definition of concours/showroom cond.

[tod914]

Hey guys,

Im trying to get a standard definition of a all original, concours/showroom condition non restored car. Any PCA judges out there? Please post pictures if you have them.

Thanks

[GSpreeman]

I've tried to get details as well but with no luck. The best description I've heard is, "better than showroom condition." For example, on my 911, concours might include that the Porsche badges point towards the valve stems. Some guys even align the lug nuts to match angles.

Go the a Porsche showroom and you'll see what I mean. I went to one a few weeks ago and looked at a new 911. There was a little smudge of grim on the insides of the wheels, the trim was a little out of line in places, etc. While these might seem like minor infractions, a showroom car only scores something like 200 points out of an available 300 in concours judging.

Bottomline, clean beyond clean.

[YTNUKLR]

Restored is better than "when new."
Original: As new. Original paint, interior, engine, transmission, etc. No MODS! Low mileage is good too. These cars are in the Preservation class, not the class with the restored cars. They are both incredibly clean, ie. I saw a Shelby mustang without oil ever put into it for fear of leaks!

[derwhite]

Over the years I have had the opportunity to be a concours
judge in several PCA Parades and 356 Registry Holidays. In
addition, I was the organizing chairman for the Phoenix Flight
Regional Concours here in Phoenix for a number of years. What
I was tought about concours can be summed in three words:

Originality

Cleanliness

Condition

Originality means that everything about the car is original, period.
Points are deducted for any instances of non originality. This means everything, all parts, engine, paint, etc. etc.

Cleanliness means ABSOLUTE CLEAN! You've heard about concour
judges getting out the white gloves. This requirement has led
in the past to instances were new cars were absolutely preserved for show only. I've seen them trucked into the show
in special trailers, completely covered, and then assembled and
dusted down the the n'th degree.

Condition means everything is perfect. The paint is perfect. The
chrome is perfect. The tires are perfect. Perfect is hard to achieve.
If a judge finds inperfection......loss of points.

Haveing said the above, there is probably no perfect concours
car. The cars at the show are judged relatively, i.e. whichever
car loses the least points wins. The first time I tried to "concour"
a car, I thought I had a maximum point car.......until I saw the
competition. Its hard to believe what some will do to achieve
a winning concour car!

Charlie White
Scottsdale, Arizona