1971 Hemi 'cuda
2018 MCACN
1,000 Pt. Concours Judged Entry
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Mike Mancini/AMCRI Scores 1,000 points with a
'71 Hemi 'cuda at MCACN X
First off, let's start by stating quite simply that when it comes to our coveted American Muscle Cars, there is no such thing as a "perfect" restoration. When our judges pore over every square inch of our Concours, Concours Day 2, Triple Diamond and Pinnacle entries, they use our own intense and extensive 5 (or more) pages of judging sheets. Obviously, since some things, such as finishes, will always vary, there really is no black and white key to absolute perfection. Yes, it is true that we may allow for "proper" reproduction parts, since as we all know, real vintage parts in some cases simply do not exist. And of course, some things can be subjective and we realize this. Hopefully you do too!
For anyone who has participated by having a car judged at MCACN, you know just how intense it can be. Numbers are checked, date codes are inspected and of course, fit and finish plays a key role. So what does it take to achieve a "perfect" score of 1,000 points at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals? Well...pull your chair to the screen and allow me to explain.
When the judges do their thing, each is a specialist in the area that he or she inspects. Sometimes more than one judge may be called on to do the job in any specific area. Keeping in mind that these cars are production line vehicles, never meant to be valuable collectibles, these folks know their stuff. Many have spent years researching and studying build techniques and way too much more to list here. They inspect everything top, bottom, inside and out from the smallest bolt to the largest body panel.
With that being said, I am proud to announce that in 2018 we had one single car that rose to the top, with a "perfect" score of 1,000. In the ten years since our inception, only two other cars have achieved this honor; Ted Stephens 1968 Hemi Charger R/T, Restored by The Finer Details, and the incredible 1970 Oldsmobile W30 442, restored by MASCAR Classics that went on to sell for a world record price two months later. This year, Mike Mancini and his team from American Muscle Car Restorations, Inc. joined this Elite group with the show stopping Curious Yellow '71 Hemi 'cuda that was up on the Titan Lift in the AMCRI display. Is the car perfect? No, but based on the MCACN judging criteria, Mike and his team hit all the marks. And in this particular case, they pulled out all the stops, using only real vintage and N.O.S. parts, right down to the date code correct Polyglas GT tires. I am sure many will claim the paint was worlds away from how it left the assembly line, but Mike took the time to painstakingly duplicate the build techniques and even some of the flaws. So is that perfection? Maybe it is!
I am sure the "experts" and of course, the internet "Keyboard Commando's" will take exception to this one being a 1,000 point car, just as they did with the previously mentioned Charger and 442. That is fine as we do not claim to be the absolute authorities. And even with our incredible team of judges that join us from across the country and Canada, we know that when it comes to the Muscle Cars we all love, nobody knows everything and some things are subjective.
What we do know is that each and every year, the bar is raised at the MCACN show, and there is no end in sight. In fact, this year we had the highest scoring field to date, with several 999's and more cars that achieved 995 or more than ever. And believe me when I say, our judges are not getting soft!
Congrats go out to Mike and his team, who consistently bring some of the finest restorations ever shown to the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show. We can't wait to see what you have in store for us for 2019! (more on that later).
If you get the chance to inspect this incredible Hemi 'cuda in person, take some time and look close. And don't hesitate to talk to Mike and his team, as he will be more than happy to tell you what it takes to obtain this level of achievement, not only with us, but on a national level.
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Official Host Hotels; Geared up and ready! No..it isn't too early to lock in your rooms for the show, November 23-24. As you know, the DoubleTree O'Hare (party central!) and the Embassy Suites are always the first to sell out. We have again locked in great rates with extra perks at both, along with the Crowne Plaza, the aLoft and the Hyatt Regency. ALL of these hotels are giving us special MCACN rates, reduced rate parking and extra perks, and ALL are convenient, with four of them right across the street and the aLoft a few blocks away with a free door to door shuttle. Click here for all the information along with direct booking links;
The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals returns for our 11th year to the beautiful Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, (suburban Chicago) Illinois, just minutes from Chicago's O'Hare Airport. We are always the weekend before Thanksgiving, which is November 23-24, 2019 this year. You will again see an entirely new and fresh show with well over 500 prime examples of American Muscle and the finest and rarest Corvettes along with over 200 automotive only vendor spots filled to capacity.
Plan now...it will be here before you know it!
THANKS!
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