....Location. Took my 67 to an all Chevelle show recently and as luck would have it got parked between two stunners. Now my 67 isn't any slouch as it has a high quality, high dollar paint job, not because I can afford it, but because my brother owns a body shop. By itself it is very bright and shiny Marina Blue that can stand on its own, but, there are allot of details due to a limited budget that needed to be cleaned, polished, and reused. Very proud of it and not ashamed, but I know it is basically just a very nice driver.

Now I get to the show and get parked between an electric blue 67 that made my car look dull and a glossy jet black giga-thousand dollar 67 that had the chrome, chrome plated and everything else, if you know the type. I'm not sure anyone noticed my car. It doesn't really matter as I go to be a part of it all and I still love it and I will keep going. I guess the biggest thing this has taught me is to look at each and every car and try to see it on its own and not be swayed by what's parked next to it. Besides, as owners, we all like to show and be seen with our cars, so we should be willing to return the favor.

I'm about to get the point of this thread. Oh who am I kidding? I'm lost.

I know where you're coming from. We hit 12-15 shows a summer. Some local and some international. Placement, what you're next to, and even what you're parked on all play a facter in the outcome. Our club (350 members) has a show and one guy with a 68 camaro has to win. Its a hidden by-law or something. He gets to pick his spot on the show grounds and we all get whats left. It gets old. Shows are fun, but I go to meet new car people and relax. For some, its all about the trophy. THEY are really the losers. Our car has been to 18 shows to date and won 24 awards. I don't need any more trophy's. I enjoy the cars and the people.

I would stop and check out your car, very nice.

Nice car, Jeffry! Don't worry, enjoy it!

The last show I went to I ended up chatting with a guy for quite a while who brought his '65 el camino done in primer. He was as proud to be there anybody else, it was very cool--- I like the cars, I like the people. And I'm too intimidated by folks with the trailer queens who glare when I walk by to even take a good look at their wares! :noway::noway:

Obviously you need to step it up a notch or two :D

i've discovered that if a beat up car with rock chips, faded paint, a thrashed interior, and an all business engine will get more attention when it is parked next to one of those really nice cars. happens at Car Craft every summer.

Great Attitude Jeff !! :thumbsup:

As the owner of a car that gets trailered ( and lets not have that discussion ) there is nothing worse than getting parked and placed and having the guy next to you bitch all day long about how his driven car or his not as original car.. can't compete with mine...

I have no control over any particular car show's rules or classes... I just show up and park where they tell me to....

It's refreshing to hear your positive attitude about this sometimes frustrating part of car shows...the point to remember.. the owner of THAT car that is over the top.. has no control over where he is parked usually.. so don't hate on him :noway:

I never really gave a crap what others think of my cars. Maybe when they pay for em they can have a say :)

By the way I think your cars sweet !

I never really gave a crap what others think of my cars. Maybe when they pay for em they can have a say :)

By the way I think your cars sweet !


:yes::thumbsup:

Are you kidding....you can be damm proud of that 67......how many dollars did the other guys spend

I enjoy the shows because it's a chance to meet new people and see your old friends that you haven't seen since the last time you were at that show. I don't go expecting to win an award. In my opinion, if anyone goes to the shows and gets upset because they didn't win an award they need to find another hobby.
James

Thanks for compliments guys, hope you don't think that's why I posted this. This has just been something that's been bugging me for the last month. Probably because I've been guilty of passing by so many cars and just looking at the high lights so to speak. Guessing it's God's way of teaching me a lesson. Keep pounding it my head until I get it and fess up.

I know where you're coming from.... I'm also guilty of "skimming" the field in a car show.... There are just so many cars you go into sensory overload.. But if I happen to be somewhere and somebody pulls up in a classic, I'll jump at the chance to give it a good looking over as well as talking to the owner about it..

Did you build it to be trailered and parked, or did you build it to be driven and enjoyed?

As long as you enjoy it, and it does what you built it for, that's all that matters.

I don't go to car shows anymore. There are none here. :(

Even though the first one I took the Chevelle too when I was "finished" with it, won a TOP 25 Award.

There were only 24 cars there. :)

Ahhhh, who cares what anyone else thinks. If "his" car is nicer than mine, I bet my wife looks better than his. I bet my family loves me more than his family does him. :thumbsup:

My Chevelle has seen many car shows in the last 5 years we've had it done and continues to win at events. Yesterday I had two judges talk to me after they judged the car to tell me what's right and what's wrong on the car. While I understand that, we built my car to be just that... MINE! It's not 100% correct and never will be, but I enjoy driving that car throughout the week and every weekend. My husband and I restored it, he put a kick a$$ paint job on it, and it shows. BTW, I did win Best of Class, so they liked something!

I have no problem with a trailered car as long as it's in the correct class. Trailered cars are amazing cars and it shows. There is no way I can compete against something that never sees the road... unless you count getting pushed into/out of the trailer.

The only other issue I have at shows is owners claiming how they did all the work when you know darn well they took that car to a body shop and $50k later got it back. You call that doing all the work? I have friends that have done that and don't even know how (or won't attempt) to change the oil as they don't have a clue where to even start. Don't compare yourself to someone who does all the work, we take pride in our cars just as much as you do.

We also attend shows with our car club, our members have become great friends and we all realize the awards are nice to get, but just collect dust within a month of getting them. It's the friendships you make, not the cars behind us.

Very good point(s) **Racheal**.

I can't wait to retire and move back home, more "car people" back home. :thumbsup:

I know where you're coming from.... I'm also guilty of "skimming" the field in a car show...

Me too...

I just got back from a large car show (~6500 cars) and I felt a little bad at times, because you would see these beautiful cars, with the owners sitting behind them in lawn chairs, and many people wouldn't even stop to look...

Honestly, even I pass by alot of NICE cars, maybe because they are a car I am not interested in, or I see one that really catches my eye (and forget to go back), or my buddies call me over to check something out, etc...


I'll still go check a "regular", "nice" car often over some high-dollar show car, just depending on whats there...


Also, for me, I actually prefer to see cars that are less-than-perfect, if its something the owner built themselves... Show cars are nice and beautiful, but sometimes they can make me feel intimidated, even if my car isn't there...

Carshows, for me = the track.

Other than that I really attend shows to mull around with buddies and have fun.

The interesting thing about most car shows these days, is they are more and more going to participant judging.

I have had people vote for my car when there were what I consider nicer cars around.

And I have seen people vote for cars over mine, that I consider not even in the same ball park.

But with all things, beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder. So Jeff, even if there is a car parked next to you that YOU consider superior to yours, there will be folks who will like yours better.


Rocky



Rocky

Trailer queens are ok, most of those cars are way over restored. These cars are not Ferraris but a working mans car and never looked that good from the factory. Personally I prefer to look at those cars that are drivers and do have imperfections. Looks more real and authentic to me, and I like the fact that the guy drove it there too. I really have no use for cars that aren't driven and have mirrors underneath so you can see there isn't a spec of dust on the undercarriage. Just my two cents.

Jeff, your car looks awesome!!! 99.99% of these shows are just about hanging out and having some laughs with good friends. I'm fairly new to the trailer circuit but even at that, it still just comes down to hanging out and having a good time. It really doesn't matter what you own when you come right down to it, just be happy you're there and enjoy it!!! There are more important things to worry about in life!!!!:thumbsup:

...I'll still go check a "regular", "nice" car often over some high-dollar show car, just depending on whats there...


Also, for me, I actually prefer to see cars that are less-than-perfect, if its something the owner built themselves... Show cars are nice and beautiful, but sometimes they can make me feel intimidated, even if my car isn't there...

Trailer queens are ok, most of those cars are way over restored. These cars are not Ferraris but a working mans car and never looked that good from the factory. Personally I prefer to look at those cars that are drivers and do have imperfections. Looks more real and authentic to me, and I like the fact that the guy drove it there too. I really have no use for cars that aren't driven and have mirrors underneath so you can see there isn't a spec of dust on the undercarriage. Just my two cents.


I agree 100%.

I only really go to Chevelle shows anymore. I RARELY go to local shows anymore unless it's a muscle car only event like Musclepalooza. James hit the nail on the head also. I go to see the friends I've made going to these chevelle shows over the last couple however many years just because I only get to see them 1-2 times a year.

I really enjoy seeing the daily drivers, kustoms, rat rods, and especially the sleepers. Mostly I look for original ideas and things I haven't seen before. I could care less about correctness, or who has the perfect trailered car. A lot of guys have money. If trailering a car is the way they they enjoy the hobby, then more power to 'em, and happy to see them out there. If it weren't for those guys spending big bucks, you wouldn't have such a healthly amount of cool aftermarket parts available, and continued engineering on performance parts. Someone has to pay to keep these guys in business. If I had the cash, who knows, maybe I'd have someone create my dream car too. Can't knock a man for that! Usually my favorites wind up being something that's primered or wearing satin paint though. And I never show up with my '66. It's really just for me anyway.

I've noticed something at car shows for the last few years....if i see a Chevelle that really interest me, i like to walk up and compliment the owner first, then ask questions about what or how he may have done something to his ride......more and more, they can't answer even the simplest questions, they stammer and stutter and finally say i paid to have it built or i bought it that way...nothing wrong with that, but sometimes they almost drop their head or look ashamed.......if and when my 67 is finished, i want to be able to look you in the eye and answer any question you have, from what cam i chose, to which rear disc i installed, to what body panels i replaced. To me personally, i get a great deal of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment out of doing it myself, plus it's the only way i will ever get it back on the road...i think even if i had plenty of money, i would still want to do it myself.....;)

Yesterday I had two judges talk to me after they judged the car to tell me what's right and what's wrong on the car. While I understand that, we built my car to be just that... MINE! It's not 100% correct and never will be, but I enjoy driving that car throughout the week and every weekend.

I had almost the same thing happen to me. I just looked that the judge and said "I don't care what's wrong with it" and just walked away. I didn't build it for him or anyone else, but for myself. I didn't do everything on it myself, but I did the majority of it and it shows. I know every little flaw on it. And most of those flaws hold some type on memory for me. But than winning awards and trophies isn't all that important to me. I go to shows to meet people and have a good time. And most of the times I don't stay to the end. I just get bored way to quickly. I don't care if you have perfect paint or the correct tires and date coded hoses. Also putting a mirror under your car so I can see how clean it is is a sure way to get me to walk right on by without even giving you a glance.
As for Chevelle only shows. Nothing to me is more boring, and I have one coming up this weekend. If it weren't the club I belong to putting it on and me volunteering to work it, I probably wouldn't put my Camino in it. To me once you've seen a couple Chevelles or El Camino, you've pretty much seen them all.