Perfection V Originality

Mr Concours · 03-02-04, 04:09

What is the general consensus on judging an original car competing against a fully restored car?

I can't help feeling there should be some kind of concession for an unrestored original car,I see this quite often an elderly owner ,possibly the first owner or second owner of a original car kept out of the silverware because someone has trailered a 'fresh from the workshop' ground up restoration,that really is to such a high standard that the factory would have never have dreamed of on their best Day!

Don't you think that original is only original once and that its better to see something that isn't 'overestored'. While I do admit it isnt always possible to find a nice low milage original car to show and you might have to fully restore a car to make it a contender why not go for an original type finish? All to often I see a paint job on a post war car that really is just far too good,if every car that came out of the factory had a slight orange peel should I/we mark it down as its unoriginal?
I guess this whole Perfection V Originality is a bigger nightmare when you are Judging multi marque shows and not so bad if just Judging a one make event.

Yes you do get a WOW factor on a full restoration to a show standard, I would just like to see some of the little guys get some credit and not always the person with the biggest cheque book win.

Rant over!

Richt · 03-02-04, 04:35

I agree 100% - a true concours car if restored should be done to a factory finish. I am having to have doubts weather my car will be going in the concours in our club this year as it will be in a class with both modified and over restored cars. I am not willing to sacrifice the origionality of my car just to be competitive.

In reality origionality comes down to wether a judge can spot this or not, if the judge knows a car is un origional in finish or apperance they should mark the car down. In reality the person with the most money is always going to have a better chance.

TOGWT · 03-02-04, 06:39

Quote: Perfection V Originality

~One mans opinion / observation~

Perhaps things are different in the US but an original will always win over a restored vehicle in English Concourse events (most have the original; sticker, tools and owners manual, not having any of these will mean point deductions) Most judges can tell the difference between an original and a restored vehicle.

I remember Lynn saying once that one car (a Jaguar I think) had an Optima battery installed and yet the owner was not penalized for it.

Mr Concourse, I started to read your Concourse 101, excellent thus far, with your attention to detail if you ever think of showing Jags on the English concourse circuit let me know so that I can retire while I’m ahead. Thanks for your insights (if nothing else it proves to my GF that I’m not the only crazy detail guy around, if nothing else thanks for that LOL )

~ Hope this helps ~

Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/

justadumbarchitect * so i question everything*

Mosca · 03-02-04, 06:55

I have a friend who restores '60s Corvettes. He has learned how to paint them badly, to match the St Louis (was it StL in the '60s? I forget) factory orange peel.

Tom

bretfraz · 03-02-04, 07:14

I don't think its a "little guy vs. Big Money" competition. I think most knowledgeable collectors will agree 100% with your assertion that a car is original only once, and those collectors will step up and pay the mega$$$$$$$ to obtain those cars. And I'd also think more knowledgeable show judges will score a car properly with the understanding that a car they're looking at is 100% original, patina and all.

It really depends on the show itself and the type of judging. Most shows are rather casual where flash and eye sizzle get the most attention and awards. You're spot on about multi-marque shows where judges simply are not knowledgable enough to quickly determine the originality vs. restored perfection. A car with a 30 yr old paint job that shows both great care and regular use has no chance to win a "Best Paint" award when the competition is there with fresh resprays.

Ultimately I think its incumbent upon the vehicle owner to ensure he is competing at the best show for him and his car. Look for shows that recognize originality (like a "survivor" class) over perfection and I think you'll be much happier.

For some perspective, read this article: http://www.caranddriver.com/article....rticle_id=7374

Accumulator · 03-02-04, 10:28

Yeah, JCNA has a "preservation" class, so the original Jaguars aren't up against "better than new" restorations. Heh heh, I'm a rather extreme example of "better imperfect and original than redone to perfection", myself. I love the patina of honest use. It seems this isn't valued as much here in the states as it is across the pond.

JB in Irvine · 03-02-04, 11:23

In Porsche Club Concours events in Zone 8 (SoCal, NV and AZ) we have a seperate division called Unrestored.

This is for Porsche's which are:

* 10+ years old
* 75%+ original paint
* 75%+ original interior

This allows the older original cars to compete fairly.

Mr Concours · 03-02-04, 11:32

Quote:

Originally posted by JB in Irvine
In Porsche Club Concours events in Zone 8 (SoCal, NV and AZ) we have a seperate division called Unrestored.

This is for Porsche's which are:

* 10+ years old
* 75%+ original paint
* 75%+ original interior

This allows the older original cars to compete fairly.

JB, How does this work in practice?

JB in Irvine · 03-02-04, 11:47

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr Concours
JB, How does this work in practice?

It works well.

If someone has a low mileage, true garage queen, then they will likely bypass Unrestored Division and do Full Concours or Street any way. Its their choice.

In Unrestored and Street Division we judge:
* Exterior
* Interior
* Storage
* Engine

Full Concours does all of that PLUS Undercarriage.

MBZ 500E · 03-02-04, 02:15

This topic has been on my mind for a while. I've heard MB judges complaining about this exact topic for a while and it makes me wonder in reality which car would win?

The more I read about PCNA and it's rules/classifications the more I wish I had a Porsche. It appears that PCNA is is much more evolved as a club than MBCA. MBCA doesn't even allow newer car classes to enter concours.

Lynn · 03-02-04, 10:45

Quote:

Originally posted by MBZ 500E
This topic has been on my mind for a while. I've heard MB judges complaining about this exact topic for a while and it makes me wonder in reality which car would win?

Then don't even THINK about showing in a Jag (JCNA) Concours, MBZ. Those judges will go for a 2004-era-paint, everything-under-the-hood-polished-to-a-mirror-finish, over-restored car every time.

Judging is at the root of the problem, I think. JCNA relies on amateur/volunteer judges (and, yes, I've been one). They can't know as much as they should ... and they too often get assigned to a class they don't really know -- so all they can do is judge the "ZING" factor of how bright-and-shiny it is. So, yeah, the guy with the checkbook will win.

Oh, never mind. Just don't get me started.

Mantic6t9 · 03-03-04, 01:18

Hahaha Lynn... Sorry i don't mean to laugh because it's not a laughing matter. I though the whole point is to make an old car look like it did when it came out of the factory... I will never understand why cars that have been "over-restored" win or are even in the same class. Some people take these sorts of things very seriously, i can only imagine what their opinions are.