I agree with Coralsnake.
Coralsnake comment:
“In my humble opinion, the problem is and has been SAAC concours people have been unwilling or unable to post any type of guidelines or rules. There should never be a question as to what is “allowed”. If it looks like the original part, it should be acceptable.
All these posts about what should be allowed are going to make my head explode. Its one of the reasons I resigned as head judge. Of course, no one ever cared enough to ask...
Concours is not for every car, nor should it be. But, posting some general guidelines and rules would go along way to resolving a lot of these issues. Furthermore the BOD should be supportive of those guidelines and not undercut them. SAAC Concours could be a huge draw for the club if done properly, but instead it has become a pain in the ass for the club.”
As an example, I do most of the work on my car because I enjoy it. I recently decided to refresh my trunk area because I was told by a professional restorer that it would not pass concours judging, specifically the undercoating/sound deadener. I researched this site, the Concours Mustang site and did searches on the Internet for pictures of 1965 Shelby trunk areas. I also looked at several other ’65 Shelby’s I had access to and contacted some other members who sent me pictures of their trunk areas. To me there was not a consistent pattern for applying the undercoating/sound deadener. I had no clear understanding of what the judges would find acceptable. Consequently, I used my best judgment as to what would acceptable. If it is incorrect, it is not easily changed. Transporting my car 700 plus miles to a convention to find the sound deadener is incorrect does not excite me.
Guidelines and pictures of what is acceptable would have been great and I believe would encourage more car owners to participate in concours classes.
Example: (I am not saying these specs are correct, just an example)
Application of sound deadner on the interior side of the rear quarter panel. Lord Fusor Sprayable Seam Sealer 805HD is recommended.
Vertically, start 2” inches down the top of the quarter panel and extend to 4” from the bottom of the quarter panel.
Horizontally, start 2 ½ inches from the rear of the quarter panel and extend to a vertical line even with the bottom of the wheel house.
Apply several uneven, non uniform coats. See pictures.
Edges should not be sharp clean edges.
Spray with body color during paint process.
Just from reading forum comments, judges have varying opinions as to what is correct. Guidelines would help unify these opinions.
Professional restorers have been through the judging process and know the rules and what to expect.