fine point thoughts..

[Jim Mason]

I've been reading some of the last few posts re:fine point judging and have a few thoughts to share. One poster was upset because his car scored some 20 points lower at one clubs meet, than at the others, thus 'knocking him out of the contest'. There have been a couple that state that 'no one will tell me how to build my car'. Then the reoccurring theme 'i know how to enjoy the model A hobby and you don't' and 'I won't spend THAT much money to make a trailer queen'.

No where in the Restoration Guidelines and Judging Standards does it say you HAVE to build your car anyway other than the way you want it. If you meet the simple points necessary, you can enter your car in fine point judging. Please note this is a judging (adjudication) not a contest. You are provided with standards that your car will be compared to, and the car will lose points for items not meeting those standards. In no case is one car compared to another. You chose which points your will lose. If you use parts that identifiable as not original you will lose points. If the judge can't tell it's a reproduction, you will not loose points. If you use a reproduction interior, that has non original material, padding, stitching, color as described in the standards you will lose points. In the first post mentioned above I would not be upset with the lower score, I would be upset with the higher incorrect score, and since there IS NO CONTEST there is nothing to get 'knocked out' of as stated in the post.

As for the 'no one will tell me how to build my car' & the reoccuring theme 'i know how to enjoy the model A hobby and you don't' ...I agree completely. I will build my car the way I want, (to fine point standards) and I know what I enjoy (fine point standards) and you can do as you please.

The fine point cars I have had the privilege to judge may be trailer queens, but that is the choice of the owner (see previous paragraph).

The cost of the restoration is again, a choice of the owner. I will spend no more than I am willing to restore my car. I may not have an original muffler, but I will have the best reproduction I can afford. Same with the battery, wiring, etc. etc. I will also not get upset if I lose points for the same. As it stands now I feel my car should score over 400 points, while my goal will certainly be 500 I'm not going to bankrupt myself for it. If it scores lower...it scores lower, so what? When completed with the judging I plan on removing any of the friable parts, parts that would be break my heart to have stolen etc, add some safety parts (turn signals come to mind) and drive the car as much as possible. A well RESTORED car is reliable, enjoyable to drive, and safe. Take a look at some of the test track video of the 28 tudor.

Since the advent of the 'touring class' judging there has been a decrease in fine point cars entered. But if you noticed there has been very few, if any 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place cars as compared to older meets. The number of 400 and higher point cars have remained about the same for each meet. Does this mean touring class is a lesser vehicle? No, it means touring class uses a different standard to judge. Items that would lose points in fine point, don't lose them in touring class. Quality of workmanship may be the same in either. (personally I would be prouder of a 350point fine point score than a 500 point touring, but that is just me. See paragraph above on 'how i enjoy my model a')

I don't know where this soap box came from but I'll get off of it now....