TMCP #643: Ask Rick – Winning at Concours, Trophy Truths & Revology Reimagined

ASK RICK: Wins, Wisdom, and
What Really Matters at a Car Show

The April edition of Ask Rick lands at just the right time—spring shows are kicking off, trophies are back on the line, and if you’ve been thinking about what it actually takes to compete (and win), this episode delivers the inside perspective you don’t usually get.

Rick Schmidt from National Parts Depot joins Rob Kibbe fresh off a rare kind of run: back-to-back concours weekends…with wins at both.

That alone would make for a great conversation. But as always with Rick, the real value isn’t just in what happened—it’s in how he sees it.

Moda Miami: Industry Drama Creates New Concours

Rick’s 1987 Buick GNX (#517, <80 original miles) took first in class at Moda Miami Concours, now in its third year and produced by RM Sotheby’s Auction Company. The event’s origin story reveals the high-stakes drama of the collector car world.

For two decades, legendary automotive journalist Bill Warner ran the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in partnership with RM Auctions. Amelia grew into one of the world’s most prestigious concours events, rivaling even Pebble Beach. “The big joke was you can’t say no to Bill Warner,” Rick recalls. “That’s the type of incredible personality and magnetism that guy’s got.”

When Warner sold Amelia to Hagerty Insurance and eventually retired, Hagerty replaced Warner’s teams within three years—and terminated the long-standing partnership with RM Auctions in favor of their own auction company. Rob Meyer, who had invested decades building RM’s presence at Amelia, responded by launching Moda Miami a few hours down the Florida coast. On the same weekend.

“I decided I would support him and bring a car to that event,” Rick explains. The venue—the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables—offers a “whole experience, a real mini-vacation” rather than just attending a car show.

This year’s field showcased the event’s elite status with nearly a dozen Duesenbergs in one class alone, plus exotics, race cars, and a special 1980s American muscle car class. Rick brought both his GNX and his 1983 Hurst/Olds 15th Anniversary Edition (approximately 400 original miles). While the Oldsmobile was “the second best car in the class” in Rick’s objective view, having both awards go to one owner “wouldn’t have looked terribly good.” The GNX took the trophy, though the celebration was literally rained out: “Right before we were to receive the trophy, the bottom fell out of the sky. We had a torrential downpour and that was pretty much the end of the show.”

Amelia Island: The Return with Class Win

The following weekend, Rick returned to Amelia Island, a show deeply tied to his family’s history. It wasn’t originally in the plan. It took a phone call from a trusted friend to bring him back.

When he did, he didn’t overcomplicate it. Load the car. Leave early. Show up. Compete. Go home. The car? His 1968 Shelby GT500 KR—his mother’s car, restored years ago and already a past winner at the same event. There’s history in it, and that matters. By the end of the day, it had done it again. Another class win.

No theatrics. Just execution.

Awards vs. Certifications: Know the Difference

If you’ve ever wondered what a concours win is actually worth, this is where the conversation gets real. Rick breaks it down in a way that cuts through a lot of misconceptions. Awards, certifications, originality, craftsmanship—they all have value. But none of them are universal.

It depends on the buyer. It depends on the intent.

Some people want perfection. Some people just want to drive. Understanding that difference is the key—and it’s something you only learn by being deeply involved in the hobby, not just observing it.

Revology – Through a Different Lens

Rick’s tour of Revology Cars didn’t just impress him—it genuinely shifted his perspective. What he expected to be high-end restomods turned out to be something far more intentional and engineered. These cars aren’t simply restored or modified—they’re reimagined from the ground up. Starting with the unibody, Revology reinforces and refines every structural element, integrates modern hardware like precision latches and sealing systems, and delivers a level of fit, finish, and NVH control that rivals modern luxury performance cars. The result is a Mustang that feels tight, solid, and composed in a way vintage cars simply never were—doors close with authority, road and wind noise are dramatically reduced, and yet the soul of the original car remains intact.

Rob and Rick agreed that the best comparison to Revology Mustang might be that of a Singer Porsche. Just as Singer takes an already iconic platform and elevates it through obsessive engineering and craftsmanship, Revology does the same for classic Mustangs—blending heritage with modern capability in a way that can’t be replicated in a typical garage build. It’s not about replacing the past, but refining it to its highest possible standard. As Rick puts it, you’re not just buying a restored car—you’re buying a completely new interpretation of one. And if you think you can match that level of execution on your own? “Good luck—I’ll see you in five years.”

The Car Show Challenge

To close things out, Rob and Rick throw down a challenge that hits close to home for anyone heading into show season:

If you had to buy a car right now—with the goal of winning a trophy and getting your money back when you sell it—what would you choose? They break it into two scenarios. For a local show budget under $35K, the contenders include a 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass, a 1969 Corvair Monza, and a 1962 Chrysler 300.

Step up to the big stage with no budget limits, and the field shifts to a 1966 Shelby GT350, a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12, and a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado. Each one brings something different to the table—presence, rarity, nostalgia, or sheer visual impact.

But which ones actually get it done? You’ll have to listen to find out!

Under $35,000 (Local Car Shows)

1: 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-oldsmobile-cutlass-10/

1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass – Bring A trailer

2: 1969 Corvair Monza

https://www.hemmings.com/listing/1969-chevrolet-corvair-ash-grove-mo-914171

3: 1962 Chrysler 300

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1962-chrysler-300-non-letter-series-2/

Unlimited Budget (Premium Shows)

1: 1966 Ford Mustang GT350

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1966-ford-mustang-976/

2: 1981 Delorean DMC-12

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-delorean-dmc-12-179/

3: 1960 Cadillac Eldorado

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1960-cadillac-eldorado-15/

1960 Cadillac Eldorado – Bring a Trailer

Dallas Kibbe Racing – Building the Next Generation

The ongoing presence and development of Dallas Kibbe Racing represents something bigger than just racing—it’s about legacy. It’s about what happens when the next generation steps in, not just to participate, but to build something of their own.

Across recent discussions and direction, the focus has been clear:

Build a modern, aggressive identity
Develop authentic content, not just highlight reels
Balance on-track performance with personality-driven storytelling

There’s also an important strategic question being explored:
Is it just about racing content—or should there be direct-to-camera storytelling as well?

The answer is both.

The drivers gaining traction today aren’t just fast—they’re relatable. They bring people into their world. That’s the path forward for Dallas Kibbe Racing: