it's useful because there are a wide variety of trims out there. it's limiting because not all of the equipment is necessarily reviewed or listed when the classification is placed, putting competitors off of lines that could be good and have strong support. it's better to modify HOW we detail the classification than to try and list all of the various models using XYZ motor.
take hondaland. ITA civic EX, 2 and 4 doors. 1994-95 ABS cars had 4 wheel discs, but the specline only shows disc/drum (non ABS). the sister car, the Si 3 door has the same motor and weight, but is listed with its (std) 4 wheel discs. would the coupe and 4dr require additional weight if they were allowed the discs? if we did away with the detail of the spec line, would fielding an ABS car be legal - it is a USDM civic EX with common equipment.
if we are ever to have a true "process" then the understanding of the ITAC when classifying a car should be detailed in the specline so as to backup their calculations and so that the membership knows that the optional brakes were or were not considered when the car was classed. remembering that aero and a host of other things (was the motor use din a highly modified state in a formula racing series like the 4A-GE, leading to "knowledge" of it's power potential for example) ARE allowable considerations in the classification according to the first page of the ITCS. this is too open to CRB manipulation and favoritism i.e. abuse.
personally - I'd keep the specline, and rely more upon it than the general details like trim level. just list the model name, major engine dims and code, brake specs, and body styles and let the hijinks ensue. it's more accurate than how we do it now, even if it does allow for some combos that have never been sold -like a 3dr Accord LXi with SEi rear discs. example specline could be something like this:
[Honda Accord 1986-1989; 2dr/3dr; B: 82.7 x S: 92.0, 1955cc multi-port EFI "A20A3", 9.3:1, I: 30.1 / E: 35.1; 102.4in; 13/14"; gears (don't feel like typing them); F: 240 or 214 disc, R: 200 x 42.5 drum or 240 disc; 2550; notes]
I mean really, why not? this would make the ITAC/CRB/etc... lives easier by reducing the number of irrelevant spec lines, allow the membership to have a hard roof on a sunroof car, power steering in a coupe honda, or disc brakes on their coupe - weather they were sold that way or not (yes I know this is a big shakeup to the as sold in the USDM rules) because in the long run, it doesn't matter to the cars potential and it's easier to allow it than to try and cover it all in the specs. this is just an extension of the elimination of the VIN rule, and keeps the playing field as transparent to the general member as it is today - the cliffs notes of what some car is can be pulled directly from the ITCS.
alternatively - list classifications by make and engine and include a list of affected models. like "Honda, D16Z6, 1992-1995 civic EX/Si, 1993-1995 Civic Del Sol, etc..."
