Last year the Classic Plastic show was dramatically different and I wrote a review that was based on experiences of that show along with prior Classic Plastic shows that was not well received by the Classic Plastic guys. There was a lot of fan-clogging material flying around between the two clubs as a result of my article. The end result, though, is that a bunch of guys called Classic Plastic who enjoy and care about this hobby decided to turn their show around and make it a modeling event that I actually look forward to next year.

This was Classic Plastic's 10^th show, and in my opinion, it was one of their best ones. The venue was large enough and, except for one corner, was pretty well lit. They had about 320 entries, including 2 previous Best in Show winners at MassCar. The registration was as quick and efficient as it has always been there. There were a fair number of vendors with a variety of kits, parts, and everything in between. The classes were also well organized, and with the exception of Documented Replica, everything was pretty full. Of course, now that everybody is reading this Documented Replica will have 50 entries next year! Though, now that everybody has read this it will be empty because nobody wants to compete with 50 models…Hmmm, this argument could go on for a long time. How many people do you know that can argue themselves into a stalemate?!?

Anyway, on to the good stuff – judging. This year Classic Plastic decided to try a different judging system. This system is points based and applies to the cars that are in the running for the top 5 places. There were possible 65 points available for any car with 15 of those points going for "degree of difficulty". This system seemed to work out pretty well; I only had a couple of minor disagreements with the results, and only heard of a small handful of others. However, most of those could be decided by a coin toss because they were that close. Personally, I though that Best Engine should have gone to the Bug, though there were two other models there that were very nicely done and sure gave it a run for it’s money. Again, the choice could’ve been a coin toss as these three models were all well executed. Overall, I think the judging went very well, and was completed quickly and efficiently.

MassCar was involved as observers during a pre-show meeting that Classic Plastic held regarding the new judging system. There is a strong possibility that we may use some portion of a points based system at our show in April. There is a potential big issue that concerns me about only using points on the top 5 cars. That issue is the infamous "Gotcha Factor". Any experienced judge will be less likely to fall victim to it, but it still can happen. What could happen in this scenario is that you may overlook a quiet little model with a boring paint job that just happens to be flawless in execution sitting next to one with flip-tone paint with an only adequate assembly job. The way to get around this, and this goes for all judges, everywhere, is that you pick up the model and LOOK at it. No exceptions! You don’t ever want a guy to come back to you and say that his model got overlooked (and people will watch or use other tricks to make sure that the judges are on their game). If a contestant asks afterwards why his model didn’t place you don’t really want to find out after the fact that it should have been a first place model. This is what causes some serious egg on the judges’ faces and credibility will also suffer. One of the things MassCar is considering is if we do points for some in the class we may do points for everything in the class. We plan on talking with Classic Plastic further to see what (if anything) needs to be done to emphasize total fairness to every entry.

Classic Plastic also has stated that they will have Shelf Model classes nest year. This is a good thing I think, as it will open up competition to models that people otherwise might not feel are competitive. My suggestion is three classes: Factory Stock, Customs Rods and Machines, and Competition. With the turnout they had this year I bet Classic Plastic would be able to up their entry numbers another 30-40. Anyway, just my opinion…

One other thing happened to me at this show that might actually be a good thing. I built a ’57 Corvette to enter in the 55-56-57 Chevy class figuring that our friends at Classic Plastic hadn’t taken into account that cars and trucks other than the classic sedans would be eligible under their rules. Well, I got their newsletter a day or two before their show and it said that any cars or trucks would be eligible. Well, the joke was on me! Anyway, I figured I would just enter it in Foreign/Exotic. Well, I was told that it was not exotic enough to be there, and therein lies the rub. What exactly defines Foreign/Exotic? Foreign is pretty obvious, but where does Exotic fall? I’ve pretty much based it on a 50/50 rule as to whether I would enter something in an exotic class. The definition of 50/50 being that either less than 50 were ever made or an original is available today for an average of $50,000 and up. Under this a ’57 Corvette Fuelie with 1014 produced, but averaging between $65K-$75K today would be eligible. Vipers, Shelby GT350 and GT500 Mustangs and many Corvettes would be eligible. Raise the bar to 100/100 and you are in the territory of Cobras, a handful of rare Corvettes, and Ford GT40’s. Anyway, my purpose is not to define what the class should mean, but offer the idea that all the clubs in the area MassCar, Classic Plastic, LIARS, Globe 25 and everyone else define their classes the same way. We all pretty much go to each others shows, wouldn’t it be nice to have a fairly standard set of rules and judging methods for the bulk of the classes? We all pretty much use the same classes with a few exceptions for special classes and themes. Classic Plastic and MassCar are already working together to standardize our basic judging criteria, why not the classes we judge? I’ve taken some flak over the MassCar setup of the Drag class. Classic Plastic had 2 classes for drag cars, door slammers and no-doors. I really don’t get it as many of the cars in the "no-doors" class had them. It was explained to me that they don’t work. This would be the time to fix that. The guys from all the clubs who are interested in drag cars should have the most input. MassCar also has on file every model that has been entered in the last few years and we can see what kinds of entries we have had along with the numbers in each category. Dividing up classes is usually based on the number of models in a class. If there is a better way, let’s hear it!

Back to the show…Classic Plastic has made dramatic improvements to their show, especially in the judging. They will be having a theme class next year for Classic Muscle Cars from 1966-1970. Maybe I can figure out how to stuff a Hemi into a Ferrari Daytona and paint it "metallico blu del turchese". Wait! What am I thinking! What a waste of a perfectly good Daytona would that be! Sorry, momentary lapse of reason…

Anyway, look for the 2003 Classic Plastic flyer on the MassCar website as soon as they send me a copy.

Stevo

P.S. -  Oh, Dwayne, what colour was that Monza again?