While this in itself is a remarkable achievement, far more remarkable is that Mike also won Best-of-Show at the 1984 CORSA convention in New Jersey, with a score of 96.85... with the same car!
28 years later and the car not only wins again, it scores better!
Mike purchased the car in 1978 and at that time it required a total restoration that took several years. The color chosen was a bright GM green. The car was then trailered to New Jersey for the 1984 convention, its first show. As at Sturbridge, both the autocross and the road rally preceded the concours and during the autocross Mike forgot to replace the oil cap. This drenched the entire engine compartment in nice clean oil. A spray can of Gunk and a garden hose fixed that problem and the car went on to win Best in Show.
Here is the car at that time:
A few years after that the paint started to fail. Apparently the body had not been properly prepped for the primer by the body shop and the paint started to flake off to the bare metal. Disgusted by this development, Mike covered the car and left it in the garage.
Several years later Mike then decided to try again. This time he stripped the paint inside and out and used an epoxy primer and yellow base/clear coat paint and did it himself. The car then earned a Silver award at the Lake Placid convention and a Gold at the Carlisle convention, and Mike showed the car at many local events over the following years.
When the 2012 convention was announced, Mike decided to give the car a mini-restoration from top to bottom. This took the better part of two months, doing a little at a time. He entered the car in the Concours just to see if it could get a senior division ranking again. Mike was very pleasantly surprised when the car scored 98.33 points.
Here’s is the car as it looks today:
The equipment in the car includes a quick shifter, quick steering, wood steering wheel, long range driving light, 904 fastback, Sprint insignia, HD convertible springs, HD shocks, rear rubber Aeon springs, power antenna, AM /FM/CB/8 track radio, oil pressure gauge and voltmeter. The engine was bored .060, balanced rods and forged pistons, .032 clearance squish area, 10/10 crank, OT20 cam, modified carburetors, electronic ignition, Vega clutch. Transaxle is a 3:55 positraction with 205/60-13 tires. Mike says it isn't fast, but it is quick. It’s not too shabby, either!