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Well, since I was specifically named, I feel I have license to respond.=C2=
=A0 Maybe I was singled out because it was I who penned the subset of conco=
urs guidelines covering the modified classes.=C2=A0 Perhaps it is thought t=
hat I am a big proponent of the whole operation.
This article is a well rendered version of a point of view regarding Concou=
rs d'Elegance among many that are out there.=C2=A0 It is a point of view wi=
th which I am in complete agreement, by the way.=C2=A0 But one of the thing=
s that makes our hobby healthy and the supply of spare parts flowing is the=
broad appeal to the many people with diverse goals in pursuing this hobby.
There are those who pursue the "As delivered by the dealer" perspective as =
stated by the VTR Concours manual.=C2=A0 (It might be noted here that the V=
TR concours guidelines also states that the car is to be judged as in its c=
ondition when it left home for the convention meaning anything that happens=
en route or during the event will be overlooked.=C2=A0 This includes any m=
isfortunate encounters with the calling cards of any local mutton on the ho=
of.=C2=A0 This is to encourage owners to actually drive the cars although t=
he effectiveness of this missive is in question, at least by me.
Then there are the over-restorers you see detailing the overload of chrome =
under the bonnet with a toothbrush.=C2=A0 At VTR we do not punish then for =
overdoing the quality of paint but nor do we reward this activity, either.=
=C2=A0 There is an old adage concerning a silk purse and a sow's ear that m=
ay or may not apply here.=C2=A0 I'll let you decide.
Then there are the ones who actually drive their cars.=C2=A0 They keep them=
well maintained and looking nice but have made significant modifications m=
aking the cars more suitable for use in modern traffic situations.=C2=A0 Th=
ese modifications may include electric radiator fans that will allow the ca=
rs to survive modern traffic conditions without belching out a serious amou=
nt of coolant.=C2=A0 These are the ones who WILL drive to events eschewing =
trailers.=C2=A0 They enjoy first and foremost the driving experience.=C2=A0=
It is this group that motivated me to write up the guidelines for the modi=
fied touring classes.=C2=A0=C2=A0
Then there are the wannabe automotive engineers (that's me).=C2=A0 I'm not =
taking anything away from the boffins in Coventry back in the day.=C2=A0 Th=
ose heroes had an ominous task of making a competitive car using the techno=
logy available at the time and to the budget set by those clueless executiv=
es in the air conditioned offices.=C2=A0 But, as owners of the cars we are =
not limited by any such budgets.=C2=A0 We can spend as much money improving=
this cars as we wish (or as much as She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed will allow).=C2=
=A0 Also, time marches on.=C2=A0 It is a fact that in the technology fields=
we are all standing on the shoulders of those who come before us.=C2=A0 Te=
chnology has progressed much since those days.=C2=A0 Alternators perform mu=
ch better than the dynamos of old but these only became possible with the a=
dvent of solid-state rectifiers in the mid 60's.=C2=A0 They were not an opt=
ion or even a dream for those building the TR3.=C2=A0 But one can fit an al=
ternator to one's TR3 which will power the electric fan that will keep the =
coolant in the engine during that slo-mo 4th of July parade that progresses=
at a brisk 3 MPH.=C2=A0 A consideration dismissed by upper management as u=
nlikely.=C2=A0 We wannabes view these cars as a starting point and we feel =
that without the restrictive budgets and with the new technological advance=
s we can add our own personal touch to these cars while, at the same time, =
make the car more reliable, easier to maintain and possibly perform better.=
=C2=A0 It is for this group that I penned the Modified performance guidelin=
es.=C2=A0 Originality be damned, lets consider materials and workmanship.=
=C2=A0 There are some really clever craftsmen out there making changes to t=
heir cars and they should be celebrated.=C2=A0=C2=A0
As for me, I did a ground-up restoration on a TR3.=C2=A0 It took more than =
10 years and I spent more than the car was worth.=C2=A0 When I was done I h=
ad a pretty pristine car which showed well.=C2=A0 But I was afraid to drive=
it.=C2=A0 I didn't want to scratch the paint or wear out the leather seats=
.=C2=A0 It was fun going through the process and I got a few trophies, but =
in the end, I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoy my TR6 and TR8, both of wh=
ich are rather blemished but drive very well, thank you very much.=C2=A0 So=
I sold the TR3 as I needed the garage space anyway.
But I support the Concours d'Elegance as a whole because I am a big-tent ki=
nd of guy.=C2=A0 What ever floats your boat, after all.=C2=A0 The more peop=
le pursuing the hobby will make the supply of spare parts more healthy.=C2=
=A0 As you well know,=C2=A0Concours d'Elegance is a french phrase that tran=
slates into=C2=A0Competition of Excellence.=C2=A0 As you say, these cars ne=
ver were "excellent."=C2=A0 Perhaps we should change the name to Concours d=
'Originalt=C3=A9=C2=A0 or=C2=A0Concours de Fidelit=C3=A9.=C2=A0 But then mo=
st English speakers don't know how to type an E-accent-aigu.=C2=A0 C'est la=
vie.
There are may other aspects that add to or detract from the driving experie=
nce.=C2=A0 Most of these cannot be judged on the show field.=C2=A0 Things l=
ike ride quality, exhaust note, seating comfort and other aspects that can =
only be judged whilst driving the car in various scenarios.=C2=A0 This is n=
ot practicable (practical in US English) in our context.=C2=A0 But I though=
t that maybe we could have an exhaust note contest.=C2=A0 We set up a panel=
of judges next to a stretch of road and let competitors drive by demonstra=
ting how the exhaust sounds under varying conditions.=C2=A0 If course there=
would be bias towards 4 cylinder vs 6 cylinder but we could have classes f=
or each.=C2=A0 Could be fun.
Anyway, this missive is way too long as it is so I will stop here.
As always, I enjoy you writings and treasure them all.
Dave
On Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 10:07:37 AM CST, JOHN MACARTNEY <john=
bmacartney@gmx.com> wrote: =20
I trust it doesn't offend - Dave Massey in particular:) Light-heartedness =
has to prevail in this much troubled world.=C2=A0Jonmac** triumphs@autox.te=
am.net **
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs=C2=A0 http://www.team.net/a=
rchive
sey@cs.com
=20
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<html><head></head><body><div class=3D"ydpf130c49eyahoo-style-wrap" style=
=3D"font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><div><div dir=
=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">Well, since I was specifically named, I feel=
I have license to respond. Maybe I was singled out because it was I =
who penned the subset of concours guidelines covering the modified classes.=
Perhaps it is thought that I am a big proponent of the whole operati=
on.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" =
data-setdir=3D"false">This article is a well rendered version of a point of=
view regarding Concours d'Elegance among many that are out there. It=
is a point of view with which I am in complete agreement, by the way. =
; But one of the things that makes our hobby healthy and the supply of spar=
e parts flowing is the broad appeal to the many people with diverse goals i=
n pursuing this hobby.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></di=
v><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">There are those who pursue the "As=
delivered by the dealer" perspective as stated by the VTR Concours manual.=
(It might be noted here that the VTR concours guidelines also states=
that the car is to be judged as in its condition when it left home for the=
convention meaning anything that happens en route or during the event will=
be overlooked. This includes any misfortunate encounters with the ca=
lling cards of any local mutton on the hoof. This is to encourage own=
ers to actually drive the cars although the effectiveness of this missive i=
s in question, at least by me.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">=
<br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">Then there are the over-re=
storers you see detailing the overload of chrome under the bonnet with a to=
othbrush. At VTR we do not punish then for overdoing the quality of p=
aint but nor do we reward this activity, either. There is an old adag=
e concerning a silk purse and a sow's ear that may or may not apply here.&n=
bsp; I'll let you decide.</div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br><=
/div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false">Then there are the ones who act=
ually drive their cars. They keep them well maintained and looking ni=
ce but have made significant modifications making the cars more suitable fo=
r use in modern traffic situations. These modifications may include e=
lectric radiator fans that will allow the cars to survive modern traffic co=
nditions without belching out a serious amount of coolant. These are =
the ones who WILL drive to events eschewing trailers. They enjoy firs=
t and foremost the driving experience. It is this group that motivate=
d me to write up the guidelines for the modified touring classes. &nbs=
p;</div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" d=
ata-setdir=3D"false">Then there are the wannabe automotive engineers (that'=
s me). I'm not taking anything away from the boffins in Coventry back=
in the day. Those heroes had an ominous task of making a competitive=
car using the technology available at the time and to the budget set by th=
ose clueless executives in the air conditioned offices. But, as owner=
s of the cars we are not limited by any such budgets. We can spend as=
much money improving this cars as we wish (or as much as She-Who-Must-Be-O=
beyed will allow). Also, time marches on. It is a fact that in =
the technology fields we are all standing on the shoulders of those who com=
e before us. Technology has progressed much since those days. A=
lternators perform much better than the dynamos of old but these only becam=
e possible with the advent of solid-state rectifiers in the mid 60's. =
They were not an option or even a dream for those building the TR3. =
But one can fit an alternator to one's TR3 which will power the electric fa=
n that will keep the coolant in the engine during that slo-mo 4th of July p=
arade that progresses at a brisk 3 MPH. A consideration dismissed by =
upper management as unlikely. We wannabes view these cars as a starti=
ng point and we feel that without the restrictive budgets and with the new =
technological advances we can add our own personal touch to these cars whil=
e, at the same time, make the car more reliable, easier to maintain and pos=
sibly perform better. It is for this group that I penned the Modified=
performance guidelines. Originality be damned, lets consider materia=
ls and workmanship. There are some really clever craftsmen out there =
making changes to their cars and they should be celebrated. </di=
v><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-se=
tdir=3D"false">As for me, I did a ground-up restoration on a TR3. It =
took more than 10 years and I spent more than the car was worth. When=
I was done I had a pretty pristine car which showed well. But I was =
afraid to drive it. I didn't want to scratch the paint or wear out th=
e leather seats. It was fun going through the process and I got a few=
trophies, but in the end, I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoy my TR6 and =
TR8, both of which are rather blemished but drive very well, thank you very=
much. So I sold the TR3 as I needed the garage space anyway.</div><d=
iv dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=
=3D"false">But I support the Concours d'Elegance as a whole because I am a =
big-tent kind of guy. What ever floats your boat, after all. Th=
e more people pursuing the hobby will make the supply of spare parts more h=
ealthy. As you well know, <span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px=
;"><i>Concours d'Elegance</i> is a french phrase that translates into</span=
><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"> </span><i style=3D"letter-s=
pacing: -0.32px;">Competition of Excellence.</i><span style=3D"letter-spaci=
ng: -0.32px;"> As you say, these cars never were "excellent." P=
erhaps we should change the name to <i>Concours d'Originalt=C3=A9</i> =
or <i style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sa=
ns-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.32px;">Concours de Fidelit=C3=
=A9. </i><span style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helv=
etica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.32px;">But then most=
English speakers don't know how to type an E-accent-aigu. C'est la v=
ie.</span></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><span style=
=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-fami=
ly: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.32px;=
"><br></span></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><span styl=
e=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-fam=
ily: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.32px=
;">There are may other aspects that add to or detract from the driving expe=
rience. Most of these cannot be judged on the show field. Thing=
s like ride quality, exhaust note, seating comfort and other aspects that c=
an only be judged whilst driving the car in various scenarios. This i=
s not practicable (practical in US English) in our context. But I tho=
ught that maybe we could have an exhaust note contest. We set up a pa=
nel of judges next to a stretch of road and let competitors drive by demons=
trating how the exhaust sounds under varying conditions. If course th=
ere would be bias towards 4 cylinder vs 6 cylinder but we could have classe=
s for each. Could be fun.</span></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-se=
tdir=3D"false"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span style=3D"colo=
r: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px=
; letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><br></span></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-s=
etdir=3D"false"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span style=3D"col=
or: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16p=
x; letter-spacing: -0.32px;">Anyway, this missive is way too long as it is =
so I will stop here.</span></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"fal=
se"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0=
, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-sp=
acing: -0.32px;"><br></span></span></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"fa=
lse"><span style=3D"letter-spacing: -0.32px;"><span style=3D"color: rgb(0, =
0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-s=
pacing: -0.32px;">As always, I enjoy you writings and treasure them all.</s=
pan></span></div><div><div><br></div><div class=3D"ydpf130c49esignature"><d=
iv style=3D"font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12pt; =
line-height: normal;"><div style=3D"font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: n=
ormal; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal;"><div><font size=3D"4">Dave<br=
></font></div><div><span style=3D"font-size: 10pt; font-family: sans-serif;=
"><br></span></div><br></div></div></div></div><div><br style=3D"letter-spa=
cing: -0.32px;"></div><div dir=3D"ltr" data-setdir=3D"false"><br></div></di=
v><div><br></div>
=20
</div><div id=3D"ydp649b235yahoo_quoted_2991296314" class=3D"ydp649=
b235yahoo_quoted"><div class=3D"ydp649b235yahoo-style-wrap" style=3D"font-f=
amily:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">
<div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, s=
ans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;">
=20
<div class=3D"ydp649b235quoted-text-header">
On Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 10:07:37 AM CST, =
JOHN MACARTNEY <johnbmacartney@gmx.com> wrote:
</div>
</div><div style=3D"font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica=
, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#26282a;border-left: 1px solid #cc=
c;padding-left: 8px;margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px" class=3D"ydp649b235inline_repl=
y_quote_container" data-split-quote-node=3D"true">
<div><br></div><div><br></div>
<div><div id=3D"ydp649b235yiv4174689060"><div><div style=3D=
"font-family:Verdana;font-size:12.0px;"><div>I trust it doesn't offend - Da=
ve Massey in particular:) Light-heartedness has to prevail in this much tro=
ubled world.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Jonmac</div></div></div></div>** <a href=3D"mailto:triumphs@autox.team=
.net" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">triumphs@autox.team.net</a> **<br>=
<br>Donate: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/donate.html"; rel=3D"nofollow" ta=
rget=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>Archive: <a href=3D"=
http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs"; rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">=
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.net/archive" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/archiv=
e</a><br><br>Unsubscribe/Manage: <a href=3D"http://autox.team.net/mailman/o=
ptions/triumphs/dave1massey@cs.com" rel=3D"nofollow" target=3D"_blank">http=
://autox.team.net/mailman/options/triumphs/dave1massey@cs.com</a><br></div>
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Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/triumphs http://www.team.net/archive
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