[SCG] [Corsabod] Factory Stock Corvair Entries and Stock Preservation Awardhistory in CORSA Concours 1997-2009

[airvair at earthlink.net]

All,

After reading Bill and Larry's posts, it came to me that maybe what we need is some kind of "what is stock" program. What that would entail would be for the classification committee to give each one who's disqualified, a list of ALL items that would not qualify a car for stock class and why, allow the entrant to correct (if possible) those items, and if corrected, allow the car into stock class without further incident. (I realize that some of this is already done, but we could be more diligent, thorough, and accomodating than we have been.) Basically it would take a positive, pro-active stance, as opposed to the seemingly negative one that is currently being experienced by the participants. It is that negative feeling that participants get that I think needs to be worked on.

As far as Larry's comments on where we are on strictness, I would tend to agree, to a point. When I was writing the original rules, I had to battle those who wanted all sorts of items, from mud flaps to CD radios, into "stock class", in much the same way the Pontiac Oakland Club does. It was a battle royal, but I DID prevail. On the other hand, I would not like us trying to "compete" with the likes of the snooty AACA or Corvette people, what with their obsession on date codes, "just as built" requirements, and the like. Those people, IMHO, are insane. 

It's the middle ground that we should (and do) take that is the healthy route. But we should also be more active in promoting the stock look, and especially in being helpful to those trying to qualify. It is this that we are apparently failing to do. And comments from others as well as the dropping numbers of stock class cars seem to verify this. Perhaps by dropping most of the unnecessary classes, as well as offering programs that are more helpful to participants in obtaining the stock designation will help. It may be that with the elimination of much of the unnecessary classification process, the committee will have the time (and will devote the effort) to helping those participants. Even if it takes some wrench twisting on their part to do it.

-Mark


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Jack Pinard 
To: The Vair Shop;airvair at earthlink.net;whubbell at umich.edu;Duanne Luckow;CORSA/CPF BoD;Stock Corvair Group
Sent: 9/3/2009 1:45:15 PM 
Subject: Re: [Corsabod] [SCG] Factory Stock Corvair Entries and Stock Preservation Awardhistory in CORSA Concours 1997-2009


Thanks to Larry for adding his comments.

I repeat my request that the board of directors make Concours the primary topic for the meeting immediately following the Sept. 26 meeting.

Regards,
Jack




  Jack Pinard   
CORSA Western Division Director

116 E Garden Green, Port Hueneme CA 93041-1926 
Cell 805 340-6533







From: The Vair Shop <vairshop at sbcglobal.net>
To: airvair at earthlink.net; whubbell at umich.edu; Duanne Luckow <daluckow at aol.com>; CORSA/CPF BoD <corsabod at corvair.org>; Stock Corvair Group <scg-list at tiger.skiblack.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2009 8:17:56 AM
Subject: Re: [Corsabod] [SCG] Factory Stock Corvair Entries and Stock Preservation Awardhistory in CORSA Concours 1997-2009

hi all
comments in text below




> All,
>
> My first point that I'd like to make it this. I've been concerned for some
> time about this situation, and of a larger associated issue of
> classification. Part of the reason, I believe, for a low turnout in stock
> cars in concours is the fact that classes have been made rather
> meaningless, with the now-current awards system of "gold/silver/bronze"
> rather than "first/second/third" as was the original system. There is now
> little incentive to pursue a "stock" classification, other than for the
> somewhat obscure "Preservation" award. I say "obscure" because there is 
> not
> enough prestige attached to this award to highlight it sufficiently.

there is also a number of people who want to restore a car to stock, 
regardless of where it places or scores- they just want it 'stock'

>
> As I see it, our choices are to either return to the original awards
> system, or modify the "classification" process to reflect the current
> system. Since the majority seem to prefer the current system, the latter
> should be pursued.

i agree we should not go backwards to a X in class system

It's also possible that eliminating most classes would
> re-emphasize the remaining "stock" classes.

agreed

>
> I have previously sent to Duanne Luckow a detailed proposal to eliminate
> all classes except the one(s) that would be affected by the Preservation
> Award. After all, classification other than for these elegible classes for
> that award is really a study in futility, and a waste of time and effort.
> It's a usless effort that we could just as well do without, as long as we
> have the present awards system. We could then begin a program to emphasize
> stock cars.

the thought of 2 classes-stock and then all others (plus engineering class, 
because those vehicles can't be readily equated to full corvair bodied and 
powered cars) has been brought up before, and has some merit.


>
> A second point I would like to make is that while I would be the last to
> want modified cars to be allowed into stock classes, I also feel that we
> are possibly being a bit too strict with potential stock class cars.

really? in comparison to NCRS,porsche, and some other clubs, we are really 
loose.
in classification, we don't do numbers matching checks other than obvious 
stuff like engine code and *some* fisher body accessory codes. we don't look 
at glass dates,  diff or trans numbers. we allow radial tires and 
replacement batteries. we have been allowing hardware that looks generally 
right but is reproduction stuff without the little factory markings. we have 
not been very strick about powder coating. i could go on.
The
> original rules that I wrote were intended to disqualify cars that didn't
> "appear just as they could have left the factory" due to intentional and
> noticable modifications, but I never intended for the rules to be so 
> strict
> as to all but eliminate the stock classes due to lack of "perfect"
> participants.

see above. if we had "perfect" standards, the list would be considerbly 
shorter.

If you note the word "appear" in my quote above - the intent
> was to only comply with a cosmetic appearance, rather than a "perfect"
> representation of "pure stock".

right. that's why we have been allowing powder coat and clear coat/base coat 
finishes, and coating of parts normally left bare as long as it *looks* 
stock. if the end product does not look stock, it doesn't make the cut.


While the latter is a great ideal to shoot
> for, the original intent was to allow the points system to penalize
> infractions to the "perfect" state on a stock class car that was less than
> "perfectly" factory stock.
>
> The question we should be asking ourselves is whether we are being too
> critical, and should we "cut some slack" with those who are not "letter
> perfect"?

whether or not we are too critical depends on whose standard you are judging 
corsa by. are we too critical for some other single marque clubs? my opinion 
is definitly not. too crital for aaca? i think we're on the money for them. 
too crital for a local town car show? yes.
so the qustion then goes to what standard do you want be? the best? middle 
of the road? or entry level ?

I think that we could find some way to preserve our high
> standards, yet encourage entrants rather than frustrate them. Perhaps a
> points penalization system, rather than an outright disqualification?

it's not a disqualification from factory stock, they weren't in it to begin 
with.  people who do not make factory stock did not do enough homework.
it is not easy to restore a car a car to factory stock. it costs way more 
money, and takes much more time to do so, which is a big factor. and it 
takes alot of reasearch, not just opening up clark's catalogue.
and it's much harder on a 'common' car like a corvair where many of the 
these cars were simply transportation back when they new, and many 
modifications were made in the course of regular service and repairs.  and 
*especially*on a corvair because most service facilities did not like or 
undestand these cars.

> Something to think about...

i agree


>
> -Mark Corbin
>
lc

>
>> [Original Message]
>> From: Bill Hubbell <whubbell at cox.net>
>> To: Larry Claypool <vairshop at sbcglobal.net>; Duanne Luckow
> <daluckow at aol.com>; CORSA/CPF BoD <corsabod at corvair.org>; Stock Corvair
> Group <scg-list at tiger.skiblack.com>
>> Date: 9/3/2009 12:05:53 AM
>> Subject: [SCG] Factory Stock Corvair Entries and Stock Preservation
> Awardhistory in CORSA Concours 1997-2009
>>
>> To:
>>
>> Larry Claypool, CORSA Concours Classification Chairman
>>
>> Duanne Luckow, CORSA Concours Chair
>>
>> CORSA Board of Directors
>>
>> Stock Corvair Group
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Gentleman,
>>
>>
>>
>> Attached is a summary of all cars entered into the two CORSA Concours
>> Factory Stock classes since the development of the Stock Preservation
> Award
>> in 1997.  Although we have had some great success with recent Factory
> Stock
>> Restored entries also winning the Mitchell Award, the fact remains that
>> participation in the Factory Stock Classes remains very low.  Please
> review
>> this information with an eye towards answering the question of what, if
>> anything, we can do to encourage and improve Factory Stock participation
> at
>> the Concours level.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you
>>
>>
>>
>> Bill Hubbell
>>
>> President, Stock Corvair Group
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> 

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