What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

[Gene M.]

I was just thinking with so many Americans out of work and so many consumer purchased items coming from china, what can we as NCRS members do to help the American cause.

It is noted that many Corvette parts that do not fit the bill as Made In USA are so noted with label or small tags denoting the country of origin.

In many instances these tags are mistakenly not removed prior to presentation of Flight Judging.

It is my proposal that pieces so observed as "made in china" receive a full deduction in flight judging. I'm not trying to set NCRS policy but only interested in member opinion.

Maybe a bonus points add such as for the fire extinguisher and NCRS sticker be awarded for a Chevy/GM tow vehicle would help GM survive. Only in the interest of keeping the Corvette alive if GM is alive does this hold merit. Again, I'm not trying to set NCRS policy but only interested in member opinion.

[Jack H.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

My take is you're fighting economics...

When this/that can be Made In America on an economically competitve basis with the rest of the world, then manufacturers will opt to build it here and consumers won't be tempted to save $$$ by purchasing products made abroad.

GM has a presence in many countries around the world (Mexico for one) and they routinely execute 'product rationalization' studies (where does it make sense to build this/that item). So, why would you single out China for your discrimination basis?

Robuts depreciate at the same rate in the US as they do anywhere else. The key to keeping mfgr here is automation. That eliminates the temptation to get lower labor costs abroad.

BUT, not all mfgr processes lend themself to automation...especially when we're talking about 'obsolete', low volume, items like replacement parts for Classic Corvettes!

[Joe L.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

I was just thinking with so many Americans out of work and so many consumer purchased items coming from china, what can we as NCRS members do to help the American cause.

It is noted that many Corvette parts that do not fit the bill as Made In USA are so noted with label or small tags denoting the country of origin.

In many instances these tags are mistakenly not removed prior to presentation of Flight Judging.

It is my proposal that pieces so observed as "made in china" receive a full deduction in flight judging. I'm not trying to set NCRS policy but only interested in member opinion.

Maybe a bonus points add such as for the fire extinguisher and NCRS sticker be awarded for a Chevy/GM tow vehicle would help GM survive. Only in the interest of keeping the Corvette alive if GM is alive does this hold merit. Again, I'm not trying to set NCRS policy but only interested in member opinion.

Gene-----


I laud the intent but I think the result of having a "Made in USA" requirement would be the complete unavailability of certain restoration parts. For certain items, I'm not even sure that there is any US manufacturing capacity, anymore. It's a HUGE problem that's only going to get worse until this country comes to grips with the fact that the loss of the manufacturing base is leading this country to ruin.

Another point: as far as C4 and later Corvettes go, a LOT of the ORIGINAL parts are foreign made. So, if foreign made parts were not allowed, it would be absolutely impossible to restore or repair a car!

[Gary S.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

"Made In The USA" is becoming extinct. Let's start with our national flag. Some states have passed laws that only allow the use of USA made flags...I say it is about time. That should be a national law along with others to save our jobs.

Probably most parts on a C1 or C2 were made in the USA. Could one of these soon show up on the judging field made up of 100% foreign made parts...body panels, frames, interiors, etc. Should this be a concern to the NCRS who is the saver of America's Sports Car?

Gene has a valid point. Not sure what can be done, but it could be talked about by the rules makers at least. Some original assembly line parts had "Made In USA" embossed or stamped into them. How will they be made elsewhere?

[Joe L.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

"Made In The USA" is becoming extinct. Let's start with our national flag. Some states have passed laws that only allow the use of USA made flags...I say it is about time. That should be a national law along with others to save our jobs.

Probably most parts on a C1 or C2 were made in the USA. Could one of these soon show up on the judging field made up of 100% foreign made parts...body panels, frames, interiors, etc. Should this be a concern to the NCRS who is the saver of America's Sports Car?

Gene has a valid point. Not sure what can be done, but it could be talked about by the rules makers at least. Some original assembly line parts had "Made In USA" embossed or stamped into them. How will they be made elsewhere?

Gary------


Well, at least we don't have to be too concerned about foreign-made reproductions, even GM Restoration Parts licensed pieces, from being embossed or otherwise labeled as "Made in USA" (such as the voltage regulator cover you pictured). It's illegal to do that, even for a restoration part.

[Roy B.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

As long as you have American workers demanding $30.00 an hour to sweep floors it will never happen . I watched a TV program where one company told their people if they demand higher wages (union) they would have to close down, and the lowest person in the company was getting $30.00 an hour. That's right they did and the company closed and went over seas , one year later the same TV program went back to that same town where people were hurting ( no work) asking the same people "NOW" if the same company came back offering $20.00 to sweep their floors would you take the job? Every one said YES!! They would take $10.00 an hour NOW!

[Patrick N.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']my humble opinion, it is purely economics.[/FONT]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Regardless of current country of origin, China, Mexico,... most low-volume parts tend to move to a lower cost manufacturing base to ensure profit margins-plain / simple.[/FONT]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Our hobby has many levels that span the person looking to repair the "driver" to those obtaining Top Flight. For many, overseas parts are perfectly fine. For others (like me), not so much. [/FONT] [/FONT]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']It would be interesting to see the market dollar size for the "top flight" group. It would be feasible to open shop in the USA to cater to this crowd and offer hard to find / critical-for-judging parts + profit. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']It is good that the parts made in other countries are available at all. [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']The down side is that you typically do not get the same grade or quality of material from a developing country. i.e. P-20 Steel used for tooling in the USA is typically far superior to the "P-20" steel used in an Asian manufacturing base for example. Nylon requires a specific hydration process to ensure it is not brittle and can be tricky to get right, etc, etc.[/FONT]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']I want the "correct" part, but I also want to know the quality has been validated as well ,regardless where it is made.[/FONT]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']P.S.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']I often wonder why C.C. and other aftermarket suppliers don't have a separate NCRS catalog so we could easily see which parts are accepted by AIM / JG?[/FONT]


Pat
68 427 / 400
88

[Roy B.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']my humble opinion, it is purely economics.[/font]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Regardless of current country of origin, China, Mexico,... most low-volume parts tend to move to a lower cost manufacturing base to ensure profit margins-plain / simple.[/font]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Our hobby has many levels that span the person looking to repair the "driver" to those obtaining Top Flight. For many, overseas parts are perfectly fine. For others (like me), not so much. [/font] [/font]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']It would be interesting to see the market dollar size for the "top flight" group. It would be feasible to open shop in the USA to cater to this crowd and offer hard to find / critical-for-judging parts + profit. [/font][/font]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']It is good that the parts made in other countries are available at all. [/font]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']The down side is that you typically do not get the same grade or quality of material from a developing country. i.e. P-20 Steel used for tooling in the USA is typically far superior to the "P-20" steel used in an Asian manufacturing base for example. Nylon requires a specific hydration process to ensure it is not brittle and can be tricky to get right, etc, etc.[/font]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']I want the "correct" part, but I also want to know the quality has been validated as well ,regardless where it is made.[/font]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']P.S.[/font]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']I often wonder why C.C. and other aftermarket suppliers don't have a separate NCRS catalog so we could easily see which parts are accepted by AIM / JG?[/font]


Pat
68 427 / 400
88

Dont know what your doing but reading this is bad

[Patrick N.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

odd?? sorry all.

[Edward J.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

Gene, Im all for buying american, its just that everything you touch today has something built into it that is made elsewhere,what truely is made in the USA,as for corvette parts its tough to find a part that is made in the USA, and to find a certain reproduction parts can be a chore in its self. So if were all looking to top flight, our car or just make it a driver, we have to us whats available to us.

[Jack H.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

I often wonder why C.C. and other aftermarket suppliers don't have a separate NCRS catalog so we could easily see which parts are accepted by AIM/JG?

There's a good/rational reason for this. You'll find it's a HARD policy of NCRS (Judging Reference Manual rule), to officially NOT endorse ANYONE's part(s) or restoration services. Therefore any list published that cites 'correct', 'original', or 'NCRS accepted' is simply some third party's opinion and NOT gospel.

The burden of evaluation due diligence in selecting parts and/or restoration services falls on the owner's shoulders. Our Judging Guides DO change over time and what WAS acceptable in the past may no longer be acceptable tomorrow.

Our club policy of NOT making any endorsement(s) solves that potential pitfall--standards changing with time + new information...

[Dan D.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

This is an interesting thread. Being from the old school, I never liked - even hated- offshore products. Back then it was Japan. But now Japan is loved and Japan itself has fallen into the same trap. Lots of stuff is just too expensive now to make in Japan, and manufacturing has migrated to Korea, China, Mexico, Phillipines and wherever else. A couple of points here - GM now manufactures Buicks in China - and they love them! I think this is one reason GM chose to hold on to Buick and let Pontiac go instead. Also we would not be enjoying the cheap TVs, Ipods, appliances, phones, cameras, and whatever else is made in China and other third world places. We just would not be able to afford them. But I agree with this thread - putting these foreign made parts in our classic machines is a crime. I just don't think NCRS or anyone else can do too much about it. It has already been said in this thread - its a matter of economics. GM, Ford, all other companies have to find a way to compete or they will pay the ultimate price. But the US cannot compete when workers in other countries make 10 cents an hour. Doesn't matter if the labor rate is dropped from $30/hr to $10. Its just not going to do it. So now that I have solved all the worlds problems, I will sign off. -Dan-

[Gene M.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

"So, why would you single out China for your discrimination basis?" Quote

Simple, because most of the crap comes from china.

""Made In The USA" is becoming extinct." Quote

It sure is, maybe someday all our jobs will be extinct too.

"When this/that can be Made In America on an economically competitve basis with the rest of the world, then manufacturers will opt to build it here and consumers won't be tempted to save $$$ by purchasing products made abroad." Quote

It sounds as if the main concern here is MONEY.

American people (which Corvette enthusiast are part of) are pleased to receive wages at an economic level equal to the American standard of living BUT, not willing to make purchases at that same economic level. Kinda has a tone of I'll be the winner and let somebody else be the loser.

Please consider fair priced American made parts as an investment in your own job. The cheaper foreign parts are going to destroy the USA if people don't wake up and start manufacturing and purchasing goods from home.

Unless we start thinking some nationalistic devotion there will be no United States of America for our children. Restoration of that classic Corvette will be the least of our problems.

I was hoping to get more of a discussion of what NCRS (the biggest supporter of America's sports car) could contribute to the economic dilemma as a Made in USA stand point, not justify the way it is now with foreign parts.

[Wayne P.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

I would hope you wouldn't shop at Walmart for non USA made stuff. We
could use more Americans buying Canadian products. I think it is a global economy look around . Not all products not made in America ( USA ) are crap. We have to pay big bucks to get our car parts over the boarder.
I wish I had the choice of product that you all have. You still have great car products made in usa. Look at Blairs etc. Just my two cents worth .
Have a great Christmas

[Floyd B.]

Re: What can NCRS do to support made in USA?

I was just thinking with so many Americans out of work and so many consumer purchased items coming from china, what can we as NCRS members do to help the American cause.

It is noted that many Corvette parts that do not fit the bill as Made In USA are so noted with label or small tags denoting the country of origin.

In many instances these tags are mistakenly not removed prior to presentation of Flight Judging.

It is my proposal that pieces so observed as "made in china" receive a full deduction in flight judging. I'm not trying to set NCRS policy but only interested in member opinion.

Maybe a bonus points add such as for the fire extinguisher and NCRS sticker be awarded for a Chevy/GM tow vehicle would help GM survive. Only in the interest of keeping the Corvette alive if GM is alive does this hold merit. Again, I'm not trying to set NCRS policy but only interested in member opinion.

WARNING: Post from Card Carrying Libertarian Nut Job!!!

In economics this is known as Bastiat's "Negative Railroad" analogy. See here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9ric_Bastiat

BTW, before you sneer at me driving my Nissan Frontier, consider the fact that it was built in Knoxville, Tennessee by U.S. workers. This truck has provided me with 190k miles of FLAWLESS service. Other than normal routine maintenance to replace normal consumables such as belts, filters, hoses, fluids, etc. I have not had to replace a SINGLE part on this truck. It just goes to show that workers who take pride in the product they build can build superior product - no mater what language they speak. But don't blame the consumer for not buying an inferior product and allowing someone to take advantage of them by waving an American flag in their face.

"Any person must write under the influence of party spirit or of fear, who would call in question the sincerity of protectionism, of socialism, and even of communism, which are one and the same plant, in three different periods of its growth." - Frederic Bastiat, The Law