Back in 2011, I went up to Flint for the Magic Mitten Fest at Bewb's house. Pat picked me up in style in his Mopar and we putted around in the slant 6 blast from the past. The Impala Nationals were the same time about half an hour from flint. We stopped by several times and I got to meet alot of the Impala folks and a few of the wagon faithful.
Of course I knew this years was in Charlotte which is only 700 miles from home (vs. 1200) and I thougt I might make it. Then I fould out my wife's cousin was getting married in Wash DC the same weekend. Boooo, not going to happen I thought. Then I found out two and half weeks ago I had to go to Atlanta for work. Hmm, only 180 miles to Chris' house and another 2 hours from there. Clandestine plans were discussed when I was in Greenville, SC for a family reunion two weeks ago. I literally flew back to FL, got in my work truck and came to Atlanta.
Fast forward to Friday. While I couldn't make all the fun events, I got off work and went to the airport and rented a 2013 Corolla. It was red at least and had a good stereo. Also rode nice at 100. I got to Chris' place around 10:30 PM. Chris is part of the host chapter so we got an early start and made tracks for Charlotte.
This was about half an hour after we left.
We arrived around 8AM and got straight to work helping set up chairs, tables, garbage cans, getting people to get parked correctly, etc. Having organized events for hundreds of people, I understand the stress of 'showtime'. At 9AM the participants started showing up. I'm just standing around talking to Chris as I had finished my assignments and there is a call for car show judges. Chris prods me to go do it. At first I'm reluctant, but then Chris points out I'm somewhat qualifed as knowledgeable about the cars so I walk over and say I hear you need help.
Immediately I'm put to work filling out the judging forms with names, ISSCA numbers, categories. I fill out about 30 sheets and it's time to start judging. They have a judges meeting letting us know what they are looking for and the rules of the road. They pair us up, a newbie and experienced judge. Great.
I wind up getting randomly assigned to the non Implala cars. Yep, Caprice, 9c1s, Roadies, and of course wagons. We ended up judging about 15 cars and I thought they were all one class. Thinking that I compared all 15 cars to the same standard as did the other judge (who bizzarely lives an hour from me and I know her husband (He won first in his class and he makes her help clean the car for shows so she knows what to look for). We had fun it took about 2.5 hours! I only found out at the awards that I had judged 3 seperate classes.
The class was subdivided by mileage. In a bizzare turn of events of myself and the other judge being non prejusticed (after all her hubby has an SS), all three of the wagons entered won awards. All three were black and all three are well know to you guys. Bob Borcher's, Frank aka The Reconditioner, and Lorne Jay all showed exceptional show cars. They were in very good company and it was tough judging but we did our best being fair and objective on each car. I learned alot from the experience and had a great time.
Now you all want pics so here you go:
The beautiful Jessica (owner of two RMWs) tallying up votes.
This Caprice was off the chain. I loved it. It was not even in the show as it was a vendor's car! Top notch build.
Idenity crisis! I like it
Dick Miller's bad a$$ Olds W-31. I heard it was QUICK at the track. Just noticed Lorne chatting with Dick Miller in the pic!
Dyno tunes by Brian H. out the back!
Sound off competition
Chris' D-body that we drove up in. Nothing rides like a Caddy. Woot!
Random Wagon shot
Anita Bryant would be proud!
Pretty sure he won a class at the track (not a L03!) and a show award. Not bad for 304K on the clock!!
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Sun Aug 11, 2013 10:12 pm
