We will be reviewing the entire HPOCF Certification Process. Printed here is what currently exists in our Judging Manual.
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IV. HPOCF (Historic Preservation of Original Chevrolet Features) Process
A. Philosophy
Since our founding in 1961, the VCCA has been dedicated to the restoration and preservation of vintage Chevrolets. In 2014, the VCCA added GMCs. In furtherance of our “preservation” mission, the VCCA National Board of Directors voted in the year 2000 to have the National Judging Committee establish a program that would encourage owners of vintage Chevrolets with factory original features, in unrestored condition, to display them at Nationally Sanctioned Meets for award certification. In this class, the VCCA recognizes and presents awards for Chevrolets and GMCs that have been properly maintained and preserved. The certification process is not intended for deteriorated vehicles in need of total restoration. Further, this classification differs from normal class judging in that it will be non-competitive. Vehicles will be “certified” rather than judged and all vehicles that receive HPOCF certification will be eligible to receive various National Awards as they continue to certify at subsequent Nationally Judged Meets.
B. Eligibility for Certification
All commercial or passenger Chevrolet or GMC vehicles that are at least twenty-five years of age, recognized by the VCCA and owned by VCCA members in good standing are eligible for HPOCF certification. The vehicle may or may not be totally original, but it must retain significant original features in at least two of the four certification areas (Chassis/Undercarriage, Engine and compartment, Exterior and Interior). Retaining significant features in unrestored factory condition is defined as being at least 75% original in two or more of these areas. As an example, a vehicle that had its floor covering and headliner replaced, but retained the original seats, door panels, dash and components, would be considered as having a 75% factory original interior. Sections of the vehicle that do not certify as being at least 75% factory original would likely be due to restoration work performed, neglect and deterioration, and accumulated dirt and grime. HPOCF certification eligibility is intended for vehicles that have an outward appearance of being properly maintained and preserved, not those that have been neglected and/or look as if they are in need of total restoration or significant repair. The vehicle must be appealing to the eye and as clean as possible to allow the HPOCF Certification Team and spectators to view the original finish of all components being certified.
There are four potential reasons why a vehicle, when considered certified, would no longer be eligible for HPOCF certification: (1) restoration that exceeds over 25% in a given area that was previously certified; (2) failure to continue to certify in at least two of four areas; (3) deterioration of the vehicle to the point that its condition warrants restoration; and (4) the vehicle has been neglected, and/or significant amounts of built-up grease, grime and dirt cover the original features.
If a vehicle fails to certify at three (3) consecutive Nationally Judged Meets, it is considered no longer eligible for HPOCF certification. All HPOCF awards will be kept by owner. A letter of warning from the National Judging Chairperson will be sent after the second meet where the vehicle fails to be certified.
C. HPOCF Certification Process
The vehicle owner must fill out the meet registration form where it is marked for HPOCF certification. All vehicles will be checked and certified for HPOCF by a team of fellow VCCA Members. A copy of the HPOCF Certification Form will be sent back to the owner. Unlike normal class judging, the owner is strongly urged to be available to provide any information that may be needed by the HPOCF Certification Team. In order to expedite the process, the owner should inform the teams about the areas of the vehicle that he/she feels are HPOCF certifiable and those that are not. There will be space provided on the Certification Form to aid the owner in this task.
… All vehicles that have earned an HPOCF Oval and Tab must have them displayed on the vehicle to be eligible for continued certification. If the owner fails to display the HPOCF Oval and/or Tab an additional mandatory deduction of one certified area, (Undercarriage, Exterior, Interior, Engine Compartment,) will be taken from the vehicle.
… All HPOCF vehicles must go through the Field Entrance Check.
… All HPOCF vehicles must have a fire extinguisher present and on display on the front passenger side floorboard of the vehicle for certification. Any vehicle without a proper extinguisher present cannot be certified.
… All HPOCF vehicles shall be placed in an area of the judging field separated from the vehicles that are in normal class judging. This allows the membership to have a smaller area to view the HPOCF vehicles.
… All HPOCF vehicles which have been certified at previous meets will need only to be recertified by the Certification Team. The owner will mark if there are any changes from the last certification and the team will determine if, in deed no changes have taken place.
… The Chief Judge, working with the Meet Chair, can schedule the HPOCF Certification during the Class Judging with all of the other vehicles or may schedule another separate time during the meet so that utilization of members who might be able to judge and be a member of the certification team. If the certification time is other than the judging the Chief Judge must be sure that the HPOCF vehicles be displayed on the judging field during class judging and that there is sufficient time to process the appropriate award for the owner.
D. Responsibilities of the HPOCF Vehicle Owner
Cleanliness and the Originality of the Finish
The owner of an HPOCF vehicle is very fortunate to possess a vehicle that has survived all of these years and has retained a majority of its original features. The HPOCF vehicle owner should make sure these features are preserved and not allowed to deteriorate. These features are an important tool for many members of the VCCA members who may need information about factory original condition to aid in the restoration of a vehicle. Once a vehicle is restored, many of these features are lost, in most cases due to better workmanship and the better quality of materials that are available today. An owner of one of these preserved vehicles must understand that once they enter HPOCF class, their vehicle can never return back to HPOCF if they decide to enter normal class judging. The only way a vehicle can wear a Senior Oval and Preservation Tab and an HPOCF Oval and Tab is by going through the normal class judging system first and then by applying for and maintaining HPOCF certification second. The VCCA feels that these HPOCF vehicles are very special by virtue of the fact that they were competitive in normal class judging and they also retained enough of their original features to be certified for HPOCF. If an owner is allowed to switch the vehicle from HPOCF to normal class judging at will and retain their HPOCF Oval and Tab, any restoration that takes place will dilute the significance of the HPOCF awards.
When an owner of a vehicle that has won a National Award (Junior, Senior or Preservation) is not sure if their vehicle will certify as HPOCF, they should continue to enter normal class judging. They should ask questions about HPOCF and seek an informal assessment of potential HPOCF certification at the next meet they attend. The owner must be honest and forthcoming, and must acknowledge when restoration work has been done. It is recommended that the owner contact the National Awards Coordinator in writing when he/she intends to register the vehicle for HPOCF certification, or when the vehicle will be returned to normal class judging.
The owner should maintain the clean appearance of the vehicle and make reasonable efforts to preserve its factory original features. The owner is encouraged to permit fellow Chevrolet enthusiasts to visually inspect, document and appreciate his/her HPOCF vehicle.
HPOCF OVAL
An HPOCF oval will be issued at the award ceremony to each vehicle initially certified. This oval should be displayed on the vehicle after the initial certification. Additional awards are as listed in Awards section.
E. HPOCF Certification Form
The HPOCF class will use a separate Certification Form that differs from the present VCCA Judging Form. However, the Certification Form will still divide the vehicle into four separate areas: Chassis / Undercarriage, Engine and compartment, Exterior and Interior. In order to certify, the vehicle must retain 75% of its factory originality in at least two of the four areas. The National Judging Committee realizes that there are certain items on a vehicle that must be replaced in order to be able to operate it safely. These items, no matter how well preserved, will deteriorate over time, such as tires, exhaust systems and many other rubber and mechanical components. When these items are replaced, they should be replaced with the correct components, whether new-old stock or original reproduction.
F. Areas of HPOCF Certification
Chassis / Undercarriage: This area of the vehicle probably takes the most amount of punishment and will likely be the most difficult area to certify in. The bottom of the vehicle should be free from as much road dirt and accumulated grease and grime as possible. Oil and other lubricants that have leaked or sprayed on the floor pans, supports and other components must be cleaned off. Excessive undercoating would have to be documented by the owner as having been applied by a Chevrolet dealer. Exhaust systems must have correct routing and components. Tires must be of the correct size and composition. A radial tire is only acceptable on a car that came with them as standard or optional equipment when new.
Engine and Compartment: The engine should retain its original finish and be free of restoration. It is understood that some mechanical work may have been done and that certain items may have been replaced. This has to be taken into consideration by the certification team. It is important that the engine and engine compartment have as little dirt, oil and grease present as possible. If a replacement battery is to be used, it should be of the correct type. A reproduction of the original battery is acceptable. If the owner elects not to certify the engine and compartment, the hood should remain closed during the certification process.
Exterior: The exterior of the vehicle can show some normal wear, but the exterior should be acceptable and appealing to the eye, even if the exterior is not to be certified. Paint work is allowed up to a total of 25% of surface area, but a total repaint is not acceptable for certification. Chrome and shiny trim should retain most of its original brilliance. The glass should be clear and not milky. Any rust should be at a minimum. Significant rust-through of one or more panels would adversely affect certification of the vehicle.
Interior: The interior should also retain its original finish and materials. It is normal to replace a worn floor covering, but most of the interior should be original, showing minimal wear. Significant tearing of the upholstery or damage to the seat cushions would adversely affect certification. Make sure to include the trunk, bed or cargo area as part of the interior. The interior should also be as clean as possible.
