P
PNewitt
Guest
I wanted to address the subject of "concours" to the owners of the GT/CS (mostly the '68 version), but, first some of my background. I bought my GT/CS back in April 1974, for $900. It had 30,000 miles, and the owners wanted to use the money to pay off their '73 Gran Torino (in South Sacramento).
I was a member of the Sierra Mustang Club, back in the late 1970's, and when I moved to San Diego in 1980, I was a member of the San Diego Mustang club, became newsletter editor, etc., did a Model A catalog, and the JBA logo.
I'll also let you in on a "secret" about my car. It's not concours. It's always had a Cougar 302, C-4 and an 8" rear end. During the gas crisis of '73, the owners took out the 390/4speed and 9". Today, my original 390 is in someone's speedboat! I joke about how it has more wax than paint on the metal. The top edge of the fenders are worn down to metal, and the driver's side was hit (probably in 1970-73), and repainted with lacquer over the original enamel, which has cracked. The side stripe was repainted, and when I bought it, it had Dodge Magnum type wheels, and a '66 A/C, and '66 console. The passenger side you see on the cover of my 1989 book is the "good side", and although it's original, it's used for photography. And, oh, I have a dent in the driver's side headlight bucket--when a van backed up into me in Berkeley in 1976.
Anyway, I wanted to address the confusion and frustration (and dissappointment) with owners about their car. If you haven't heard, I tell people: "just enjoy your car the way you want to". There are many that would rather enjoy their car the way they like to--and I applaud that completely....absolutely!!! I've been asked several times since I began the Registry in 1985 "can I get my car in the registry, if it isn't "concours"? Certainly. Absolutely!! I have said: "I want them "dead or alive" , which includes that one in a Texas junkyard, with a tree growing through it!
The Mustanger mindset--of those who show their car--is that of perfection, and going for that trophy. I've been to a lot of Mustang shows in California, and even judged a few times. I've seen a lot of things happen, and I've seen dissappointment from people that have cars that should have won, but didn't (usually from inconsistent judging, and favortism). But with that aside (a whole different discussion), there are many owners that aren't interested in taking their GT/CS to a judged show, and/or like to go to "show-n'shine" type shows with no judging, or by popular vote only. As a side note, I've only received one trophy--a long distance trophy from a show in Victoria, B.C. in 1985 (you shoulda seen the look on the Boss 302 guys faces from Washington State! LOL!)
There are quite a number of owners, that I've seen here that just like to keep their car in good shape, and drive it, and get admired in public. We all love that attention--it's very cool! Look at all the times we've seen a Corvette, or other hot car gets sidestepped by the GT/CS parked next to it.
So, here are some points I'd like to leave with you--and what I'm going for in the book:
1. YOUR GT/CS is your car. Do with it as you like. Do not feel intimidated, or slighted in the least by thinking that your car needs to be in "concours" condition.
2. IF you take your GT/CS to a show, and if you have a few "boo-boos" in the paint, or something not quite up to par--then take any criticism as a backhanded compliment. If that's all that's "wrong" with an observer, then it says that they are impressed to the point of looking for something to knock.
3. Concours car shows might seem like this, but they ARE NOT meant to be a value judgement about your car, about you, or anything that is meant to insult you as a person. I have struggled with this--seeing all kinds of cars at shows. It's like any hobby--there are always going to be people that will use what they have, to run over other folks. I can tell you all kinds of personal experiences at shows, where people think my car was modified, or told "there's no class for you, since it wasn't available nationally". I've heard it all, beleive me... There is this false "heirarchy" of classic Mustangs, and who has what. It's silly. I'd rather stand next with someone at a show eating a hot dog, than argue over the color of the fender bolts.
4. The serious concours shows, whether MCA, or SAAC, or something put on by a local "wine and cheese" car club, play hardball. This is serious business. But guess what? You have every resource available to get your GT/CS up to par--and you have things in print (and from this website) to prove as to what is what. This is why I have worked so hard to get it right for you--so "IF" you decide to go this route, you can do it right.
5. As for my own method of presentation, whether in my books, on line, or in person; my comments are meant to strictly be informative--not as a judgement call. If anyone has been offended at any time, I apologize here and now. I've never gone out of my way to criticise anyone's car. I might seem passionate about it, and my passion is driven by the many, many letters that I've received (and kept) from very good folks that love their GT/CS. I guess, like a proud father, my paternalism spills over to sounding like criticism. Here is the reason-- I want everyone in the registry to have the best car that they can. I didn't say "concours"; I said the best. If that means your own wheels, stuff hanging off the mirror, shag floor mats, pedal car in the back seat, etc...etc...as a personalized version, then that is YOUR GT/CS. If you wish to totally rebuild your GT/CS to a "perfect" museum-perfection represenation, then I'll support that, too, 110%. It's all about what really makes you happy.
So, my (long-winded-LOL) point, is that "concours" is not everything. "Concours" is not a personal value judgement, either. "Concours" is only one aspect of the hobby, and not a means to an end. I've always thought that.
........But, if you wish to go the "concours" route, I'm here to play hardball.
I am here to help you realize, and to catalyze that experience. To act as historian, registrar, motivator, and supporter of your enthusiasm. It's the personal pride, not the condition of the car that matters. It's the fun with your family at the local drive-in, with laughter in the car that matters.
I've always said that two "thumbs up" you get on the road, is the same as one car show trophy.
I'd be happy to hear from you about your thoughts...
Paul Newitt
I was a member of the Sierra Mustang Club, back in the late 1970's, and when I moved to San Diego in 1980, I was a member of the San Diego Mustang club, became newsletter editor, etc., did a Model A catalog, and the JBA logo.
I'll also let you in on a "secret" about my car. It's not concours. It's always had a Cougar 302, C-4 and an 8" rear end. During the gas crisis of '73, the owners took out the 390/4speed and 9". Today, my original 390 is in someone's speedboat! I joke about how it has more wax than paint on the metal. The top edge of the fenders are worn down to metal, and the driver's side was hit (probably in 1970-73), and repainted with lacquer over the original enamel, which has cracked. The side stripe was repainted, and when I bought it, it had Dodge Magnum type wheels, and a '66 A/C, and '66 console. The passenger side you see on the cover of my 1989 book is the "good side", and although it's original, it's used for photography. And, oh, I have a dent in the driver's side headlight bucket--when a van backed up into me in Berkeley in 1976.
Anyway, I wanted to address the confusion and frustration (and dissappointment) with owners about their car. If you haven't heard, I tell people: "just enjoy your car the way you want to". There are many that would rather enjoy their car the way they like to--and I applaud that completely....absolutely!!! I've been asked several times since I began the Registry in 1985 "can I get my car in the registry, if it isn't "concours"? Certainly. Absolutely!! I have said: "I want them "dead or alive" , which includes that one in a Texas junkyard, with a tree growing through it!
The Mustanger mindset--of those who show their car--is that of perfection, and going for that trophy. I've been to a lot of Mustang shows in California, and even judged a few times. I've seen a lot of things happen, and I've seen dissappointment from people that have cars that should have won, but didn't (usually from inconsistent judging, and favortism). But with that aside (a whole different discussion), there are many owners that aren't interested in taking their GT/CS to a judged show, and/or like to go to "show-n'shine" type shows with no judging, or by popular vote only. As a side note, I've only received one trophy--a long distance trophy from a show in Victoria, B.C. in 1985 (you shoulda seen the look on the Boss 302 guys faces from Washington State! LOL!)
There are quite a number of owners, that I've seen here that just like to keep their car in good shape, and drive it, and get admired in public. We all love that attention--it's very cool! Look at all the times we've seen a Corvette, or other hot car gets sidestepped by the GT/CS parked next to it.
So, here are some points I'd like to leave with you--and what I'm going for in the book:
1. YOUR GT/CS is your car. Do with it as you like. Do not feel intimidated, or slighted in the least by thinking that your car needs to be in "concours" condition.
2. IF you take your GT/CS to a show, and if you have a few "boo-boos" in the paint, or something not quite up to par--then take any criticism as a backhanded compliment. If that's all that's "wrong" with an observer, then it says that they are impressed to the point of looking for something to knock.
3. Concours car shows might seem like this, but they ARE NOT meant to be a value judgement about your car, about you, or anything that is meant to insult you as a person. I have struggled with this--seeing all kinds of cars at shows. It's like any hobby--there are always going to be people that will use what they have, to run over other folks. I can tell you all kinds of personal experiences at shows, where people think my car was modified, or told "there's no class for you, since it wasn't available nationally". I've heard it all, beleive me... There is this false "heirarchy" of classic Mustangs, and who has what. It's silly. I'd rather stand next with someone at a show eating a hot dog, than argue over the color of the fender bolts.
4. The serious concours shows, whether MCA, or SAAC, or something put on by a local "wine and cheese" car club, play hardball. This is serious business. But guess what? You have every resource available to get your GT/CS up to par--and you have things in print (and from this website) to prove as to what is what. This is why I have worked so hard to get it right for you--so "IF" you decide to go this route, you can do it right.
5. As for my own method of presentation, whether in my books, on line, or in person; my comments are meant to strictly be informative--not as a judgement call. If anyone has been offended at any time, I apologize here and now. I've never gone out of my way to criticise anyone's car. I might seem passionate about it, and my passion is driven by the many, many letters that I've received (and kept) from very good folks that love their GT/CS. I guess, like a proud father, my paternalism spills over to sounding like criticism. Here is the reason-- I want everyone in the registry to have the best car that they can. I didn't say "concours"; I said the best. If that means your own wheels, stuff hanging off the mirror, shag floor mats, pedal car in the back seat, etc...etc...as a personalized version, then that is YOUR GT/CS. If you wish to totally rebuild your GT/CS to a "perfect" museum-perfection represenation, then I'll support that, too, 110%. It's all about what really makes you happy.
So, my (long-winded-LOL) point, is that "concours" is not everything. "Concours" is not a personal value judgement, either. "Concours" is only one aspect of the hobby, and not a means to an end. I've always thought that.
........But, if you wish to go the "concours" route, I'm here to play hardball.
I am here to help you realize, and to catalyze that experience. To act as historian, registrar, motivator, and supporter of your enthusiasm. It's the personal pride, not the condition of the car that matters. It's the fun with your family at the local drive-in, with laughter in the car that matters.
I've always said that two "thumbs up" you get on the road, is the same as one car show trophy.
I'd be happy to hear from you about your thoughts...
Paul Newitt
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