In restoring my cars I often find that the actual definitive characteristics of any particular individual component are difficult and tedious, if not impossible, to determine. In some instances, one can learn enough about a particular part from inquiries here to attempt to restore or search for it, but those instances where a part become clearly defined, with adequate pics, are rare.
It would seem that the efforts I go through are repeated on a daily basis by others, who ask the same questions, and have the same concerns. I'm sure this has been going on for years. What an incredible waste of time.
In one of the accompanying posts, for instance, I learned that there are obvious differences between good and bad 63 wiper motors. There are clearly experts who know exactly what to look for, but, if I want to inspect my wiper motor to avoid deductions, the information provided in the JG, is not adequate to help me make an informed judgement in purchase or restoration, nor is it easy to find in other places.
More critically, if, as the posting states, there are well-known characteristics known to the poster (and judges), but not enumerated in the judging guide, how can they then be applied in judging?
I write this not to criticize anyone in the organization, but to ask why not create a database of photos and inane information regarding the original configuration of each component on a particular car?
These days, storage media for photos and such is very cheap and readily available, so cost should not be an issue. I know there are those who would say that it would take an immense amount of labor to compile such a database. True, but the hours being spent doing it repeatedly today dwarf those hours by a large, large margin. I could have photographed every part on my two 63's two hundred times in the hours I've spent trying to learn about their components.
If its all about money, though, NCRS could sell a synopsis of photos and other info for every part, individually, on-line, for a token fee. This would help immensely in searching for old parts, as well as helping restorers avoid the plethora of con-men now out there selling bogus parts as NOS, used original, or "indistinguishable" repop's.
Who wouldn't pay a dollar or so for complete info on the part they are searching for before beginning their search? I know I would.
Your comments are welcome.
It would seem that the efforts I go through are repeated on a daily basis by others, who ask the same questions, and have the same concerns. I'm sure this has been going on for years. What an incredible waste of time.
In one of the accompanying posts, for instance, I learned that there are obvious differences between good and bad 63 wiper motors. There are clearly experts who know exactly what to look for, but, if I want to inspect my wiper motor to avoid deductions, the information provided in the JG, is not adequate to help me make an informed judgement in purchase or restoration, nor is it easy to find in other places.
More critically, if, as the posting states, there are well-known characteristics known to the poster (and judges), but not enumerated in the judging guide, how can they then be applied in judging?
I write this not to criticize anyone in the organization, but to ask why not create a database of photos and inane information regarding the original configuration of each component on a particular car?
These days, storage media for photos and such is very cheap and readily available, so cost should not be an issue. I know there are those who would say that it would take an immense amount of labor to compile such a database. True, but the hours being spent doing it repeatedly today dwarf those hours by a large, large margin. I could have photographed every part on my two 63's two hundred times in the hours I've spent trying to learn about their components.
If its all about money, though, NCRS could sell a synopsis of photos and other info for every part, individually, on-line, for a token fee. This would help immensely in searching for old parts, as well as helping restorers avoid the plethora of con-men now out there selling bogus parts as NOS, used original, or "indistinguishable" repop's.
Who wouldn't pay a dollar or so for complete info on the part they are searching for before beginning their search? I know I would.
Your comments are welcome.

Comment