how to judge autos

Here's a few I look out for.

Paint should be perfect. No details lost under heavy coats. Perfect shine. Not a good shine, a perfect shine everywhere. No ripples. If any bodywork modification has been done, it should be invisible. If a metallic color is used, it should be scale. A great paint job will stand out in any contest table.

Keep in mind a 2010 can be as shinny as a candy apple, old show cars as well.  A 1965 Mustang? Not the same paint and not the same shine.

No glue marks or finger prints anywhere.

No ejection marks or seams showing.

No brands.

Sits evenly on all four tires. Tires should look real. No seams.

If it has an engine, wired and plumbed. Not wires just going all over the place.

Interiors should have convincing textures

Polished transparent plastic

Electric Blues

Here's a few I look out for.

 

Paint should be perfect. No details lost under heavy coats. Perfect shine. Not a good shine, a perfect shine everywhere. No ripples. If any bodywork modification has been done, it should be invisible. If a metallic color is used, it should be scale. A great paint job will stand out in any contest table.

Keep in mind a 2010 can be as shinny as a candy apple, old show cars as well.  A 1965 Mustang? Not the same paint and not the same shine.

Period is even more important for race cars.  Pre-WW2 race cars would not have had flawless bodies and super shine.  Indy cars more likely to have excellent body work- other cars less so.  Post WW2 Indy cars were beautiful, European cars less so.  Modifieds and early stock cars generally did not have super body work nor paint jobs.  Dirt track cars could be heavily weathered, though they don't have to be.