Prototype Model A/AA Fords
 

So the Deluxe Delivery, according to DeAngles, was introduced in February 1929. There is a photo, in his book, of a "prototype" Deluxe Delivery taken in November 1928.

If one were to restore a "prototype" of this model, could one then have it judged in a National Meet even though it still had 3 months to go before it was introduced?

Thanks.

Pluck

Re: Prototype Model A/AA Fords
 

Sure. Of Course they could.

Re: Prototype Model A/AA Fords
 

Provided it satisfies the minimum requirements for the judging category entered it can be entered in judging. However there might be a significant loss of points if it does not have the features as described in the Standards. The owner does have the option of getting waivers for items that do not follow the Standards. It would require documentation showing that it is a prototype and documentation on the features that differ from the Standards,

Bob

Re: Prototype Model A/AA Fords
 

Fact or opinion ?

Sal

Re: Prototype Model A/AA Fords
 

If it is a true prototype and you have documentation to prove it, they you would submit the documentation for a variance to the guidelines. The variance is used where there is documented evidence that something that did not meet the guidelines was on the vehicle as it was produced.

Re: Prototype Model A/AA Fords
 

I would say Fact, Sal. There would be anomalies regarding this car (such as the body being shipped in knock-down so certain brackets would be painted differently than normal but in a nutshell, here is how the judging process would/does work.

The person entering the vehicle into competition chooses the build date the vehicle is to evaluated as. Theoretically the vehicle could be listed as any date, ...and could even be listed as a 6/1929 build, and all the Judges will (--or supposed to) do is score it based on the timelines published in the Standard. Therefore in this instance, if 11/28 is the chosen build time and all components fall within or before that manufacturing date, then everything is good to go.

2nd, ...and this one is the most difficult for people who are unfamiliar with the process to understand. The Judging Standards is nothing more than a 'rule book' by which the Officials are going to make judgment calls. For example, ...I grew up in TX where I learned how to play baseball in the vacant lot up the street. We had our own rules that applied to our game, however when it came time for me to play in Little League, their rules were slightly different. Ironically, Tee-Ball & Little League rules are different than what we find in MLB too. That does not mean the L/L or the neighborhood ball rules were wrong, and to the point, if I were playing in a L/L game on a given day, I could not use the rules of my neighborhood game for the Little League play.

In the scenario of MARC/MAFCA competition, their written rules apply unless the competitor (person entering vehicle for adjudication) specifically asks for a variance to that rule. If the deviation seems believable due to presented documentation, and is within the spirit of the competition, then it is in the best interest to allow the exception. The hang-up that folks often struggle with is the premise that all (their) Model-As were built exactly as stated in the Stds., and as such it must conform exactly or it is wrong. Nothing could be further from the truth. When you think about it, it was the research that many hobbyists have made over the years that have educated us on the anomalies and we now have better and more accurate knowledge on how the Model-A was originally manufactured.

.

Re: Prototype Model A/AA Fords
 

Right On Brent. Jim Langley