The Second Annual
Custom Clinic Photo Contest

 by Mark S. Gustavson

To say that I was incredulous with the overwhelming participation in the Second Annual Custom Clinic Photo Contest would not be different from the astonishment that would greet the announcement that the Ford Motor Company had started producing Corvettes. After the bit of controversy last year when I decided to evaluate the styling of the entries, I was hoping to just match last year's level of excellent entries.

Well, I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. More than 84 entries were placed in contention by 51 contestants, most of whom voiced their support of the contest and asked for comments on the styling of their entrants. The quality of the photographs greatly improved from last year, though the pictures of a few entries (which I suspect were of very good customs from their descriptions) could not be evaluated because of poor photography. Therefore, while one or more of the models in the honorable mention category might represent a better effort than one of the Top Twenty winners, I couldn't tell. Unfortunately, there was a small handful of contestants who entered ineligible vehicles; while their entries were not judged, those builders will receive "participant" certificates. There were also a few really bizarre creations, prompting me to create a special category: The "Nostalgia Sixties Model Car Customs" Award. And we had our first three young entries (17 or younger) which lead me to create a junior category. Entries came in from two foreign countries, and from a Navy serviceman on duty somewhere in the Pacific.  The participation of the entrants was heartening. 

Please take a careful look at the accompanying photos which include captions evaluating the styling of the winning models. Assuming equal photo quality, I judged the contest on integrated and balanced styling, risk-taking, and excellence of body work and paint. Sometimes, a less aggressively-styled model placed better than a model featuring a wider range of customizing techniques which was not as well-executed or styled. The purpose of this contest is to encourage the creation of graceful, lithe, well-styled, realistic custom vehicles. While many models had detailed engine and chassis, those elements were not evaluated though all of you know about my thoughts about comprehensive building.  

A sincere and hearth "thanks" to all of the entrants for participating. Everyone will receive a certificate indicating either their placement in the Top Twenty or the fact that they received an Honorable Mention nod.  As a further reward and incentive, the Top Twenty winners will receive an invitation to display their winning model for one year (or longer) at the National Model Car Builders' Museum and a few prizes from our ever-supportive sponsors (the prizes will be heavily biased toward the younger entrants).  In that connection, I want to specifically acknowledge the great support of the first Custom Clinic Photo Contest sponsors: Once again, they have come through for the hobby! We'll do this again for next year so watch the Custom Clinic column for details!

Custom Clinic Photo Contest Sponsors:

• AccuPro
• All American Models
• Bare Metal Foil and Hobby Company
• Mark Benton
• Car Modeler magazine
• Chrome-Tech USA
• Detail Resources
• Galaxie Limited
• Highland Productions
• National Model Car Builders' Museum
• Scale Auto Supply
• Scale Equipment Ltd.

On to the Photos!