A question about date codes and casting/part numbers

junkyardjeff · September 25th, 2009

As one who puts any parts I can find on my cars to get them going when they break I dont do correct restorations,I know the muscle car and tri 5 chevy owners go nuts over correct date codes and casting numbers but is it the same for other 50s on back vehicles. Since I doubt most old cars at the shows have all the parts they came out of the factory with is that a factor when judging them,since I have never been around any big shows with all original vehicles I was wondering if judges have the time to inspect all this or just a basic knowledge of whats its supposed to look like count for judging. I hope this is not a stupid question but kind of always wanted to know and I hope I am not a pain in the you know what for asking.

DizzyDale · September 25th, 2009

Hey JJ,Date codes and casting numbers are left for individual marque clubs to sweat over.diz

junkyardjeff · September 25th, 2009

I could imagine checking all that stuff at a large AACA type show would have taken forever and a bunch of judges.

Shop Rat · September 26th, 2009

Here's an idea for you, if you make it to Hershey, go to the Judging School. It is free and you will get a copy of the 2009 Judging Guidelines book. I think you would find it very interesting.

junkyardjeff · September 26th, 2009

I will consider it if I make it over there and does the AACA have just a display only class,I am in the VCCA and I think they do and thats where I would put my 37 if I were to attend one of their big shows. A display only class would work for those cars that are almost all original that have maybe a wrong motor or painted a non factory color and they could get those people to participate and maybe nudge them in putting them back to factory specs so they can put them in the judged class in the future.

MCHinson · September 26th, 2009

DPC is designed to do what you are talking about. Here is the description of DPC from the Judging Manual.

DRIVER PARTICIPATION CLASS (DPC)
The AACA Board of Directors in 2000
established DPC to promote the showing
and driving of antique vehicles which are
not intended by their owners to be show
vehicles and are described as "Drivers."
This class is for vehicles 25 years of age or
older that have not obtained a national first
prize. (A vehicle with national awards is
eligible for DPC only if the awards - other
than 2nd or 3rd Junior - are turned into
AACA Headquarters.) This is a non-competitive
class and will not be point judged,
but vehicles will be certified upon passing
a visual inspection. The shaded areas
on the DPC evaluation form must be
completed by the vehicle owner before
the vehicle can be certified. Certification
will be based on vehicle components that
have the same appearance as when the
vehicle was manufactured and the overall
condition of the vehicle in general appears
acceptable. The exterior/ interior/engine/
chassis components must appear period
correct per the original manufacturer. The
following are exceptions that will not disqualify
the vehicle: seat belts, seat coverings,
turn signals, stop lights, sealed
beam/halogen headlights, radial tires,
alloy wheels of the same era and/or same
vehicle manufacturer, radio upgrades,
electrical upgrades, brake upgrades (bolt
on), steering upgrades (bolt on), air conditioning,
overdrive system and altered
exhausts. A DPC badge will be issued
to each vehicle upon certification and a
participation award will be given at certification
and at each subsequent meet for
attendance. After five participation awards
are received, the accompanying participation
cards should be completed and mailed
to AACA Headquarters. A mounting board
will be mailed from AACA Headquarters
after confirmation of the five participation
awards. No vehicle will be re-certified if it
is not displaying the DPC badge. A DPC
certified vehicle that is significantly modified
will lose its’ DPC certification. DPC certification
remains with the vehicle even if there
is a change of ownership. (see Attachment
6 - DPC Evaluation Form - page 49)

Shop Rat · September 26th, 2009

I hope that you are able to come to Hershey. There is nothing like it.

Print off a copy of the 2009 printable list if you do get to go and with that in hand you can meet the folks listed on it that you have met here.

junkyardjeff · September 27th, 2009

I think mine are too modified for the DPC class so that counts me out and if its the same with the VCCA then I wont be able to show my 37 and it will be in the spectator parking.

junkyardjeff · September 28th, 2009

It looks like a stock 37 but lowered about 4 inches all the way around,the only serious modification I done to it was add a T-5 trans behind the 235 and put in a modern rear end. I adapted the original E brake handle to the side of the trans and welded a original shifter to the T-5 shifter so the interior looks original except for the material that will get changed soon,someone would have to do some looking under it to find that and made the 235 to look like a 216 and for wheels it has reproduction artillery rims.

Shop Rat · September 28th, 2009

From the sound of it your vehicles is way too modified to go onto and AACA showfield even as a DPC car. The class is for slightly modified vehicles. Things like A/C, electric starters, different interiors, non-authentic color etc.

Your vehicles would fit in better at a mixed show, street rod or modified show.

But that still doesn't stop you from driving the vehicle you love to an AACA show to see what others have done with their vehicles. There is room for all hobbiest, just not at all shows. By the same token I wouldn't take a fully restored antique car to a street rod show.