Advice for Concours first timer

[bford]

I'm signing up to attend the Werks Reunion in August (http://www.werksreunion.com). It's $20 more to put my car in the concours as opposed to just "the corral". I've never done the beauty contest thing before, but seems fun. Is there a How-To somewhere for first time concours entries? Something like a "don't forget to wash behind the ears" kind of thing?

[304065]

Brad, welcome to the sickness.

Paul Risinger has done a nice job of documenting a lot of the steps for the first-timer. Examples:

http://www.pnwr.org/garage/concours/...rsPrepTips.pdf

The overview page is here: http://www.pnwr.org/garage/concours/resources.asp

From NNJR: http://www.nnjr-pca.com/index.php?op...les&Itemid=117

Here is a good one from Maverick Region: http://mav.pca.org/Events/concours/concours101.pdf

Well you get the idea.

Those publications will help to demystify the experience-- they are bookended by general car and paint preparation tips, which are available widely (I happen to like the Detailed Image Ask-A-Pro Blog http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/ and and on the other (more difficult end) of the "Craft" of knowing what is original for your car, not just in terms of parts but how things should appear.

Is your T CIS?

[John Straub]

Brad, have a good time and remember, your car is always better off after you've prepped for the event.

John

[Mr9146]

My only advice is this: do the best you can and expect it to not be good enough ... but don't take the "criticisms" personally.

Personally, I see Concours events as a way of getting premium parking.

[csbush]

I do concours as a good excuse to really detail the car. But the concours is also a competetive event. To compete you need to know the rules. For a PCA based concours, the rules are in the PCR. You can print out copies of the score sheets and see what the judges are looking for, what is worth the most points, etc. Helps you focus your preparation.

[72targa]

First, clean your car to your satisfaction. Then observe, listen, learn and, above all, have fun. You might even meet some new friends!

[304065]

Brad not to frighten you away . . . one mortal's tale of the a descent into the depths of Concours and emergence into the light.

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...-Concours-2013

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...istered+parade

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...t=bring+parade

[xpensivewino]

The local level events are usually great. Go to the national Parade concourse, and get ready for more politics, and B.S. than Washington D.C.!!

[bford]

Brad, welcome to the sickness.

Paul Risinger has done a nice job of documenting a lot of the steps for the first-timer. Examples:

http://www.pnwr.org/garage/concours/...rsPrepTips.pdf

The overview page is here: http://www.pnwr.org/garage/concours/resources.asp

From NNJR: http://www.nnjr-pca.com/index.php?op...les&Itemid=117

Here is a good one from Maverick Region: http://mav.pca.org/Events/concours/concours101.pdf

Well you get the idea.

Those publications will help to demystify the experience-- they are bookended by general car and paint preparation tips, which are available widely (I happen to like the Detailed Image Ask-A-Pro Blog http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/ and and on the other (more difficult end) of the "Craft" of knowing what is original for your car, not just in terms of parts but how things should appear.

Is your T CIS?

Thanks for the references! Yes, it's a CIS.

[mfwm3]

Easy as pie. Take car to Kevin Jennette or equally talented restorer. Pick up the now new car with enclosed trailer. Deliver car to event. Take care to wipe down any and all surfaces to remove dust. Enter competition. Oh and during the 2-3 years of the restoration process study every aspect of your car including history, paperwork, finishes of every bolt and part and why it is the same/differs from the prior years' models. In the end you will know all and will love and cherish your car though you may not want to drive it.