Judging and Awards

[Datsa 66]

I thought I would start a new thread on this subject as it got away from Sid's discussion about stock Vs. custom.

Yes, my car will be completed by mid-October. Yes, it will be a completely brand new and totally cherry 67.5 2000. I have spent more money on this car than I could imagine. In my opinion it will be the finest running roadster on the road (until the next fully restored car is done). What does that mean for someone voting in a people's choice contest? Squat.

In order to get a completely non-biased judging component into our shows, it would require a nationally mandated organization with an elected and governing body and a set standard for a set of marquee rules and point systems for the cars.

Sadly, my own experience with the apparently defunct SoCalROC taught me that there is not enough interest to make this happen. With few exceptions (most notably Paul Bauman) I had a hard time getting people to invest time and effort into making the roadster any kind of Marquee at all.

Added to this fact is that Classic Datsun owners (including Zs, 510s, trucks, 411s, and roadsters) don't get along. I have often heard the 510 crowd refer to roadster owners as "snobs". Let's face it: there is a reason there are two Datsun shows at Shasta on the same weekend.

I had a dream of helping to form the CDOA -Classic Datsun Owners of America. It was quickly killed by bickering and elitism. I would love to see a panel that represents all of the different clasic datsun models so we could build a point system-including custom models. I would hope we could get Nissan involved, but it will remain a pipe dream forever until we can get by two things: realizing that the cars are not "cheap" sports cars and stop bitching that we will have to put some money into them and also that any Datsun made before 1980 qualifies as a classic datsun and should be welcome to be at any show- including the Modesto run shows.

Folks, if we want a Marquee we need to build one. I would help in any way I could to see that a reality.


Andrew Murphy
1967.5 2000
SRL311-00489

[70MTroadster]

Uno, I must be pretty nieve. I never tumbled to the fact that the Roadsters and 510's were all there at the same time and that they were seperate from one another. I always assumed they were held together, because, as you say, they are held the same weekend. I had no idea. I own two 510's and a Roadster and would not discriminate between one owner and another. I have been involved in the shooting sports for 30 years and can say that there is a lot of this bickering and backbiteing going on in that game too.

It is sad. Sad that mankind is its own worst enemy.

Scott

[S Allen]

Yeah, it is there and you can let it bother you or ignore it. I did the Thunderhill thing with the 510 group several years back and had a ball with my roadster. When I did make it to Shasta I went up to the ski lodge to watch all the fun they were having. There are always some people that are harder to get along with in any group. Snobs exist every where. Unfortunately that is the way of life. If you do not want to chat or be friendly I will find someone that will. I do not dwell on such silliness as I look at it as their loss not mine. I am a true Datsun fan and like and enjoy all models regardless of their owner's.

Steve

[Minh]

I'm in with you Andrew...

My goal might be in another direction, but the means are on the same path.

This is a non-issue for those who only care for driving and owning. It like being an inside outsider. The criteria is participitory for contestants, and there still is a people's choice award.

I'm not linear it being subjective matter of, "Should I care or not if non-Roadster enthusiasts love me." That is drivle, my opinion. It is a circular argument as "Less filling or Taste great."

Whenever talk like that comes up in a discussion it is counter productive choosing to err on the side of ambiguity. A discussion is a dialetic leading to answer, a truth. But then again this is "forum" and this is how a forum is supposed to operate. (Can anyone notive that I have OD'd in to much critical thinking in college, sorry)

I being totally and prudentially objective...

I see it to be quantitative appraisal guideline. Like a house or a diamond (please, ignore the example if your a renter). Let's face it, our my car has dollar value insurance wise. And there is a limit of sanity on how to spend above that value. If the base value can be raised $100, that's $100 more dollars I objectively spend towards my beloved Raodster. (My wife is an Accountant!)

Further, every time I'm will be on the road someone will hit me more than I will ever hit someone else. If by the mercy of God the person has insurance I will be partially lucky. The insurance company will not give me fully a restored value. They wll give me the going fair value based on newspaper classified in my region to determine value.

Some might not be looking out for their Roadster. But, don't get in the way of people who are. It is like sneering a parent who is spends time alongside their kid in sports. There is noting wrong in that.

Am I out of line?