Regretfully we could not ever guarantee any repro or current or even aftermarket Corvette part as NCRS board certified. Number one they would not allow it and more importantly there is absolutely no substitute for a real old used part when it comes to a prickly old knowledgeable judge some where's. I personally guarantee every part will fit and function as described. However, we do not guarantee every part will match every nuance, wrinkle, slit, dimple, crimp, grain, color or tool mark present on a GM assembly line part.
I personally have never formally judged anyone's Corvette for any organization or club or event. However, there is not a Corvette event or cruise that goes by that I cannot pick out a repro from an original part when I look at any restored old Corvette. Granted I have lots of experience also. And there are many real judges with equal if not greater experience. The longer you look at these cars, the easier it becomes. I can even tell my repro parts from another manufacturers. Sometimes it's obvious and easy.
If you were intimately involved in manufacturing whether it be stampings, castings, moldings or extruding you would understand that original tooling leaves production marks that are not easily recreated. Even the use of the GM original (worn or refurbished) tools does not guarantee a perfect match. A repro cannot reach that level. The recent St. Charles/Bloomington event apparently had several unhappy disqualified Gold judging candidates because their metal Trim Tags were exposed as repro not because they were stamped wrong, but because they did not exhibit a distinctive subtle tool mark present on originals. I have never participated in that level of "reproduction" nor marketed items that guarantee those results.
I have nothing against NCRS, my yearly membership was continuous for 29 years. But even as an outsider it was easy to see the power at play in a "non-profit" organization. If someone wishes to participate in their level of awards and distinction I have no quarrel with them. The best advice to achieve those NCRS goals is simply not to purchase repro's or current GM parts, because they just will not fool those judges. There is no substitute for an old refurbished original part. Unfortunately there aren't enough to go around and few will pay the prices that pristine ones command.
I will go out on a limb and venture that my knowledge base of 1953 to 1982 models is very deep and wide regarding old Corvette parts, however I still do not know every detail of every model. I have never formally entered any of my old cars in these originality-quantified events, although prior owners have previously entered some of those I have purchased. My best advice to those building or chasing NCRS points is to refurbish your originals or buy used parts or cars that have already been there.
We offer no guarantee based upon any third party's later acceptance as a duplicate of the original and always make that well known to anyone who listens or reads or asks or makes the faintest request for any information. We have never deceived anyone with that policy of not guaranteeing NCRS acceptance of the 12,000 parts we market, nor our company policy or any return policy. Now anyone with a computer can easily read them on the net. If you choose not to read them, I cannot force anyone. If 30 days is not long enough to make your decision about NCRS judging acceptability we do not offer any extended viewing plans beyond that period. If you choose to ignore this too, that is also your prerogative.
We do not change our company policy to suit different situations, it has been the same for decades. If it's not entirely clear, I cannot make it much simpler. If you require some special treatment or exception to some company policy, please do not order with that misconception.
I like the NCRS, I just don't guarantee they will like me. It is alot more fun to drive a Corvette than whine about some obscure marking on a back up lens, that nobody ever could see, unless they had their head up their tail. As in tail lamp panel ala erv.
Geoffrey Coenen
NCM Lifetime #105
Retired #1 56, 63, 67, 68, 68, 69, 75, 99 and I want more !Sept 2010 another National Corvette Restorer Society Basher Timothy Burke (42799) Dec 2008 Nazi Corvette Restorer Society Ervin C Myers NCRS HOME