I have only been to a couple shows/cruis ins since i got my Chevelle but the last couple I have left kind of agrivated.:sad: My car is no show car but it is nice. New paint, total new interior, etc. I bought it to be a car to cruise in on the weekends and that is what it is. I never planned on looking for trophies with it but after the last couple shows I hate the way I feel when I head home. The first show this year was put on by as high school shop class to raise money. They had over 100 cars and gave out trophys for top 50. I didn't expect to win one because there were a ton of nice cars there. While handing out the trophies, my cousins husband wins one for his 2007 fresh off the lo Pontiac G5. I figure I might have a shot if he gets one with his car. Then I watch as 3 guys get trophies for their Cub Cadet pulling tractors. No trophy for me. I admit I was agrivated especially since I had to take the trophy to my cousins husband since he left early.

Now last Saturday I go to a little cruise in with 48 cars. Had a good time but when they started handing out awards they cave out top 25. The Corvette club showed up with almost all of their cars getting an award, Same for the local Mustang club. Even a guy who took a kids tricyle and raked the frame and painted it got one.

Now please please do not get me wrong. I in no way am looking to compete becasue my car is not on that kind of level and both shows were a real blast until trophy time. But when I look at my car and think it did not get in the top half of the field against Cub Cadets and kids tricycles.:sad:

I used to fish bass tournaments on a national level and quit a few years ago and part of it was the agrivation factor traveling long distances home after having a bad tournament. I am feeling the same way with this. My wife says I am too competitive. :confused: The best part is driving the Chevelle home on a beautiful day helps some what.

As I said the part I hate the most is not not getting a trophy it is feeling like the trophy is important. Should I stop going and just use my car by myself?

Thanks for letting me rant, now i feel better and can't wait for Chevellabration.:hurray:

Bob

I used to feel the same was going to the shows. After a while, I tuned that out and focused on the fun factor.

If it makes you feel that way, park the car at the show, but don't enter it. That way you get the benefits of the show and KNOW you can't possibly get a trophy.

PS - a lot of shows are just buddies voting for buddies anyway - go for the relaxation and shop talk, not the trophies. No need to hang around all the way 'till the end, either - when you're done, leave.

Why do you think your cousins husband left early:yes::D Dont feel bad I went to a car show once that was put on by police outfit. Their was a total of 100 trophies to be given away well what do you know 90% of them went to the police motorcycles (DUH CAR SHOW)???:sad: all new motorcycles:sad: well any ways I was one of the 10% that did get a trophy:D
I dont go for the trophy factor any more sure its nice but I would rather enjoy the day looking at cars, girls and drinking beer, and eating.

I do the trophy wait now!
Explained below:

Sit at home and wait till someone that knows me to bring me my trophy, because I left early, :D

If trophies were important I'd never leave the house :)
I have won 2 trophies, both when Big James was at the same show: Best wheels (stock rally's, go figure) and Best Work in Progress ( if we give you this trophy maybe you'll finally finish your damned car!) I go to check out the cars and have fun. Not sweating a trophy makes it more fun since it is one less thing to worry about. It always amazes me that folks will spend tens of thousands of dollars on a car but what is important is the $5 piece of plastic. Screw the trophy, enjoy your car!
If the trophy is important, drop Big James a line and invite him to your next show. He brings me good luck ;)

There was a show a couple weeks ago that I did not get to go to but it had 22 classes to be judeged. A couple of the classes only had one car show up so the person with the car got all the trophies for that class. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. A lot of guys were still laughing about that this week.

Remember this: You can't drive a trophy and after you get a few, they just become clutter anyway.

I really wouldn't care about trophies. In fact I probably wouldn't even enter in a show even if I had a car that was nice.

I do get irritated at gun shows though. Packed, narrow lanes and everyone thinking they can just walk where they please. Pisses me off. :mad:

I know what you mean.
but, don't expect anything and just have fun.
thats what I do

I've been to a local show and won "People's Choice". Other years, at the same show, I don't even get an honourable mention. No big deal. At local shows, I think that they tend to spread the trophies out a little, not giving them to the same guys all the time. If the best cars won all the time, pretty soon no one else would show up. All you have to do is spend more than the other guy. I like to see the so-so cars win trophies here and there too. That's what our cars are. Nice drivers at best. The guys feel good and have finally gotten that bit of recognition that is nice to have. Any more, at a show, I park the car and am on the prowl until it is time to leave. I never spend much time with our car. After all, I already know what it looks like. ;) I want to see the rest. One year, a new local car show had all the trophies given to people local to the show and some of the cars were pretty bad. It was just too obvious what had happened. Needless to say, a few people let them know about it. It's actually a pretty good show now with some pretty good door prizes which I would rather have than some of those tacky trophies. Besides, the wife probably won't let you keep the trophy in the living room anyway.

Forget about the trophies. When they started including fresh off the lot corvettes and mustangs that have never had any work done to them other than maybe getting washed, then it just shows how meaningless they really are. Before too long you have plagues and trophies stacked up on the shelve collecting dust in your garage.

If you go to a show that is giving away over 100 trophies or top 150 plagues etc, they are pretty much meaningless anyway.

Go for the great people and the fun.

You are too competitive. :) You say you aren't there to win any trophies then get aggravated when you don't win any trophies. You're personality is what it is. Either try and win, then know you did your best even if you don't. Or forget about it and stop caring that you might not get any public recognition when you're not even trying.

I am very non-competitive. I have my car because I enjoy working on it, and driving it. I don't care what any one else thinks about it, I don't care for any recognition or prizes. I enjoy it, that's the prize.

Tim.

I have my car because I enjoy working on it, and driving it. I don't care what any one else thinks about it

Thanks for posting...I was getting afraid that I was the only one who thinks like that :)

My first car show I entered, I won a trophy, but still heard people "talk". I let it slide, just like the water off my car...

Don't let it get to you, no matter what you do, someone is always going to have better, bigger and faster.

I never go to a show looking for a trophy. Have won a few but my car isn't a show car, I drive it. Anyway its a lot more fun to go and enjoy myself meeting people and seeing all the cars than to worry about a trophy. Like you have a closet full of fishing trophys but after a while they are just dust catchers. Only car show trophy that I have kept is one that I won titled young rodders choice. Imagine a 67 SS being selected from a slew of Imports to win the vote by kids 16 and under. That is the only one I keep in my car den. Just go and have fun!!!

The reasons you state above, are why i prefer going to the casual "cruise-in" events... No entry fees- no trophies- and no need to sit there for hours after i've already made a couple rounds of viewing the cars.

have to agree..i went to one in North Brunswick like 3 weeks ago..a guy won a trophy with a 2008 vette hey to me anyone can go buy a new vette and do nothing to it but it went against a gorgeous shelby mustang (67) and a few nice gto's. to me ( i might be prejudiced saying this) a car show is for OLD classic american muscle/antique cars. just my opinion. Theres shows for newer cars too go flaunt it over there.

If you win too many trophies, they will start asking for their own room in your house!

I don't have any trophies and there are none in my future! Too young for a trophy wife.

Way back when...when I actually brought my cars to shows,it was always a "buddy club" with the same guys giving each other awards and that get's old real fast....along with scratches from belt buckles and strollers with grubby hand kids pawing all over your car and parents who look at you like it's your fault because you complain.
Nowadays,I only enjoy shows to get ideas on what is fresh and new...with my cars home and tucked safely covered in their garages.

No aggrevation and no worries...that's how I roll.:thumbsup:

Hey man its the same the world over, seems the more money you have the better the car, not always right,Over here in Ireland we have a good few hundred American cars, not huge by American standards, but i can never work out what they give trophies for,......... i got a good few trophies for my Camaro and thats Ok. nobody has seen my Chevelle at shows as yet,but i aint going out to win trophies, my buzz is from driving the fantastic looking car,my trophy is the grin on my face as i cruise round and enjoy the car. ENJOY YOUR CHEVELLE AS MUCH AS I DO AND YOU WONT NEED TROPHIES....:D:D:D

Don't need no stinkin' trophies! I drive to shows and park my car, and take off looking at all the other cars, the swap meet, venders area and talking with people. Then I drive home. If I get an award, that's extra...........I don't go to compete. I drive my car to the events, no matter how far away they may be........I don't take it in a trailer. That's the fun factor for me.

A trophy is just one more thing to dust. I could care less about a trophy. I don't need anybody to validate the work I did on the car with a plastic trophy. I drive my car to shows and park in the lot with all the other spectators. I'll let everyone else that's showing, rub their paint all day keeping dust/dirt off it hoping for a trophy.

Hey, at least you didn't get out voted by a PT Cruiser like I did :p

Forget the trophy and just have fun.

Very few car shows even have people qualified to judge so most are always going to be like that.
If you let that stuff bother you then you're going for the wrong reasons in my opinion.

Trophies are useless, if you want them that bad just go buy some. Now if they gave you a set of jackstands,or a case of oil that would be cool.I like seeing the guys who setup all the trophies around their car....

i go for the women, i can see the cars anywhere, lol
i threw out over 150 trophys last year, couldnt give them away

One reason I get aggravated at a car show is when I ask the owner a question and he either ignores me or looks at me with a "snooty" puss on his face. You know the type....the "My car is the best here, it's "correct," I know everything, why are you bothering me, and what are doing on MY earth and breathing my air," type look. :sad:

Hasn't happened often, but it has. Perhaps it me, but I found that "face" on several, brandy new Corvette owners. :angry:


Respectfully,
John R.

i go for the women, i can see the cars anywhere, lol
i threw out over 150 trophys last year, couldnt give them away

Gotta agree with ya' on that one! Especially at MY age. :yes:

Respectfully,
John R.

This is one reason I like cruise-ins better than shows, there are no awards. At most of the small local shows the local guys will win most of the awards, they vote for each others cars. Just enjoy the cars and the people and don't worry about who won what. You will have a lot more fun.
James

I worked with a guy at a Harley Davidson dealership and when he got back from racing his Sportster Cafe racer, he bragged how he won 3rd place. A customer of our shop came by later and explained that there were only 3 bikes in that race!!! LOL!!!

Shoot, I've never been to any show that gave out trophies...
I'm a competitive person too, but I've lost the desire for awards. I used to compete heavily in Taekwondo, I have boxes of trophies and metals in my parents garage. After the hell I put myself through for some of those, the idea of getting an award for driving my shiny car to a show seems weird to me.
I go to shows for the company, and the other cars. My gto group usually rolls to shows together about 20 deep, it gets us a lot of attention usually. Maybe hook up with some local guys who want to do that, then make fun of the guy with the dirtiest car. :D

I have stopped going to car shows and cruise-ins for the past 4-5 years. Like everyone has said it's the same old cars with the same people, talking about the same old thing!!! BORING

At 8pm all the geezers pack up and go home anyway. (by geezers I mean people that act old)

I have been going to club events at the drag strip and road courses were people are actually using their cars for what they were built for, much more fun!!!! When you win a trophy there, you won because you were #1

Only reason I put my car in a show is for the better parking. I once had a 64 Chevy C-10 short flrrtside (big back window) that had a frame off restore, chromed out crossram (EFI) and detailed everything and was beat out by a 87 Dodge Shadow that said "me & my shadow" on the top of the engine. :D - Don't sweat it, Just go & have fun.

LK

You can't tell me that anyone who has done a full frame-off rebuild THEMSELVES and has a stand-up car, can't have the right to be mad at a local show when they get beat by a POS with a Maaco paint job....

It's not called competitiveness, it's called passion and pride....

i went to my first show on saturday, dirtiest car their, only stuck around for 1/2 hour and then left past it at full throtle, when people asked me why it was so dirty i said ive been to busy driving it, DUH, my car shows are going to be limited im thinking, i cant handle 60`s pop music with geezers, no offence guys:D

last year my dad`s 68 camaro(see signature picture) won a cruise night because the sponser in charge of picking a car had a mullet :thumbsup:

Taking my cars to these local cruises and just parking amongst all the other rides is good enough in my book.Not to say I have never taken home a trophy,but thats not why I go.
When I go,I take my daughter with me and sometimes the Wife ;) Its all about quality Family time and enjoying the car

I will never wait for trophy presentations unless I don't want to leave the show when there's still alot that's going on. I enjoy the comments and the guys/girls reminiscing about the day in the past when they had what I have now, all the smiles and "nice car" comments one gets. I enjoy people looking at my picture book and saying to each other how hard it is to beleive it came out so good. I like going to and from the shows and all the people that look at it, make comments like "that puts a lot of smiles on peoples faces" and the like.
But most of all, I love DRIVING my Chevelle hot rod! It is an absolute blast!!!

I have way more pride in my racing trophies than my car show trophies. :D

I have been going to club events at the drag strip and road courses were people are actually using their cars for what they were built for, much more fun!!!! When you win a trophy there, you won because you were #1

You go to road course events in NC?

Remember this: You can't drive a trophy and after you get a few, they just become clutter anyway.

Thats true.....mine were all collecting dust in the basement so I took them all to a second hand store and got rid of them!!

Trophies we don't need no stinkn trophies :noway:
I go to help a cause /charity :yes: and to receive the comments from people who check out my car. Not to be judge by someone who may only know about the car he drives. I score far better with all the people who look at my car than with a judge. I go for the "man that’s a beautiful car", "I remember when dad had one like this and wish I had it now" etc by the spectators of an event.
I do judge sometimes with the club I belong too. If questioned I tell the owners / people that the club does not judge on correctness. We judge on workmanship, and cleanliness.

I was pissed a little at the last show I went to, until I refocused on why I was there. I was a little upset with being in the same class with several other muscle cars. The cars highly modified and hauled in on trailers to the show. I drive mine to any show I attend. My car has two modifications above factory available options. I installed a filler panel from the grille to the radiator support. I also installed amber fog lights / driving lights, in place of the second set of high beams with their relay control setup.
Go for the fellowship, girls, cars and girls. It can be fun if you make it.
KEEP ON CRUISE-IN YOUR CHEVELLE!

The only reason I enter my car in a show is for a good parking spot! :D

If I win a trophy, so be it. A few years ago, I took the Olds to a show at the local Wal-Mart. That's about as far as I felt comfortable driving it. Parked in the coral, walked around, talked to a few people. I had a great time. I ended up taking home best in class.

Hey, I already won "most paint chips" as well. Just go and have fun. That's what it's supposed to be about anyway, isn't it?

I go for the friendships made and the people that talk about one they had as a kid or the neighbor thing. I have run into the grumpy snooty people that don't want to talk about their car there at shows too. What fun is being that way and having your car at the show ? when I Enter mine its not for trophies its for fun, its not a show car chipped paint and a few cracks in the glass hood. I sit there or walk around and see the other cars there and talk to people. I love the people that approach me at the car show or somewhere I have driven it to. so far i don't think my car likes shows .........first time had a flat on a sunday after 4 ( what fun ) the next one the thermostat housing comes loose (didn't steam or anything someone at the car show noticed coolant in the intake valey and told be about it) the next I locked my keys in the trunk checking level in the fuel cell ...... (more fun 2 3' extensions and a ratchet on the trunk latch saved the day) and each time people at the show were trying to help me out THATS what its all about.

This is one reason I like cruise-ins better than shows, there are no awards. At most of the small local shows the local guys will win most of the awards, they vote for each others cars. Just enjoy the cars and the people and don't worry about who won what. You will have a lot more fun.
James

In a nutshell thats it.
Friend of mine bitches about it even though he trophies, but man, all the BS, drama and gossip, they can have it . Ill be ruining my new paint job with rock chips and burnt rubber and loving every minute of it.

In a nutshell thats it.
Friend of mine bitches about it even though he trophies, but man, all the BS, drama and gossip, they can have it . Ill be ruining my new paint job with rock chips and burnt rubber and loving every minute of it.

And here I thought I was alone with my view that these cars we're built to be driven. :D

I rarely enter car shows at all (just some cruises). A trophy is such an over rated plastic and marble POS that I could care less about recieving. I was shocked years ago at the MCC Chevelle show that I got 1st place in the daily driver class with my 72 Elco.
Now what closet did I put that in??

Been there, done that. Now that you know how it is I have a feeling you will no longer care about it.

Go to the show, enjoy the drive, the cars and the people, then blow out of there early before they start handing out the cheap imported plastic junk and enjoy the rest of your day crusing.

Lets face it, we all want to win a trophy. I have won when I probably should not have (because of club member voting) and lost to others (because of their club members voting) . The only thing that bothers me is the new car off the showroom floor. THAT JUST AIN'T WRIGHT.

shouldn't having the chevelle be enough trophy? :confused:

You can't get upset at your local Restaurant Cruise in when the "lead Waitress" picks her favorite car.

Unless your in a classed show, with some judges that know what they're looking at, you have to take it for what it's worth.

Very few people are going to have the knowledge to appreciate (or even See), the overspray, or correct Bolt Head, or part tag, or correct plating finish.

It's not a Gold Spinner award, it's typically for Charity, and for Fun.

How can you possibly get ticked off?

It's like the guys I see who squeal their tires and lay a big patch when they leave because they didn't win.....

Seriously? :D

I enjoy the expressions on peoples faces and the comments of the spectators more than a $10 Trophy.

Hearing the comments from people "Who Know" what they're looking at is all the appreciation I need.


We have to be humble and realize that in most instances, the people who pick the trophies know far less than those of us who have "Obsessed" over Chevelles for years.

They don't have the knowledge to give them the "Depth perception" to see beyond the Shiney Red paint.

You gotta cut them some slack and enjoy the journey, not the final Plastic $10 destination.

I only wish folks would get the idea that there is a difference between a SHOW CAR built to compete and a Nice Car brought to a Car Show.

When you build a car to compete, to be judged and that is the goal.. then and only then should you have any issues with whether you win a trophy or not.

If you own a nice car and all the locals love it and you get thumbs up on Sundays when you drive it or at the cruise night shows... that's all great, but just know the difference between that and a SHOW CAR....and you will never have issues at a CAR SHOW!

I never have any issues saying my car was restored with the intention of Competing, Showing and being Judged.. the Goal was to have one of the best restored to Original Show Car 66 SS's in the country... Not a driver, not a Racer, been there done that.. we all get enjoyment in our own way.. and as long as we RESPECT each other for that.. it's all Good!

Enjoy your car.. go to whatever shows you want, talk cars, talk women, drink, whatever you want.. but Know in advance whether you have a SHOW CAR or just a nice car at a CAR SHOW.

Mike

You can't get upset at your local Restaurant Cruise in when the "lead Waitress" picks her favorite car.

Unless your in a classed show, with some judges that know what they're looking at, you have to take it for what it's worth.

Very few people are going to have the knowledge to appreciate (or even See), the overspray, or correct Bolt Head, or part tag, or correct plating finish.

It's not a Gold Spinner award, it's typically for Charity, and for Fun.

How can you possibly get ticked off?

It's like the guys I see who squeal their tires and lay a big patch when they leave because they didn't win.....

Seriously? :D

I enjoy the expressions on peoples faces and the comments of the spectators more than a $10 Trophy.

Hearing the comments from people "Who Know" what they're looking at is all the appreciation I need.


We have to be humble and realize that in most instances, the people who pick the trophies know far less than those of us who have "Obsessed" over Chevelles for years.

They don't have the knowledge to give them the "Depth perception" to see beyond the Shiney Red paint.

You gotta cut them some slack and enjoy the journey, not the final Plastic $10 destination.

I only wish folks would get the idea that there is a difference between a SHOW CAR built to compete and a Nice Car brought to a Car Show.

When you build a car to compete, to be judged and that is the goal.. then and only then should you have any issues with whether you win a trophy or not.

If you own a nice car and all the locals love it and you get thumbs up on Sundays when you drive it or at the cruise night shows... that's all great, but just know the difference between that and a SHOW CAR....and you will never have issues at a CAR SHOW!

I never have any issues saying my car was restored with the intention of Competing, Showing and being Judged.. the Goal was to have one of the best restored to Original Show Car 66 SS's in the country... Not a driver, not a Racer, been there done that.. we all get enjoyment in our own way.. and as long as we RESPECT each other for that.. it's all Good!

Enjoy your car.. go to whatever shows you want, talk cars, talk women, drink, whatever you want.. but Know in advance whether you have a SHOW CAR or just a nice car at a CAR SHOW.

Mike

:thumbsup:

Lets face it, we all want to win a trophy. I have won when I probably should not have (because of club member voting) and lost to others (because of their club members voting) . The only thing that bothers me is the new car off the showroom floor. THAT JUST AIN'T WRIGHT.


Trophy smhmophy.....BUT I do get highly irritated with the new cars at car shows....especially those horrible, god forsaken PT cruisers with vinly sticker flames, dolls, tiny contruction equipment toy set ups all around the cars....argh. Actually, unless its a super car or damn near a super car (vette, viper, etc) then I dont think it should be there at all...in fact, park it down the street away from the parking lot all together.

HHR's, PT cruisers all parked around classic muscle....gimme a break! Do you bring your knife to a gunfight? Your cookies to the cake competition? Bring your salmon pole and bait to the bass tournament? Take your gay lover on over to the bunny ranch?

Its a game of "One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesnt belong"

Trophy smhmophy.....BUT I do get highly irritated with the new cars at car shows....especially those horrible, god forsaken PT cruisers with vinly sticker flames, dolls, tiny contruction equipment toy set ups all around the cars....argh. Actually, unless its a super car or damn near a super car (vette, viper, etc) then I dont think it should be there at all...in fact, park it down the street away from the parking lot all together.

HHR's, PT cruisers all parked around classic muscle....gimme a break! Do you bring your knife to a gunfight? Your cookies to the cake competition? Bring your salmon pole and bait to the bass tournament? Take your gay lover on over to the bunny ranch?

Its a game of "One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesnt belong"

Oh don't be so hard on the PT Cruiser people. They have to stick around the old muscle cars so they can keep a shred of their dignity even though they know their car is nothing but a plastic toy box compared the vintage iron of a bygone era. :D

I don't mind the PT Cruiser crowd, the HHR crowd, or even the Plymouth Prowler folks. Some of those owners are pretty creative with their cars/trucks. Not my brand of beer, but that's evident by what I drive.

Back to the topic at hand -- I never enter my car in judged competition unless the entry fee already includes being judged. My Chevelle is what I would call a good "5-footer", that is driven often. It has its original engine and rear-end, and I am constantly trying to make it 'correct' as possible because I am passionate about my car and for no other reason, certainly not to impress other people. I know every single flaw on my Chevelle too, so I don't care to have anybody re-affirm what I already know, or tell me what they think is incorrect about 'her' either. Most of the time, the judges are wrong anyhow. More importanly, trophies mean nothing to me, so competing is pointless. I bought this car many years ago, never to compete, but to drive it, go to cruises, go to car shows, and talk to like-minded people. That's the real prize in all of this, to me.

The last car show I went to was held by the local Corvette Club and I would've had to pay an extra $5 to be judged. I passed. Later I talked to a couple of the judges who said it was too bad that I hadn't paid the extra $5 because many of the them would have voted for my Chevelle. That was icing on the cake for what was already a great day. 'Nuff said.

I enter for the fun. Mine 72 has not had a frame off and yes it needs work on the underside but on the other hand I am not afraid to take it down a dirt road or across the grass or heat the engine up. Enjoy the car, many others will enjoy the car with you. If someone starts to be critical, watch them get into their Ford Focus. They are envious.

We all work hard on our toys. Those that show a new car have not had the pleasure of drilling out a rusted bolt or sanding down 40 year old parts. They cannot appreciate our hard work.

I'll admit that I like going to shows and wanting to win a trophy. It's sort of a recognition of all the hard work that you put into your car. I've won my share of trophies over the years. BUT, that's not the only reason I go. I enjoy the people, the other cars, and just the general atmosphere of being around classic car people. I enjoy talking with people, and don't have any issues if some don't like what I did with my car. To each his own I say. And I know all about the politics that are involved behind the scene. It doesn't bother me at all.
The last show I went to that was judged I put my boys name (he's 6) on the sign in sheet. When they called his name for 1st place, he was so proud walking up there to get "his" trophy. That one is in his room, and it's the one I'm most proud of.

I found that "face" on several, brandy new Corvette owners. :angry:


Respectfully,
John R.

With that said, why even concern yourself with what a NEW Corvette owner thinks anyway!! Anyone with a fat wallet can BUY a new sports car.

Not all are like that, but for the most part you will find that Corvette people have a big stick up their ass :thumbsup:


Rocky

With that said, why even concern yourself with what a NEW Corvette owner thinks anyway!! Anyone with a fat wallet can BUY a new sports car.

Not all are like that, but for the most part you will find that Corvette people have a big stick up their ass :thumbsup:


Rocky

And side ways. :D

With that said, why even concern yourself with what a NEW Corvette owner thinks anyway!! Anyone with a fat wallet can BUY a new sports car.

Not all are like that, but for the most part you will find that Corvette people have a big stick up their ass :thumbsup:


Rocky

Now Rocky...don't be so insensitive. Oh, nevermind, that's what I'm always being told. :)

I don't mind the PT Cruiser crowd, the HHR crowd, or even the Plymouth Prowler folks. Some of those owners are pretty creative with their cars/trucks. Not my brand of beer, but that's evident by what I drive.

.

I agree, to an extent....but a car show for these cars is called "The grocery store parking lot" or "check out my pinstriping at the stoplight"

Maybe i'll be a geo metro, go flat black, do bright red pinstripes and stock up on those stupid dolls hiding their faces so's I can score a trophy. :D

I dont get mad at not winning cause I dont compete. Im also usually the guy that wont get angry and jump into a fight but rather crack a beer and enjoy the show while everyone freaks and screams.

Guess it really does come down to ones personal competitive nature. Some folks role it into everything they do and it takes presidence over all else. Maybe have the wife drive to the show and drink beer. I find the more beer I drink the less I tend to care about anything except for where my next beer is coming from. I learned this from professional competitive drinkers and it works...truly. Its magic, the potion of patience..mostly cause ya just forget but whatever works.

I agree, to an extent....but a car show for these cars is called "The grocery store parking lot" or "check out my pinstriping at the stoplight"

Maybe i'll be a geo metro, go flat black, do bright red pinstripes and stock up on those stupid dolls hiding their faces so's I can score a trophy. :D

I dont get mad at not winning cause I dont compete. Im also usually the guy that wont get angry and jump into a fight but rather crack a beer and enjoy the show while everyone freaks and screams.

Guess it really does come down to ones personal competitive nature. Some folks role it into everything they do and it takes presidence over all else. Maybe have the wife drive to the show and drink beer. I find the more beer I drink the less I tend to care about anything except for where my next beer is coming from. I learned this from professional competitive drinkers and it works...truly. Its magic, the potion of patience..mostly cause ya just forget but whatever works.

Uhhh duh. :D

I have a great car show story. A friend of mine takes his restored 69 SS396 El Camino to a local community college car show (it is even a poor car show color, white) now this is a very nice El Camino. He wins best of show there (and there were some VERY nice cars there), my friend was very happy to get the award but not the reason we were there. Anyways there was this guy there with and nice 64 or 65 Blown Pro-Street El Camino, super clean and a show winner in its own right, but this *** complained when he lost out to a "stock" car that all the owner did was buy and wash. This guy was so wrong about what my friend had done to his 69, it was a basketcase when started. If you go for the awards and accolades you need to find a different way to satisfy your compeditive streak, cause there is a TON of politics in car shows.

To add to it a few years later he and I enter a charity car show for an elementary school, now my 68 at the time was a good driver but not show quality in the least, I beat out my friends El Camino....lol. The cars were judged by the kids, and my car is "resale" red so it stood out next to his refrigerator white El Camino.

I agree with a lot of comments here. The first show I was in I thought I had a legit chance. But when the trophies were handed out they all went to cars in the same row "buddy system".

I was amazed that my car was beat by a 1989 chevy s10 that looked like its paint was applied with a broom from 10 feet away. The S10 also beat out some very top shelf cars.

As I drove home and thought about doing it trophyless, I thought I would rather be driving my Chevelle home without a trophy than that pos S10 with a trophy.

I agree, to an extent....but a car show for these cars is called "The grocery store parking lot" or "check out my pinstriping at the stoplight"

Maybe i'll be a geo metro, go flat black, do bright red pinstripes and stock up on those stupid dolls hiding their faces so's I can score a trophy. :D

Beaux, let me rephrase. I don't mind seeing the PT Cruisers, HHRs, and Prowlers at the car shows -- it gives me something to chuckle about. :D They're not my definition of 'muscle' by any stretch, although I do dig the retro look of the Prowlers. If only Plymouth had dropped a HEMI in the Prowlers instead of a V6 ...

Alot of good advice here. Go enjoy yourself , hangout with some friends, meet some new friends. When a trophy comes you way thats great. If not enjoy the ride home. My car is my trophy!!!

Alot of good advice here. Go enjoy yourself , hangout with some friends, meet some new friends. When a trophy comes you way thats great. If not enjoy the ride home. My car is my trophy!!!
I agree. I agree with a lot of the other comments but not all. I don't think you have to have a dedicated show car that rarely gets driven in order to want fair judging. Most cars entered at shows are very nice but driven cars of varying degrees of quality and workmanship. Owners of the better ones expect to do well. But local car shows are what they are. I've entered probably over 60 in the last 10 years. I've won awards that I shouldn't have and vice versa. At participant voting shows the buddy system is always in effect. That's just the way life is. And judged shows will usually have at least some judges that don't know squat about cars and others that prefer certain types of cars, still others that reward their friends. At a recent show here a friend's wife was one of the judges just because she is a member of the church that put it on and volunteered. She likes Chevelles but doesn't know a carb from a radiator. If you enter a local show just don't expect perfect judging. It rarely happens. Enjoy the sunshine, other cars, and people. Sure it's disappointing to not get your name called but just shrug it off instead of raising a fuss. It's gonna happen sometimes. I do agree the best reward is when people "that know what they're looking at" compliment me about the car.

My highest compliment was when I was talking to a guy at a car show, and he said "you're really anal". He got a horrified look on his face, stuttered and stammered that all he meant was that I do a really clean and correct work on the car. I laughed at his embarassment and told him -Thanks, I understood. We had a good laugh over it and talked another half hour. I'm not a show car builder, just a decent fabricator that likes to work on the details, like stainless bolts and screws, and all parts sanded and painted. I love to ask guys questions about their car. I can usually tell in 3 or 4 answers if he did his own work. I know that some people will do everything and others have to write checks. Just don't try to pass it off as your own work, we know if you did it yourself. Finally, DRIVE YOUR CARS!! I don't see the fun of leaving it in the garage, or backing it off the trailer. I drive a blown big block, and will think nothing of a 60 mile trip to a cruise. I guess this year I'll just eat less and spend more on the gas. Have fun!!

Thanks guys, some great posts here. I do love driving my car and on the ride home thought about how that is what its all about. Now just need to get rid of the 307 and put in a big block. (after the drive to Goodletsville) Hope to me you all at C'bration.

In a nutshell thats it.
Friend of mine bitches about it even though he trophies, but man, all the BS, drama and gossip, they can have it . Ill be ruining my new paint job with rock chips and burnt rubber and loving every minute of it.

:hurray:Well said!! I just spent 4 months re-painting my Nova, havent even finished buffing the clear out ,but after not driving my car for 4 months i already coated my new paint with some rubber:beers:. kurt

yes i do. i stopped putting my chevelle in the maryland chevelle show due to frustration. mine is simply a daily driver. i used to enter it in that category. every year, i was getting beat by cars with antique plates, big blocks and trailered daily drivers.
1. its not really a daily driver if you trailer it.
2. with the price of gas, nobody is driving a 502 motor every day.
3. antique plates have milage restrictions and couldnt be driven every day.
4. if you mention this to a judge, he thinks you are the a hole.
5. every year, out of about 15 cars, 12-13 of them should be disqualified. usually, the winners are older restorations that are just not good enough to win the modified or restored class.

the final straw for me was when a guy entered 2 cars in daily driver. how can you drive 2 at the same time????? he wound up winning 1st place with a 65 that had racing slicks on it. those tires werent even street legal, so how can it be driven daily??????

i could go on, but you get the point. now, i just park mine and enjoy the show. let the cheaters and unqualified judges do thier thing. there is no honor in it at all.

yes i do. i stopped putting my chevelle in the maryland chevelle show due to frustration. mine is simply a daily driver. i used to enter it in that category. every year, i was getting beat by cars with antique plates, big blocks and trailered daily drivers.
1. its not really a daily driver if you trailer it.
2. with the price of gas, nobody is driving a 502 motor every day.
3. antique plates have milage restrictions and couldnt be driven every day.
4. if you mention this to a judge, he thinks you are the a hole.
5. every year, out of about 15 cars, 12-13 of them should be disqualified. usually, the winners are older restorations that are just not good enough to win the modified or restored class.

the final straw for me was when a guy entered 2 cars in daily driver. how can you drive 2 at the same time????? he wound up winning 1st place with a 65 that had racing slicks on it. those tires werent even street legal, so how can it be driven daily??????

i could go on, but you get the point. now, i just park mine and enjoy the show. let the cheaters and unqualified judges do thier thing. there is no honor in it at all.

No but we are driving 454's. :D

Trophys are just trinkets that collect dust. I attend many car shows down here and the politics are laughable. The same cars win at the big shows time and time again, my friends and I could care less. We go for the fun of it. I can tell you one thing though, I would never trade one of my cars for the PT Cruiser driving away with a trophy and a 10K stereo system and some neon lights.:noway:

I just can't relate to many of the comments I've read in this thread.

I've entered 2-10 car shows per year for the last 30 years or so. Most of them, all for the last few years, are charity shows with $20 or so entries. I seldom have known anyone associated with the shows. They aren't restricted in any way, you pay, you're in. Mostly rods, some muscle, some antiques, some trucks.

I've won with a '66 Nova with whitewalls, '64 Riv, '56 150 2dr with 30 year old cheapy checked paint, '65 6 banger 300dx, a high mileage '66 Elco mostly original, and last weekend with my Corvair.

I've seldom even met the people that presented me an award except possibly in conversation at that show. I dont go for awards. PERIOD. I go to share, to meet people, to get ideas for future projects, to see towns and areas I haven't stopped to visit before, and to enjoy my car on a road trip. I'll drive up to 2 hours and I have the choice of several shows on any given weekend. 29 different shows in May, 34 in June, over 50 in July. Some of these shows have more than 200 entrants.

So, my take is, forget the hardware. Share you car, or rod, or whatever and meet a few people. Remember, only for a few hours will anyone remember you won anything except you. The next day, just you, and possible someone in a small circle of friends will remember. However, you may meet someone who will become a good friend, and good friends are better than all the hardware you can get.

Dont bother staying for the trophy presentations. I dont waiste my time. Besides, after sweating all morning and early afternoon at a car show, the only thing I want is to go home and shower and chill out the rest of the day with a beer in my hand and/or some brats on the grill.

Remember this: You can't drive a trophy and after you get a few, they just become clutter anyway.

I know a few guys that were all exited to get awards with thier cars when they first got thier cars finished. After that novelty wore off this is exactly how that felt too. Most of them leave before the awards are given out also.