I would refer everyone to the most recent post on the e-type forum which is actually a concours question.

The posting member asks if his wooden growler shift knob is ok or not? After all the guide suggests that clearly non-authentic leather growler knobs have been accepted and implies they should be going forward. I know first hand that in my club a wooden knob will get you docked. How do we justify accepting a clearly non-authentic item (for which originals are readily available) and then have the nerve to rant about Cheney clamps or other stuff that is pure un-obtanium? Yet another example of how arbitrary this all is!

Jeff Klein
1970 OTS, BRG

Submitted by Peddlarbob@look.ca on Sun, 10/17/2004 - 19:15

Now that I have decided not to attend any other concours events other than the two I have obligated myself to attend next year I can give my opinion, welcome or not. The statement I keep hearing that the present concours judging system as it stands at present is basically okay is so far from the truth it is no longer funny, in fact totally misses the mark.

I have attended five sanctioned concours with my car this year. Knowledgeable people in respect to both the rulebook and the model judged my car at only two of them. The other three had guys judging that could not tell the difference between my car and a ford escort. At three shows the judges did not even have a proper understanding of the rules and was amazed when I pulled out my rulebook to show them what the rules were. They did not even know where to start looking in it for the rules governing our disagreement. I had to show them. In addition at two of the shows the judges without asking me first, touched my car. One did it to see if the paint was smooth and the other knelt on my car seat to read the collector plaque on the shifter panel.

My car was prepared, as consistently as can be reasonably be expected yet I have received scores ranging from a low 9.87 to a high of 9.997. Just little more than can be considered just inconsistent. There are three items on my car that should have jumped right out at any judge as being worthy of minor deductions. Only one of these was ever deducted for and only at three of the five shows. The other two were missed entirely. I have had deductions made for wavy rubber parts, a crinkle in the bonnet, chip in the wheel paint, torn carpets and scuffed seats. Non of which exists in or on my car. Despite all this my car has faired rather well in relation to others. (Because I have added this note please donÆt try telling me it all comes out even in the end. It absolutely does not especially when looking at the national standings. Two low scores out and you are completely out of the running).

The faults with this system are in no way confined to just my car. This year I have seen cars in preservation classes consistently earning incredible scores when they have been so obviously repainted. This has been totally ignored, even though it has been accentuated by having the pin striping re-applied incorrectly. Any qualified or somewhat knowledgeable judge would have spotted this in a moment. There are a lot of other cars getting grossly overmarked in relation to their general condition and appointments because the judges have not bothered to allow themselves a working knowledge of the rulebook. The rules even prevent somebody with the knowledge from assisting whose those donÆt. If you cannot help a judge to spot and recognize the individual faults of a car then how are they to learn when judging cars they are not familiar with? Are you expecting an owner to supply accurate information to the judge about his own car the way some of the guys in the preservation class do. At one show I felt compelled to instruct a judge that a leaper was no longer a deductible item when installed on a XJS re a 2004 rule change. Did he not read the rules before judging this year, apparently not and for curiosity sake what the heck was the roll of the chief judge supposed to be in all this.

Well I am done with concours until JCNA enacts some control to regulate and maintain an even playing field across the clubs. It can be done easily by instructing the chief judges what JCNA expects of them and allowing them to pass it on directly to their volunteer judging teams. It does not have to be difficult and it certainly is not impossible. Next to get knowledgeable judges would be a great step forward and this is where more of these model related fact sheets would be really nice to have.

Bob.

Bob.
92 V-12-VDP Black Cherry #39
92 V-12-VDP Oyster #90
87 V-12-VDP
86 XJ6-Soveriegn
85 XJ6-VD

Submitted by bill.beiswinge… on Thu, 09/16/2004 - 09:06

Plain and simple: the concours judging is full of flaws. It is ironic that it is analogous to our cars in the fact that they too, are not perfect. Most who enter a concours competition hope to come away with a perfect score. Few do. Those that do, know in their heart that the judge missed something. Whew! Concours is just like life, it's full of incompetence, favortism, politics, and honest mistakes. There have been times when I've seen cars that have obvious flaws convienently ignored by the judges and other times when there is little to support a deduction other than a judge who's "not sure what to do". As an entrant, I've experienced both sides. I don't care what the score sheet says, over the years, I've NEVER seen a perfect car, ever. Concours is tense.
The first paragragh of the Rule Book should state: "Life is unfair and so is Jaguar Concours competition. The entrant should expect to be screwed one week and presented a trohpy the next. Prepare your car the best that you can and prepare yourself as well."
The system is not perfect - get used to it! There will always be some who seem to get all the calls in their favor, whether because of reputation, friendship, honest human error, or just dumb luck.
I believe it has lost sight of the intention of the club. Everyone needs to calm down and enjoy the shows for what they are.
The system is darn good as it is, just not purrfect. :)

Bill