"Starting in Gettysburg, continuing in Des Moines, with further discussion to come in Bend, Columbus and Albuquerque, this has been and will be the subject of the judging school.
Let me give you a couple of the many examples that have brought us to this point, is the answer perfect no, will it work yes, am I comfortable that we have been forced into this position no, am I convinced the organization has and is taking the right approach? Yes.
Many years ago a 67 400 HP Corvette was sold to a new member for a figure north of 200K, that new member was told the car was NCRS correct, matching number, perfect, by a NCRS member and advertiser, the car received a third flight at a Regional after being given many points by myself and the team leader in the tab room to salvage something for the new owner. The car had a non GM trim tag, was never a big block car, and those were the better parts of this story!
When individuals purchase cars such as this then join the organization and present their new purchase to NCRS for judging do you think this type of experience is going to keep them in the hobby? Absolutely not, the solution for our organization is not to condone it.
Another member shows up on the judging field with a big block 435 convertible. The member has had many issues in the past always with added options, bad trim tags, etc. The particular car in question has a trim tag purchased off of eBay installed on it (yes we track those types of things,) we pulled the owner to the side, we being the Team Leader and I. I asked the individual point blank if the trim tag on the vehicle was the one installed on the vehicle when he purchased it. I was assured it was. I then told him that we were going to judge the car, and if we determined the tag was indeed the one purchased on eBay after the event was complete we were going to bring him before the board of directors for dismissal from the organization. Well then the story changed. All of a sudden it was the tag from eBay, the car was withdrawn from judging. Unfortunately the car was later sold for exorbitant money to an unsuspecting sole. When he realizes he should join and have the car judged it will not be a positive experience. Again we can at least do our part to keep this from occurring.
Another car has shown up twice with two different tags, two different colors in search of a second flight so it could be sold as having received an NCRS flight award and it was for big, big money. If the new owner who bought this car with a NCRS flight award shows up he will be extremely disappointed to find out further actions were not taken to keep the car from being represented in that manner before he bought it.
These are but a few examples. I can go on at length, but the bottom line is the following statements are all in effect and have been approved by the team leaders, the judging office, and the board of directors unanimously.
From the Judging Reference manual, eighth edition approaching final draft as I type this message.
SECTION 4 STANDARD DEDCUTS:
Item 8. TRIM TAG OR SERVICE PARTS IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Beginning with the model-year 1963, Corvettes were fitted with a trim tag, which noted, among other information, the exterior body color, interior trim color and fabric.
Beginning in late production model-year 1984, Corvettes were fitted with a Service Parts Identification label, which identifies all color and options of the car as it left the factory.
A Trim Tag/Service Parts Identification Label authenticity block is included on the Scoring Summary Sheet and the Judging Summary Sheet (the “Green Sheet”). The Team Leader must sign the authentication area of the signature block on both documents; a Team Leader signature in the rejection area of the signature block will result in the vehicle being “Branded Counterfeit” and appropriate action will be taken. See section 2, item # 34 Counterfeit Discovery Penalties
SECTION 2 - NCRS JUDGING PURPOSE, STANDARDS, GUIDELINES, RULES & PROCEDURES
Item 34. COUNTERFEIT DISCOVERY PENALTIES COUNTERFEIT:
“To make an imitation of something else with the intent to deceive or defraud.”
For instance, the following would be examples of counterfeiting:
• Repainting an original blue car red and changing the trim tag to make red appear to be the original color
• Installing a red interior in a car that left the factory with a blue interior and changing the trim tag to make red appear to be the original color interior
• Replacing the engine of an original small block Corvette with a big block and stamping numbers on it to make it appear to be an original big block engine
• Replacing the carburetor on an engine with a fuel-injection unit and stamping the numbers and suffix code on the block to make it appear to be an original fuel-injection car.
Any individual, this can be owner, owner/restorer, restorer & owner, or restorer, presenting a vehicle for judging that is determined to contain counterfeit identifiers such as VIN Plate, Trim Tag, Altered Casting Numbers, or Altered Casting Dates will be suspended from further participation in judging activities of NCRS and the Vehicle Identification Number will be permanently recorded in the awards database.
The suspension will be reviewed by the National Judging Chairman and the NCRS President who will determine if suspension is justified. The individual(s) involved will be notified of the final decision in writing.
If the suspension is deemed not justified, the suspension will be lifted. However, all information will remain on file and will be taken into consideration should the same individual(s) become involved in a second offense. A second offense will result in permanent suspension from judging activities.
Perception is sometimes worse than fact; however, perception of our fellow NCRS members is that often a misrepresentation of the NCRS expertise exists. (this misuse is nothing short of criminal defacement of the organization) As a result these new procedures have been put into place.
From the new Owners Advisory:
Owners Ethical Responsibility
Any individual, this can be owner, owner/restorer, restorer & owner, or restorer, presenting a vehicle for judging that is determined to contain counterfeit identifiers such as VIN Plate, Trim Tag, Altered Casting Numbers, or Altered Casting Dates will be suspended from further participation in the judging activities of NCRS and the Vehicle Identification Number will be permanently recorded in the award database.
The suspension will be reviewed by the National Judging Chairman and the NCRS President who will determine if suspension is justified. The individual(s) involved will be notified of the final decision in writing.
If the suspension is deemed not justified, the suspension will be lifted. However, all information will remain on file and will be taken into consideration should the same individual(s) become involved in a second offense. A second offense will result in permanent suspension from the judging activities.
Perception is sometimes worse than fact; however, perception of our fellow NCRS members is that often a misrepresentation of the NCRS expertise exists. (this misuse is nothing short of criminal defacement of the organization) As a result these new procedures have been put into place.
NCRS does not grant, authorize or condone the use of the term “NCRS” with words such as prepared, restored, approved, certified or similar terms in letters, opinions, evaluations, appraisals, placards, descriptions, etc. Any contrary statement should be weighed with skepticism and thoroughly reviewed with the possessor. This is not meant to restrict the use of the term “NCRS” in conjunction with any vehicle awards earned.
From the New Judges Advisory:
Judges’ Ethical Responsibility
Perception is sometimes worse than fact; however, perception of our fellow NCRS members is that often conflicts of interest exist. When a judge is perceived as benefiting financially from a judging situation, there is perceived conflict.
Due to the potential of this occurring, Section 2, Item 7 of the Judging Reference Manual has been expanded to include additional restrictions on the judges.
This section now reads, “Should a judge have any financial or vested interest in a car being judged, such as judging a car not owned, but restored by that judge or having received payment for services rendered toward a car, he must decline a request to participate in judging that vehicle.” Should there be any question in this regard, the judge should discuss and clarify it with the Meet Judging Chairman and Team Leader prior to accepting a questionable assignment.” Therefore, it would be advisable to recognize the potential hazard of accepting payment for services rendered from fellow NCRS members.
This is not directed at the reimbursement of expenses to assist a member in finding a car, but rather at the profit received from such practice creating a conflict of interest.
It is incumbent on all of us, to strive for pursuit of a perception that there are no financial ties between ourselves and the owner or ourselves and a car being judged.
This is not saying that you cannot restore, buy, sell, or work on Corvettes. It simply means you cannot be involved in the judging decision process of any car that you have restored, bought, sold, or worked on, or if you monetarily benefited from involvement with the car. Also, during the Judging Event, all Judges will refrain from discussion with owners related to the sale of parts for any Corvette entered for Judging or discussion with owners related to the sale of any Corvette entered for Judging.
With all that said as always Burden of proof is with the owner/member, if they can prove they had nothing to do with the above mentioned practices we certainly will not take action.
With respect to the trim tag if an owner can provide proof that his car was built as presented through other documentation, then the absence of a trim tag can be acceptable, but a trim tag determined to be non GM issued or non original to the car in question is not acceptable."
Roy Sinor
NCRS National Judging Chairman
Let me give you a couple of the many examples that have brought us to this point, is the answer perfect no, will it work yes, am I comfortable that we have been forced into this position no, am I convinced the organization has and is taking the right approach? Yes.
Many years ago a 67 400 HP Corvette was sold to a new member for a figure north of 200K, that new member was told the car was NCRS correct, matching number, perfect, by a NCRS member and advertiser, the car received a third flight at a Regional after being given many points by myself and the team leader in the tab room to salvage something for the new owner. The car had a non GM trim tag, was never a big block car, and those were the better parts of this story!
When individuals purchase cars such as this then join the organization and present their new purchase to NCRS for judging do you think this type of experience is going to keep them in the hobby? Absolutely not, the solution for our organization is not to condone it.
Another member shows up on the judging field with a big block 435 convertible. The member has had many issues in the past always with added options, bad trim tags, etc. The particular car in question has a trim tag purchased off of eBay installed on it (yes we track those types of things,) we pulled the owner to the side, we being the Team Leader and I. I asked the individual point blank if the trim tag on the vehicle was the one installed on the vehicle when he purchased it. I was assured it was. I then told him that we were going to judge the car, and if we determined the tag was indeed the one purchased on eBay after the event was complete we were going to bring him before the board of directors for dismissal from the organization. Well then the story changed. All of a sudden it was the tag from eBay, the car was withdrawn from judging. Unfortunately the car was later sold for exorbitant money to an unsuspecting sole. When he realizes he should join and have the car judged it will not be a positive experience. Again we can at least do our part to keep this from occurring.
Another car has shown up twice with two different tags, two different colors in search of a second flight so it could be sold as having received an NCRS flight award and it was for big, big money. If the new owner who bought this car with a NCRS flight award shows up he will be extremely disappointed to find out further actions were not taken to keep the car from being represented in that manner before he bought it.
These are but a few examples. I can go on at length, but the bottom line is the following statements are all in effect and have been approved by the team leaders, the judging office, and the board of directors unanimously.
From the Judging Reference manual, eighth edition approaching final draft as I type this message.
SECTION 4 STANDARD DEDCUTS:
Item 8. TRIM TAG OR SERVICE PARTS IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Beginning with the model-year 1963, Corvettes were fitted with a trim tag, which noted, among other information, the exterior body color, interior trim color and fabric.
Beginning in late production model-year 1984, Corvettes were fitted with a Service Parts Identification label, which identifies all color and options of the car as it left the factory.
A Trim Tag/Service Parts Identification Label authenticity block is included on the Scoring Summary Sheet and the Judging Summary Sheet (the “Green Sheet”). The Team Leader must sign the authentication area of the signature block on both documents; a Team Leader signature in the rejection area of the signature block will result in the vehicle being “Branded Counterfeit” and appropriate action will be taken. See section 2, item # 34 Counterfeit Discovery Penalties
SECTION 2 - NCRS JUDGING PURPOSE, STANDARDS, GUIDELINES, RULES & PROCEDURES
Item 34. COUNTERFEIT DISCOVERY PENALTIES COUNTERFEIT:
“To make an imitation of something else with the intent to deceive or defraud.”
For instance, the following would be examples of counterfeiting:
• Repainting an original blue car red and changing the trim tag to make red appear to be the original color
• Installing a red interior in a car that left the factory with a blue interior and changing the trim tag to make red appear to be the original color interior
• Replacing the engine of an original small block Corvette with a big block and stamping numbers on it to make it appear to be an original big block engine
• Replacing the carburetor on an engine with a fuel-injection unit and stamping the numbers and suffix code on the block to make it appear to be an original fuel-injection car.
Any individual, this can be owner, owner/restorer, restorer & owner, or restorer, presenting a vehicle for judging that is determined to contain counterfeit identifiers such as VIN Plate, Trim Tag, Altered Casting Numbers, or Altered Casting Dates will be suspended from further participation in judging activities of NCRS and the Vehicle Identification Number will be permanently recorded in the awards database.
The suspension will be reviewed by the National Judging Chairman and the NCRS President who will determine if suspension is justified. The individual(s) involved will be notified of the final decision in writing.
If the suspension is deemed not justified, the suspension will be lifted. However, all information will remain on file and will be taken into consideration should the same individual(s) become involved in a second offense. A second offense will result in permanent suspension from judging activities.
Perception is sometimes worse than fact; however, perception of our fellow NCRS members is that often a misrepresentation of the NCRS expertise exists. (this misuse is nothing short of criminal defacement of the organization) As a result these new procedures have been put into place.
From the new Owners Advisory:
Owners Ethical Responsibility
Any individual, this can be owner, owner/restorer, restorer & owner, or restorer, presenting a vehicle for judging that is determined to contain counterfeit identifiers such as VIN Plate, Trim Tag, Altered Casting Numbers, or Altered Casting Dates will be suspended from further participation in the judging activities of NCRS and the Vehicle Identification Number will be permanently recorded in the award database.
The suspension will be reviewed by the National Judging Chairman and the NCRS President who will determine if suspension is justified. The individual(s) involved will be notified of the final decision in writing.
If the suspension is deemed not justified, the suspension will be lifted. However, all information will remain on file and will be taken into consideration should the same individual(s) become involved in a second offense. A second offense will result in permanent suspension from the judging activities.
Perception is sometimes worse than fact; however, perception of our fellow NCRS members is that often a misrepresentation of the NCRS expertise exists. (this misuse is nothing short of criminal defacement of the organization) As a result these new procedures have been put into place.
NCRS does not grant, authorize or condone the use of the term “NCRS” with words such as prepared, restored, approved, certified or similar terms in letters, opinions, evaluations, appraisals, placards, descriptions, etc. Any contrary statement should be weighed with skepticism and thoroughly reviewed with the possessor. This is not meant to restrict the use of the term “NCRS” in conjunction with any vehicle awards earned.
From the New Judges Advisory:
Judges’ Ethical Responsibility
Perception is sometimes worse than fact; however, perception of our fellow NCRS members is that often conflicts of interest exist. When a judge is perceived as benefiting financially from a judging situation, there is perceived conflict.
Due to the potential of this occurring, Section 2, Item 7 of the Judging Reference Manual has been expanded to include additional restrictions on the judges.
This section now reads, “Should a judge have any financial or vested interest in a car being judged, such as judging a car not owned, but restored by that judge or having received payment for services rendered toward a car, he must decline a request to participate in judging that vehicle.” Should there be any question in this regard, the judge should discuss and clarify it with the Meet Judging Chairman and Team Leader prior to accepting a questionable assignment.” Therefore, it would be advisable to recognize the potential hazard of accepting payment for services rendered from fellow NCRS members.
This is not directed at the reimbursement of expenses to assist a member in finding a car, but rather at the profit received from such practice creating a conflict of interest.
It is incumbent on all of us, to strive for pursuit of a perception that there are no financial ties between ourselves and the owner or ourselves and a car being judged.
This is not saying that you cannot restore, buy, sell, or work on Corvettes. It simply means you cannot be involved in the judging decision process of any car that you have restored, bought, sold, or worked on, or if you monetarily benefited from involvement with the car. Also, during the Judging Event, all Judges will refrain from discussion with owners related to the sale of parts for any Corvette entered for Judging or discussion with owners related to the sale of any Corvette entered for Judging.
With all that said as always Burden of proof is with the owner/member, if they can prove they had nothing to do with the above mentioned practices we certainly will not take action.
With respect to the trim tag if an owner can provide proof that his car was built as presented through other documentation, then the absence of a trim tag can be acceptable, but a trim tag determined to be non GM issued or non original to the car in question is not acceptable."
Roy Sinor
NCRS National Judging Chairman