Judging
International Thunderbird Club (ITC)
Revised 2019
Judging Standards
International Thunderbird Club (ITC) participates in judging all models of Thunderbirds (1955-2005) at its annual convention. The car show is an important component of the ITC convention but not it’s only focus. The ITC convention spans from Tuesday evening to Sunday morning. Saturday is reserved for the Concours car show with judging followed by an annual banquet dinner and awards presentation.
ITC wants everyone attending the convention and car show to enjoy their time at the convention events that culminates with a fair and impartial judging of our beloved Thunderbirds.
ITC judging uses a standardized format looking at each car on its own merit. Each car is NOTjudged or compared against another car at the show regardless of its year or class.
Judged Classes:
- Touring Class
- Touring Modified Class
- Formal Class
- Senior Formal Class
Classes NOT judged:
- Show Case Class / Senior Participant Class
If you are unsure what class your car belongs in, please refer to the descriptions below. Also, the Concours Coordinator can be contacted up until Friday before the car show to change classes. Contact the 2019 Concours Coordinator Vera Bartasavich (216) 544-2828 or any officer listed on the ITC website.
A standard is used and followed at each convention and no car is judged against another car.
Touring (not modified)
Cars entered in the Touring class are Thunderbirds that are driven and have not been modified (how it came off the assembly line). Cars in this class are judged on a 200 point system and checked for originality, fit, finish, operations, etc. The undercarriage is not judged on these cars. The Touring has its own set of standards for operations.
All Thunderbirds (1955-2005) are eligible for the Touring class. Awards are presented to first, second and third place winners. Cars are judged against a standard and not against another car. Each place winner (1st, 2nd and 3rd) can have multiple winners or possibly no winners. Judging is based on the individual car and NOT cars available the day of the car show.
Touring Modified
Cars entered in the Touring Modified class are Thunderbirds that are changed from the original car (how it came off the assembly line). Cars in this class are judged on a 200 point system and judged using a standard for modified cars including the operation of the car. All features installed on the car must work such as power options, horns, radio, lights etc. The modification is judged for its overall finish and fit to the car.
All Thunderbirds (1955-2005) are eligible for Touring Modified class. Awards are presented to first, second and third place winners. Cars are judged against a standard and not against another car. Each place winner (1st, 2nd and 3rd) can have multiple winners or possibly no winners. Judging is based on the individual car and NOT the cars available the day of the car show.
Formal
Cars entered in the Formal class are Thunderbirds that the owner has maintained the originality of their car with attention to all details. There is a higher standard for these cars and often these cars are not driven. Cars in this class are judged on a 350 point system. All features of the car are judged including operations, trunk, engine, undercarriage, exterior and interior.
Thunderbirds eligible for the Formal class include 1955-1966 and 1967-1979. Awards are presented to first, second and third place winners. Each place winner (1st, 2nd and 3rd) can have multiple winners or possibly no winners. Judging is based on the individual car and NOT the cars available the day of the car show.
Formal Senior
Eligibility for the Formal Senior class is only allowed if the car has received a first place award in the Formal class (1955-1966 and 1967-1979). Cars in the Formal Senior class are judged using the 350 point system. Judging in the Formal Senior class is the most stringent of any class. Judges are looking at all aspects of the car as it was judged in the Formal class along with verifying the car now meets the standards of the Formal Senior too.
Awards are presented to first, second and third place winners. Each place winner (1st, 2nd and 3rd) can have multiple winners or possibly no winners. Judging is based on the individual car and NOT the cars available the day of the car show.
Most importantly, always remember ITC are a group of Thunderbird enthusiasts who just love Thunderbirds. We are very serious about our judging, but we want to have fun at the same time.
Showcase/Senior Participant
Cars entered in Showcase or Senior Participant class are Thunderbirds that the owner loves but may not be interested in having it judged. Or owners with cars that have reached Senior Formal award that may not want to compete. The Thunderbirds in the Showcase/Senior Participant class are given 1st, 2ndand 3rdpeople’s choice awards. Voting is submitted by members attending the convention or car show.
All Thunderbirds (1955-2005) are eligible for Showcase/Senior Participant class. Awards are presented to first, second and third place winners. Selection is based on the votes obtained from members at the convention and car show.
Conditions:
Areas in the show field will be set up the evening before the car show with numbers indicating the spot for each participant. Attendees not preregistered for the car show, will be shown where to park when they enter the show field.
All participants are required to drive their vehicles to the designated area for their classification, to be parked in that area for time stated per event; and not relocated nor moved from the area prior to the completion of judging except with permission of the Concours judge (ex. emergency).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for judging, vehicle and owner must be available at the time stated. If owner is absent, the judging team will return at a later time; however, being absent on the second attempt may result in vehicle disqualification.
Concours Team Captains:
The Concours Team Captains have the final authority on matters relating to judging and conversing with the owner. Concours Team Captains have the final say on all matters relating to the judging, if in question, on the Concours field.
Fire Extinguishers:
Recommended equipment but there is no deduction if fire extinguisher is not with the vehicle.
Malfunctions:
Judges will point out to the owner through the Concours Team Leader, if they notice any dangerous malfunctions such as faulty brakes, gas leaks, steering or exhaust leaks etc.
Wearable Equipment:
Parts and accessories such as spark plugs, batteries, fan belts, tires and hoses etc., will be considered original provided that the judges consider the replacement item meets the standard of the vehicle era or is a manufacturer replacement (Ford).
Tires:
Factory manufactured tires, similar to original of the era of production (size of tire and white wall) are acceptable. The spare tire will be considered mismatched only if it is exposed and does not match the mounted tires (cover will not be removed). Radials will be accepted as replacement for safety reasons.
Performance Requirements:
Concealed performance improvements are allowed. For example, seat belts installed for safety purposes. Changes made to comply with state or federal laws are allowed. Hand controls or pedal changes for a physical disability are allowed.
Preparing for the Judges – Car Owner:
The following are guidelines to prepare you for judging:
- If you are present during convention week, you may be asked to have your operations (lights, horns etc.) judged before Saturday’s car show. This will help with judging on Saturday. If you are pre-judged you will have a small sticker placed on your windshield indicating your operations were already judged.
- When judging begins, ALLcleaning and work MUSTstop
- Make sure ALLjudging sheets are filled out before judging team arrives
- All items (ex. floor mats, dash covers, glove box items, trunk etc.) are removed from the car
- Monitor the progress of the judging team to make sure you are at your car when the team(s) arrive
- DO NOT move your car until judging is completed, if an emergency arises contact the Concours Coordinator who will take appropriate action
- If you have a rare option, documentation may be required to validate it
