Belvedere

As I was browsing the show field at Hershey this year, I was surprised (maybe appalled) at a few of the vehicles which received, according to the grille badge, a First Junior in 2013. A casual walk-around in less time than the judges would spend revealed a torn half-missing hood pad, rusted inner fender wells, and an engine that was barely steam-cleaned. I didn't even look at the under carriage. I'm pretty sure the elder gent who owned this '80's vehicle was elated to receive the award last year. And as I read this year's result, believe this vehicle received a SENIOR! Another early postwar vehicle 2013 Junior Award appeared totally original with patina to the max. Road-rash, scratches, and weather stripping so brittle, some had stuck to the opposing metal surface. Both of these vehicles are prime HPOF candidates. How can you explain to the guy who spent countless hours and $$ to restore (I didn't say over-restore) his vehicle, cars like these examples can receive the same award? And, yes I do understand the minimum points required and the 10 point spread for the First Junior Award. Doesn't condition and authenticity go hand-in hand? What struck me later, while wandering HPOF, were several "modern antiques" which were SO NICE, they were wasting their time in that class! Each would have stood-up well to the restored cars in their respective judged class.

Great shots, thanks for posting. You even shot one of my car! Always enjoy Strausstown, especially the AACA Senior cars. I have only missed 1 since 1980, that Sunday was a wash-out.

Cutlasguy, thanks for the photos. I was wondering what this meet was like for the Olds Club. Glad to see most were stock, and even better to see some "early" pre-'60's cars also in attendance. Which one was yours? BTW, that one "sure didn't look like a Buick!" Yeah, it was a nice Studebaker.

Keith, I've been following your unfortunate thread. Glad you chose to adopt another beautiful Reatta. Isn't that your Centurion in the second photo taken at the cruise?

Well, I did find the photos by going thru the Chrysler link. Looks like a good turn-out, but with the typical muscle and modern muscle. I miss the days when the majority of the vehicles were stock pre-'60. Thanks for posting.

Sorry, link doesn't work. I really want to see your photos of the Scranton Show. I had planned on driving up modern Sunday, but after adding-up gas and TP tolls for the 2 hour drive expecting to see too many muscle cars and modifieds, I elected to stay home and wax that modern car. I want to see what I missed.

I hope you're not disappointed. The school campus, while a nice venue, continues to build and the grounds have become too small for the amount of cars they wish to accommodate. I have shown my cars there for several years, and then stopped. Last year I attended as a spectator. While some classes are large and became mixed into one another, others had but 1 entrant. Like I said, hope you're not disappointed. Give us a report after the show.

I haven't been to this show for several years. Really enjoyed it when it was @ Marywood College. How many show cars do you typically expect these days? My last attendance saw an increase in modified cars. Perhaps that, and the 2+ hour drive is why I stopped attending, although may come as a spectator this year.

Oh, didn't know he sold out. I had seen pictures of an earlier meet, and it looked larger than I had anticipated. Thought I'd check it out this year, guess not. Dave, thanks for your reply.

Is there a Model A meet this year at Gene Renninger's in Bird-in-Hand, Pa. What is the date?

I hope you'll post some pictures for us to enjoy.

Keep in mind, non-authentic items or areas only require recommended point deductions, not disqualification. A vehicle only requires a minimum of 365 points for a 1st Junior, 375 for Senior, plus the application of the 10 point rule. The necessary point deductions of an otherwise worthy vehicle may have allowed that vehicle on that particular day at that particular meet to receive the desired award. Had another more authentic entrant been in the class that day, said vehicle may have only received a 2nd or 3rd place, or no award at all. It's how the system works, or sometimes doesn't. Two beautiful trucks at Hershey this past year received 1st Juniors. One had (I assume) aftermarket running boards, while the second an aftermarket (again assuming) bed liner. IF the required deductions were taken, apparently it was not enough to prohibit the Junior Awards. Again, it's how the system works. I personally would have shown these trucks without these items and risking deductions. Going back to the beginning of this thread, choosing "incorrect" tires for an otherwise worthy vehicle may or should result in deductions, but may not mean missing the desired award.

Always look forward to new Judging Guidelines, especially any class adjustments. Hoping the VW owners embrace this class. As for unrestored racecars, will they be point-judged or evaluated HPOF-style? Nice addition to this category! As for class 36, I was referring to any new models considered, not additional categories.

Other than the addition of YOM 1989 vehicles to their appropriate classes, are there any changes to existing judging classes or new classes being added? Does the VW-specific class begin in 2014, or was that just a rumor? Any additions to class 36 divisions?

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And there you have it, Dan. You say you want to enjoy this car. All this discussion tends to take the FUN out of it. Proudly display the 1st Junior. Time will tell if your Caddy can achieve Senior status. Hopefully it will. At the next AACA meet you may be the only car in your class going for Senior and the 10 point rule will not apply. You know your original car scored the minimum of 365 for the Junior. Will the judging team that day determine you achieve at least the 375 needed? Only time will tell. You may find yourself climbing all the way to Grand National Senior competition. I know of some low mileage UNRESTORED cars in my area with REPEAT Senior Grand Nationals. The car itself is the BEST trophy, now sit back and ENJOY THE RIDE!

But, remember ALL of those going for Senior and better than 2/3's of those going for 1st Junior. Find out where your deductions were by requesting your Hershey judging sheet and correct those areas while still maintaining that factory originality. It's in the details. It'll be tricky, but you CAN compete!

Check the club store. You can purchase either a vertical or horizontal brass mount to first mount the Junior oval, then attach both to the vehicle (some this to the grille). The alternative is to use a backer plate of some sort with long bolts and sandwich it directly to the grille. Maybe these mounts are what you refer to. Before my car received, or even competed for a Junior, I would examine other AACA winning cars and imagine how I would someday mount mine. I simply sandwiched it onto the grille.

You'll receive the coveted AACA grille badge as a First Junior. What could be better? Maybe an AACA rear license frame, but you don't want to clutter your Caddy grille when going for that Senior.

Thanks for clearing that up Lynn. I knew I got that muddled after I posted. My point was some beautiful unrestored vehicles could successfully compete in class judging as this fellow found out. If the original vehicle does not receive a 1st Junior, it can then move freely into HPOF for possible certification. Correct? This is what I did many years ago. My largely original car was not successful in class judging, so I moved to HPOF and was certified.

Right. Now that your Caddy was awarded the 1st Junior, you are considered in that judging class (for at least 10 years) now competing for your Senior Award, and then Preservation and repeat Preservations. That's an honor, by the way. For those unrestored vehicles who haven't achieved a 1st Junior in class judging, the owner may choose to compete for HPOF certification. Once that vehicle has been certified HPOF, it must remain in that class unless significantly restored.

danleblanc, congrats on the "updated" 1st Junior. I recall seeing your Caddy @ Hershey. It's not the first time a well-preserved original has received a 1st Junior. I also agree with the comment about beautiful well-preserved vehicles in HPOF among "barn-finds". For several "first-timers" in HPOF this year @ Hershey, I asked myself "Why did the owner not try class judging first?" A few of those unrestored cars may have achieved a 1st Junior. You never know if you don't try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If the vehicle does not achieve the desired 1st, the owner can then move to HPOF.

Thanks Matt. AACA is justified in having a further conversation with the owner as to the authenticity of this vehicle.

This also raises the question, if, and I say IF, this is not a legitimate conversion recognized within AACA guidelines, does it alter the awards outcome for the other vehicles in the class with regards to the 10 point spread?

We're armchair quarterbacking here. The burden of proof lies with the owner. Apparently the judging team took this vehicle at face value. And someone might say, why not? It's a hearse. Anyone remember the Met taxi last year?