The Sixth Annual
Custom Clinic Photo Contest
by Mark S. Gustavson

Now in its sixth year, our contest continues to attract a range of highly talented craftspeople (we have our first female entrant!) with a passion for auto design.  More contestants are taking more challenges (most of which are successful), with simple elegance continuing to out rank fussy designs. This year, we had 66 entries from 48 contestants who represented 24 States and 5 foreign countries (Canada, Great Britain, Sweden, Holland and Finland). Participation from Junior Class entrants virtually exploded this year, with 9 contestants including our youngest ever (Aaron Gibraski, 11) and first female competitor, Alison Gibraski (age 12). Wow! Thanks to everyone for continuing to make this contest such a success.

As before, a few observations are in order about the entries in general and the judging in particular. First, please continue to prepare a good narrative statement of what you did and why; several contestants regularly present booklets that are very helpful in evaluating their entries. Second, photography continues to be a significant obstacle to many builders. Remember, what can't be seen clearly can't be judged!  Make sure that you have clear images with good depth of field, and please present at least 6 different views of the model, most of which should be from a low angle. And photograph your model against a plain background – please, no diorama shots! Third, I have paid attention this year to construction techniques -- good customizing includes equally competent execution, and lapses in basic bodywork/construction techniques were taken into consideration this year as they will be in the future. Fourth, more contestants should think about creating designs that could be actually used. Basic ergonomics should be observed so that the purpose and goal of an automobile -- to be driven and used for transportation - could be achieved. Finally, the best design not always represents the most bodywork or even the most changes: this year's First Place Senior Class winner, for instance, involved a lot of bodywork but the execution doesn't immediately suggest radical restyling.

As before, every Senior, Junior and Over the Top winners -- as well as the Honorable Mention winners -- will receive a special Custom Clinic Photo Contest certificate from me as well as prizes contributed by the National Model Car Builders' Museum, Kalmbach Publishing, and other sponsors. Where the photos are good enough, all contestants in this year's Custom Clinic photo contest will have at least one picture of their model included on the newly-revised Custom Clinic Web Page --  This page, now updated twice a year, features articles on famous full scale custom cars, the photos of excellent model cars, how-to articles by me, and other cool custom features! Check it out!

Well, enough of this narrative. Start your models for the 2001 Custom Clinic Photo Contest. The entry form is a part of this article, so get to work, and throw some putty! See you next year! 

Photos Soon!