I'd like to offer the flip side of this issue. I was a judge at a Sunbeam
concours along with Smitty, where the outcome was in theory supposed to be
from objective scoring, not popular voting. But, the result was the same
as Christopher noted, subjective. It was my first one, so I sort of went
along with the flow of the judging. It was mostly a Tigers event, maybe
only 5 Alpines. There were two cars that were completely different cars.
One was 100% stock and original, the other was modified with a Mazda rotary
installed. Ok, at first blush you'd think the 100% stock and original one
should win, right? But, even though it was 100% stock, it was worn,
weathered, and ratty. No money or love had been put in that car.
Admittedly, however, it did make a very very long drive to the event,
crossing state lines no less. At the same time, the Mazda one had some
beautiful work done to it, clearly lots of loving attention. It was
definitely one of the most beautiful engine compartments I've ever seen.
It had new paint too. However, it was still not complete and was missing a
bunch of stock parts in various locations (not to mention the engine).
The scoring system (which actually was dictated more by the Tiger folks
than Smitty) gave lots of points for original parts. What it did not have
was a lot of deductions for the quality of those parts. So, while the
stock car pumped up the points for its ratty original parts, the loved
rotary got clobbered.
I know there are those of you that feel that in a Sunbeam concours,
originality matters, and the rotary owner should realize that. Yep, that
would be the objective way of looking at it. For the most part, I agree.
However, since most events are more heavily weighted with Tigers, I can see
a club decision to reward folks for keeping Alpines on the road and making
the rules a bit more flexible for Alpines. There just are never enough
Alpines to break it into classes of modified and stock, etc. I think what
bothered me most was seeing the owner of the ratty one laughing and joking
with his buddy Smitty about the whole thing. It just made it seem all the
more non-legit.
The bottom line problem is that there really isn't enough regularity or
interest for there to be real concours rules that are stuck to. Sure in
the Porsche world where there are fanatics competing on local and national
levels, those rules are well honed. But, it isn't going to happen here in
the Alpine world.
So, my vote is to screw it, enjoy it, and be glad there are people like
Smitty who are in their own special way contributing to keep the Alpine
flame flickering - even if he is a little nuts, then again, aren't we all
for even being involved with a car like this?
Jay
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