Here is a chat from the 46-48 Forum I thought I would bring over here to 37 - 42 -
From "42Bill":
Richard,
I think there's always been "regional" ideas about how to "do" a car. Whether a real "custom" job and just how to equip the car with "factory" options, accessories and so on.
I seem to remember that from as far back as when I first thumbed thru a "Car Craft" or "Hot Rod" or whatever pub in the mid-1950's. Some with more chrome, some with less; some lowered in back, some in front, some lowered on all four corners and so on and so forth.
I guess I think lots of things about this whole matter. But to try and keep it short, maybe there's two things I think the most.
1. I'm sure I'd quietly mention to a buddy "Gee, I really don't like that." But I'd NEVER say it loud enough for anybody else to hear; especially the owner.
2. I honestly believe the guy with his name on the title has the "final word." Sorta like the old family deal where I may call my brother an a**hole; but you better not.
I guess I do have one more thought. I do think it's (actually past) time VCCA members started keeping their mouths shut about cars they don't like or think don't "fit." What the hell harm is there in having a lowered car or a twice pipes car or a non-original paint color car on a TOUR?? I'm NOT suggesting they should be JUDGED. Judging is for original and preservation and so on.....
Bill.
(Damn, I wanted to keep this short. Oh well.....)
My response:
Bill, I can totally relate to your thoughts on this, and I hope no one thinks I am disrespecting totally stock, judged Chevys - they are the benchmark of how we should all strive to restore our cars. We have to preserve these Chevys for future generations, and not let the Model A / T syndrome of dying clubs and thus butchered cars happen to vintage Chevrolets. And has anybody seen a stock 32 Ford lately?
My taste is in concourse, 1000 point, absolutely correct cars that happen to be (bolt on style) mildly lowered and twice piped, and that may be heavier on the GM accessory side. (note I said GM accessories, not every conceivable Pep Boys trinket of the era!)
This may be a totally California perception, but I definitely see a tilt in VCCA toward East coast tastes, events and so on (I was surprised to see how few, if any, BIG California events are on the official VCCA roster) I appreciate that there is great local club activity and local events, but the national type events don't seem to come all the way to CA.
I would love to see a least a little more CA representation in VCCA, and I think it would be neat to create a new judging class "on the field" that would give the slightly lowered, piped, well accessorized car a chance to be judged and represented. (and not just be put into a blanket "modified/daily driver" class of cars parked in the back!)
How about a new class that has the following judging "rules":
*Baseline points based on total originality and normal VCCA judging standards
*No points reduction for "removable" lowering or piping methods (i.e., the car could be returned to absolute originality without modification)
*Some way of adding additional points for year-correct, GM accessories (this would add incentive, and I think membership growth, for the CA types who have a passion for NOS GM accessories)
I still think that this class of cars would give the street rodder or lowrider an alternative style of car to build, and judging and competition, let’s face it, gives someone something to strive for. I know that the value of accessories ultimately adds to the value of cars out here in CA, sometimes more than the cost of the accessory itself - if you added the $5,000 compass to a Chevy out here, it might fetch $10K more in a selling price of the whole car.
If you don't care about the market value of Chevys and this should be about restoration and preservation for the sake of the car only, give this a thought - if '70 Hemi 'Cudas weren't going for $2 million +, do you think anyone would bother going out and restoring every Mopar they could get their hands on to 1000 point standards? We should have some focus on increasing the perceived market value of Chevys, because the general public won't want to join VCCA if they perceive our cars as Model As that cost $50K to restore, and can be sold for a whopping 15 grand.
Well, I'll jump off my soap box now and see if I have ruffled any feathers again!!!! This is all in a spirit of fun and to stir up debate, I hope everyone knows that. :)
Okay, any responses from the "pre-war" set?
