Ah, the "Sterling" Awards! These are for the precious limited few, the best of the best. Do you think your car has what it takes to be called "Sterling"? This entry is optional, as you may elect to enter your car either in the popular vote or the Sterling judging. Trophies will be awarded for both catagories (but I think not both for one car). This is not a contest of your car against the one next door. This is a review of the originality and quality and presentation of your car alone. There are no 2nd or 3rd place finishers here. Your car is either "Sterling" quality or it is not. Every car qualilfying as "Sterling" will receive the Sterling Award.

There will be an additional or increased entry fee for the Abingdon Sterling part of the car show. Also each specific car must be pre-registered for Sterling judging so that we might provide the proper number of judges to do the cars justice in timely consideration on the day of the event. If you don't consider your car to be Sterling quality you may prefer to skip the extra fee and effort and enter your car in the Popular Vote Car Show.

MG VA Tickford

On the subject of originality, this club does encourage owners to drive their MGs regularly. As such, it is intended that safety and period accessories will be allowed without discounting judging points. Seatbelts and (added) turn signals installed in the earlier MG models for instance will not detract points from originality, but a modern CD player might. The use of increased strength or stainless steel fasteners would not detract points, but failure to paint those that were originally painted could. Also any installed equipment is expected to be functional. All lights, turn signals, horn etc. are expected to work. As such, a really nice period radio that does not work may detract from judging points, where a radio blanking plate would not (an empty case does not a radio make). Also hand pushing a car from a trailer to the show area is a serious indication that it does not run, which of course is "not original". It is at least "encouraged" that all show cars be driven to the show, at least as far as from the hotel to the show area. However, in all fairness to anyone pursuing a 100 point show car without a speck of dirt on it, this last point may not be strictly enforced.