1940 Convertible

Farley's34

Well-known member
1940 Convertible.jpg

I recently purchased this 40 Convertible from the estate of Wally Easton from Esperance NY. It's a very nice authentic restoration other than a couple of "bolt on'' upgrades. Previously it was judged by the "40 Expert".
 
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Wow great car. If you were at the Saratoga State park on Aug 2nd I missed you, I was there with my ‘41, but there were over 1000 vehicles and I didn’t get around to seeing them all.
 
Mike,

You and your team judged the car Wednesday, July 13, 2011. Time flies!

Ken

Thank you, Ken.
I thought I had recalled this car. Only because I clearly recall the owner at that time. The first and one of only a small handful of terrible experiences throughout my judging times.
 
If I recall correctly the majority of the points deducted was due to the Fenton headers and dual exhaust with Smithy mufflers. Other items had minor deductions such as the wrong color seat bolts etc. Wally would have been 82 years old back in 2011. Did he really rattle you that bad, Mike?
 
If I recall correctly the majority of the points deducted was due to the Fenton headers and dual exhaust with Smithy mufflers. Other items had minor deductions such as the wrong color seat bolts etc. Wally would have been 82 years old back in 2011. Did he really rattle you that bad, Mike?

The car as I recall was rather nice. Not much that was incorrect.
It was my first of only a few experiences through the years wherein an "old guy" acted like I'd expect of a kid that couldn't accept a bad grade.
I was brought up to believe any "award" had to be earned.
He, if the same fellow, got quite angry and didn't want to hear anything about a single inconsistency.
I am always as helpful as possible in that I not only explain the issues but offer advice as to how to correct them.
I clearly recall him being under the impression that since he owned the car so long it had to be correct.
I think he'd told he bought the car in the 1960's.
As you know, by that age the car had seen many "adjustments" to simply keep it on the road.
He didn't rattle me so much as disappointed me.

Are you intending to modify this car?
 
The car as I recall was rather nice. Not much that was incorrect.
It was my first of only a few experiences through the years wherein an "old guy" acted like I'd expect of a kid that couldn't accept a bad grade.
I was brought up to believe any "award" had to be earned.
He, if the same fellow, got quite angry and didn't want to hear anything about a single inconsistency.
I am always as helpful as possible in that I not only explain the issues but offer advice as to how to correct them.
I clearly recall him being under the impression that since he owned the car so long it had to be correct.
I think he'd told he bought the car in the 1960's.
As you know, by that age the car had seen many "adjustments" to simply keep it on the road.
He didn't rattle me so much as disappointed me.

Are you intending to modify this car?


i'm disappointed in this description of a V8er who is no longer here to defend his reputation. I can, however, recall a similar incident in my own early experience as a V8 Club Judge, one in which a proud owner was adamant in his arguing points that there should not be any deductions from his beautiful restoration. He didn't want to hear about how his car was actually built, and only described how he believed old Henry would have built it if he could have. In this V8er's defense, the time was many years ago, the V8 Club's Judging Standards having been only recently updated to include deductions for over-restoration, and he had previously received the AACA's highest awards for his restorations.
 
Ford38V8


The very very last part of your statement ("he had previously received the AACA's highest awards for his restorations.), from my personal experience, hold about as much credence as a cup of lava in a Styrofoam cup!!! At a fall National AACA meet, was "THE worst" car/car judging event I have EVER been a part of with "supposed" V8 Ford "experts!!! AACA means show up with A car and fog a mirror....your good, here's your trophy for showing up!!!


Even going back to the late 60's, our 32 (well prior to our ownership) received a National First Place plaque, the car was nowhere near the level of receiving such an honor back then!!!!
 
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i'm disappointed in this description of a V8er who is no longer here to defend his reputation. I can, however, recall a similar incident in my own early experience as a V8 Club Judge, one in which a proud owner was adamant in his arguing points that there should not be any deductions from his beautiful restoration. He didn't want to hear about how his car was actually built, and only described how he believed old Henry would have built it if he could have. In this V8er's defense, the time was many years ago, the V8 Club's Judging Standards having been only recently updated to include deductions for over-restoration, and he had previously received the AACA's highest awards for his restorations.

The AACA judges on quality, not correctness.
 
Unfortunately we didn't even get that courtesy!!!! Would have welcomed that!!! Just a bad bad deal all around bordering on unbelievable.

I have judged for both AACA and EV8CA meets. The V8 club's judging is by far the most detailed and knowledge based of the two, understandable as the V8 club is a Marque club, the AACA is not. Each have their own judging sheets to be followed, again, the V8 club's is detailed, the AACA's sheets are generic. Owners familiar with just one club's judging methods tend to address that club's points called out in judging, and may be judged harshly at the other.

One can empathize with both owners and judges for their respective horror stories, the judging process bringing out high emotions and personalities in an escalated fashion, all usually on a hot day.
 
I have judged for both AACA and EV8CA meets. The V8 club's judging is by far the most detailed and knowledge based of the two, understandable as the V8 club is a Marque club, the AACA is not. Each have their own judging sheets to be followed, again, the V8 club's is detailed, the AACA's sheets are generic. Owners familiar with just one club's judging methods tend to address that club's points called out in judging, and may be judged harshly at the other.

One can empathize with both owners and judges for their respective horror stories, the judging process bringing out high emotions and personalities in an escalated fashion, all usually on a hot day.

Alan, of all the national meets I have attended and all I have judged at, I'd say an easy 99.99% have been great experiences.
I do have a reputation for being strict. Hey, if "it's" wrong, "it's" wrong. When it is wrong, I am very good about taking the time necessary to explain what is correct and even how to obtain a part that may be needed.
Overlooking something just so a guy can feel good about "winning" I feel is quite unfair to the guy that went the extra mile (ten miles) to get his car correct.
I have always judged according to the rules.
This hobby at the concourse level is not for everyone. That's okay. However, if a guy doesn't choose to or simply is unable to achieve the award he is seeking does not equate to a "feel good" award.
I have had deductions for over restoration. I have never argued that fact as well, the judges were correct. Fair is fair.
 
A lot of knocking of judging and owners above. This is not typical. From my experience judging is much better and owners are also. I believe the restoration books have helped.
 
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