MCACN Vintage Certification Program: Another Reason!

*2023 Sneak Peek

1967 Pontiac GTO
Owners: Tami & Darrell Erwin, Arizona
2023 MCACN Vintage Certification Participants
Prepped by Ward Gappa

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Vintage Certification Promotes Preservation Instead of Restoration

There are many things that set the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show apart from all others. Sure...we always have the absolute "best of the best" when it comes to super shiny restored Muscle Cars and Corvettes, but that isn't the case with all of the cars you will see. We have our Barn Finds and Hidden Gems section, Presented by Miller Auto Care, Stock Restorations and Restomods, which always has more than 20 vehicles that often are far from pretty. While some may come to life with a simple day of detailing, others will require a whole lot more.

Another main feature of the MCACN show is our Vintage Certification program. This area, led by MCACN Member Steve Shauger and Sponsored by Frank Badalson's American Performance, LLC, focuses on unrestored, preserved Muscle Cars and Corvettes. Some, like the beautiful '67 GTO shown above, are quite shiny while others have a bit of "patina". What they all have in common is that they have been lovingly preserved over the years, and in many cases, are presented by the original or long term owners. When it comes to stories, this area always has so many! You could easily spend hours hearing them.

The goal for the Vintage Certification Program is to provide recognition and status for the unrestored vehicles, and to encourage owners to display and retain these benchmark cars in their present unrestored state. We provide a venue where original cars showing wear are indeed preferable to ones that are improperly restored. We believe these cars are like art work and just like an original painting, they are more valuable than a reproduction and represent a unique niche in the car hobby.

Photo Credit: Mark Pach

This program is designed to provide appreciation for the past and present owners of these vehicles who have preserved these cars. These time capsules provide us with factory processes, finishes and assembly methods and our program is a repository for the serious restorers and hobbyists so all can benefit.

Vintage Certifications are divided into five divisions:

Vintage Time Capsule - Vehicles that are 95+% unrestored in all reference areas
Vintage Legend - Vehicles that are 85+% unrestored in all reference areas
Vintage Heritage - Vehicles that are 85+% unrestored in five reference areas.
Vintage Legacy - Vehicles that are 85+% unrestored in four reference areas
Vintage Reference - Vehicles that are 85+% unrestored in at least two reference areas.

"Every event & Certification is truly a first, because our team is committed to raising the bar and discovering the pedigree and DNA of these time capsules", stated Steve Shauger, Vintage Coordinator and MCACN LLC Member. For more information and to submit an application to participate in the Vintage Certification program, go to https://www.vintagecertification.com. Please note: Due to the amount of time required to inspect these cars, entry is strictly limited.

This is yet another reason to join us when we return to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, (SUBURBAN Chicago), Illinois, just minutes from Chicago's O'Hare Airport. The show will take place Saturday, November 18, and Sunday, November 19, 2023. We have SEVEN Official Host Hotels, with five directly across the street and all offering great rates, extra MCACN exclusive perks and reduced rate parking for our spectators and our participants. See which is best for you and book your rooms now; www.mcacn.com/hotels.

We thank you for your continued support and participation. We ask that you plan on joining us and please help us spread the word!

Bob Ashton
MCACN, LLC
Managing Member
www.MCACN.com

Title Sponsor