This dialogue has some good questions and concerns that we have had in the judging ranks. Skip brings up a good point about "opinion." I mentioned this is my Judge's Gazette last month in the G and D. There are some members who have been members a long time or have been a very active member and they are well respected among our peers. They might have quite a bit of knowledge on certain things but we must all accept the fact that we don't know everything there is to know. I enjoy learning things from other members and sharing what we learn. I think sometimes members put pressure on themselves and when they are put to the task, they put down the deduction instead of asking someone else if they are in doubt. If there is a doubt, ask. That's what we are in a club for. It's OK not to know everything. That is why we ask owners to have the documentation. This happened to me a couple of years ago. I made the same mistake. It was an overflow tank from a radiator. The hose goes all the way up near the top of the radiator on a '51. It looked wrong to me and being the judging chair, I didn't want to ask, but I really did not know. I should have asked. I learned a lesson that day. Now I ask. There are usually enough members or docuements to get the answer. If you still don't know, the benefit goes to the owner. That is the only fair and consistent thing to do.
Also it is important to make sure you use the abbreviations on the form and to place a short comment for the deduction...every deduction. This has two benefits, one, is the owner can improve their vehicle, and two, we can improve our deductions and clarify them.
With Dave's point, we are looking into a "Historical Interest" or special interest class similar to our HPOCF certification. We have begun to see many people restoring airport limos, race cars, ambulances, speedsters, etc. which have a Chevrolet chassis but contracted or period correct bodies to put on the chassis. These do not have a true place, presently, in our system. I think it would be very educational and interesting to see a restored airport limo. We want to encourage people to save these as well don't we? But how do you place them in commercial with a pick up truck that was built from the factory? You can't judge apples with oranges. That's is what we are doing by placing everything in commerical.
What do you all feel about looking into a Historical or Special Interest certification?