My restored 69 L46
Dad & I Circa 1992
My new 2003 50th Anniversary
My new 2003 50th Anniversary
My new friend
My new friend_2
Camp Quality guest Caitlynn
My Pace Car at Indy Museum 2001
Me crossing Indy start finish-line 2001
My 2-car Garage
Barb and I at 2000 Vettes on the Rockies
Barb & I at Vettes on the Rockies 2002
Barb, Mom, Justin & Kelly
at Vettes on the Rockies>
Barb and I at Vettes on the Rockies 2003
Kevin and Dad 2003 Lenexa
Parade
My Biker Chick Granddaughter
Old Blue eyes Alli 2005
Alli & C5
Grandma
Cousins
Frogkids
Coop
Santa Jr. Circa 2006
Christmas 2006
Elmo
St Patty 2007
St Patty 2007
Cooper 2007
Allison 2007
My new C6
· Real Name: Tom & Barb Kearns
· Resides in: Lenexa, Kansas
Spec's and Stories:
In
pursuit of "Top Flight"
MOST OF YOU HAVE READ AN ARTICLE LIKE THIS
BEFORE. FRESH MEAT GOES TO IT'S FIRST REGIONAL JUDGING
EVENT THEN COMES HOME AND WRITES A LENGTHY ARTICLE AND IN THE LAST LINE THE INDIVIDUAL
SAYS AFTER A LOT OF COMPLAINING, THEY WOULD OR WOULD NOT DO IT AGAIN. WELL,
THIS WILL BE MY VERSION OF THAT SCENARIO, BUT WITH A TWIST. YES, I WOULD DO IT
AGAIN IS UP FRONT. NOW......YOU CAN HEAR ALL THE OTHER BLOODY DETAILS. I'VE
EARNED MY RIGHT TO COMPLAIN.
I WENT TO NCRS (National Corvette Restoration Society
)JOPLIN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AS AN OBSERVER JUDGE AND DID IN FACT LEARN A
LOT. I RECOMMEND IT TO ALL. SO WHEN THIS YEAR'S NOTIFICATIONS CAME OUT I WAS
ONE OF THE FIRST TO REGISTER. I WAS LUCKY REGISTRANT #7 (ONE OF MY REAL LUCKY
NUMBERS. I ONLY SIGNED UP TO "OFFICIALLY JUDGE" AS I FELT I WAS AS
SMART OF AN EXPERT AS THOSE I WORKED WITH LAST YEAR SINCE I COULD SPELL CORVETTE, AND AFTER A YEAR OF TINKERING ON MY OWN CAR.
THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE EVENT, MY "FRIEND" TOM HILL SAID,
"LISTEN Big Dog YOU BETTER GO TO JOPLIN WITH YOUR CAR THIS YEAR BECAUSE
THIS WILL BE THE LAST MEETING WITH THE OLD JUDGING BOOK AND YOUR CAR SHOULD BE
PRETTY CLOSE TO TOP FLIGHT" I SAID, "TOM, I STILL HAVE THE WRONG CARPET
AND A LOT OF OTHER TIME KILLING THINGS TO DO". TOM SAID DON'T WORRY, HE
COULD HAVE THE CARPET WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS AND I COULD BE READY!
...................I WENT HOME AND SIGNED UP. AFTER PLACING
THE ORDER FOR CARPET OF COURSE.
HERE IT WAS 13 DAYS BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE JOPLIN EVENT AND NOW
BUSINESS TAKES ME OUT OF TOWN FOR 4 DAYS. NOW I'M DOWN TO NINE DAYS AND HERE
COMES THE INLAWS AND MY DAUGHTERS BIRTHDAY PARTIES. NOW WE ARE DOWN TO THE
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY BEFORE JOPLIN ON THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY. SATURDAY
MORNING THE CARPET INSTALLATION STARTS.
PULL UP ALL THE OLD CARPET AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS NO JUTE OR PAN
PLUGS. FIND THE PLUGS AND JUTE, BUY A CAN OF $ 13
GLUE. IN THE MIDDLE OF INSTALLATION BUY 2 MORE CANS (NEEDED THE BREAK ANYWAY).
BY NOW MY KNEES AND BACK ARE KILLING ME, MY GOOD NEIGHBOR WHO USE TO HAVE A
VET, AND KEVIN (THE 19 YEAR OLD SON WHO MOONLIGHTS PART TIME AT the local
Corvette Shop (while going to KU), DEEMED "THE EXPERT". AFTER ALL DAY
SATURDAY AND MOST OF THE DAY SUNDAY IT'S FINNALY DONE AND LOOKS PRETTY GOOD.
ACTUALLY IT LOOKS GREAT.
MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY CLEAN WHAT EVER YOU CAN, TRY ONE MORE TIME FOR
THAT INTERMITTANT BACK UP LIGHT, BUY THE DELCO FREEDOM BATTERY AS THE DIE HARD
WAS DYING AND THE NEW REPO BATTERY IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
PRAY FOR NO RAIN, AS WE PLAN TO DRIVE TO JOPLIN TO GET EXTRA POINTS.
THE CARAVAN TO JOPLIN WAS MADE UP OF A LOT OF THINGS. CONTINUE TO PRAY
FOR OR OUTRUN THE RAIN. WHAT WAS THAT NOISE? DID YOU HEAR THAT? WHAT DOES THAT
SOUND LIKE? BOY, WHERE IS THE CRUISE CONTROL! LOOK OUT FOR THAT TURTLE, ITS
MATEING SEASON. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY JUST OILED ALL THE SHOULDERS FOR THE NEXT
10 MILES!
WE MADE IT! NOW FOR REGISTRATION. WHAT DO YOU
MEAN YOU CAN FIND THAT I AM REGISTERED? WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T FILL OUT THE
FORM UNTIL THE CHIEF JUDGE GETS BACK FROM THE HOTEL? WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE IS
NO PARKING SPACE INSIDE FOR MY CAR? HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO WRITE MY NAME
AND VIN ON ALL THESE NEW JUDGING SHEETS BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY LABELS MADE UP. WAIT A MINUTE, WHAT DO YOU MEAN NEEEEEEEW JUDGING
SHEETS, My 'buddy' TOM HILL SAID THEY WERE STILL USING THE OLD BOOK?????!!!!!
STAND IN WHAT LINE? THE RAIN IS STILL COMING THIS WAY AND I WANT TO GET INSIDE.
WELL IF YOU WANT TO GET INSIDE FILL OUT THE FORMS AND GO TO OPPS.
ON TO THE OPERATIONAL CHECK. IS THE INTERMITTANT BULB
GOING TO LIGHT.........YES. IS THE INTERMITTANT
OUTSIDE DOOR LOCK GOING TO LOCK.......NO. WHAT DO YOU
MEAN YOU CAN'T SEE THE FIBRE OPTICS IN THE SUN.....LETS GO INSIDE WHERE ITS COOL AND YOU CAN LOOK AT THEM THERE. WHAT DO YOU MEAN
LETS COLD START THE ENGINE SO YOU CAN CHECK THE FAST AND SLOW IDLE SPEED, I
JUST DRIVE 171 MILES TO GET HERE AND THIS CAR PROBABLY WON'T COOL OFF UNTIL MIDNIGHT. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T SEE THE WATER COMING
OUT OF THE HEADLIGHT WASHERS? YES THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER DOES WORK AND SO DOES
THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER LIGHT, SEE FOR YOURSELF! WALT
WHO, WANTS TO LOOK AT THE A.I.R. PUMP? WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE HEAD JUDGE IS
LOOKING AT ALL CARS MADE AFTER 1970 FOR THE VIN ON THE SPECIAL DOOR STICKER. THIS CAR IS A 69 CAR FELLA. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT
LATE 69'S HAVE THIS TOO! HOW MANY POINTS IS IT........25!!! THIS ISN'T IN THE
OLD BOOK! LABELS ARE NOT OPERATIONAL ITEMS. WHY IS IT IN THE OPPS CHECK AT 25
POINTS? IT SHOULD BE IN THE INTERIOR CHECK LIST WITH ALL THE OTHER LABELS. OH
WELL, ITS GOING TO BE A LONG WEEKEND IF I KEEP THIS UP. IT'S MILLER TIME!
WELL I'M FINALLY INSIDE. NOW TO CLEAN UP ALL THE BUGS, OIL FROM THE
ROAD, AND TURTLE DOODOO. MAYBE I CAN CONVINCE KEVIN TO CLEAN ALL THE LOW STUFF
SINCE MY KNEES ARE KILLING ME. I'LL BRIBE HIM WITH A BEER SINCE HIS MOTHER IS
COMING DOWN AFTER SHE GETS OFF WORK. GREAT, HE FELL FOR IT!
WELL, ITS ALL AS CLEAN AS IT CAN GET, OFF TO REGISTER AT THE HOTEL, A
DECENT NIGHTS SLEEP, KEEP THE ATTITUDE POSITIVE, HAVE A BIG BREAKFAST AS GOD
ONLY KNOWS IF I'LL GET LUNCH, THERE ARE 8 CARS IN MY CLASS. ALL ARE PARKED SIDE
BY SIDE EXCEPT MINE. I'M AT THE OTHER END OF THE AUDITORIUM SINCE I'M A LATE
ARRIVAL.....SURE HOPE THEY DON'T FORGET ME? NINE O'CLOCK AND
THE JUDGING STARTS. YEP, LOOKS LIKE THEY FORGOT ME. GO TELL THE TEAM
LEADER FOR 68-72 THAT I'M UP HERE. WELL ITS 10:30 AND HERE THE VULTURES COME.
THEY LOOK FRIENDLY ENOUGHT. IT'S INTERIOR FIRST AND THERE IS
THREE OF THEM TRYING TO GET IN MY TWO-SEATER. TIME PASSESS...................
BOY ITS BEEN 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES AND THEY ARE STILL
LOOKING AT THE INTERIOR. I DIDN'T SPEND THAT LONG CLEANING IT.
TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATTER I'M TAKING THE LAID BACK APPROACH TRYING TO
BE COOL WAITING FOR THE NEXT TEAM, LEAN BACK TO FAR AND BREAK THE LEGS OUT FROM
UNDER MY TRUSTLY LAWN CHAIR, FALLING STRAIGHT DOWN ON MY BIG BLOCK. THE OTHER
TEAMS COME AND FINALLY GO. ALL WERE FRIENDLY, BUT THE BLOODY DRIPPINGS REMAIN:
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BIG BALLS ARE GOOD AND SMALL BALLS ARE BAD? YOU SAY
THE BALL ON THE END OF THE ANTENNA WHIP IS THE WRONG SIZE! WHERE IS THAT IN THE
BOOK? BITE YOUR LIP TOM, THE HEAD JUDGE IS WATCHING
YOUR ATTITUDE.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE BOLTS ON THE FRONT AIR DAM ARE FACING THE WRONG WAY. I JUST PUT THEM IN LAST WEEK AND I FOLLOWED THE FACTORY
MANUALLY VERY CLOSELY....SEE, I EVEN BROUGHT THE BOOK WITH ME. WHAT DO YOU MEAN
THE BOOK IS WRONG! HEY FELLA, THE CAR NEXT TO ME IS A DUNTOV AND BLOOMINGTON
GOLD, HIS BOLTS ARE FACING THE SAME WAY AS MINE. WHAT DO YOU MEAN WALT
KOPELLA'S CAR IS WRONG TOO.
Big Dog , DID YOU KNOW YOU THERE WAS DIRT ON
THE BACK SIDE OF YOUR TIE RODS...................OH REALLY?
DID YOU KNOW THAT ONE OF YOUR HALF SHAFTS HAS PAINT ON IT.....OH REALLY?
DID YOU KNOW YOUR GRILL IS A LITTLE LOOSE......YES THANKS I CAN'T PHYSICALLY
REACH THE PLACE WHERE A MISSING SCREW GOES. CAN YOU REACH BACK THERE?
DID YOU KNOW YOUR PCV VALVE DOESN'T HAVE A CLIP ON IT.......NO, I DIDN'T KNOW
IT NEEDED ONE.
YOUR STARTER DOESN'T HAVE A HEAT SHIELD ON IT........ OH REALLY, I THOUGHT THAT
ITEM WAS BIG BLOCKS ONLY, THIS IS A SMALL BLOCK.
YOUR DOOR JAMBS DON'T HAVE THE BRASS DOOR GUIDES ON THEM......THAT IS A EARLY 69 FEATURE THIS IS A VERY LATE 69.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOUR TAKING THE FULL DEDUCTION FOR BATTERY I JUST BOUGHT THE
DELCO FREEDOM TO GET SOME POINTS. WELL LET ME CHECK WITH THE TEAM
LEADER.......OKAY YOUR RIGHT YOU DO GET SOME POINTS.
HORROR STORY CHECK. DID YOU SEE WHO FAILED BECAUSE:
OF A WRONG ENGINE!
WRONG HORN ON A FACTORY BURGLAR ALARM?
A SHORT THROW WHAT?
CIGARETTE LIGHTER DIDN'T DO WHAT?
BOY DO I FEEL LUCKY
THANK GOD ITS ALL OVER. LETS
GO EAT. HOW DID YOU DO? DO YOU THINK YOU GOT A TOP FLIGHT? DID YOU WRITE DOWN
ALL THE DEDUCT ITEMS? DID YOU HAVE OLD SO-AND-SO FOR A JUDGE? TO BAD. DID THEY TAKE OFF FOR __________.
HOW DID YOU SAY YOU DID? NICE CAR MISTER!
NO MAJOR HITS, LOTS OF LITTLE CONDITION POINTS THAT I KNEW ABOUT. AFTER
ALL, IT'S A DRIVER FOR ME. OUT OF SOME 50 CARS ONLY 5 DROVE AND I LOOK AS GOOD
AS MANY OF THOSE OTHER CARS AND THEY DON'T HAVE ALL MY FUN. ASK THOSE GUYS
"WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD YOUR CAR OVER A HUNDRED?" PULLED ANY HOLE SHOTS LATELY BUDDY? GO'IN TO DRIVE IT
HOME?
TIME TO EAT AGAIN. WHERE IS THAT BAR-B-QUE
JOINT? DO THEY HAVE COLD BEER.
SUNDAY MORNING AWARDS CEREMONY. LOOK! THERE'S MY PICTURE SITTING IN THE
CHAIR BEFORE IT BROKE LOOKIN COOL. OH, WELL LETS GET
THOSE RIBBONS. SURE IS A LOT OF TOP FLIGHTS BEING AWARDED BUT THERE IS STILL A
LOT OF RIBBONS LEFT.
And Big Dog gets a Top Flight.
We'll I always took the position, Corvettes a
bought to be driven. Top Flights included. In 1996 a got a regional NCCC award
for autocrossing the OLD 69 Top Flight. After a WINTER Engine rebuild. it's
sitting in the garage @350+ horse power and the winter IS moving fast........come
on spring !!!