Concours de Technicance.(Column)

Byline: Raffi Minasian

The year is 2038, and the highest standard for judging collectible automobiles has reached another pinnacle of exactitude. Teleplanetics Systems Inc., maker of plasma dimension wafer chips and molecular biogram data finders and official sponsor of the Concours de Technicance, has just briefed the judges on its latest Personal Molecular Analyzers. These pocket data readers evaluate welded metal sections to determine molecular origin and confirm that hardware has originated from factory suppliers, paint finishes are uniform and fabrics are woven with thread count consistent with original looms of the period.

Four years ago, the first-generation data readers were cumbersome. With more than 12 billion files of automotive history regarding original parts, correct finishes and detailed cross-references, the data collection matrix alone took nine years to compile and verify. Despite the 30 trillion new files in today's more powerful compact readers, rivals still question judges' results in this stiff competition.

Last year, Martin Versig showed his pristine 1936 Bugatti with one-off bodywork. He had gone to great lengths to restore his ...