Re: clubs, meets, categories, judging

["Jeff Barfield" <jrbarfield@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have watched this thread with much interest, and have really enjoyed the
exchange of ideas.  This one really seemed more like a discussion, than a
fist fight and that's great.  I just thought that I would add my $.02 worth.

First of all, Tom has mentioned several times that he wanted a class where
his modified car would be judged for what it is.  AMO has such a class, it
is the most common class, non-stock.  In the non-stock judging, no matter
what kind of car it is, the car is judged mostly on workmanship and
cleanliness.  If you put in an aftermarket radio and hack up the dash doing
it, there will be points deducted, if the CD player looks like it belongs
there, then there should not be any deduction.  The same holds true for any
mods you make, if you paint the car purple with pink polka-dots, as a judge
I don't have to like the combination, but if it is a good paint job, I have
to give you all the points.  If it is dirty, has excessive orange peel, or
nicks and chips, or is faded, there will be a deduction.

As for the non AMC engines.  I don't understand the big deal.  All of my
cars have the original power plant and will stay that way.  But my Javelin
and Spirit both have custom interiors and B.F Goodrich Radial T/As, this
alone makes them non-stock.  My Javelin also has an open chrome air cleaner
and chrome dip stick, AMC never did that and that is right on the engine.
My Javelin also has AM/FM Cassette stereo, AMC never did that either.  Even
though I used AMC parts and it may look factory, a Javelin never came with
cruise control either.  I don't loose points at shows because of these
things.  I don't understand why it is so different if you put a different
make engine in the car.  You still have to make it look like it belongs
there, to get all of the points.  In my small mind, that would be more
difficult than making an engine that does belong there, look like it belongs
there.  My final point on the non-AMC engines is, when you see that car
driving down the road or driving on to the show field, what do you see?  I
see an AMC!  I may be disappointed when the owner pops the hood, but I would
be more disappointed to have never seen the car.

Jeff Barfield
jrbarfield@xxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.threejeffsamc.com
69 Javelin SST 343
82 Spirit DL 258
73 Hornet 258 (1/3 owner)
AMO #2550
Peach State AMO (Host of the 2005 AMO International Convention)
394 Creek Crossing Ct.
Grayson, GA  30017
770 466-8463