Re: Non-AMC powered cars in AMO

[Tom Jennings <tomj@xxxxxxx>]

On Sun, 17 Apr 2005 Roguev8@xxxxxxx wrote:

> > I have always been against non-AMC powered cars allowed to be
> shown at AMC meets. I think that one of the main reasons we all
> bought AMC's is their great engines.

OK, I can see how this conversation could go... :-) I'll remain
civil!

To me, personally, and engine is only one part of the car.  And I
very much do appreciate AMC engines. And I wasn't talking
necessarily about non-AMC motors in AMC cars -- I'm talking about
customizations, in general.  For example, Mark Rippe's 64 Classic
660 Wagon. It's got an Ambassador 990 V8 (327) driveline; 79
Spirit disk brakes; Vintage Air A/C and heat. It's lowered.
Mercedes Benz paint (well, soon :-). It's pretty much "all
Rambler".  It's not stock.

What class is this car in? If it's top-notch and all Rambler
(except A/C and stereo, wheels and tires, etc) does it not count?
Clearly it will nto be in the same class as Dewayne Ashmead's
spectacular Javelin.  That's apples vs. oranges.

> If you had a Corvette,
>  do you think the Corvette people would allow a non Chevrolet
> powered Corvette to be shown at one of their events?

But the Corvette is a not a good example; it is a very special
car. A better example would be -- "Chevrolet". ANd I believe --
correct me if I am mistaken -- "stock" classes. I am arguing for
the existence of a non-stock, "custom" class. Where a Nova, say,
with a Ford engine, would be judged upon other criteria than what
the factory produced.

> Do you think the related club would allow anything but
> a Ford powered car in their event? I don't think so.

Why not? Racial purity? :-)


> Finally, as automobile buffs, we are historians who should want
> to preserve the marque as originally built, or if one would decide
> to modify the vehicle, I would think you would want to upgrade the
> powerplant with a more modern version of that company's engine,
> and "keep it in the family," so to speak.

That is only one aspect of car fandom; one I appreciate, sometimes
take part in, and sometimes not. I can only assume I'm not alone.