<VV> <CORSA Chapters> Concours Chairmen and "Improved"Corvairs...

[Mark Corbin]

Dave and all,

I think if you go to http://www.corvair.org/pdf/concours8.pdf and read the
CORSA Concours Rules, you will see that they cover everything about which
you have written. The classes have always been defined precisely, allowing
for everything that might come thru the gate. Accordingly, everything
should be in a class in which they are comparable and competitive. That is,
as long as the classification committee follows them to the letter and
doesn't go by arbitrary verbal decisions. They are written precisely just
for that reason.

That said, I'd like to point out one thing, for the sake of those who STILL
don't believe that precise wording and terminology means everything. You
mentioned that stock cars should be "as close as possible to the condition
they were when they rolled off the GM factory assembly line." The CORSA
rules states that stock cars should be "in appearance just as they were
AVAILABLE (emphasis mine) from the factory that year." NOTE that your
definition would only allow a car to have the equipment that it had the day
it rolled off the assembly line. No options added or subtracted. That is
what the Corvette Club does. The CORSA rules are worded slightly different
so as to allow options to be added and/or subtracted. THAT is the power of
subtle word differences.

On that subject, I personally am against banning the addition and/or
subtraction of factory options, for several very good reasons. First, while
the Corvette club has the advantage of being able to nail down every option
for every car ever built, we don't. We only have the body tag to go by, and
even if/when we DO have body tag decoding available for every car, that
list of options would not be complete. So it would not be possible to
verify certain options. Second, reproduction body tags are available, so
changing one's list of options is not impossible. And third, I feel that
such a practice (banning option additions/subtractions) is ultimately
detrimental to our basic goal of encouraging the preservation of the
Corvair and everything related to the Corvair.

Ultimately precise words DO matter. And Concours rules should NOT be
tampered with lightly. Every change to the wording MUST be carefully
deliberated, because ultimately, the rules MUST be followed to the letter.
Otherwise, chaos, confusion, and unfairness will reign.

-Mark

> [Original Message]
> From: Dave Thompson <dave.thompson at verizon.net>
> Subject: RE: <CORSA Chapters> Concours Chairmen and  "Improved"Corvairs...
>
> As I read this discussion, I feel I would like to enter my point of view.
I
> am a nubie. I entered the Corvair world about 3 years ago. My 63 Spyder
is a
> clone with other custom modified accessories. I consider it in average
daily
> driver condition. It is far from being in the condition to compete in a
> Concours. However, I like to dream that someday I can get her into the
> condition to qualify for a Concours. I believe that all Corvairs that are
> running deserve respect. With all that in mind, here is my point of
view...
>
> As I see it, Concours is a competition that judges a group of cars to meet
> certain parameters predefined in the rules. There should be different
> classes that allow different types of Corvairs to be able to qualify for
and
> compete on level grounds. Because my Spyder is a clone, it will never be
> able to compete in the Stock Class. Each class will have definitions and
> parameters that both vehicle owners/competitors and judges can work with
to
> prepare and judge the vehicle. That way, there won't be a dead stock car
> competing with a highly modified and so forth.
>
> With this in mind, here is what I see as appropriate classes
>
> Stock class
>
> I consider the "Stock class" to be for cars that compete to be as close as
> possible to the condition they were when they rolled off the GM factory
> assembly line. Certain parameters should be in the rules that establish
what
> is and what is not acceptable such as: do reproduced sill plates conform
or
> do they qualify for taking points off. The rules should also overlook
items
> that are required by local laws such as seat belts. The rules should also
> define whether or not certain dealer installed options are acceptable such
> as tissue dispensers or early dash clocks.
>
> Modified Street
>
> This class will allow or not deduct points for items like different
> upholstery or custom wheels. The judging should consider the craftsmanship
> used in the modifications and if they are done "as the factory might have
> done it if the feature was available". It should also include the V8 and
> "other engined" Corvairs. I realize that this lends its self to much
> interpretation so the rules may have to go into great detail.
>
> Modified track
>
> This class is for the vehicles that are modified for track competition.
> Perhaps a designation would be that they must be street legal. Some
vehicles
> might qualify for both Modified Street and Modified track.
>
> Competition track
>
> These are the cars that are built for all-out competition and not street
> legal. Some of the rules could require certain safety items such as the
> quality of the driver protection system (roll bar)along with the
> craftsmanship used to build the vehicle.
>
>
> Basically, there should be a class for each type of Corvair. That way each
> type of vehicle will be competing on level grounds with other vehicles. 
>
> I feel that CORSA should embrace ALL the different types of Corvairs and
> owners; stock to wild custom and everywhere in between. The Concours rules
> and classes should be written to make room for any and all Corvairs to
> eventually compete. 
>
> This is just my opinion
> Flame on
>
> Dave Thompson
> Lakewood, California
> 63 Spyder vert
> CORSA Member
> Vintage CORSA BOD
> Manager, LS Corvair Parts
>
>