61polara

It would be a 3 point deduction for an incorrect master cylinder and an additional 5 points if an incorrect power booster is also installed. AACA does not consider this a safety item. The best safety item for a brake system is to check the fluid level from time to time. In the past when I've had a dual master cylinder fail, it has always failed for both the front and rear brakes. A dual master cylinder will only prevent a total failure if you have a leak in either the front or rear system, past the master cylinder. Checking the fluid level and condition of lines and wheel cylinders will give you advance notice of a failure.

The Member's Roundtable is at 1:00 today in the Media Center.

You should bring the boot and have it with the car should the judges ask to see it. You're going for your Senior Award. I would not risk any points you can avoid.

In the 50's, brake fluid was used in top systems, but by the 60's, I think all were using ATF. Try bleeding the top cylinders by disconnecting them from the top and use the pump to run them in and out several times. Don't run them to their stroke limits though or you may damage the seals. Reconnect them to the top and see what it does.

I would not use CLR. It is a much stronger acid than vinegar!

It looks like someone has replaced the condenser with one that is about 2 inches or one coil loop short. I think it should rest in a u-shaped rubber support and sit on the radiator support, just like the radiator does. You could try to fabricate a rubber support and attach it to the bottom side brackets to stabilize it.

I hope to meet you in Charlotte and announce your Senior Award to you there! Dave Bowman Chief Judge AACA Southeastern National Meet Charlotte, NC

I think you have the answer........start with a cup of vinegar in a gallon of water and see what it does. It won't hurt anything.

You are reading correct. Since you have won your Senior Award, as you continue to show in AACA Meets, you are eligible to win a Preservation Award. You must only score a minimum of 350 points to receive the award. This permits you to start touring and enjoying the car if you choose. You can also strive for a higher level award, by maintaining/improving your car to receive a Grand National Award. The Grand National is the only show with the requirement that you cannot enter a Grand National in the same year you win a Senior Award. So, you can go for a Grand National award for next year (assuming you won you Senior this year), but continue to show in regular AACA National Meets and receive a Preservation Award. Bring it to Charlotte in April for your Preservation. Registration closes on Tuesday.

Philip, Look forward to seeing you. I just found out late today that we have extended the deadline until March 21. Dave Bowman Chief Judge AACA Southeastern National Meet

Blade3562 Go back and read all the posts to you carefully. They are all very good advise. I'll say again, you have a choice to make....HPOF or modified. You're having real fun with this car now, but want it to be HPOF. You can't have both. Make your decision. Value what the HPOF system is trying to accomplish and honor it not try to game it. That is an insult to all of us, including yourself. You have a great car that can be reverted back to a great HPOF vehicle and most likely receive the highest level of HPOF Original if you choose. . If you want HPOF, go after it. If you want modified, go for it. You can't be both. I you want a fun, modified car look for another one and save this one for HPOF. Your Dad's friend has offered to talk to you about this and I will too. I will PM you my phone number.

Blade3562, You have a great looking car and are having a lot of fun with it, but sometimes we have to make choices in life. Right now you have a fun, modified car that you are having a great time with. You want a HPOF certification. You have to choose which road you want to follow. Your car can continue to be a great modified car or it can be a great HPOF car, but not both. You've found the judges manual, so look a little farther into it and you will find a sample HPOF judging sheet. Judge the car yourself and see where you wind up. Read the entire manual, because areas of point deductions that apply to point judged cars also apply for deductions in HPOF. HPOF was created because a lot of nice cars were being restored to original just to win an award and AACA wanted to find a way to preserve these cars as examples of how the car should be restored. Your car does not represent that now, but it can be converted back to that. If I were judging you car from the pictures and your description of it, I would first look at fact that it appears to be lowered, so I'm looking into that. Also, the wheels and tires don't appear correct. The original 155SR13 may not be available but a 155/80R-13 is and would be no deduction as it is the same size tire. The current wheels are aftermarket. It doesn't matter if an aftermarket supplier made them to look similar to what the factory made, they are aftermarket. I would want to see factory documentation on the roof rack. The steering wheel will cost you a deduction, so you would need to go back to the original. LED light bulbs will be a deduction as well. When we look under the car to determine why it looks lowered, we will see your aftermarket exhaust. Your grill is another issue. The replacement grill with a bad badge most likely would not be a deduction only for a rough looking badge. You have to make the choice. Do you want to have an HPOF car or a modified car. You can go either way at this point. It's you decision to make, but it can't be both. I hope this helps.

Registration for Charlotte closes Tuesday, March 14. There's room for your car! Dave Bowman Chief Judge Southeastern Spring Meet

From the modifications you have listed, it is unlikely your car would receive an HPOF award without changing the modifications back to original parts. A car of its age can receive only up to 6 deductions for areas of non-compliance to receive an HPOF award. Another mostly overlooked area of compliance is non-original hose clamps. You may qualify for DPC since the modifications are period.

As in the case of many things the value is knowing what it fits. Yours are boxed by an aftermarket supplier and the best bet is to locate one of their listings. If the Ranco number is on the valve, you would need to locate a Ranco list. There don't seem to be any internet sites to help you. If you are interested in investing a lot of time researching, you can make some money. If not, it would be best to sell the lot.

Ernee, Your Buick sure looks to be a 1947, but Dynaflow was not offered until 1948. My guess is that your car has a 1948 to 1952 transmission an possibly engine as well. Determine what you have and buy the torque ball seal for it. You can do the replacement in your shop. You will need to lift the car on 4 jack stands under the car on the frame. Disconnect the shock links and the panhard bar. The rear end will now swing side to side on the springs. Unbolt the torque tube from the transmission. Hook a come-a-long to the rear end and to something stationary (another vehicle's trailer hitch.) and pull the rear end back about 3-4 inches. You will have enough room to change the seal. Reverse to install. You should have it done in half a day at the most.

Can you post a picture?

I went to the AACA National Meet in Ocala FL and judged.. Great show!

That looks about right based on what is left on my original engine.

A blue grey is correct based on my 1921 Maxwell.

My first car was a 1961 Dodge Polara 2HT that my Dad bought new when I was 8 years old. Passed from him to my Mom in '65 and to me in '69. Mom's replacement was a '68 Charger (318). I still have the Polara, but need to have a transmission band replaced so I can get it on the road. I've only personally seen 2 other '61 Polara 2 HTs since it was new. Rare, but not valuable!

In 1974, I was driving my 1970 Challenger Convertible to visit a college friend for the weekend. I took back roads to enjoy the drive. In a small town in NC, I pulled over to check the map for my next turns. As I'm intently looking at the map, an older man came up to the car and asked if I knew the way to Glory. I said no, but I have a map and will help you find it. He said "No, have you been saved"................

It should be one deduction as a non-authentic part taken for all the tint.

Of course it will be a wonderful day!

Meet and Judges Registration is now open online for the Charlotte Spring Meet. Here are a few photos from the show last year. Dave Bowman Chief Judge AACA Southeastern Spring Meet Photos by Tom Gibson