Contest models that got skunked - show 'em!

[Hakan ERYILMAZ]

Congrats

[69H.O.Firebird]

This is a revell 32 ford that I built in 1996. It won the NNL East in the special themed class in 1997. Very proud of that. I then took it to a big show in Mass. Sounds like nascar. There it got honorable mention. After the judge gave me my ribbon, he told me that my car really won but was disqualified because there was no tread on the back tires. I told him that the owner was doing burnouts that morning & wore the treads down. He had the best look on his face! Never went to another model contest.

Edited July 26, 2013 by 69H.O.Firebird

[Eshaver]

This is a revel 32 ford that I built in 1996. It won the NNL East in the special themed class in 1997. Very proud of that. I then took it to a big show in Mass. Sounds like nascar. There it got honorable mention. After the judge gave me my ribbon, he told me that my car really won but was disqualified because there was no tread on the back tires. I told him that the owner was doing burnouts that morning & wore the treads down. He had the best look on his face! Never went to another model contest.

I'm going to "BORROW " that line for this years I P M S contest when I show the Zeppelin Diner !

[Jordan White]

I entered two cars in what I thought was just a show. Later I found out that all entries were being judged. When someone called out my entry numbers to explain my builds. I was told that my 1992 Cougar Cabrio looked like it was built by a 2 yr old child. Talk about heart dropping. My other build was my 1990 Ford F350 Extended Crew Cab. I was asked about it and then shot down again this time with harsher criticism.

Here are my two "Childish and Toy Like" builds.

1992 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Cabrio Concept

1990 Ford F350 Extended Crew Centurion Custom

(Just saw this thread while doing a search for another topic)

I will plainly say that there are flaws with your builds posted here, and while they are minor, I could see how they may not place in a show (though that doesn't make what the judge said valid at all!)

(Opinions of course based on pictures)

For the Cougar, the convertible conversion looks great, especially the windshield frame and the partially raised side window. One flaw though is the black paint along the edges of the hood which can be seen from the outside. It also looks like there might be some glue residue where the rear bumper meets the body. Plus, the wheels don't all seem straight (especially the passenger rear). Also, no fault of your own, but the body kit for this kit just never looked that great to me, it always seemed to make the car look tall and blocky.

For the F-350, the major things are the bed not lining up with the cab, the slightly crooked front bumper, and the crooked front wheels (also the wheel rims don't sit flush with the tires.) The hood also isn't sitting flush (though that may be more of a kit flaw I've found), and the tailgate is a bit low.

However, both paintjobs look great, and overall they are good builds along with interesting subject ideas. Dunno how the guy thinks they look toy-like, I've seen builds that make you wonder how much they spent in tubes of glue!

[Wonderbread Kustomz]

What an interesting topic!

Here's one that always seemed unappreciated to me. I had so much fun building this one because its such an oddball. Who ever heard of making a street machine from a 4dr Plymouth police car??

Raisin

I did one of these up too... I like yours better ...

Edited August 30, 2013 by DragLoKustomz619

[Drake69]

For the record, I was thinking about none of those things. It is a fictional build, a sort of "what if?". I had just finished reading Stephen Kings, Dark Tower series. I was naturally artistically inspired when I finished, and thought, what would a Stephen King villain drive? Rather than go with Christine, or the Dark Half's Toronado, I decided on an original piece. The criteria was, full size, low, dark, non-reflective, high horsepower, aggressive, with custom touches to make the car look rather industrial. I settled on the AMT Black Cat Cougar. The tag reads RFLAGG, King's recurring villain, The Man in Black.

I even built a Gunslinger inspired dio-base for it. Dark Tower fans will see several nods to Mid-World.

I understand than none of the above would make this get very far with a judge, and I never included this info on the build sheet, but I always thought the quality was there even if the "class" was rather ambiguous.

This would be a perfect addition to my Stephen King bookshelf. I have every hardback edition of his books and my favorites are "The Stand", "Christine", and "The Dark Tower" series. Your diorama is MASTERFUL!!!

[Jantrix]

Thanks Allan. Only a real King fan gets most of the references in the sign.

[ERIK88]

This Chevelle of mine has been consistently overlooked, and (like customsrus) I've also been told some judges thought it was simply an out of the box build with painted bumpers and nice paint. It would be good to be judged by people who had enough knowledge of car design to recognize a 4" top-chop, and enough knowledge of model building to realize the level of difficulty in chopping this particular car. It would also have been nice had anyone bothered to actually read the data cards with the model that explained all of the mods, including the full-custom C5-R derived, road-racing chassis. But hey, it's not a perfect world, is it? So far, best it's done is a second in a minor hobby shop show. Lost out to a box-stock build of a Hurst Hairy Olds because the judges saw TWO engines in the Olds and didn't realize the OLDS was a straight kit build. Oh well.

wow who are these people judging contests? lol . U can clearly see the top has been chopped and the custom exhaust coming out from the sides

[Drake69]

Thanks Allan. Only a real King fan gets most of the references in the sign.

Can't miss the Eye of the Crimson King. Drink Nozz-A-La!

[Custom Mike]

I really don't understand these next two, the Talledega is fully detailed, complete braking system, everything you'd think it would take to win, but nothing so far. The Fairlane has pulled down a 3rd place, but nothing else....

Well, these two still haven't done as well as everyone who sees them thinks they should, but at the CKM NNL last month, they did get photographed for a magazine you may have heard of...

Edited September 10, 2013 by Custom Mike

[mustang1989]

Man there are some awesome builds in here that didn't place that I think should have. While I don't have a car model that didn't place, I certainly have an aircraft build that didn't. Not that I think I'm all that and a bag of party mix, but I was surprised.

I would show it here but this is after all , an auto model forum.

Edited June 8, 2015 by mustang1989

[Foxer]

Definitely some beautiful models here, but every contest has different people judging them and you can't expect to do the same in every one. There's also many different entries to compete against.

I don't do contests anymore because it tends to control my builds if I'm aiming for one and not what I want to do. I'm also way too old to worry about competing.

What I feel I always get skunked on is getting a photo in a model magazine. I know I don't show them enough but have enough to feel passed by. I'm not the best builder in the world, I know .. and not the cleanest builds .. or shiniest paint .. ehhe maybe that's enough to explain it!

So here's one I thought might have had a chance ..

[Jon Haigwood]

I entered my first model this year. After being away from the hobby 30+ years I was inspired by this years theme "cars by Steve Stanford.

I chose to try and duplicate this 32 5 Window and spent a lot of time trying to get it right.

At the contest there was only one other entry and in my opinion it looked as thou the build had been rushed had some problems and I figured I had a good chance at a mention.

I was a bit surprised when the other car received the trophy. The builder that won was a well known local builder and was known by most. I knew about 4 people there. I kinda wonder if it was not so much the build as it was popularity of the builder.

I don't want to come off sounding bitter and I could very well be wrong. I know mine was not perfect and use my builds as stepping stones for self improvement.

So my question is, do politics play a role in model judging ?

[1930fordpickup]

I entered my first model this year. After being away from the hobby 30+ years I was inspired by this years theme "cars by Steve Stanford.

I chose to try and duplicate this 32 5 Window and spent a lot of time trying to get it right.

At the contest there was only one other entry and in my opinion it looked as thou the build had been rushed had some problems and I figured I had a good chance at a mention.

I was a bit surprised when the other car received the trophy. The builder that won was a well known local builder and was known by most. I knew about 4 people there. I kinda wonder if it was not so much the build as it was popularity of the builder.

I don't want to come off sounding bitter and I could very well be wrong. I know mine was not perfect and use my builds as stepping stones for self improvement.

So my question is, do politics play a role in model judging ?

Jon great looking 32. Politics is everywhere in this world. If you build for yourself you will be better off, if you get an award even better. A known name even in the Ridler get you bonus points. This year proved that to me.

[Jon Haigwood]

Your right when you say build for yourself. At first I was a bit ticked off . Later I decided not to let it spoil the hobby for me.

[Jantrix]

So my question is, do politics play a role in model judging ?

The unfortunate answer is - yes. But not in all contests. Like anything else some are good, some aren't.

So I advise is to go to all the contests you can. Find out which ones you can rely on to be on the level and fair, and which ones you just go to for the vendors. I've got four Florida clubs all putting on shows within a two hour drive. I only participate in three.

To everyone - don't get discouraged by getting skunked. Don't get PO'ed and swear off contests because one didn't appreciate your work, or you lost to the judges brother-in-law. The only one losing out is you. Because I'll happily win the award you might have, if you'd been there. Get out there and find the good clubs that put on a fair events and keep working on getting better. And if you think a model is worthy - bring it. The model I started this thread with eventually did win an award on it's first visit (and last) to a local contest. It was a good day for me.

[freakshow12]

This one has not seen much love. I got some judge sheets and I got beat by my own stuff so is it really skunked? Lol

And this

And this one. It's had the most work done but it's all subtle and maybe they didn't notice. It's one of my favorite street rods I've done. Looks good on my shelf. That's all that matters to me

Edited June 9, 2015 by freakshow12

[Rotorbolt73]

Excellent work on that 32 Jon. Duplicating a real car is a lot more work and more difficult than just building one out of the box..

I've been there done that as well. My first contest when I was 17, I won 1st in my category because I built a model of my actual car that I was driving in high school. The judges even saw the real thing out in the parking lot, so they knew the work I put into it..especially since I had to convert a pro street kit back to stock..Anyways. I don't compete anymore. I've only done it maybe 4 times in the last 25 years. I found it rather silly to go up against other builders standards, styles and skill levels. Or even budgets for that matter.. Everyone is different and each build is as individual as the builder themselves. I get more satisfaction in just participating. I would rather just show my work to inspire other builders just the same as other builders have inspired me over the years. particularly the younger builders. The lasting impression or impact one of my builds could have on someone is worth more than any trophy.

Of all the contests I've ever been to over the years, I still remember all the builds that left an impression on me while the ones that actually won or placed are forgotten..Who would you think the real winners are?

Since we are showing pics.. Here is one from my last contest several years ago that I felt was overlooked. I think it had to do with the dark blue I painted it in. For some reason I've noticed dark colors get passed by..Anyway..enjoy.

Edited June 9, 2015 by Rotorbolt73

[DumpyDan]

Good lookin Matt

[blunc]

the "politics" issue has always bothered me which is why in a critically judged contest I think the entrants name should not be visible to the judges during judging...even though most judges these days may be able to recognize build styles of the more prolific builders.

I may even have thought my 1/32 scale 34 Ford got skunked by some (what appeared to be) well built (possibly "out of the box") 1/43 scale open wheel cars...I didn't let that bother me because that build is probly 30 years old and my personal standards have gotten a lot more critical of my own builds.

I have raised my own bar due to some inspiration from the builders on this forum.

I may even dream of having a 1/32 build get best in show.... (HEY, I can dream can't I...? )

just don't be made at me if a 1/32 build skunks you.

[blunc]

another thing to consider is the "wow factor" and judges which are lacking in modelling experience/depth of knowledge.

I have seen wow factor skunk some great builds but I also remember some heated judging sessions at 2am trying to decide master awards.

[Jantrix]

another thing to consider is the "wow factor" and judges which are lacking in modelling experience/depth of knowledge.

Yeah, without a doubt, "wow" factor plays a part. A lot of people will get dazzled by the deeply polished paint and not notice the crooked wheel or the visible ejector pin marks.

I've not seen too many inexperienced judges though, happily.

[Draggon]

I took this one to the 1985 Oakland GNRS figuring it was an easy win. Well, it wasnt even an honorable mention.

[JTalmage]

This one got overlooked at the first show I went to. Could have also been poor placement by me. I thought the show started later but it started at 9... and by the time I got there I had to rush and had to find a place for them.... maybe I placed them in the wrong class... as they werent well divided or separated.

*the following photos are not mine, I saved them off of C.A.R's facebook page.

But a car I built over 10 years ago got picked for best in class in another class.... so it sorta worked out.

And here are the others that got overlooked at the show, also builds that are quite old, so maybe that had something to do with it.

This last picture is mine, another one I brought to the show that didnt get picked for anything

I will admit, I was afraid of BMF when I built the nova, black mustang and rusty 55 chevy gasser... the others I built before I even knew what BMF was as a kid/teen

Edited June 10, 2015 by JTalmage

[Jon Haigwood]

I agree that the names should be left off the entry slips. And maybe a table set up for builds people want to display but not enter in the contest.