Top Flight Judging

[William B.]

I have a 1961 and am in the process of getting everything back to correct with hopes for a 'Flight' award. My engine is the correct 519 block but is not the original engine, i.e., correct numbers nor are the 2 x 4 carburetors the correct numbers although they are the WCBB's. Can someone tell me if I would be able to achieve Top Flight considering everything else is correct?

Thanks,

Bill

[Gary C.]

Re: Top Flight Judging

Bill, one of the best things you can do to answer your questions is to join a local Chapter, if you don't already belong to one and enter your car for Chapter Flight Judging. Alternative is to volunteer to host a Chapter Judging training session in your garage and use your car for the session. Gary....

[Michael W.]

Re: Top Flight Judging

There's nothing in the rules that blocks a NOM car out of a Top Flight award, but obviously it will make things more difficult. It's impossible to determine for sure until the car is actually judged.

[Bill M.]

Re: Top Flight Judging

You'll lose 175 points for the block date wrong.
You'll lose 65 points if the carbs are totally wrong.
You're down 240 points.
You can't lose more than 270 for top flight.
You get bonus points for driving and for some accessories.
It'll be tough, but not impossible to get top flight.

[Jean C.]

Re: Top Flight Judging

Bill,
Gary's comment is spot on. With four NCRS Chapters in Ohio, you must be near at least one of them. I realize "near" is relative...I consider Austin as being near Houston because it is less than a three hour drive! Using your car to conduct a Chapter Judging School will benefit both you and those who participate in judging your car.

I don't have a '61-'62 TIMJG, but generally if you your block has a casting date that is acceptable but has incorrect pad stampings, you lose less than the 175 points you lose for an incorrect casting date.

When judging items such as carburetors for originality, judges consider Finish, Installation, Date, Configuration and Completness, thus originality is not an "all or nothing" situation.

The best shot for getting your question answered is at a Chapter Flight Judging at which time you can establish an overall base line for how the car judges, not only how the block and carbs score. Should be fun.

Good luck with your car and enjoy the trip.

Cheers,

[Michael W.]

Re: Top Flight Judging

You'll lose 65 points if the carbs are totally wrong.

Just for some help to the OP, unless the carbs are sidedraft strombergs or the like, it's unlikely that the carbs would lose all 65 points. If they're the correct mfgr, type, general config and complete, meaning that not much more than the numbers and date are 'wrong' the deduction would be relatively minimal.

Best have the car gone over prior to a meet to calibrate expectations. What's wrong with a 2nd or 3rd Flight anyway?