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

Now in its third year, this contest continues to grow in the quality of entries, the seriousness of the design work (now sometimes expressed in interesting letters) and in the geographical scope of the entrants.  Though entrants increased to 56, the number of entries (68) was down a bit from last year because of the restriction of two entries per contestant. The demographics were impressive: Japan (2), England (4), Sweden (1), Canada (5), USA (44, from 24 States). Finally, only two entries were disqualified because of ineligible models. The participation of the entrants was heartening

Like last year, the quality of the photographs continues to improve though good photography is clearly a greater barrier to modelers than building great custom models. Consequently, while one or more of the models in either Honorable Mention or non-winners categories might represent a better effort than one of the Top Twenty winners, I could not tell because of either marginal or indecipherable photographs. There were three bizarre creations, preserving thereby the perpetuation of the "Nostalgia Sixties Model Car Customs" Award. Three young entrants competed and their awards have been renamed.

A word about the judging process: Assuming equal photo quality, entrants were judged 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 that was not as well-executed or styled; in other words, the most flamboyant custom is not always the winner. Sometimes, subtle, well thought-out work is better than the mere changes for their own sake. 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 hearty "thanks" is extended to all of the entrants for participating. Everyone will receive a certificate indicating either their placement as Top Twenty or Junior winners, or an Honorable Mention award, or as a winner of one of the three Nostalgia Sixties Model Car Customs. Starting with this contest, the best written describing the builder's styling decision will be awarded the new Valley Custom Distinguished Styling Analysis award. This year's inaugural winner is Bill Taylor who wrote elegantly about the styling decision he made about his interesting entry. Everyone else will receive a "Participant" certificate. As a further reward and incentive, the Top Twenty and Junior award winners will receive an invitation to display their model for one year (or longer) at the National Model Car Builders' Museum. 

Take a careful look at the accompanying photos to see what some of the best scale auto customizers are doing these days. Hopefully through, in part, the impact of the Custom Clinic, model car customizing is maturing rapidly. It is pleasant to know that more contestants are thinking deeply about what they are doing, and the results are impressive.

We will do this again for next year so watch the Custom Clinic column for details!

Photos Soon!