A-List Classics...and others

Fun to discuss in person, but through keyboards these types on conversations get muddy and misunderstood.

This is gonna be good.

46 - 48 Bentley?

OK........short and sweet.............. In collections like Neathercutt, Gilmore, and such.......there are terms for the different "level" of CCCA Classics. The terms I consistantly hear from the managers of collections of that level is..........

"All the boxes" and then:

Grade A

Grade B

Grade C

Now remember the level of these collections...........and we are NOT talking about condition. We are referring to the car as art, sculpture, and industrial design. Thus a nice, correct V-16 Cadillac Limo first series would be a "C" due to the fact its rather common, not a stunning car in the scope of design, and was basicly a "standard top of the line factory car with factory coachwork". I would be glad to own any "Grade C" car for myself. Grade "B" would be there deseriable and less seen models(staying with V-16 Caddy's) like a Town Car, Convertible Sedan, or a Landaulet. Still all factory coachwork.......Fisher or Fleetwood. Then the only grade "A" list Cadillacs would be the Roadster or Sport Pheaton ....and that is it for grade "A" on a V-16 with factory coachwork. Last we have the "checks all the boxes" car........a star of any collection, something one-off, with GREAT lines and styling..........not some frumpy strange thing that makes you want the standard sedan............ notice I don't name a car or post a photo........don't want to rain on anybody's V-16, as I don't own one. The "all the boxes" V-16 would be the cars pictured below with drop dead gorgeous bodys, of a flamboyant design done for an auto show or salon.........see below. 

OK- now it's time to bash me.........

All the above cars are one-off designs By Hartmann, Rollston, and Murphy. All are examples of "checks all the boxes", and usually are a good bet for Pebble Beach best in Class and probably a good bet for Best of Show nomination. 

I had the privilege of working on the Murphy car when it was part of the McMullen collection, maybe 25 years ago. Some of the upholstery needed work and it seems like one of the doors needed something. It's beautiful in photos but was absolutely phenomenal in person.  

Ed, your gradient makes sense. I am happy if a car I own checks a box at all!

Matt HarwoodJan 2, 2020

This is gonna be good.

I know how to open a can of worms don't I?

Changing the subject a little.  I saw a note about an X being researched for CCCA status and the reply I saw back to club President went something along the lines of CCCA is good at what it does and needs to continue focusing on being good at what it does, and the AACA is good at what it does and needs to always be focusing on being good at what it does, and .... And, the CCCA need to cater/meet the needs of all  the cars in its membership and .... 

My point:  there was a hierarchy of car from day one and also a hierarchy within every brand, but so few of any particular thing for the most part, you just need to be glad they make up a grouping and respect them whether a sedan, convertible, restored, pile of parts, and/or .... 

I for the post part agree with the original post,  although I would add that anything in the A, AA and AAA bucket needs to have iron clad provenance to go with usual chassis and styling requirements.

There are a few "accepted by all" cars that would be in that AAA bucket that are not what they seem.

alsancleJan 4, 2020

I for the post part agree with the original post,  although I would add that anything in the A, AA and AAA bucket needs to have iron clad provenance to go with usual chassis and styling requirements.

There are a few "accepted by all" cars that would be in that AAA bucket that are not what they seem.

I agree there. I worked on a A to AAA list car once that was to arrive at the shop as an 8 cylinder car, but by the time it arrived it was a multi-cyllinder car.  I often wondered how many were in on that particular nod-nod, wink-wink car.