tbirdman Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I've been invited to and have accepted the invite to display my 1932 903 Coupe Roadster at the Kirkland Concours this September. Unlike most shows I've been in, this is a purely judged on the elegance of the cars as were the original Conccours d'Elegance of the 1920s. No judging will be done on engine compartments. In fact engine compartments and trunks must be kept closed. It is not a "technical corectness" concours. So to best show my car I was planning to show it with the top down. My question is in regards to the rumble seat. Does showing it open take away from the elegance and should I leave it shut?West...I don't have the time to remove all of the lights and switch to blackwall tires Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 [quote=tbirdmanWest...I don't have the time to remove all of the lights and switch to blackwall tires As a veteran concours judge for more than 20 years, I suggest closing the rumble lid. Top up or down in the case of a coupe-roadster; either way looks good. Most four-door open cars look better with the top up. Arguably, a convertible victoria looks better with the top up as well.(If you are showing a Jaguar XK120/140 at a concours with "French-style" rules, and you decide to show it with the top up, go into the show assuming that you will not get an award!!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbirdman Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 West,Are you saying that the Jaguar XK120/140 doesn't look half as good as a car with the top up vs. down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I think he's saying European Drop-top cars need to be shown with the top Droped, to be better accepted when judged. I've noticed that also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbirdman Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 Well I think I have concluded that top down and rumble seat closed. Though as West says it looks good either way. I think it is more Elegant withthe top up and more sporty with the top down. I guess I just need to hope for a sporty judge:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpushbutton Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Concours events are what we used to call "closed casket viewings" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tbirdman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">West,Are you saying that the Jaguar XK120/140 doesn't look half as good as a car with the top up vs. down? </div></div>I've never seen a car go from pure, raw sexy to pure butt-ugly so fast as when the top goes up on one of those Jaguars. I still want one, though. I'm purely talking about the 120/140 roadsters... the convertible coupes aren't quite so bad looking with the top up.My personal preference would be for a 120/140 coupe with disc wheels, black tires and fender skirts (spats). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpushbutton Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Some English sports cars look like they are wearing a ball cap when their tops are up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: West Peterson</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tbirdman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">West,Are you saying that the Jaguar XK120/140 doesn't look half as good as a car with the top up vs. down? </div></div>I've never seen a car go from pure, raw sexy to pure butt-ugly so fast as when the top goes up on one of those Jaguars. I still want one, though. I'm purely talking about the 120/140 roadsters... the convertible coupes aren't quite so bad looking with the top up.My personal preference would be for a 120/140 coupe with disc wheels, black tires and fender skirts (spats). </div></div>There isn't a bigger disparity in appearance then a 120/140 OTS with the top up vs. down.Many conv look better with the tops up, especially conv sedans and victorias. I too am a fan of blackwalls and no trippe lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbirdman Posted August 9, 2008 Author Share Posted August 9, 2008 I would have to agree with the 64 T-Bird I had. Much better with the top up, but with the coupe roadster, it almost a toss up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Ken,Your car looks great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34PackardRoadsta Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Ken,Looking good, dude! I really like the golf bag. That is just too cool. Any chance you don't actually play golf?Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbirdman Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 I do play golf, but not on a regular basis. One year in high school I was on the golf team. The clubs and the pilot rays get the most attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John_Lawrence Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 Top up or down probably depends on the specific car show. Some want the top up for judging. You may want to check with the show. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbirdman Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 What a weekend. The Kirkland Concours organizers really knows how to treat the participants. Too much to write about but a great event from the gala the night before to the actual Concours the next day. Everywhere you looked there was a great car. I did not take home an award, but was just happy to be in the presence of some great cars. A beautiful Speedster took first in my class.The 2008 Pebble Beach Best of Show Winner, a 1938 Alfa Romeo and also a 2008 Best of Show nominee 1935 Hispano Suiza were there. The Alfa took best of show honors.Some of my favorites are here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1935Packard Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Wow, gorgeous. And congrats again for being invited: That's quite a feather in your cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 KenDid you notice if the speedster had a tachometer? It would have been mounted on the steering column.I like the speedsters in one color like that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbirdman Posted September 9, 2008 Author Share Posted September 9, 2008 I did not notoce that. Here's the other picture I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Thanks, Ken.I didn't notice on the first picture at first, but Mr. Shearer puts his "top down" by actually taking if off! That's a speedster-only feature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 I REALLY love that Fiat!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl B. Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 I like the Hispano with the rocket launchers under the headlamps... seriously.. what are those pointed things?...B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 Hey, They look like Rocket-launchers to Me LOL : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Wartime running lights? Shielding light downward? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_Speedster Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Okay, you certainly would Not want the Luftwaffe pickin' that tank as a target. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbirdman Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Here are more pictures of cars including mine. I opened the rumble seat after judging as a lot of people were interested in the rumble seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbirdman Posted September 11, 2008 Author Share Posted September 11, 2008 Here are pictures of the Gala the night before including a picture of me with the champagne/wine bar hostess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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