TMCP #643: Ask Rick – Winning at Concours, Trophy Truths & Revology Reimagined
About this episode
Rick Schmidt shares trophy-show lessons from Moda Miami and Amelia Island, including why “best of class” at concours events can boost value while certifications like Bloomington Gold or NCRS add credibility through objective point systems. He also tours Revology’s shop and is impressed by how the company re-engineers classic Mustangs from the unibody up—more like modern engineering art than a Dynacorn-style build. The episode ends with Rick’s car-buying picks for winning hardware under budget, plus results from the auctions and a Good Friday/Easter message.
Rick Schmidt from National Parts Depot returns for the April edition of Ask Rick, fresh off an incredible run of back-to-back concours events—taking wins at both Moda Miami and Amelia Island. In this episode, Rick and Rob break down what really goes into competing at that level, from how cars are selected and judged to the behind-the-scenes dynamics most enthusiasts never see. Along the way, they talk Easter traditions, the evolution of car shows, and what a trophy actually means when it comes to value and credibility.
The conversation also dives into Rick’s unexpected take after touring Revology, a company re-engineering classic Mustangs with modern performance and refinement. To wrap it up, Rob and Rick throw down a challenge: if you had to buy a car today to win a trophy and break even when you sell it, what would you choose? With contenders ranging from local show sleepers to high-end icons, the answers might surprise you—but you’ll have to listen to find out which ones come out on top.
The post TMCP #643: Ask Rick – Winning at Concours, Trophy Truths & Revology Reimagined first appeared on The Muscle Car Place.
Revology
"And then we're going to talk about another car that was in Amila Island, the new Revology 69 Boss Mustang. Rick saw it, he toured the Revology shop."
Revology is an aftermarket/restoration-focused company known for reimagining classic American cars—especially Mustangs—using modern engineering approaches while aiming to capture the look and spirit of the originals. The episode highlights Rick touring their shop and evaluating their approach.
shakedown
"The mission has begun, and so has the shakedown."
A shakedown is like the first test run. Teams look for problems early so they can fix them before the main part of the mission.
A “shakedown” is an early phase where a system or mission is tested under real operating conditions to surface problems. Here, it refers to initial checks and troubleshooting after launch.
Artemis II
"There was a bit of toilet trouble on the Artemis II, but NASA says it's been resolved... The toilet in question is the Universal Waste Management System or UWMS,"
Artemis II is NASA’s next big mission that will take astronauts on a trip around the Moon. The story here is about a problem that happened on that mission and how the team fixed it.
Artemis II is NASA’s crewed lunar mission that uses the Orion spacecraft to send astronauts around the Moon. In this segment, it’s the mission context for a reported onboard systems issue.
blinking fault light
"NASA confirmed the crew had reported a blinking fault light with the onboard Orion capsule toilet."
A blinking fault light is an alert on the dashboard that something isn’t working right. It’s how the spacecraft tells the crew there’s a problem to investigate.
A blinking fault light is a spacecraft warning indicator that signals a detected malfunction or abnormal condition. In this case, it’s tied to the Orion capsule’s toilet system.
Universal Waste Management System (UWMS)
"The toilet in question is the Universal Waste Management System or UWMS, which is a critical piece of hardware that, as we explained in our guide to life aboard the mission,"
UWMS is the spacecraft’s onboard waste system. It’s important because it’s how the mission handles waste safely while astronauts are in space.
UWMS stands for the Universal Waste Management System, the onboard hardware that handles waste storage and management for crewed spacecraft. The segment calls it a critical piece of hardware for mission life aboard Orion.
High Performance Expo
"That's the trade show that will be in Charlotte this summer, the second annual."
This is a car event where companies and shops show off performance-related products. It’s also a place to meet people and talk business in the racing and aftermarket world.
The High Performance Expo is an automotive trade show focused on performance, racing, and the aftermarket industry. In this segment, it’s described as an event that blends industry networking with product and business discussions.
crate engines
"...put GM performance parts... crate engines back on top."
A crate engine is an engine you can buy as a complete package. Instead of piecing everything together, you install the ready-to-go engine.
A crate engine is a complete engine sold as a packaged unit, typically with the major components needed to install it. The appeal is that you can buy a known engine setup without building one from scratch, often with support from the manufacturer.
GM
"...the man that put GM performance parts... crate engines back on top... right from GM."
GM is a major car company. In this story, GM is important because it helped make performance crate engines available in a more official, legal way.
GM (General Motors) is the automaker behind the performance parts and crate engine program discussed in this segment. The speaker credits GM’s involvement with crate engines and emission compliance as a major industry shift.
dyno test
"I remember when we talked about doing the dyno test of the actual, what do you call it, the reliability test where they would cycle the thing between peak horsepower and peak torque for 24 hours."
A dyno test is like a “power measuring machine” for an engine. Instead of guessing how strong it is on the street, they run it on a stand and measure how much power it makes.
A dyno test is when a car or engine is run on a dynamometer so power and torque can be measured under controlled conditions. It’s commonly used to compare builds, verify output, and evaluate changes like cam timing or fuel/ignition setups.
reliability test where they would cycle the thing between peak horsepower and peak torque for 24 hours
"I remember when we talked about doing the dyno test of the actual, what do you call it, the reliability test where they would cycle the thing between peak horsepower and peak torque for 24 hours."
That’s a long stress test for an engine. They run it hard for a full day, switching between different “best power” and “best pulling power” conditions, to see if anything breaks.
This describes an endurance-style durability test: running an engine through repeated high-load conditions to see if it holds up. Cycling between peak horsepower and peak torque stresses different operating regimes, helping reveal weak points before real-world use.
working for free parts
"David will say they can't really be objective because they're just working for free parts and he's not wrong."
Sometimes creators get parts for free to make videos about them. The host is saying that can make it harder to be completely honest if you’re benefiting from the deal.
“Working for free parts” describes a common sponsorship model where creators receive products at no cost in exchange for content. The speaker argues this creates a conflict of interest that makes it harder to be fully objective about quality and performance.
influencers
"They just give parts to influencers and see what happens. But I have been in this business for 17 years this month."
Instead of advertising through TV or magazines, companies send products to popular car creators online. They hope the creators’ videos and posts will make people want to buy the same stuff.
The speaker is describing how modern automotive marketing often targets social-media influencers rather than traditional media outlets. Brands send parts or cars to creators and then measure the results through views, engagement, and sales impact.
NASCAR
"You got to be into racing and NASCAR to like it. There's really no other reason to listen to it other than that."
NASCAR is a big U.S. racing league with stock cars. If you don’t follow that kind of racing, the show’s topics may not feel as interesting.
NASCAR is a major American stock-car racing series, and the speaker says you’d need to be into it to enjoy the referenced show. That context matters because NASCAR culture influences the kind of storytelling and performance focus listeners expect.
Ford
"And then Jim Farley's podcast. He's the CEO of Ford. I don't know how frequently that comes out, but it's very interesting content."
Ford is a major car company. When the CEO talks about cars and performance, it can hint at what the company is planning next.
Ford is referenced through Jim Farley, the CEO of the company. In automotive discussions, Ford’s leadership and product direction can strongly influence how performance, electrification, and brand strategy are communicated.
on the edge
"Loose is fast and on the edge, you're out of control. Here's the Dallas Kidby Racing update that you missed."
“On the edge” means the driver is going as fast as the tires and traction allow. It’s exciting, but if you push a little too far, the car can get out of control.
“On the edge” describes driving at the limit of grip where the car is close to losing control. It’s often used in racing to mean fast, aggressive driving, but it requires precision to avoid spinning or sliding out.
six day event, six races
"And that is a six day event, six races. You'll do a three at one track north of Nashville and you'll do a three at the Nashville fairgrounds."
This is a long event with several races spread across multiple days. It’s tough because the car and driver have to stay consistent the whole time.
A six-day, six-race format means the team runs multiple races over consecutive days. That stresses both the car (heat, wear, setup changes) and the driver (fatigue, consistency).
practice
"There's a lot of practice in between. It's a brutal week. It puts your cars to the test."
Practice is time to test and adjust before the real races. It helps the driver learn the track and helps the team make the car behave better.
Practice sessions let the driver and team dial in the car before the races. In a brutal multi-race week, practice time is critical for learning track conditions and refining setup.
podium finish
"You've got to be on your game all the time to get a podium finish at one of these."
A podium finish is when a driver finishes in the top three. It usually means they were fast and the car stayed working well during the race.
A podium finish means placing in the top three of a race. It’s a big deal because it requires consistent speed and reliability, not just a fast lap.
NPD
"Up next on the National Parts Depot hotline is Mr. Rick Schmidt from NPD."
NPD is short for National Parts Depot, a parts store for classic car projects. In this show, it usually means restoration-focused advice and parts recommendations.
NPD is the common abbreviation for National Parts Depot, a well-known supplier in the classic car restoration community. When the host mentions NPD, it signals the discussion will likely focus on sourcing, part correctness, and restoration-oriented guidance.
hardware
"But you have been to a few and you've won some hardware. So I want to talk about these."
“Hardware” here means the trophies or awards you win at a car show. It’s just a casual way of saying you brought home prizes.
In car-show talk, “hardware” refers to trophies, plaques, or other awards you win. It’s a shorthand that signals the conversation is about competition results rather than just attending or displaying a car.
Haggerty Insurance
"He sold it to Haggerty Insurance. And all those years that Warner had been doing Amelia, he had a very, very close partnership with RM Auctions."
Hagerty is an insurance company that specializes in classic and collector cars. They often get involved in car events because their customers are car enthusiasts.
Hagerty Insurance is a specialty insurer focused on collector cars, classic vehicles, and enthusiasts. In the transcript, they’re described as taking over Amelia-related operations and reshaping teams and partnerships.
RM Auctions
"he had a very, very close partnership with RM Auctions. RM did the auction for the event. That was part of the event."
RM Auctions is a company that sells collector cars at auction. In this story, they were running the auction part of the event before Hagerty changed who handled it.
RM Auctions is a well-known classic and collector car auction house. The speaker notes that RM handled the auction for the Amelia event, and later describes RM Auctions being replaced by an auction company owned by Haggerty.
1987 Buick GNX
"So, yeah, we got into this 80s muscle car class and they really wanted my 1987 Buick GNX, which is car number 517 and only has a little less than the 80 original miles on it."
The 1987 Buick GNX is a rare, high-performance Buick from 1987. Collectors love it because it’s uncommon and has a reputation for being a special factory performance car.
The 1987 Buick GNX is a special, turbocharged Grand National variant built to celebrate performance and racing heritage. It’s especially prized in concours circles because of its limited production and strong “originality” appeal.
Amelia Island Concourse
"So, at the Amelia Island Concourse, which still exists, like you said, you also had... I don't know if you were there or not, but you had a car there."
Amelia Island Concours is a well-known, high-profile car show where collectors bring their best cars. The rules for getting in and showing your car can be pretty strict.
Amelia Island Concours is a major concours d’elegance event held in Amelia Island, Florida, known for high-end collector cars and strict judging standards. The speaker also discusses how participation/invitations and registration requirements can change over time.
NCRS Bloomington Gold
"...certifications, like an NCRS Bloomington Gold for a Corvette, or something like that, where it gets a review. Do these give a quantifiable value to a vehicle..."
Bloomington Gold is a Corvette judging/certification program. If your Corvette passes, buyers often see it as evidence the car is correct and well restored.
NCRS Bloomington Gold is a Corvette-focused judging and certification program run by the National Corvette Restorers Society. The host uses it as an example of an award/certification that can be reviewed and may influence buyer confidence and value.
vetted car
"...if you can pass muster there with their point system, then people who would be interested in buying your car know that it is a vetted car."
A “vetted” car means experts have looked it over and approved it. Buyers take that as a sign the car is legit and not just a pretty-looking project.
A “vetted car” is one that has been reviewed by knowledgeable judges using a structured scoring process. The host’s point is that passing such a program signals to buyers that the car isn’t just attractive—it has been checked for correctness and quality.
triangle vent window
"The fact that the one I was in did have a triangle vent window, but they're fake. They're permanent mounted. They don't open."
A triangle vent window (often called a vent window or quarter vent) is the small triangular window near the front side window. In this discussion, the speaker notes a build where the vent windows are permanently mounted and don’t open, used for appearance and to reduce wind noise.
vinyl roof
"white vinyl roof, white interior. Common color for it's day. My mom had a Torinato this color now that I think about it. It's kind of burnt red. It's got the white vinyl half roof on it,"
A vinyl roof is a fabric-like cover on top of the car that gives it a classic two-tone style. For car shows, people care whether it matches how the car came from the factory.
A vinyl roof is an aftermarket-style or factory-look covering over the roof panel, often used on classic cars for a two-tone look. In concours and show circles, originality matters—whether the vinyl roof was factory-installed and how it’s maintained can affect judging.
people's choice
"But what it is, what it looks like, and as a crowd-pleaser, especially if it's a people's choice, it's just going to get more attention than the other two cars."
“People’s choice” awards are decided by show attendees rather than judges, so cars with strong visual impact often do well. The speaker argues the 1962 Chrysler 300 will attract more attention and win in a people-driven vote.
cage
"But it is a purpose-built race car that has a cage. It has a driver's seat."
A cage is a metal safety frame inside the car. It helps protect the driver in a crash and is common on race cars.
A roll cage is a reinforced metal structure installed inside the cabin to protect occupants during a crash. Track cars use cages to meet racing safety rules and to add stiffness to the chassis.
brake bias
"It has a cage. It has a driver's seat. It has a brake bias. It has a Halon system in it."
Brake bias means how much braking happens at the front versus the rear. Adjusting it can help the car feel more stable and predictable when you slow down hard.
Brake bias is the distribution of braking force between the front and rear wheels. Track cars often use adjustable brake bias to tune handling balance—helping control understeer/oversteer during braking.
five speed
"[2858.3s] interior with the five speed. It's an 81. It's identical to the DeLorean I have. [2888.4s] cared for, properly maintained. Five speed car, not an automatic."
“Five speed” means the car has a manual gearbox with five gears. Some collectors prefer manuals because they’re more fun to drive and can be harder to find.
“Five speed” indicates a manual transmission with five forward gears. In the collector-car world, manual cars are often more desirable because they’re more engaging to drive and can be rarer than automatics.
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