What % of home restores make top flight

[Donald T.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

I did a frame off on my 65 in my two car garage in the burbs. Earned Top Flight first time out. Neighbors weren't very happy when I was painting, but I was done before the homeowners association could say anything. It's better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

[Jim D.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

And lastly, when someone asks who did the work, you can say "I did". (yes meaning you, not me.. lol)

Nothing better than that..

I did a frame off on my 65 in my two car garage in the burbs. Earned Top Flight first time out. Neighbors weren't very happy when I was painting, but I was done before the homeowners association could say anything. It's better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

Exactly. That's a sense of pride in your work. I'm always amazed by those that say "You painted that yourself?". I love the look on their face when I tell them that "It's not rocket science, a monkey can do paint and bodywork". I can't believe those that pay $10K+ for a paint job. PT Barnum must have been right.

[John M.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

Regardless of what the goal is, I think those that do their own work are more successful and happier with the finished product than those that are "checkbook" builders". Nobody cares about YOUR car as much as YOU do.

I agree - you also know your car and all it's specific foibles better than anyone else.

[Tom H.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

a monkey can do paint and bodywork". I can't believe those that pay $10K+ for a paint job. PT Barnum must have been right.

Bodywork is not a skill I have ! I can assure you that you won't top flight with a car I painted !!

[Jim D.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

Bodywork is not a skill I have ! I can assure you that you won't top flight with a car I painted !!

A little practice and you can be painting with the best of them.

Jim

[Chris E.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

Well, I'm one for one so far. One classic Corvette owned, restored myself (with help) in my garage, and received Top Flight first time out. From then on, it has been a refining process.

1st time - 96.8% Chapter
2nd time - 97.2% Chapter
3rd time - 96.5% Regional
4th time - I'll let you know after Joplin

[Thad L.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

I took my 70 all the way to Duntov! Let others do the chrome and the top and the internal engine work.

[Paul D.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

I duntov'ed my 1967 in 2008. Started on it Jan '05 body off. I did Everything ( motor rebuild,2 tops,trans overhaul) myself(w/wife) except for final paint. One of the proudest moments of my life when Roy handed me the Duntov award at the banquet. Nailed PV with Nick C 1st time out.Wife was a little concerned when UPS was showing up everyday with a $200 parts box. Although I did have a pretty good car to start with.....P.. IT CAN BE DONE AT HOME....................

[Tim E.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

Absolutely a home restoration can Top Flight! Throughout the restoration process, you'll need to evaluate how each piece will judge for originality and condition: configuration, date, completeness, installation, and finish.

I suggest you participate in the process as an Observer Judge a number of times to become familiar with the process and learn from the judges. With the Manual and a set of Judging Sheets (available on the website) you'll be equiped to do your own mock judging.

Tim

[Todd L.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

I would think that anyone trying for NCRS Top Flight from the beginning of a resto, the % success rate would be very high. The people who go after this from the beginning seem pretty dedicated so I would think a lot make it.

[Clem Z.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

Bodywork is not a skill I have ! I can assure you that you won't top flight with a car I painted !!

if the paint job has to be perfect the original factory would never top flite as corvette factory paint was terrible. JMHO

[Mike G.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

i restore mine in my garage. some parts i send out but i put them together in my garage. i got a top flight the first time through on every car i have ever done. all the answers are in the ncrs manuals or here on the board. its an opened book test. my 72 lt1 convertible was built to drive so it wont be judged but i could change a few things and get it judged if i needed too. they take me 2 or 3 years to do but they are done right.

[Scott K.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

I'm relatively new to the hobby.. always wanted a Corvette and one day decided to buy one. Bought one that was a relatively good starting point. When I bought it, I had zero intention of any flights or judging. Competitive by nature, once i learned more about NCRS, I recognized that it's an asset to be leveraged. Took mine through the process "as is" so to speak and scored 80%. Now working towards 2nd flight. To me, the real reward is not the award, it's the process and the people. The documentation, education and relationships you can forge with this hobby are tremendous. Being able to show for example the documentation from a third flight award.. and then a year or two later documentation from a second flight award shows any future buyer a long term sustained and substantial investment. In some aspects, equally valuable to scoring top flight first time out.

I've spoken to all kinds of guys restoring cars. Many with nice top flight capable vehicles shun the NCRS judging process because of a perceived reputation and stereotype of "those NCRS guys" and some sort of Corvette snobbery.

So, I'd say that a high percentage of NCRS members who restore at home ultimately make top flight ... but the percentage of non-members joining to potentially earn a flight award seems lower than it should be

Better education about NCRS is actually needed to overcome a prevailing stereotype.

[Dan T.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

I say kudos to Scott. This is what NCRS is all about. I been around for a couple of topflight in my time with this club. It's about learning more about your car. Being truthful with all you do in every area of the judging manual. Over the years the manual themselves have changed a lot. We have better guys putting countless hours making changes to them.
This club is not for everyone. But lots of people outside of NCRS sure respect what we have done for them.
Just putting my two cents in. Thanks DanTermeer (2325)

[Gerard F.]

Re: What % of home restores make top flight

What would you say the % of people that restore there car at home make Top Flight the first time or ever.

Terry,

Don't know what the percent is, but it is a great hobby and satisfaction, doing it yourself.

First time out with my 67, I made Second Flight at a Chapter event. Then I worked on my scoresheet list, and with some driving points, I made Top Flight at a Regional.

I then made another scoresheet list, and worked on that. A few years later I went back to the Chapter event and made Top Flight with minimal driving points.

My goal is to make it without driving points, and still drive to the event.

In the meantime, I'm having a heck of a lot of fun in the garage with my baby. It's a great hobby, and you meet a lot of great people at the events.

Still having fun,