[Bhigdog]

Why are T-3 headlamps NOT required when they are readily available as new repro's when the rules INSIST "correct" repro batteries ARE required? Where is the consistancy or rational for that decision?..........Bob

[R W Burgess]

As has been said many times before, Bob, because the AACA hasn't changed the rules yet. [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

When trying to change AACA Judging rules, the first step is sending a letter to the Vice-President of Judging listed below.

Joseph S.Vicini
3 Robins Nest Drive
Perrineville, NJ 08535

Some people say that rules change too slowly in the AACA, but I'd like to offer an example of why speed is not good in this situation.

A year ago or so, the AACA changed their fire extinguisher rule to make mandatory a new fire extinguisher that covered the "A/B/C" category. So far, so good, but then, even looking back, this rule could be seen as hastily instituted. These new extinguishers were hard to find by AACA members, so it was decided to just change the rule to "any properly charged U/L approved fire extinguisher" would be acceptable in 2009.

As some say, rules change slowly in the AACA, but sometimes that's a good thing. [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

Wayne

[Shop Rat]

One more time class. [img]<>/crazy.gif[/img]

At the time the rule was made there were no reproduction T-3 headlamps. The old ones had become impossible to find or were far too costly for anyone to reasonably afford so the judging committee stopped requiring them in 1995.

The replacement batteries have been available.

To get the headlight rule reversed you must petition the judging committee to do that. So start now to get that done for 2010.

[Bhigdog]

Quote:

At the time the rule was made there were no reproduction T-3 headlamps

At the risk of being argumentative, I bought my repro T-3's seven years ago. Actually I don't think T-3's should be required again I think the CRAPPY repro batteries being foisted on a captive market should be optional. Getting up on my favorite soap box again. If I can buy a $70 battery from my local NAPA store that will last 7 years there is no reason whatever A reprpo that costs three times that cannot do the same. We are being raped.
And the height of hypocracy is watching guys remove a NAPA battery on the show field and replacing it with a long dead repro just for judging. J.H.C. if that isn't cheating I don't know what is and it's met with a wink and a nod. If you're going to insist on perpetuating this charade how about requiring every car with a visable battery to pass a 10 second cranking test by the judges, or require that a repro "original" style battery be displayed "with" the car and save the owner the trouble of actually putting it in........Bob

[novaman]

I understand where those wanting T-3 headlights to be required are coming from. BUT....

Stop and think about the fact that the judges are trying to cover something 2,800 different makes and models. If AACA made T-3 Brand Name headlights mandatory for GM cars, then brand name should be just as important for all other cars.
Can you tell me what brand name headlight is correct for the following:

1949 Willys Jeepster
1963 Studebaker Avanti
1951 Hudson Hornet
1952 MG TD
1954 Kaiser Darrin
1963 Chevrolet Chevy II
1958 Rambler Rebel
1973 Dodge Dart
1984 Pontiac Fiero
Datsun 280Z

As for the battery,

A) the requirement is that the car be driven onto the show field. If you can jump start you car with no battery in it and the alt/gen is good enough to keep it running, that's fine. But i would suggest that there is a battery there by the time the judges get to it. There is no rule that says you can't swap batteries, tires, valve stem caps or any other part on the showfield.

B) If you require a 10 sec crank test you run into two issues.

1. What if the onwer is not present. Do you disquailfy the car because he isn't there to crank it? He could be no the far side of the show field from his car, judging your car.

2. Personaly if you require the cranking you now cross the line were all electrical things should be tested. After all there is a horn there, but does it work? Can you image the roughly 1,000 horns being beeped at Hershey? [img]<>/crazy.gif[/img] Did the onwer spend the momney to rebuild the wiper motor so it works, oops.. it vavcuum now we need to start the car to test it.

Either or both will make the judging process take longer, and at places like Hershey with that number of cars if you make the process take too long, you could end up recieving your award at the bsnquet at 3am Sunday morning.

[Shop Rat]

Originally Posted By: novaman

There is no rule that says you can't swap batteries, tires, valve stem caps or any other part on the showfield.

I have seen quite a few owners swap the tires and then put show hubcaps/wheelcovers on. And if the repro batteries are pieces of c**p then get a good non-working original or keep the p.o.c. one as the show battery and swap them out with a modern battery to move the car around and go for drives with.

Owners need to join forces and demand that companies put out better quality repro parts for our hobby.

[R W Burgess]

Reminds me of my first AACA National Show in Chesapeake Virginia years ago.

I had cleaned my nice, but not perfect '65 Corvette for the big show. At the time Janet Rickets was judging Vettes in those days (probably told you about that before). So, my car's all cleaned up and pretty and I'm proud of my ride. Gloria and I are sitting on the show field wondering what other kind of cars may park beside us.

About that time, a beautiful Cascade Green '57 comes onto the showfield and is directed to park beside me. The first time I had ever seen a Cascade green GM product....I was in love.

The owner got out of the car, proceeded to empty his trunk of cleaning supplies, taking out a plastic wrapped item. He then went up to the driver's door, took the seat out, walked back, took the spotless new seat out of the wrapper and put it in the show car.

At that point I knew I was out of my element. You know the saying..."Stay on the porch"? That's me.

Show cars are for the really serious AACA members. [img]<>/crazy.gif[/img]

Guess I'll stick to local shows and National Tours. [img]<>/smile.gif[/img]

It was a wonderful first time experience though and I can really appreciate the effort that goes into having a near perfect show car on the field.

Wayne

[Bhigdog]

Quote:

Owners need to join forces and demand that companies put out better quality repro parts for our hobby.

BINGO!

EXACTLY my point. Now substitute "owners clubs" for "owners" and that's the way to get the battery rip off artist's attention. If the AACA, and ideally other clubs, decreed that EXACT battery repros were optional the repro people would lose the leverage they now have by being the only game in town and would either make a quality product at a fair price or go out of business. This is not rocket science but economics 101.
I'm not saying any old ugly battery be allowed. I'm saying a tastefull, near properly sized, unadorned, black battery be allowed with no deductions. Deca battery makes excellant batteries in most sizes. All of the graphics are applied film that is easily peeled off with the help of a hair drier. The resulting battery is clean and totally black. It is tastefull and in no way detracts from the apperance of the car. Did I mention that it's higher capacity, lasts twice as long and costs one third the price of repro-junk.
In my opinon, the car clubs, by requiring it's members to buy from a monopoly, are aiding and abetting the fleecing of their own members.
As for writing letters to the "officials" requesting action I would think the "officials" would be interested enough to be proactive rather than reactive in their duties.....Respectfully, Bob.

[Bhigdog]

Quote:

Show cars are for the really serious AACA members.

If by serious you mean owners willing to just throw big bucks at their cars I must disagree. The New Bern Grand Nats were the first I'd ever attended. I brought my 55 Buick on an open trailer with a box of paper towels and some windex in the trunk.
We got there a couple of days early and then we watched the custom trailers, mega buck campers, and owners with their "restorers" in attendance pull into town. I was so depressed I seriously told my wife "lets just burn the car where it sits and go home".
Long story short.......The car now has it's SR Grand Nat badge as does the 57.
Now the point of this tale is that all of the members are not rolling in dough. Many of us do our own work or as much of it as possible because we have to. It's often not easy to "just write a check".
That's the reason the junk repro battery deal is a sore point with me. I have $1000 of totally junk batteries sitting under my bench for no good reason. I don't like being forced to p**s money down a rat hole for no good reason. Respectfully....Bob

[Shop Rat]

Originally Posted By: Bhigdog

That's the reason the junk repro battery deal is a sore point with me. I have $1000 of totally junk batteries sitting under my bench for no good reason. I don't like being forced to p**s money down a rat hole for no good reason. Respectfully....Bob

I just thought of this. Have you, or anyone else here, caught in this written letters to the Attorney General and/or Better Business Bureau in the state where the business is that you got them from? They do investigate complaints. They will warn others away from them if they are asked about businesses in their area.

So does sending the company putting out a bad product if you send a direct letter stating if they don't make it right then you will let anyone that will listen know about how horrible their products are. That you are a member of a world-wide antique auto club with LOTS of members that don't like being ripped off.