[TimG]

The NCRS group that I’ve been a member of for nearly 20 years would never recommend or encourage anyone to destroy a valuable and original piece of history to make it conform to a judging manual. I’ve judged and had judged many cars and it’s just not the case. I’ve presented for judging cars with extremely low miles and amazing originality that have factory anomalies. Sometimes I’ve been docked points, sometimes not.
My 1965 16,000 mile 250 horse powerglide coupe built three days before the end of production had lots of strange things including a severely ground pad. The engine was, I believe, originally destined for a manual transmission car, but was ground and stamped for an automatic. The carburetor was coded for a manual transmission and I wouldn’t change it because it was the original dated unit. The penalty was 12 points and the judges told me not to change it as they felt it was original. I gladly took the hit. The engine passed with flying colors and is used in Al Grennings “strange but true” seminar. I’d recommend attending his seminar to see what NCRS will view as acceptable and reasonable. They are truly a great organization and a knowledgeable group of supportive people. I brought a very late 1968 Corvette for judging and it has a 1969 “pebble” type housing around the center gauges. Certainly not correct, but I wouldn’t change it. I later verified its originality by looking at an original owner ’68 Survivor that was a few cars earlier with the same “pebble” housing. I was glad I didn’t change it.

P.S. Both of the cars you noted would fly through Flight Judging with a 25 point deduction for the stamping items.
That's the same deduction that they would receive if a cigarette lighter didn't work. I don't think that validates the cost of restamping a motor.