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The NDC Trustees have been debating about which judging class the 1959 models should be in - Class V with the 1957's & 1958's, or Class VI with the 1960's & 1961's. For many years, the 1959's were in Class VI so that the class sizes would be more even. At our 2008 convention in Gettysburg, there were several 1960's and 1961's - enough so that it was thought that the 60's and 61's could stand as their own class. Plus a 1959 owner questioned during that convention as to why the 1959's were not in Class V since their body style matched better with the 1957's and 1958's than with the 1960's and 1961's. So the Trustees moved the 1959's from Class VI to Class V. Unfortunately, since then, there seems to have been very few, if any, 1960's and 1961's show up at our conventions. (In 2011, there were no 1960's nor 1961's at that convention.) At our convention this year, one of the 1959 owners asked why the 1959's weren't in Class VI to help even out the sizes of the classes.
So what do you think? Which class should the 1959's be in - Class V or Class VI? If you want to send a private e-mail to me on this issue, please do so to nobledesoto@ameritech.net. Otherwise, post your opinion here, and let the debate begin!
Bill Noble
NDC Convention Coordinator
I think because of styling and construction similarities (full frame vs. unibody...) they should be included w/ the '57/'58 class.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
I agree with Tim
My opinion, I don't think classes should be determined to balance the numbers. 57, 58 and 59 body styles are similiar and belong in the same class.
I've finished delivering the Class V to the Arty BN and I'm on my way to the Class VI store.
Have a nice day
Steve
Tim is totally right.
I have judged cars, at a few of the Conventions, and really, the '59 has more to do with the ' 57 and '58 than the '60 and '61. From the judging side, I would think, similarities, trumps quantity.
Mark Waite
1959s belong with the similarly designed 57s and 58s
Quantity should never be a criteria per se. In fact I believe we had a rule that allowed the Chief Judge to create a new Class if one particular year overpowered the count within a class
While I am a believer in fair and balanced, I am also aware of the 800 pound gorillas the Forward Look (1955-61) DeSotos are.
Judging should have nothing to do with the burden on the judges nor the number of trophies carted around; it should be on the basis of the cars only. Not everyone needs to get a trophy
No question that the number of 55-61 members far out number those of the other years and they should be given there due by the respective bodies 55-56, 57-59 and 60-61. Lousy break if one class overpowers another; that is why we have a Chief Judge
Having taken care of the gorillas, we can understand for example why the Airflows should be separate from the other pre-war but the numbers just are not there.
As a '59 owner, I see merits on both sides of the issue. Physically the '59 belongs in class V with the '57 and '58. Balancing out the classes for even load also makes sense.
Can the convention committee be empowered to decide which class to put the '59 in based upon registration numbers for the show? Someone will be upset no matter which class it falls in.
I love the conventions, and love seeing the cars and hearing the stories behind them. My car is not a show car, it is in survivor mode. Having it out on the road makes people happy. On the way home from the convention at a rest stop, an elderly gentlman (in a nice suit driving a Cadillac) was grining ear to ear when he told me, "You passed me like I was f**king standing still!"
Balance out the options and see where it lands.
Glenn Colburn
'59 Sweep
