<VV> <CORSA Chapters> CORSA blunder

Wed Jun 24 09:17:50 EDT 2015

Let me set the record straight and end this discussion.  I am the one upset about this.  I am the one making a fuss about it. 

The owner was asked by convention organizers to bring the car here (from Arizona), to show it at Concours, having been highly profiled in both national and CORSA publications.  He did not seek to come here or to designate the car as anything in particular.  He did not buy this car to bring it here and win an award. 

The provenance of this car is a matter of public record and is indisputable. The fact that it is essentially a 52 year old "new" car is not in doubt.  The condition of the car is amazing.  It offers a rare chance to look back 52 years in time to see how a car came from the factory - imperfections and all.  The knowledge it can contribute to those few of us who have an interest in originality is a rare gift. 

Frankly, the owner is not nearly so upset about this as I am.  Once again CORSA has demonstrated their failure to have a venue to recognize preservation of originality.

The fact is, the only official recognition given by CORSA to original vehicles is the presentation of a Preservation Award, given to the vehicle(s) with the high score in either (or both) Stock classes (original or restored).  However, a car has no chance of competing for such award unless it can successfully run the gauntlet of classification, with all its arcane rules. 

Last time I checked, Corvairs were not delivered from the factory with Coker tires, aftermarket splatter paint (which looks nothing like the original), reproduction weatherstripping that doesn't seal or fit right, or reproduction batteries that are not "tar top"; yet all of these "modifications" are permitted under current CORSA stock classification rules.  Factory Stock Restored vehicles can even be completely stripped and repainted. 

The fact that a car "fresh" from the showroom floor, but 52 years late being delivered, might need new tires, (or filters, battery, or even shocks, brakes, etc), is not surprising and should not reduce its value as an otherwise original car.  It should be possible to see past those imperfections to note the value of the rest of the car. 

Here is a car where you can see original paint, original upholstery, original hardware, original overspray, original exhaust system, original tire (yes, the spare) - all in pristine, UNRESTORED condition. 

To fail to recognize this car as something special - that is the point.  It defines our club as one that doesn't care about such things. 

Instead, we will recognize those who over-restore, over-polish, and replace old, original parts that could have been preserved with new, imperfect reproductions and we will call them "winners".  

We will celebrate the cars that drive the fastest, get the best mileage, navigate tricky courses, have the hardest luck. 

We won't, however, recognize and celebrate our heritage - not even when it is staring us in the face.

Bill Hubbell
President, Stock Corvair Group, and one of a few remaining CORSA members who "give a damn" about preserving and recognizing originality. 

On Jun 24, 2015, at 7:20 AM, Bruce Schug via Chapters <chapters at corvair.org> wrote:

Would someone report exactly what tires did this car have? I know the rules in some classes are incorrect, requiring 175/80s when 185/80s should be required, but if the owner wanted to present the car as original, he clearly should have read the rules over and over and contacted the Concours Chair about any questions. The solution for him would seem to have been a set of Coker's reproduced bias ply 6.50-13s.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 23, 2015, at 10:50 PM, David Clamp via VirtualVairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org> wrote:
> 
> I saw the progress this car made from filthy to factory perfect on the web.  Truly amazing to have a factory brand new 52 year old car.  To deny this car its proper place is utterly ridiculous. I have usually defended CORSA in the past and encouraged people to join, but it is things like this that drive people away.  CORSA wonders why membership is shrinking.  Stupid stuff like this is part of the problem. Sticking to the letter of the law?  It's a car event, not a religion. 
> 
> David
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>> On Jun 23, 2015, at 10:26 PM, Ned Madsen via Chapters <chapters at corvair.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Couldn't agree more... CORSA is insane!!
>> 
>> 
>> But that's nothing new.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Bill Hubbell via Chapters <chapters at corvair.org>
>> To: Virtual Vairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>; CORSA/CPF BoD <corsabod at corvair.org>; Corsa Chapters <chapters at corvair.org>
>> Sent: Tue, Jun 23, 2015 4:31 pm
>> Subject: <CORSA Chapters> CORSA blunder
>> 
>> 
>> I've never been more embarrassed by this club that by what just happened today. 
>> The '63 White Monza Lambrecht car was classified into the Modified class for
>> Concours - technically correct due to the incorrect size of his whitewall radial
>> tires, but grossly incorrect for what is probably the last most perfect factory
>> original car we will ever see again.  Mark Corbin and I made a personal appeal
>> to the Concours chair to - just this one time - override the rule book and give
>> this car the recognition it deserves, but he stood on the letter of the law and
>> refused to reconsider. 
>> 
>> Well, he does have the original Firestone 6.50-13
>> tire in the spare location, complete with the two felt pads protecting the metal
>> underneath, the molding plugs unmolested.  All the rubber moldings, bumpers, etc
>> are in pristine, soft condition, the metal trim shiny bright, even has the drips
>> and droops of glue and goop where the factory left them.  
>> 
>> You will never see
>> a car in more original and new condition as this one.  To call it modified
>> because he didn't drive it here on 52 year old bias belt tires is insane. 
>> 
>> 
>> CORSA is insane.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Bill
>> _______________________________________________
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