49 Merc question

[Tom Kren]

Can this kit be entered in the custom class in contest or does the person have to do all the work?

[Tom Jackson]

Good Question Tom.

I would like to know to

Tom 3ra

[bigphoto]

It is my understanding as a head judge at the K-zoo contest that the Custom moniker is associated with the type of

car as it would be opposed to a replica stock that is per the IPMS rules. If you modified a bunch of things on the model

you could enter it in the scratchbuilt & conversions catagory.

Just my .02 pennies

[Canada Jeff]

There are probably as many answers to this question as there are model contests out there. Best to check with the group making the decision at the specific contest you have in mind. The local contest I usually enter each spring (just some local boys, not an NNL or IPMS affilated group) would require that car to be in their "box stock" category. The only way they would let it into the "custom" category would be if it had at least one modification done done by the builder.

Edited August 24, 2007 by Canada Jeff

[FloridaBoy]

From this old guy's perspective, this kit could be entered in either box stock category, provided it meets the other criteria, or custom or even on a stretch, street rods if the classes had to be consolidated.

This car is no doubt a custom, and could compete with other cars that the owners did a significant amount of modification, but a knowledgeable judge would take all into consideration, I would think. It is the style of the car that dictates which class it enters and not the origin of the kit.

For example, I had a full on custom '40 Ford Coupe, which was sectioned, shortened, channelled, with extensive front fender, headlight and taillight mods, plus a customized interior, and it was entered in the Street Rod category with deuces, t's because the car was pre-war. Other cars like '60 Fords, etc were entered in the custom car category because the contest organizers stated a custom is post war.

It varies from contest to contest.

Nevertheless, I am enjoying the heck out of this build, and the only mod I am doing to the car is adding a sunroof, and that is just to see the interior better.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

[bob paeth]

From this old guy's perspective, this kit could be entered in either box stock category, provided it meets the other criteria, or custom or even on a stretch, street rods if the classes had to be consolidated.

This car is no doubt a custom, and could compete with other cars that the owners did a significant amount of modification, but a knowledgeable judge would take all into consideration, I would think. It is the style of the car that dictates which class it enters and not the origin of the kit.

For example, I had a full on custom '40 Ford Coupe, which was sectioned, shortened, channelled, with extensive front fender, headlight and taillight mods, plus a customized interior, and it was entered in the Street Rod category with deuces, t's because the car was pre-war. Other cars like '60 Fords, etc were entered in the custom car category because the contest organizers stated a custom is post war.

It varies from contest to contest.

Nevertheless, I am enjoying the heck out of this build, and the only mod I am doing to the car is adding a sunroof, and that is just to see the interior better.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

[bob paeth]

From this old guy's perspective, this kit could be entered in either box stock category, provided it meets the other criteria, or custom or even on a stretch, street rods if the classes had to be consolidated.

This car is no doubt a custom, and could compete with other cars that the owners did a significant amount of modification, but a knowledgeable judge would take all into consideration, I would think. It is the style of the car that dictates which class it enters and not the origin of the kit.

For example, I had a full on custom '40 Ford Coupe, which was sectioned, shortened, channelled, with extensive front fender, headlight and taillight mods, plus a customized interior, and it was entered in the Street Rod category with deuces, t's because the car was pre-war. Other cars like '60 Fords, etc were entered in the custom car category because the contest organizers stated a custom is post war.

It varies from contest to contest.

Nevertheless, I am enjoying the heck out of this build, and the only mod I am doing to the car is adding a sunroof, and that is just to see the interior better.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

[bob paeth]

Unless the builder wishes to ad a lot of work to the R/M '49 Merc, it should be entered in the "box stock" class. As with any classification, a model is judged on what has been done and how well it was done. Entering this model in the custom class , in my opinion, is a waste of time. No credit should be made for the chopped top or the sun roof. Or any of the other custom features that are found in this kit. It looks like it is an exceptional kit but no one should try to take credit for that which is already done for him.

bob

[Ariel]

Can this kit be entered in the custom class in contest or does the person have to do all the work?

I think it should be able to. Is like when the 32 fords came out they are hotroded from revell with the newer engines and running gear,interior etc. You could see them all over the contest tables with alittle or no mods done to them.

[patrol52]

I don't know all the official categories, but having entered 1:1 cars in cars shows, and building models for 4-H judging, I understand the competition to a certain extent. I know that if my models were in a show, I would be comfortable losing to a model like the merc custom, provided it is a superior build.

As far as it being already chopped and "customized", I think is fine, as long as the mods done out of the box are not mis-represented as being done by the builder/owner.

In the 1:1 car shows, often times competition is between professionally built cars, and homebuilt cars. When a victory is achieved by a homebuilt car, it is that much more sweet; knowing something you did is at least as good as something a "pro" did, in someone's eyes.