Grille Medallion points ...

[Travelin' Jim]

If you sell a car with X# of points, do the points go with the car to the new owner, or just fade away?

[cnghubbard]

It is my understanding that Grille Medallion points are unique to a given car-owner combination, so a new owner for a given car would result a new and different combination.

This approach seems reasonable for two different reasons -- 1) The car does not get points for its condition, rather the owner gets the points for preparing, maintaining and upgrading the car to achieve its best; and 2) Can you imagine the administrative nightmare for MCA to track Grille Medallion point through multiple combinations of owners and cars.

[Travelin' Jim]

Makes sense to me. I was curious. Thanks for the reply.

[JoyceE]

Oh NO! I hope that's not true.
It has always been my belief/understanding points, medallion, and documentation belong with the car.
It is the car that is judged, not the owner.
This is why a VIN is used with car show registration so its record is documented by VIN, not just owner. The VIN is also engraved on the medallion. A Conservator number also stays permanently with the car that earned it.
If the awards don't remain with the car, why would a car be worth more money if the new owner has to start over?

I hope someone more knowledgeable than me will clear this up.

J.

[Travelin' Jim]

Hi Joyce, I like your reply better! LOL And maybe someone higher up the food chain will chime in.

[cnghubbard]

As stated in my first post, I believe the awards are to a given owner-vehicle combination.

1) That would be reason for having the owner name (MCA number) and VIN on the vehicle registration; thus, any awards earned during the show can be recorded to the owner/vehicle combination.

2) If you look at a list of the Medallion and Conservator awards, you will see a list of names (not VINs); thus my statement 'The car does not get points for its condition, rather the owner gets the points for preparing, maintaining and upgrading the car to achieve its best'. I do not believe that the name on these lists will change, if the vehicle is subsequently sold.

3) It has always been my understanding statements like MCA National Gold car or MCA Medallion car or MCA Conservator car, simply provide the prospective buyer or insurance company an idea of the car's condition as viewed by an independent panel (the MCA judges). Have personally seen the case, where a car was bought because it was a ' Concours de Elegance (Pebble Beach)'. The new owner did have the skills properly maintain the quality of the car and the car declined in appearance and condition rapidly over time. One of the stated reasons for going to 'Conservator' vice 'Retired' was the car/owner would have to undergo judging on a continuing basis. Don't know what happens, if the condition of the car degrades and am not going to try to find out.

Have also achieved 'Conservator' in the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). In AACA, my Grill Medallion would have to be returned on change of ownership; however, MCA is not as formal and may not have experienced this issue.

Agree with Travelin' Jim that some sort of clarification would be good. NOTE: A review of the Conservator judging rules seems to support my contention.

[CW4macret]

It would seem to me that if I buy what is called “a well documented car” I am also buying any and all points associated with the documents. In my mind for a car to be well documented the judging results must be fairly current. If the new owner is not able to maintain the car to the same standard as the previous owner it will reflect in the judging results. In other words if 5 points came with the car but the new owner never won a gold again so be it.

[cnghubbard]

My response is based on what I have been told or heard in the process of moving toward an MCA grill medallion and tempered by the bylaws of AACA on their grill medallions.

I have looked into the Conservator judging rules and Grill Medallion application. Neither of these makes any provision for a car having multiple owners. I said in an earlier post, I may be wrong, but I believe points are awarded based on a single car/owner relation and any change to that relationship results in starting over. I, further, indicated that somebody more knowledgeable in MCA should clarify, as there are variety of positions on this subject.

NOTE: I am somewhat a interested bystander in this question, as I have already achieved my Grill Medallion and show Conservator; however, I want to preserve the value of these awards/classes.

[39469]

Did we ever get an official answer from MCA on this?

Thanks...

Kevin

[cnghubbard]

Will be at the Pensacola Show this weekend and will see, if I can get the powers-that-be to respond to this thread with a definitive answer. See you at the show (They usually park us just outside the Exhibit Hall).