@alsancle
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So we were basically at the back of the line. We were in line by 6:30 PM. I believe they started sending cars before 7:00AM. Judging starts at 8:00 AM and most of the cars will placed by then if not all.
Here is the view of the back of the line.
What is the logic behind being in the front of the line or the back of the line?
They send the cars in groups of 20 or so. Otherwise there will be a big bottleneck at the Lodge. The ride to the lodge is maybe 1 mile with 2 or 3 turns. As we were driving, it seemed odd to me as I thought we were supposed to turn right. We were. They didn't have flag wavers at the turns (weird) and the lead car went the wrong way.
When you finally get to the Lodge you go around the back to get on the green. You need your show tag hanging from the mirror so they can identify your car and give you the right bag. The bag has your placard and instructions for the day.
Beautiful shot of the ocean in the background.
Once you are greeted and get your bag then send you down the shoot which is a golf kart path and there are people lined up on both sides. Last time I did this it was more terrifying because it is tight on both sides and you clearly don't want to hit anyone.
At the end of the path you will be given a golf kart which you will follow to your position on the field. When you get there the class managers (2) will help you position the car. All of the spots on the field are exactly marked with the cars well spaced.
I will finish this after lunch!
So our class was "C2" which was "America Classic Closed" and our number was 4, so all our stuff for the week identified the car as "C2-4".
We lucked out in the positioning and were parked next to the 1931 845 Packard with the identical Dietrich body. This car is owned by Rob and Genie Hilarides of California and we were hoping to get some pictures of the two cars next two each other.
Once parked, you have a brief conversation with the class managers, who take your cell phone numbers, and lay out the schedule. Judging starts at 8:00 AM and is finished by 11:00AM. You need to be with the car during this interval. Once judged you are free to wander until 12:45 when they start lining up the class winners.
Amazing to see them next to each other!
Yes Jared, probably the only time since they were at Murray/Dietrich being contstructed.
Of course, as soon as I went to hit the bathroom, the judging team showed up. The moved to the Packard and when I came back I waited for them to finish.
Each Judging team as 4 members. There is a head judge for the class who is usually a really knowledgeable senior guy. In my case it was Bob Joynt.
The process works like this. They will walk up and introduce themselves, and ask you to tell them something about the car. For me this is easy as I know my car inside and out. I had marked two spots in the book I wanted to show them, the page with the Autobody Magazine article showing the car in 1931 and another with a description of the car in the Main REO dealership in New York City. They might ask a few questions (especially about something obscure like my car). They then ask you to put the car through its paces. This includes:
1. Starting the car.
2. Headlights, running lights, brake lights, backup lights.
3. Instruments, clock.
4. Inspection of the inteior.
5. Opening the hood, both sides
6. Review of all the cosmetics.
I had at least two noticeable problems. First, the King Seeley gas gauge which we have untold amount of time invested in stopped working on the truck ride to California. Going over the mountains can work havoc on a Hydrostatic gauge, although the REO has one for oil level and that kept working. The other issue was the parking light on the passenger front fender stopped working. Probably me hitting it on Saturday cleaning the underneath of the fenders.
At the conclusion of Judging you are free to roam around until they start the class awards. The class awards for maybe 2.5 to 3 hours? A long time. However our class was called fairly early. Each class sends 3 cars. You don't know which spot you are in (although I could certainly guess). You follow the class steward up to the staging area. There were 4 columns of cars staged. We turned the REO off, but many of the cars idled. It was a cool day so they got away with it. You could easily sit there for 30 minutes or more.
When it is time for your class the 3 cars move out of the column and line up side by side. They call the 3rd place, then 2nd place then 1st. We of course, were 3rd so we went first. You stop at the top of the ramp while they hand you your trophy and discuss the car. You are supposed to look at the guy with the red/green paddles who is off to the side but I couldn't find him and we started off a little fast (and got yelled at). My fault. Paddles were not big enough.
Here is the point in the presentation where we went over the block. Nice to hear the announcer yelling at us.
When you exit the ramp you head back to your spot by going back to the golf road you came in on. At the end a golf kart will meet you and escort you back to your class. Unless you are first in class, then you head to the winners circle. Best in show comes from the winners circle and they are staged off to the side.
Once back in your spot you still have to hang around the car because they do special awards after the class awards.
After Best of Show is announced and the hub bub dies down the cars can begin to exit. We got towards the front of the line which worked out well. Just like the process to come down to the show, they release the cars in groups of 20 to not overwhelm the truck lot. You may not go home on the same truck your car came on and you need to know that before driving back. Mine car was going on the Intercity truck directly to the left of the one that brought it. The good news is that it went in the belly and the driver was not expecting to touch it for the trip back. ETA is next week.
Great write up A.J. Awesome to see the Royale getting real exposure.
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