Have I done anything bad

[Guest]

Just got the first car I ever legally drove running, 1968 Buick Wildcat 4 door hardtop. Thinking about going to a AACA local show soon and would like to know what Class I should be in.

This is what I have done to the car; new timing chain/water pump cover, burp tank overflow added, plug wires and plugs, new carburator, new shocks, radial tires, hoses, painted the engine and install new decals on the engine. Everything else on the car is original (even the dents, stains and the 46k milage)

Thanks for any help as I'm new to this.

[RoadsterRich]

I'm no expert... maybe HPOF? (Historic Preservation of Features), or perhaps the Driver Participation Class? Unless it is darn near perfect from what I have seen they generally don't do well in the classes judged for perfection.

Just my thoughts... probably not worth the time to read them... but hey, it's a free forum... well sorta kinda...

Rich

[Guest BruceW]

Hoagie,

I am no way a judging expert but offer some information on judging observed at local shows.

Many local shows, even those held by AACA regions and chapters often have their own defined classes for judging, and these classes may not neccessarily correspond with the national AACA vehicle judging classification. Classes used by local clubs may be based on the number and type of cars that have participated in the past. Also it may depend on the host club's availability of judges and their experience. It would be best to contact the point of contact for that particular local show and ask how they classify their cars.

However, if you are attending a show that strictly follows the AACA judging classification.. or is an AACA national meet, according to the Judging Manual contained on this website, it appears you could be eligible for 1 of 2 classes.

The first class is the HPOF class. The judging manual on this website explains the HPOF class as:

"HISTORICAL PRESERVATION OF ORIGINAL FEATURES CATEGORY (HPOF)

Since our founding, AACA has been dedicated to the preservation, restoration and maintenance of automobiles. In the furtherance of the "preservation" mission, the AACA Board of Directors in 1987 established a program to encourage the saving and display of collector vehicles in their original, as-manufactured condition. The Historical Preservation of Original Features program will seek to encourage owners of vehicles 35 years old and older, retaining significant original features to allow them to remain in this original condition, and to show them at National and Regional Meets. A vehicle may be entirely "original" or it may have certain "original" features such as paint, chassis, upholstery, engine compartment, etc. that are essentially as delivered. These vehicles will not be judged. They will be recognized at the awards ceremony and will receive an exhibition award. A certification plaque will be presented to each vehicle upon acceptance into the HPOF class. Vehicles entering the HPOF class will be prohibited from future registration in any other competition or exhibition class. If the vehicle is restored, certification in HPOF class will be voided. This class is limited to vehicles 35 years old and older. All vehicles registered in the HPOF class will be displayed in one location on the show field. No previous National First Prize winners accepted."

Since your Buick is 35 years old this year you should be able to try for the HPOF class. Even though your Buick is not totaly original, the rules.. as stated above... say that "A vehicle may be entirely "original" or it may have certain "original" features such as paint, chassis, upholstery, engine compartment, etc. that are essentially as delivered".

Of course if you decide to restore the car later, you lose your HPOF certification.

If you do not want to restore it but are unsuccessful getting your HPOF certification the other option would be the Driver Participation Class.

The judging manual on this web site explains the Driver Participation Class as:

"DRIVER PARTICIPATION CLASS

In an effort to promote the showing and driving of the antique vehicle the AACA Board of Directors in 2000 established the DP Class, This class is for non-modified vehicles 25 years or older that have not obtained a national first prize. This is a non-competitive class and will not be judged, but vehicles will be eligible to be certified as a driver. A driver tab will be issued at the awards ceremony to each vehicle upon certification, a participation award will be given out upon certification and each subsequent meet for attendance. When five participation awards are received the accompanying participation cards are to be completed and mailed to the Vice-President of Senior Car Awards. Upon confirmation of the five participation awards, a mounting board will be mailed from National Headquarters."

---------------------------------

For future consideration.....If you continue restoring your Buick to original like-new condition, you would be assigned in the following class for cars trying for Junior, Senior and other awards for preservation/restoration:

"Class 27h

Production vehicles (including Ford Thunderbirds)

1968 Through 1969"

Hope this helps.

[Guest BruceW]

Rich,

oops.. didnt mean to repeat your reply.

I must have been busy typing my (probably overwinded and too lengthy) reply when you made your own.

[RoadsterRich]

Bruce,

Not a problem. Your answer was much more thorough than mine, and greatly appreciated by at least me, and others I'm sure. You are quite right, most local shows are judged by 'uniquely colloquial' standards. Our local shows are judged by the participants that bring cars. Others I've been to have been peoples choice, almost but not quite AACA Judging, rigged, or my personal favorite... everyone got an award for participating, and the best of show was picked by a 14 year old girl who the event was a fundraiser for <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I missed the 'local' part of the AACA show in the original post.

Rich

[Guest]

If you have the car judged at a LOCAL meet, AACA or otherwise, do NOT expect the judging results to have anything in common with what you will get at an AACA NATIONAL meet. MAYBE similar, but not likely. ~ hvs