Bob Hill

I am a high school basketball official and even though I have been calling ball for years, each season I read the rules book from cover to cover. Why? Because I feel like the players and coaches deserve an official on the floor who is 100% prepared to do his job. I have officiated with some folks that I could tell either haven't refreshed themselves on the rules, etc or haven't done a good job of comprehending the rules. Do I make some mistakes on the floor? Absolutely, but it is never related to the rules because I know them backwards and forwards. I appreciate what the AACA judges do but I disagree that requiring a judge to read the manual from cover to cover is "illogical". If you want the position, do the work - whether you are paid for it or not. I am of the opinion that if you accept a position, you should give it 100% and be 100% prepared - if you aren't willing to do that, then don't accept the position. If you all want to walk around with your special judges patch, do the job - and that means more than just showing up at the meet. The car owners at these meets have spent 1000's and 1000's of dollars and an untold amount of time so they deserve judges who are willing to prepare themselves. Not trying to be harsh, but if all the judges take the attitude that you do, no wonder the judging process has deteriorated over the years. I have four vehicles I was planning to take to National Meets this year for judging - after reading this I won't bother!! And I specifically renewed my membership for that reason - should have kept my $35 and used it for fuel for a Saturday cruise in one of the old cars !!!! And BtW, I totally disagree that if we don't have AACA judging that the hobby will die. I, like thousands of others, enjoy the hobby and stay in the hobby regardless of the AACA. Go to any of the large classic car auctions and see how many people care about, or even know about AACA judging - most don't and yet the places are packed with car enthusiasts. The AACA does not affect my old car enjoyment in any way at all. The AACA is NOT what keeps the hobby alive and anyone who thinks that needs a dosage of reality IMHO. Bob

I read about ever thread that is in this section and I must admit that as I read them I ask myself "do I really want to go torhough the judging process again?" From an outside observer(i.e. not a AACA judge) I tend to feel that AACA is lesseining requirements such as allowing whitewall tires on a Model A (hen we all know they were not available from the factory), allowing dealer installed accessories (IMHO, that is NOT "as it left the factory"), etc. I have watched the process evolve over the year and must admit I am not real happy with the way things are heading. Not that it really matters to the AACA if I am happy with it or not but I think it lessens the quality of the awards. Example - several years ago I watched a 1955 Buick go through the judging process with the incorrect interior (the owner knew it was incorrect when he entered the car). The car won it's 1st Junior and later it's Senior Award with that incorrect material. Granted maybe the deduction for incorrect interior wasn't enough to knock it out of contention but it really caught my attention (as it did several who are familiar with mid 50's Buicks (I owned one at the time) Sadly, IMHO, earning an AACA National Award is as "prestigious" as it once was. Bob

Here is the Region's link about the meet http://stonesrivercarclub.com/?p=92

The Fairgrounds sits on 117 acres conveniently located near downtown Nashville and close to all three major Interstate Highways serving the area. The address is 625 Smith Ave, Nashville, TN 37203. [h=4]Directions[/h]From East (Knoxville area) Take I-40 West to I-440 West follow to exit 6 (Nolensville Pike), turn right, go 1 mile and Fairgrounds will be on your left. From West (Memphis area) Take I-40 East to I-440 East follow to exit 6 (Nolensville Pike), turn left, go 1 mile and Fairgrounds will be on your left. From Southeast (Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Atlanta) Take I-24 West to I-440 West follow to exit 6 (Nolensville Pike), turn right, go 1 mile and Fairgrounds will be on your left. From Northwest (Clarksville, Ft Campbell) Take I-24 East to I-65 South to Exit 81 (Wedgewood Ave.), turn left and go 1 mile to Fairgrounds. From South (Alabama) Take I-65 North to Exit 81 (Wedgewood Ave.), turn right and go 1 mile to Fairgrounds. From North (Bowling Green, Kentucky, Indiana) Take I-65 south to exit 81 (Wedgewood Ave.), turn left and go one mile to Fairgrounds.

I don't have a lead for you but I think it is a great idea Bob

It all depends on the current condition of the car and how well it has been maintained. If the car has sat up for a while and then you start driving it daily, expect to see leaks due to aged seals, etc. If little has been done to the car, most of the parts (suspension, etc) are nearly 45 years old and will deteriorate quickly as you drive it. If it has AC, it is probably on the old system which should be changed due to cost and availability of freon if for no other reason. Be sure and check belts and hoses, etc because they can look good and come apart quickly once you start driving it. The good thing is that if your commute is only 6 miles, if it breaks down you could always walk home - if you are in reasonable physical condition that is. I have a 1973 Porsche 914 that I drive regularly - not as a daily driver but more often than not - mostly dictated by the weather forecast as I don't drive it in the rain. I trust this car to go anywhere because everything on the car has been replaced so it is as dependable as a modern car. Bob

I can't help but wonder if someone with some influence didn't like the "lowly" VWs parked next to their "fine and much more expensive" automobile and pushed to have a new class created so that they wouldn't have to "socialize" with the VW crowd? I say this half sarcastically but then again there is a part of me that really would not be surprised by the actions of some folks. I have been in the car hobby a long time and in life a long time and nothing people do surprises me any more. If I were a VW owner showing at the AACA National, I would certainly feel "less appreciated" by this move. Bob

Never had any electrical problems myself with the 22 I have owned. There is a connector in the engine compartment that needs to be kept clean and maintained that can cause problems if neglected. Bob

Way too much money for that car. I have owned 22 Corvairs and still own two currently. They are fun cars, easy to maintain, great vendor support and realtively cheap to buy. I love the 1960 model and as Ed said, they are considered the red headed stepchild but I love them. If you coudl find a 1960 Monza that would a great car to own as they were introduced late in the model year and not a lot of them out there. Bob

Why did a 23K mile motor need a rebuild?

Well since the original post was 6 1/2 years ago I would assume not

Not able to view pics on his facebook page - apparently he has them blocked to anyone other than his Facebook friends

I use a PTAC - provides great heat and AC Bob

Several years ago I agreed to purchase a MG over the phone. The owner and I had several lenghty conversations about the car and on a Thursday evening we agreed on a price with the plan for me to be at his house the following Satruday moring with the cash. Since it was about a 5 hour drive, I booked a hotel room for Friday night, got my trailer hooked up, truck filled with fuel, etc. When I called him Friday afternoon, as we were preparing to pull out of the driveway to let him know we were on schedule, his wife answered (he wasn't home at the time), I told her who I was and told her to tell her husband we were leaving and would see him in the morning to get the car. She said "fine". A few minutes later he calls me and tells me that "his wife didn't know he had sold it to me and sold it this afternoon and she thought I was the guy she had sold it to!!". You could tell by the tone of his voice that he was lying but wasn't even man enough to man up and take the blame - he put it on his wife. At least I was able to cancel the room without a fee and didn't get far in my trip but I was one pissed off individual. Bob

I guess that is great if someone wants to do it but if it becomes something that is "hgihly encouraged" I would never attend. I have absolutely no interest in dressing like they did when whatever car I am showing was made. To each their own I guess Bob

Thanks. The kids were wanting to go to the Grand Canyon in the next year or so, so looks like I might be able to kill two birds with one stone. Bob

I know this is very forward thinking but I am working on a vehicle that I may be showing at several shows this year in hopes of getting both the 1st Junior and Senior Awards. If I am fortunate enough to get my Senior, I would want to go to Erne Grand National in 2015. Has as a location for the 2015 Grand National been determined yet? thanks Bob

This section is for questions pertaining to the forum itself. Youl will have better luck asking your question in the Packard section of the forum http://forums.aaca.org/f134/ Bob

Given my two choices for answers - I would call it a rat rod. Not to hurt your feelings but I personally think it is a waste of time and effort and you ruined an old car but it isn't my car and it wasn't my money you spent so in reality it doesn't matter. Bob

Are you sure the code is N and not M - N is Vermilion and M is Meadow Green. Either way, as Matthew said, any factory color for a 1952 Ford F1 is acceptable in AACA Judging. Bob

I certainly do not want to see tractors or ATVs at the meets; however, both of these vehicles are probably more road wrothy than many of the entreis in classes 5F and 5G. Bob

I just saw a post on Facebook about it. Someone had taken a picture and posted it and here was another person's response "The owner made it himself from a 64 Cadillac Superior Hearse and a one owner 69 Lincoln. Quite a car to see in person. I saw it at Hershey." obviously the the story is getting out that this was NOT a production automobile or a professional conversion. Afraid the fallout could be negative on the AACA Judging process. Bob

So quick question. Assuming this story is correct (and have no reason to believe it isn't) AND the car was awarded a 1st Junior - does the car keep it's First Junior status or will it be pulled. It is a catch 22 IMHO - if you let it stand then it lessens the value of a First Junior Award overall but if you pull it, it makes the judging team look bad. I am curious as to how it was awarded a First Junior to begin with - why did the judges not question the conversion? Surely these folks are experienced in judging professional cars. Bob

Personally I don't care for music at the shows. If I want to listen to music, I will go to a concert. Bob