By Owen Webb
Meguiar’s Australia

Engineering / Re-Engineering - Street & Show
These two areas are often confused and with very good reason as it’s hard to distinguish between the two, especially when this area is often confined to the undercarriage and other hard to see areas that are not visible to the eye. These two areas are judged under the heading of Engineering so a car that has a high amount of engineering will compete on the same level as a car with a high amount of Re-engineering. We will try to clear up any confusion in these two areas with the following from a judge’s point of view.

Engineering
Examples of work done that would be considered engineering can include the whole car as in a race car or any of the major components of the car that will change the performance of the car, this could include such things as:

• Chassis – any amount of chassis work would be considered engineering.
• Upper and lower control arms (‘A’ arms) but only if they are manufactured to act differently to the original item. It is worth noting that if the ‘A’ arms are manufactured but still fit to the original mounting points on the original chassis then this is considered Re-engineering.
• Shortened diff
• Roll cage but only if it is an integral part of the car ie. Fixed to the main body or chassis and is functional
• Floor pans
• Wheel tubs
• Firewall
• Any major sheet metal work
• Engine swaps that require the manufacturing of components for the fitment of the engine

Re-Engineering
This area includes items that are functional but will not affect the overall performance of the car, it is also a hard area to be judged as many of these parts can be “off the shelf” items. It would be advisable for you to include a tech sheet with your car advising of the modifications.

Areas of re-engineering could include such things as:

• New ‘A’ arms that replace the original items to help enhance the look of the car but not its performance.
• Brackets that hold on items to the body or chassis ie. Fuel lines, brake lines etc
• Mirrors
• Door handles or the lack of them
• Hinges
• Catch cans
• Locks
• And many more items

The list in this area is endless and can take considerable time, effort and ingenuity on the car builders’ part. This is why the two areas of engineering and re-engineering are judged under the banner of engineering as it is felt that just as much work, thought and execution goes into both.

No matter how much engineering is done it has to be in keeping with the overall concept of the vehicle. Most engineering is different from other areas judged, as it has to be made off the vehicle and fitted after body, paint etc. The exception here is obviously in racecars and hot rods.

A vehicle doesn’t have to be highly modified/engineered to score well in engineering as several cars over the years such as Ed Brodie’s HJ Holden and Laurie Grima’s 56 Chev which are excellent examples of original looks with re-engineering in most areas of rebuild. As with all other areas judged, quality is paramount. In engineering practicability and safety are also seriously considered. More is not necessarily better - it must be good quality.

It is also useful to point out modifications that have been done to the vehicle to judges on a tech sheet, as there are so many “off the shelf” parts available today. This will help the Judge recognise all the work done on the vehicle.

It could be worth more points if you have had to source material, design and make parts. This is covered with ‘work done’ and ‘degree of difficulty’.

Judges also look for a fresh approach to make something work differently or better than the original. This is often difficult to achieve with the amount of research and development that goes into new vehicles, but there has been some excellent examples over the years from hot rods, street machines and racecars of what can be done with imagination and ingenuity.

To score well in engineering, plan your project, make sure the modifications you make enhance you’re vehicle in performance, safety or presentation, and above all ensure the quality of workmanship.

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