Windwings & motormeters?

[Guest c.johnson]

In the latest magazine issue, I noticed a few of the older cars with Windwings, and maybe one with a motormeter (hard to tell if it was aftermarket, but probably could be.) <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Do these nice additions lead to points deductions? Or do you think the owner put them back on after the judging?

Just curious...

cj

[fordee9r (Ron Springstead)]

In the only Judges School I attended I was taught that accessories won't add to the car's points but they can be a source of point deductions. If they are incorrect or in poor condition, points can be deducted. If they are not there, you can't lose points.

[Steve Moskowitz]

Hopefully Dave Berg or some other very experienced judge from AACA will answer you. I can only tell you of my experience in the few times I have judged and thru showing cars with both those items.

To my knowledge,I have never had a point deduction for either of those items. Unless, you are an "expert" on that particular car it would be difficult to tell what the car original had available. For example, most models of a '23 Oldsmobile did NOT come or have available either option, but certain V-8 models and Semi-Sport 4-cyl's did. So the items were correct for that year but not neccesarily that model. You could have five billion judging credits and not know that.

What my experience has told me as that the items should LOOK correct on the car. A Senior motometer when it should be a Junior or exceptionally fancy windwings on a base car would certainly draw suspicion. My additional thoughts are that these items will not help the car in any way (except for your personal pleasure) but if not plated/painted or restored correctly could cause you to lose points.

[Guest c.johnson]

Thanks. I guess what I was confused about was if these items were not put on the car from the manufacturer, if they would be deductions.

I think they add quite a lot to the look of the vehicle. I had hoped that if they are correct to the vintage of the car, they should not count against it. Your statement assured me of that. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

cj

[ronbarn]

C.Johnson, You read incorrectly. If an accessory is not a factory approved (and documented) accessory, even if correct for the "vintage", it is appropriate for a deduction. Oldscarnut was correct in stating that the judges may or may not know the difference in every case. If you wish to put on such an accessory you have some choices - be able to document the factory approved accessory (no deduction), take your chances that the judges will not catch it (maybe or maybe not a deduction), accept the possibility that there may be a deduction if that is they way you want your car to look. It is a very simple decision. Do you want the car to be correct and you can document it or do you want the car as you would like it and accept the possibility of deductions. Vintage appropriate accessories which are not factory approved accessories are not acceptable.

[Guest c.johnson]

Thanks Ron, your "out of the book" is more what I expected the answer would be. Since I have no real way to verify that it could have come with the car, I'll play it safe, and save the "decorations" for after the show - when I get done restoring it in a year or two... <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

cj

[ronbarn]

Good solution. A lot of us have neat items that we leave off for show and install for go ot just plain fun. The fun part is best but if an owner wants to show well, compromises sometime have to be made. Good luck.