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

[Bill Hubbell]

To clarify, Mark is not suggesting that Concours be closed to all but Stock Corvairs, but rather that we eliminate Classification for all but Stock Corvairs. Thus, under Mark's proposal (which I support, by the way) anybody could enter Concours and compete in one large general group. Only those cars wishing to compete in the Stock classes would need to undergo classification.  No longer would we have to break the other cars into groups such as Modified, Specialty, etc. Those  vehicles that were specially modified at the time of Corvair production by commercial ventures (eg Fitch Sprint, Yenko Stinger, or even Canadair Dynatrac) would also be able to compete either in the general class OR in the Stock class, presuming we are able to classify the Stock version. What we are trying to do is to offer special incentive and recognition to preserving our heritage, but all cars could still compete and receive recognition in Concours. 

Bill Hubbell
-----Original Message-----
From: "dal" <daluckow at aol.com>

Date: Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:02:23 
To: <airvair at earthlink.net>; <flat6vair at comcast.net>; <whubbell at umich.edu>; <vairshop at sbcglobal.net>; <corsabod at corvair.org>; <scg-list at tiger.skiblack.com>
Subject: Re[2]: [Corsabod] [SCG] Factory Stock Corvair Entries and
  StockPreservation Awardhistory in CORSA Concours 1997-2009


All,

If I decided to present below what Mark is purposing how would this affect the future of the Corsa Concours?  In my opinion, the numbers would go way down.  The reason as mentioned in my previous email is that the younger generation is not interested in having a stock functioning or appearing Corvair. How do I know?  Observation. They want a modern stereo with speakers, fancy wheels and so on.  These cars belong in the show and shine. When was the last time anyone saw a 25-35 year old with a stock Corvair? To my knowledge in recent times, Kent Sullivan is the youngest member of Corsa who has fulfill this task. Remember it takes $ to make it all happen.  We would have to change the mind set of our youth.  Question: Larry C. is Cole excited to have a Corvair to show at concours?  

There is a solution, however we may be eliminating the younger Corvair enthusiasts unless there is a way to motivate them to seek out the cars from the aging members of Corsa as mentioned in a previous email.  I have an open mind and agree with much of what Mark has stated and mailed to me previously.   The efforts that the judges do for me in the last two years are very important.  If we had 10 factory Stock Restored (FSR) cars and 3 originals at a national convention to examine, my excitement would be overwhelming.  The preservation award would have special meaning for those who wish to maintain their Corvairs from year to year.  Having placed trophies would be in order.  Concours to me means keeping the car either original or restored to factory specifications.  Classification into FS or SS is important because it teaches the owner where there are errors to correct if they wish to move up.  

Street stock is beneficial for many because it uses the factory parts either by updating or backdating.  So here is where the challenge comes.  Those with modified or specialty cars (Yenko's, Fitch Sprints) would be disqualified from the concours?  Should they compete in the show and shine with everyone else?  What about the Cole participants?  Could there be a day when a 25 year old with a FSR car could win the Cole award at a Corsa convention?  All these questions I don't have answers for.  

Let the mind go to work.... Comments?

Duanne 

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 9/4/2009 at 9:06 AM airvair at earthlink.net wrote:

>All,
>
>What I was after was NOT a mere reduction of classes, but a total
>elimination of them (other than those involved in the Preservation Award),
>since ALL those classes have been made totally obsolete by the
>"gold-silver-bronze" award system. Thus, to even bother "classifying" any
>cars for such imaginary "classes" is a total waste of effort.
>
>The original purpose of having all those classes laid out in the first
>place was to accomodate ANY car that might come thru the gate. No class
>(except for factory stock classes) was ever mandatory, and the class
>structure was meant to accordion out to accomodate anything that came in
>the gate that might be different enough than what was already on the field,
>so as to warrant a separation of classes. THAT is something that has been
>misunderstood from the start. NO CLASSES WERE EVER MANDATORY! Yet people
>THOUGHT they HAD to have ALL the classes that were listed, then complained
>that "we have too many classes." Rubbish! All they needed to do was to
>combine under-represented classes, per what was laid out in the rules.
>
>But that was back in the days when there was the "first-second-third" type
>of awards system. I think it is high time that we recognize the reality of
>the present (and apparently prefered) system of "gold-silver-bronze"
>awards, and eliminate useless activites, like classifying cars. It serves
>no purpose. So what's the point to it?
>
>The board's effort is just as pointless, as it has accomplished nothing
>useful.
>
>-Mark
>
>
>> [Original Message]
>> From: tim mahler <flat6vair at comcast.net>
>> Subject: Re: [Corsabod] [SCG] Factory Stock Corvair Entries and
>StockPreservation Awardhistory in CORSA Concours 1997-2009
>>
>> Thank Bill for assisting.  I know how important this issue is to you.
>>
>> Everyone, Please note that board just approved at the Annual board
>meeting 
>> changes to the Concours rules that include a REDUCTION (empahasis) in
>the 
>> number of classes.  Not to the level described in these emails,  but a 
>> reduction none-the-less.
>>
>> This included the elimination of Speciality class which my beloved Fitch 
>> Sprints were classified.  (i'm ok with that,  a Fitch Sprint is neither 
>> Factory nor street stock nor should it be)
>>
>> Factory Stock  (sub divided to Original and Restored)
>> Street Stock
>> Improved (includes Sprints and Yenkos
>> and
>> Engineering (Cords, V8s, dune buggies and Ultravans
>>
>> So some effort HAS already been made to place more emphasis on STOCK 
>> classifications.
>>
>> I do think Bill's thought on Street stock recognition has merit.  It
>does 
>> not need to be a separate award. It could be a Best Street Stock  decal 
>> applied to the trophy the participant is receiving.  Bob Dunahugh is 
>> proposing something similar for autocross.
>>
>> tim mahler
>>