With all the incredible cars posted, when should a new owner make the plunge with his "imperfect" ride?

Hey if you can drive it, take it. A lot of people appreciate the "work in progress" cars. I showed my car for the first time at the Oregon club's first show. There was nothing special about the car except that it was still running. Plus if it is a regular annual show/cruise-in people will be able to see the difference the following year.
Rob

I didn't think any of your choices were applicable so I didn't vote..sorry

My vote would have been, "If it feels good, do it". Just be prepared to not get an award and you may get one when you least expect it. smile.gif

I read in Hot Rod a while back a bit of advise on project cars....and I couldn't agree more with them.

Drive your project, take it to the local cruise night shows, take it to the big shows even.

If it just sits in the garage you'll be more likely to get frustrated or loose interest. You might be suprised at what people are interested in looking at...I can tell you be prepared to be offered cash for sale...lol.

Interesting. I am just now getting ready to start taking my car to shows, but I can't stop seeing the flaws. I appreciate the feedback. (Maybe some new tires would help).

I am just now getting ready to start taking my car to shows, but I can't stop seeing the flaws. I guess it depends on what YOU want... I would think a clean car with relatively little butchery...

I myself like to drive my car, bang a few gears now and then, and as such, the car starts to deteriorate (paint chips, etc). Don't get me wrong, I would love to own something as nice as Mike's 66 (Mystery Chevelles), but I'd be too worried about dirt/chips, parts breakage or bad drivers to want to drive it on the street, and thats why I have my old cars...

I myself don't care if I win any trophys, so I will take it no matter how many flaws I (or anyone else) can see... I just want to show people what I have done already...

I also tend to sometimes look at "imperfect" cars with more regard than the 990-point show winner... Its not that I think the imperfect car is better, but often I find it was assembled/restored mostly by the owner and not just a professional shop. I guess its because I look at this (auto restoring/modifying) as my hobby, and as such, I like to do as much as I can myself (and taking the satisfaction/pride), even if it isn't perfect. And therefore I tend to think of someone else hard work not so much as the finished product, but what the person has accomplished, whether its finished or not...

Sure, major flaws might be shameful (I have seen some cars that literally look like they were painted with a roller), but sometimes those were either first attempts, or the elements that came with the car when purchased...

I would also add that you should be ready for criticism, no matter what your car looks like... It can also be their sense of style. Maybe they like Fords, or maybe they like a different year Chevelle better, or would like a little chrome rather than the stock engine parts, etc. And there always seem to be a few people that will bash your work/car with you right there...

I have had a few people "snobbishly" look down upon my car... Why, I don't know, it only makes their trailer-queen look better...

Unless its a "special" show or national event of all high-caliber show cars, then I feel its okay for anyone/virtually any car to show up...

I usually hold off until I get all the oil leaks fixed. Figured its the sporting thing to do.

But seriously, a lot of guys drive their cars as work in progress. Nothing says more than a guy driving up in primer, lifting the hood and finding out the entire underframe has been done. If its good enough to drive on the street, then park it in the show. Pretty or not, you have as much right to be there as the next guy.

I say take the car to the shows. When I first started taking my car to shows I didn't have the trunk carpeted, no carpeting over the rear sheetmetal and wheel wells, the headliner hung down arround the edges and was painted yellow from the paint job being done and the clear coat was never wet sanded and buffed. You would be surprised at the comments I got about the car. It made me feel alot better about having the car there. As for what LoeP said it happened to me I went to maybe 5 shows last year slowly getting things done on the car and never got an award then I went to a show in Tamaqua with 3 cars in my class. I was kidding with the friend that went along that I was sure to get third place. The other 2 cars were really nice great paint, custom interiors, lots of chrome and polished alum. on their engines. Then came awards time and I got first place. I couldn't believe it. You just never know. I go for the fun, music and looking at cars. I've met some really nice people going to shows and made some friends also. If you have a good time at the shows thats all that matters, the awards are a plus if you get one.

I guess it won't matter how nice your car is. There's always going to be some pinhead who just doesn't know when to shut up and will pick the car apart. I don't go to any shows because I already know my car is nothing special to look at, but driving it sure is fun. smile.gif

Not to be rude, but any pinhead that has the audasity to pick apart your car because it is not as perfect as his deserves the old "open the warm shaken can of root beer soda routine" right next to his 'perfect' car. :D

Wanted to add to this: the only thing I don't appreciate is when some guy pulls up in a ratty car with almost as much motor as ego and little of nothing in the way of common sense and then procedes to show how good his burnout is.

Dang. Oil leaks. I'm sure workin' on 'em but they had a big head start!

I'm feeling better already. I'm not really interested in winning anything, and I can take criticism usually. I bought this car to drive and she's going to be a really nice driver someday. If I ever want to show a car, I'll have to buy another, because I absolutely love driving this vehichle.

Hey if it's driveable it's showable. Dave