Earning an A pass takes good detail

This year's national Model A meet chief judge Murray Ashby, of Hamilton, inspects the stainless...
This year's national Model A meet chief judge Murray Ashby, of Hamilton, inspects the stainless trim on one of the concours entries during judging at the Wanaka Airport yesterday. Photo by Lucy Ibbotson.
From the authenticity of the upholstery materials to the alignment of the tyre valve stems, it was all about the details during the national Model A meet concours judging at Wanaka Airport's transport and toy museum yesterday.

Hamilton-based Model A enthusiast Murray Ashby (68) was at the airport fulfilling the ''dubious honour'' of being the chief judge at the national meet, for what was the fourth occasion.

''Potentially, you upset people because they think they've got a pretty neat car ... but even some very nice cars get let down by what I would call 'detailing'.''

Take, for instance, the stems of the tyre valves, he explained to the uninitiated Otago Daily Times reporter.

Each must lie perfectly vertical to the horizontal Ford script engraved at the centre of each wheel.

Many such technicalities were robustly discussed by Mr Ashby and his panel of 26 volunteer judges, including whether foam-filling - as opposed to the authentic Ford spring system - inside one vehicle's seats warranted a complete or partial point deduction.

Partial, was Mr Ashby's advice on the situation, but the final decision would be left to his assistants.

''I don't make the decisions for them. I try not to. I give them the benefit of the doubt,'' Mr Ashby said.

While there were no entries in the original unrestored category yesterday, the authentic restoration, touring class and modified sections each attracted five vehicles, which were judged against how they should have been manufactured at the Ford assembly plant.

Mr Ashby, who has judged internationally, bought his first Model A 50 years ago, has six registered and road-worthy Model As and another 10 or so waiting on restoration.

''Because I've owned a few I've learnt my stuff from old rusty parts and from the books ... This is my overwhelming passion, hobby and then some.''

Both his daughters were taught to drive in Model As and yesterday he roped wife Anne into judging the wheels, tyres, shocks and shackles.

Along with the finer points of Ford workmanship, cleanliness was also key in the concours judging and Mr Ashby's white judging overalls served as a good indicator.

''If you get them dirty, you get points off.''

The best of show and other category winners will be announced at the 12th national Model A meet prizegiving in Wanaka on Sunday night.

lucy.ibbotson@odt.co.nz

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