[unruhjonny]

I hope he takes pictures, shows well, and isn't hassled about his carpet anymore.

Good luck Bob!

[bird72]

Good luck Bob!

here is IRONY. My also 72, driver, "regular" Esprit Bird has pretty nice, low mile, black, factory carpet...…. wonder what judges would grade that carpet

[Held for Ransom]

Different judges, so it's anyone's guess. But, there will at least one ding.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

Different judges, so it's anyone's guess. But, there will at least one ding.

isn't that the way it is?

I hope to have my car show nicely one day - but I doubt I'll ever venture to points judging...

[Bentwheelbob]

This past weekend at the Trans Am Nationals in Fairborn, Ohio the Black Car did great scoring 692 out of 700 possible points. This was by far the most extensive inspection and judging the car has gone through with five judges who are all Firebird experts spending almost 45 minutes inspecting and judging the car. The end result was a Gold Concours award and designation as Best In Show out of the 397 registered cars. Pretty cool. Even better, I had a great time hanging out with friends that I see all too infrequently.

My hats off to the organizers of the TA Nats, the judges in the Concours program, and all the volunteers that make it possible. Special shout out to Darrell Davidson, the best F-Body restorer in the country, and My Pal Dave.










Has











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[muscle_collector]

looks fantastic bob. but I got to ask what did they find to count off on?

[dreamn69]

The car is incredible Bob, well deserved!

[weranc55]

Congrats Bob. You guys really did a incredible job on that car.

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by muscle_collector

looks fantastic bob. but I got to ask what did they find to count off on?

Yeah, what was wrong with the carpet this time??? Enquiring minds want to know!

;-)

[SD455DJ]

Bob's car is flat-out gorgeous and deserves the Best of Show. I was the concours interior judge and took one point off for a minor scratch in the glove box door that only revealed itself from the low sun angle through the open passenger door, otherwise you wouldn't have known it was there under any other lighting condition (sorry Bob & Dave).

Steve, the carpet was correct and perfect.

The drive down and back was without incident for both Dan & I, but, fortunately discovered when we were gong to move cars on Friday to the proper show class spots, Dan's 74 455RA wouldn't start. We quickly found that the carb wasn't getting gas and he had replaced the fuel pump he installed a few weeks earlier with the new one...which was bad. We, again fortunately, decided to bring along new fuel pumps for each of our cars for the possibility of needing one...and went to work replacing it in the parking lot. We made it home (270 miles) just fine, but we'll see how long this new-new one will last.

Dennis

[unruhjonny]

this whole deal of current fuel mixtures killing fuel pumps has me worried...
I wonder if the aftermarket is going to step up and make replacement pumps configured correctly for our car any time soon.

[OVERULD]

Bob, it was great seeing you and MPD, the Black Car in all its glory, and all my other friends this past weekend! Congratulations on Best Of Show!


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[frank.g]

Originally Posted by njsteve

Yeah, what was wrong with the carpet this time??? Enquiring minds want to know!

;-)

6 point deduction for making the hardwood floor crack in a prior post. LOL

[Bentwheelbob]

No, I got a pass for the floor covering this time, but did get dinged for a few other things and had no arguments. I would love to see how a totally virgin 1972 car would score in this process. I would bet a lot of money that it would be lower than a car restored to the standards of the Black Car. The dings I got were:

1) Non-original brake booster - If anyone has a restorable original please contact me.
2) Pitting on left lower control arm
3) Fitment on upper left rear window trim
4) Fitment on right rear side marker light bezel
5) Glovebox door
6) Something about right side engine compartment paint texture that I still don’t understand because the note was abbreviated
7) Scratch on right side mirror glass

This is one of the most extensive car inspections/judgings I have seen with 5 to 6 of the best F-Body experts in the country examining every orifice of the car. I’m thrilled with the score and have no complaints. There are a few things I will correct, but several are just too invasive or minimal to even worry about.

My thanks again to so many people who helped during this journey. I’m just a hillbilly coal peddler and couldn’t have navigated the process without a lot of help from skilled craftsman, parts suppliers, and keyboard pundits.

[njsteve]

You bring up a great point, Bob. I can't imagine the deductions they would make on my white SD. All the factory moldings are askew and the gaps are horrendous. Not to mention how the assembly line welded on my left side rocker panel to the quarter about 3/4" off, to the point where the wheel well molding was bent around it.

Maybe I'll bring it next year and we can use the car for a new drinking game: every time they find a factory flaw and deduct a point, you have to chug. (I wager that you'd run out of 'shine before they finished deducting points).

By the way, you did an awe-inspiring job on the old car. Be proud, You deserve it.

[dpoltzer]

Congratulations Bob, your car is stunning and you deserve the Best of Show award! Dave

[keith k]

Kudos, Bob - gorgeous car!

[Formulabruce]

Bob, MPD, and Darrell, This car is a true inspiration to All on here and everywhere. "Best in the World " would fit the Bill nicely!
Thanks for sharing the success with those of us who could not attend!

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

Thanks for sharing the success with those of us who could not attend!

Yes! Thank you for sharing it with all of us!

[muscle_collector]

don't get me started on the judging bs. those cars were literally thrown together with very little quality control. your car is over the top.