Concours Judging (response to David T.) *LONG*

["jv_espey" <james@xxxx>]

David -

Now that I am back in Houston on a full-time basis, it's my intent to devote 
more time to the concours rules and judging. Here are my thoughts after 
reading your recent posting to the DML.

> This is an open letter to other Technical Editors and the general 
> membership of the DML.

Just to satisfy my own desire to completely understand your posting - who are 
the other technical editors, and what is the criteria used to differentiate a 
technical editor from a general member? Who set up this criteria and dictates 
who is and who is not a technical editor? This term used in relationship to 
participants of the DML is new to me, and I'm sorry if I have missed something 
on this earlier.

> DMC Houston doesn't need to be the final and ultimate authority on the 
> judging rules. As owners and "keepers of the Marque" we all have a 
> stake in how the rules are created, interpeted, and applied. Everyone 

We took the 'horse by the reins' regarding the concours when DeLorean One 
and the DOA were willing to let it die. DeLorean Motor Company does have 
an interest in seeing the car progress into more of a 'classic' car - and a 
concours is one of several ways that can be achieved. There are some who 
would say that the car is already a 'classic' or will get there on it's own 
eventually. Rather than let it runs it's own course, we took a proactive role. 

Personally, I take exception to your statement the owners "have a stake in 
how the rules are created, interpreted, and applied". I would agree with you if 
this statement were not so broadly applied - those owners that prefer to make 
radical appearance, structural and other changes to the car are probably not 
the best people to have a hand in this.

> should get a copy of the judging manual and if there are any comments, 
> suggestions, corrections, etc WE need to make it happen. In most other 

As you know, the Judging Manual as it currently exists was created from the 
'best known available data'. This data is available at every event for review by 
competitors, judges and observers alike. I am always searching for new 
material to clarify and further refine the manual - this is being written as I fly to 
Cleveland to view the Crawford Museum's extensive library of DeLorean 
historical data donated by Consolidated International in the early 80's. 
Additionally, as the warehouse move has been completed, I now have instant 
access to all the materials there, including a complete set of engineering 
drawings for the car, and perhaps more importantly in regard to concours, a 
copy of the ECA (Engineering Change Authority) documents (over 4,000). 
Many of this indicate introduction points in the production line.

Which brings up, again, the issue of the basis on which the cars are judged. 
We all know that the QAC's introduced many variables into the cars prior to 
delivery to dealers. To date, there have been no records of what changes 
were applied to various VIN's at the QAC's. In the absence of that data, we 
can reliably use only the data from the factory. A good example of this, which 
has been incorporated into the judging process concerns the alternators. 
Every document discovered to date, save one, said the Motorola alternator 
was introduced at VIN 4540. We discovered a DeLorean Motor Company 
Internal Service Bulletin which indicates that some post-4540 VIN's were 
indeed released from the factory with the Ducellier alternator. The total 
number of cars affected was less than 20, but at least one of those cars is a 
concours quality car belonging to a DML'er. So, in summation, when the data 
surfaces to merit a change in the rules as they currently exist, changes are 
made. But to arbitrarily change the rules without that data defeats the purpose.

> car clubs the general membership through various committes arbitrate 
> and interpet the rules for their Marque. I am proposing that we of the 
> Deloreans do the same. The situation for the 83's is ambiguous to say 
> the least and could use a lot of clarifacation. In many other Marques 

Sadly, the DML is not a club. Years ago it was my intent to evolve the DML 
into a club, providing an alternative to the club(s) that were then in existence. 
In the absence of any formal 'body', the risk is great of individuals making the 
rules to suit their own objectives and motives.

The objective of DeLorean Motor Company in creating a more extensive and 
structured concours (as opposed to the old concours managed by the DOA, 
and which Millennium was based upon) is, as you yourself said, "to elevate 
the Deloreans to a higher level of value". The only other thing I would add to 
that is "respect in the collector car community" as well as an elevated public 
image - separating the CAR from the MOVIE (people don't look at Tucker and 
refer to it as a movie car, for example). Separating the CAR from the stigma 
related to the demise of the company, and setting the story straight would also 
be secondary goals of a successful concours program.

It has been discussed slowly spinning off the Millennium Concours to an 
independent body of owner/enthusiasts, but the recent spiteful remarks and 
negative attitudes only go to show that the time is not right to do that yet.

> some changes relating to safety do not carry any penalties. Although 

This has been an area that has been brought up repeatedly, and I'm pleased 
to say that changes in that area will be in place for the Memphis event.

> DMC Houston has done a great job for NO COMPENSATION short of the 
> parts business that the concours generates we as the owners should 

That's a good point - DeLorean Motor Company produced (and continuously 
maintains) the concours as it currently exists for ZERO compensation. In time 
and money expended to put on each concours, it's around a couple thousand 
dollars. Considering the number of competitors in the last two or three events, 
the return on investment in the form of parts sales has been negligible. Factor 
in that ALL the vendors (including individuals like DMC Joe, John Hervey and 
Darryl Tinnerstet to name a few) have and sell original parts, our prospects for 
a return are even less enticing.

> have some participation in the proccess and the selection of judges. 

Attracting judges for a concours until DeLorean Motor Company started 
managing the event was never an easy task. In order to attract judges for the 
events, we sought out a group of individuals that were widely viewed as 
unbiased and knowledgeable. DeLorean Motor Company has tried to make 
judging attractive by offering perks in the form of a hosted judges breakfast 
before the event, apparel, parts discounts and at one event, even paying for 
the hotel rooms of the judges. 

As a courtesy to the judges, DeLorean Motor Company has extended the 
invitation to judge future events to experienced judges who are familiar with 
the manual and judging procedures. In two of the last four events, we had a 
complete slate of returning judges. In the other two events, new judges were 
used, and they volunteered, answering an email posted to the DML calling for 
judges. The event in Memphis will have at least one 'newbie' judge, and I am 
pleased that a member of DeLorean Owners Club of the UK will be attending 
Ken's show and returning as a judge.

> Past winners of a concours could make some of the best judges and 
> since they are inelegable to compete for some time they are impartial 
> and highly knowledgable. If you agree with me and would like to do 

That's a interesting idea, David. If any of the past concours winners would be 
interested in judging, I will make a special effort to find a place for them to 
judge in Memphis.

> something about it E-mail me directly. Of course this is MHO. In many 
> other car clubs to get into the "concours" you need to win some local 
> events so as to weed out the true concours from the drivers. This 
> could inspire more local judging events. In the end judging by a 

That is one of the features of the Millennium already in place. Any judge who 
has judged at least four of the six different categories is eligible to serve as a 
'Head Judge" at ANY local or national event. Without my notes in front of me, 
there are at least two or three judges that are eligible to act in that role, should 
they desire (Marty Maier and Ken Montgomery are two that come to mind). 

If DeLorean Mid-Atlantic or another group in the northeast would like to have 
a Millennium concours, the coordinator from that group should contact me and 
I will see what I can arrange to get an eligible judge to that event to act as a 
head judge, and the rest of judges can be selected in a way acceptable to 
both the head judge and the coordinators of the local event - does that sound 
fair?

> comprehensive and standard set of rules will elevate the Deloreans to 
> a higher level of value which is good for everybody.

My sentiments EXACTLY.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

James Espey
NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBERS
DeLorean Motor Company
15023 Eddie Drive
Humble, Texas 77396

281/441-2537 Voice
281/441-2813 Fax
800/USA-DMC1
http://www.delorean.com