Used Original Parts Donations to Judging Archives??

[Richard M.]

Re: Used Original Parts Donations to Judging Archives??

Gotta love that first photo that shows "A Bailey Product" - that's why those channels were known as "Baileys" in the trade for many years; Bailey made them for LOTS of manufacturers.

First time I ever saw that. At first I couldn't see it, then after wiping it off it was clear. It actually repeats every few inches.

I must say the quality of the original part is much better than the new reproduction. The new one is ok but not as rugged, and it lacks a few features of the original part.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: Used Original Parts Donations to Judging Archives??

A few warehouses and then some. The ideal situation would be to photograph the parts and put the pictures on-line or have them accessible on their computer system -- but how many pictures and how much electronic storage space? The mind boggles.

Hmmmm, our minds think alike....I sent this to Betty while you guys were typing.

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Hi Betty,

I started a thread a few days ago on the NCRS TDB and Terry McManmon mentioned I should run this by you.......

Here's the thread.....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=75731&uid=3718

We as restorers are left with many used original parts from the cars we work on. These original parts are typically thrown out, but they have intrinsic value for our present and future restorers and enthusiasts. Would the museum be interested in supporting a archive of these items to be cataloged, photographed and documented? I have many parts I could donate for this cause, and many others would likely do so as well. I understand this could be a time consuming task for the museum, but.........

I would imagine this could also possibly be a benefit to the museum, as it potentially could become some form of income producing venture. This may be accomplished by creating either a publication, or a website link to the photos and supporting documentation. Maybe you could charge a fee for access to this viewable data, much like the pay-as-you-go features on many websites today for similar services......Carfax, Autocheck, Phonelookups, etc.

Just a Thought....Please let me know what you think.

Regards,
Rich Mozzetta
Micco, Florida

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[Terry M.]

Re: Used Original Parts Donations to Judging Archives??

Now I'll be in trouble with Betty for sure!

You know this is just how the Museum started. I opened my mouth at an NCRS board meeting ... and the rest is history.

[Richard M.]

Re: Used Original Parts Donations to Judging Archives??

Now I'll be in trouble with Betty for sure!

You know this is just how the Museum started. I opened my mouth at an NCRS board meeting ... and the rest is history.

Cooool! So there's real hope for this since you're in the loop now!

Rich
p.s. bye for now....going to the local cruise night in th '59. oooops, sorry about that!
Weather is awesome right now, about 70 and sunny. All you northern folks gotta come down here and buy some property while it's still cheap. Think of all the fun you'll have in winter!

[Terry M.]

Re: Used Original Parts Donations to Judging Archives??

Cooool! So there's real hope for this since you're in the loop now!

Rich
p.s. bye for now....going to the local cruise night in th '59. oooops, sorry about that!
Weather is awesome right now, about 70 and sunny. All you northern folks gotta come down here and buy some property while it's still cheap. Think of all the fun you'll have in winter!

I don't want to mislead you Rich. I don't have any more "pull" than anyone else. The bottom line is we are talking about money, and while the project might be a revenue generator it will take some up-front investment to get to that point. Given the economic times, the new expansion, and their goal of a motor sports park ... well you get the drift. However it is a project worth looking at.

Speaking of weather. All my crews will be on the road to Oklahoma in the next couple of hours to help restore power. Seems there is an ice storm moving across down there. I get time off.

[John W.]

Re: Used Original Parts Donations to Judging Archives??

Photos online.

This idea has been kicked around for several years. Storage of photos is not the problem. How do you document and verify that the photo belongs to this part number and it was used on this car, and it is ORIGINAL. If NCRS had a team of EXPERTS in all models of Corvette that had nothing better to do than catalog parts and photograph them it would be an outstanding project.

If it were open to anyone to post a picture and claim it represented something then the value of the whole project would be questionable. The stand of the Board of Directors is that unless it can be verified by trusted authorities, then NCRS doesn't want to provide information that could be completely wrong. (disclaimer: They don't claim that it never happens or happened. They do claim that every reasonable effort is made to insure that it doesn't happen.)

Just like information on this discussion board can be wrong at times if you are cautious and come back and check the information again in a day or two if it is not correct someone usually will at least flag it as possibly questionable.

It would be much harder to do with a photo gallery of parts that were not reviewed as the post here are.

Ask some of the Team Leaders what they go through before they include a photo of some part of a car in the Technical Information Manual & Judging Guide. Imagine the effort that would be required to catalog millions of parts, authenticate them, photograph them and get them posted.

The next day someone would be crying that the had to pay $35 to join NCRS just so they could look at some crappy pictures.

[Richard M.]

Re: Used Original Parts Donations to Judging Archives??

John ,

I'm glad you replied with the reality check. I figured there must have been discussion in the past about this. I was thinking much of the same. The idea is basic but implementation is the problem.....massive task.

The thought came to me because some day when those of us familiar with all of this information are incapable of passing it along, where will the information be?

Yes, those photos I posted of the parts.......Are they original? ...maybe yes, maybe no. I feel they are based on my knowledge of the car they came from. John H. may feel they are because he was there and maybe held brand new ones in his hands at one time. Is it possible they were service replacements....yes. If we have people around now who can help make those decisions, IMHO then somehow we should take advantage of that.

I truly feel some form of archive is important for the future. Realistically, I may not have the expertise that so many other people have regarding these cars, both inside and outside NCRS, but I certainly would be willing to help with the task in some way.

[Roy B.]

Re: Used Original Parts Donations to Judging Archives??

I like many older members have been into Corvettes for a long time and over
The years most of use have settled on ONE particular year Corvette that we
Love the most. Mine is the 55 Corvette and I've tried to share what I know
To be Correct here on this forum. Am I 100% right ?
If I was a team captain I would reach out to my members with a sheet taken
From the JM asking all members to take pic's along with their idea as to
What they think is correct. That's called taking a serval to compile a
Consensus to determine what's correct,and It doesn't have to cover every
Nut and bolt .
I've been completing a pic. Book with a exploitation on that part to show
What and why this part is original and was it a first or second design part
My hope is to share it with other 55 owners to get their input and refine
It before we all drop dead..
So I keep hearing discussions about who is the number one upper head man. My
Thinking is to start with the team captains of each year Corvettes. I know
It may not be easy on them but where do you start ? If not there then it's
Not going to happen (game over) may be some one in that team group would
Have the time like people I read about that would help compile the
Information. But I'm not holding my breath, I'm trying to do my part for the 55 Corvette and if it dosen't goes any where then (OH well!)

[Richard M.]

Re: Used Original Parts Donations to Judging Archives??

Hi Roy,

Nice post. It's great you're doing that for the 55. I wish I had a fraction of you're knowledge of the early C1's.

Since I started this discussion, it appears it's going to be up to me to follow through somehow. Like the typical talk in engineering discussions throughout my past career......"OK Rich, good idea.....since you brought it up......YOU do it!"

I haven't heard from Betty at the museum yet.

Also, since a small group of members use this TDB, I'm going to drop a note to the board to see if it makes sense to evaluate this to move forward.

Rich

[Roy B.]

Re: Used Original Parts Donations to Judging Archives??

Hi Rich
Your idea of collecting parts is good ,but again where to store them ,then how would people get to hold and look at them is a problem. Many members do take some parts to events as a show and tell class. But to reach all members showing the part in a pic. Or a CD would reach every one . I and others have done a slide show many years ago. I see you have four C1's but one must be your favorite. Concentrate on that year reaching others of the same year as I do and start there. Reading the responses here should tell you your on your own. Talking will get you no where here, you have to stick your neck out and take the hits as I do because some new ideas never go over. Look at all the books that are now out there that some one took it on them self's to do, and NOW people use them.