your '74 is the seat belt interlock system that prevents the car from starting if the seat belts are not fastened. This includes operating the bypass process by activating the underhood solenoid.

Good Luck

[Rob F.]

Re: First time being Judged

Hi Tom
Good luck on the judging. Did you do a frame off restoration and how long did it take. I am in the process of doing a 74 Coupe as well. It is awesome to hear of some doing a 74 Coupe. I was beginning to think I was crazy.
Rob

[Harmon C.]

Re: First time being Judged

Any advice from veteran members on these two items.
My car is a 1974 coupe. Everything is complete except:
- missing AIR pump, bracket and some hardware is present.
- Carburetor is Rochester Q-jet, but is wrong date code.
I have taken care of small details like stickers, owners manuals, belts,
etc. When I score myself, I am very close to TF. I have read many posts re; judging, but nothing regarding these two items.

If your 74 is an automatic you don't need a smog pump.
The carburetor date is different on carter built carbs. Only a letter and a number. What date is on the carb?

[Lee S.]

Re: First time being Judged

Hi Tom
Good luck on the judging. Did you do a frame off restoration and how long did it take. I am in the process of doing a 74 Coupe as well. It is awesome to hear of some doing a 74 Coupe. I was beginning to think I was crazy.
Rob

I love my '74 Coupe. I recently decided I couldn't support owning two vintage Corvettes and longer. So, I sold the '67! I realize it was probably easier to sell but, the '74 is twice the car, for less than half the value.

[Thomas S.]

Re: First time being Judged

Thanks to all who have responded so far. I wil go through the operations section very closely. To answer some questions,

I did not restore this car, I bought it from Corvette Mike New England in Feb 2006. I always wanted a Corvette from childhood. I wanted one from my high school era. The original plan was to slightly modify the car ie; headers, intake and exhaust. I scrapped that plan after talking to some friends with similar cars. These cars (73-77) are the next "mid-year" cars and I believe are going to rise in value in the next boom. They are alot of car for the money. The horsepower ratings are considered low, but if you drive one of these cars, you will be shocked(especially 73-74 cars). As time goes on they will get more respect from the Corvette faithful.

The car is a 4 speed built May 23rd,1974. The trans. is a Borg Warner T-10.

I will post the carb #s soon.


Thanks again
Tom

[Peter G.]

Re: First time being Judged

Thomas.

When I purchased my '73 it was a high NCRS Second Flight car so I had a pretty good foundation to start with. Took the car again to the local Chapter Meets to see exactly what I had since the car had not been judged in a couple of years.

Taking the judging sheets and going right down the columns I started addressing the MISSING items! They are a double hit. Missing parts get no condition points and of course no orginally points.

Ops is also an area that hits you pretty hard for little things that don't work.

Once I got all the parts back onto the car it was just a little "tweating" here and there.

Good luck and let us know how things go in the judging.

[Michael W.]

Re: First time being Judged

but if you drive one of these cars, you will be shocked(especially 73-74 cars).

Yes, I'll agree about the performance being shocking. There again, when I bought my '73 L48 I was driving one of my bikes as the favourite 'toy of the moment'. It turns the quarter in the high 10s/low 11s straight out of the box.

Good luck with the judging and remember to have fun.