I Remember why I hate car shows

I like the one man car shows. Just drive it.

 

I've been on both ends of car shows. I put them on and I entered into them. I hate the competition; I think they are all winners if you put your heart and soul into them. I remember that judging cars were the biggest problem, no one is happy with the results. We put on a charity benefit car show where all of the proceeds were given to a worthy cause. We got many of the local businesses to donate trophies and as a benefit they got to give it to the car of their choice. We called them "sponsors choice awards." The only catch is that you couldn't give it to a car that already had a trophy. We had thee people choice awards given to the top three vote getters. The car owners didn't have to pay to get in also got a free t-shirt. After all the sweat and work they put into their cars, why do they have to pay to show it? However the folks who went to the show had to pay to get in. We raised well over ten grand each year for the charity. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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On the other side, I paid $35.00 to get into a local show that the public never went to. Go figure that a trailer queen swept the majority of the awards along with a car that never showed up. To say the least, the car that won, a tricked out Willies was very nice with flames everywhere but how can daily drivers compete with trailer queens? <o></o>

 

Ford ! Chevy!

people just like to run other people down for whatever reason - people like to be divided - for whatever reason


bottom line to me - we all like cars - I can appreciate the dedication that some guy put into a Javelin - would I ever want one - and spend a crap load of money RESTORING one? NO
but hey - that is what that guy likes - and if he wants to run down the cars without paint - let him - it's his loss that he con only appreciate 1 aspect of the huge car world that is out there

 

In talking with a lot of car guys my age, it turns out we all built a bunch of models as teens. Like many, I had probably 5 or 6 boxes of unbuilt models and was always mixing and matching parts to build something that no one else built. I even built a dragster out of the plastic that you twisted the parts off, and were supposed to throw away.

Anyway, the bottom line, was a lot of sanding, and a lot of painting. I think there developed two lines of people after this--one line of people who like to paint, and another line who never wanted to see paint or sandpaper again.

The term "car show" to me, means winter shows at the indoor, badly lighted, event, or NSRA and Goodguys. These are shows where all your sanding and paint, along with a bunch of 20 dollar bills can get you a place on stage before the public. But in the last few years, the guys without paint needed to get on stage too, so events were created to suck a bunch of 20 dollar bills out of them.

Me, I pay the spectator rate (half a 20 dollar bill) and grab some popcorn. I drive my car and leave it out in the parking lot. After an hour or so, I get in my car and drive it away, listening to Hank Williams sing about Yvonne...

 

Don't worry so much about assholes at car shows. Worry about assholes
in Washington.

 

I seen some with bodacious ta-tas, and low&slow rear ends. Also seen em without bumpers, lean&mean, and even a few scratches from a lot of wear and tear.....

Personally, I like cars to look as period correct as possible, including any cosmetic mods. Can't quite get into looking too long at a 59 LeSabre with 18" wheels, neon underlights and purple fuzz interior (maybe that was the driver?). It's personal preference to all. Life'd be pretty boring if all rides looked like '63 VWs.

I've seen & heard some the whine & cheesers who probly watch all the TV auctions then take their high $$ TQs to shows & look down their noses at the driver/driven rods. just have to sluff 'em off and enjoy the shows. And nobody ever told me I had to look at JUST the cars. . . .

 

Who cares what other people think?

 

Maybe he's a fluffer in the porn industry...

 

The best thing about entering a car show is the great parking spot.

 

The best car show goes back to the description of my late godfather Johnny Parks. Anyone who knew Johnny knew the "laugh". Its been silenced for more than 25 years now, hard to believe, but I hear his words daily. Those days when you said you would meet at the certain place by 2pm, he was always late cause he talked to everyone and everyone knew him.

Now its, it will be nice when its done...
Now its, well have to head back to the hotel, I need a nap
Now its, theres nothing to look at here
Now its, where do I park the trailer
Now its, do they have shopping close?

Comeon guys and gals, we know why WE do this (sorry work sickness not allowed on this one ) Its to drive there, look at all the cars till you cant walk anymore, talked to folks you never met but for some reason we know--share in each others "tremendous vision and work" Generally have a good time.

Lets go back to the days before "event T shirts and steins" before catalog car building. Anyone remember who had to carry a spare part with him on a long distance rod run? Jack had the 40 Coupe with the large trunk, so he carried the floor jack and tools. Someone else carried a spare alternator and wire, spare fuses, a bolt or two?

Who had go jo? or even a change of clothes. When making it WAS the fun.

We remember the dumb asses who ruined our day. The pro pic owners who couldnt even tell you what size bolts they used to attach the fender to their car.

I care to remember the guy who I heard speak at the NSRA Nationals in Oklahoma City back in the late 80's who was from New Zeland, over the pa system. Then later that night bumping into him on the strip to watch the cruising and talk cars and find out we were the same.

The old saying dont let the bastards get you down applies.

After they tire of the tin cup winning car, and they always do, we will be left with what? US of course! Now how cool is that.

 

At the heart of it, we all have a love for old cars. I try to respect the guys who want the cool car, but either don't have the time or skill to build their own, so they buy one or commision one to be constructed to their liking - which may not at all be to my tastes, but it isn't my money nor my car, and lets not forget that many of these credit card hot rodder guys are helping to keep more than a few of our HAMB bretheren employed! That ain't all bad.

With that said, I am not like the above mentioned rich guy at all, and have to get by with what I can, meaning limited $$ and even limited skill, but I have a rod I am proud of all the same, and I hit a lot of shows around the South West with it - mostly traditional shows like Primer Nats and Viva Las Vegas, so I tend to be around guys with a similar prospective and approach to car building, so we have a mutual appreciation.

But a little while ago, I ventured outside of my usual relm of traditional rod shows and hit one that I didn't know much about, then did a report on it here on the HAMB. I realized at that show that as much as the many of the high $$$ street rodder guys don't like parking next to my beat up old '40 truck (one guy threw a fit when an event coordinator flagged me in to park next to his perfect black '55 Chevy), I had preconceived biases against them too, assuming most of these guys where better at using a credit card than a wrench.

But what really surprised me was how much crap I took for reporting my experiences from the event here on the HAMB. It almost seemed like a few choice HAMBers wanted to thow down with me over it - just amazing.

Bottom line, I still love going to car shows, whether it is a local street rodders gathering or a regional traditional rod show. Yeah, the posturing and attitudes can suck (including my own, occasionally) but my kids and I get to experience what we love most - cool ass cars. Maybe they aren't all built the way I would, but I can appreciate that somebody thinks that car is the coolest thing around.

 

You're going to the wrong car shows.

BTW if I ever end up in a position where I can have the Kennedy Brothers or Cole Foster build one of my rides, step back quick cause the check book will be comin out at the speed of light!

 

A lot of comments, and some justified, and some reversed, different point of view give us a pont of our interest.
Somebody like the daughter, some the mother......

I´m driving a Customized 50´Fleetline, using it a lot, and is still under work so polish,and dustbrushes are not known! Whatever i dont get problems with people comment the car, and its state. I like to drive it, and have a lot of fun.

here its some guys woking with cars beautiful clean showpaint, and big "Boyd" wheels on everyone, they dont like my car and views, but when technically comes up, they calls for help........

I have only one $10 bucket, did get it at a car show because judges begget me, if not they had to give it away to a Mustang...... took it!

Most point is that its always gonna be some "bestknown" ones,whatever they bought the car finished or not. Point is that the cats are used, and not just trailered between happenings, then, its a time to give them the thumbs down!

 

????

 

Where these guys have others do stuff to their rides and then take credit for it is beyond me. I'm having alot of the large work done to my car by someone else and I'm almost ashamed. I dont have the facilities I did when I rebuilt my '67 Camaro or raced my '72 Vega. I just know it's going to kill me when I have finished the car and people ask me about it, I'm going to have to say, "Yeah, I did that part, but....someone else did that"
I know I'll fucking hate it, but I sure as hell wont LIE about it.

Grrrr...

 

MAN! This is an old post! Guess I'll add my 2 cents in here.

I go to car shows for a couple reasons:
1) I can NOT relax at home. I'm always doing something and know it's not the healthiest way to be. Sitting at a car show and bullshitting with friends / family is very therapeutic.

2) I get ideas from other cars on what to do, and what not to do.

3) For every asshole I come across at a show, I meet 10 nice people. Try doing that at Walmart.

4) A checkbook hot rodder is still a hot rodder. Someday, if not already, he/she will be on your side when it comes to SEMA, local laws, etc.... Those guys help keep the rod shops open too, so be grateful for them.
If his car's ugly, it makes yours look better, right? Same goes for his attitude. Just be the bigger man.

 

nicely put..
I dont usually go,( i like just driving around, rolling show) but if and when I do..I park my slug out in the lot and go trolling for ideas. Meets some cool people , eat some horrible food..check out the parts if there is a swap meet.

 

Hate to hear all the bad comments on some shows. Just went to a great show in Denton TX. and did not experience any crap. Well worth the drive to make it next year to Pistons & Paint and enjoy a great show with great people!

 

I've said it in other threads and I truly believe ( as stated above ) you go for the people and the good time. I love lookin' at the high dollar rides as much as the stuff I can afford to build. Ideas come from everywhere whether home built or shop grown!!!

Love them or hate them car shows, gatherings, rod runs or what ever you call them, is where we meet like minded people and make new friends!!!!

 

Guess I must be a fag then because I build cars.

At least what I build will be around 5 years from now and wont be rusted through and in need of its 2nd MAACO or rattler can paint job...lol

Its all how you look at it- at least they are keeping the hobby going for all of us- and probably are also the ones who help fight city hall when the 'hot rod hater ' shit hits the fan. Im glad there are all kinds in the hobby/industry. Wouldnt be as much fun if everything out there was a 32 ford.

 

Back in the day when vans were the thing, I took my custom van that I did myself to the Starbird show here in OKC. I had on my display sign Driven everyday, which it was. A lot of people there said I see you all over town. I went walking around an saw this nice bucket T candy apple red all chrome engine. Heck you could eat off this thing. Now here is the funny stuff, on his display sign it say driven daily. I laughed my ass off. I saw him unload it off the trailer an push it in place. I found the guy later by his car an ask him can you fire the car up. He said Oh no not in here. The engine was complete only on the outside had no guts in it , his friend told me. That did it for me. Oh by the way I took second that year in the van class.

 

The ones I get a lot for my Falcon are:

1.) After telling someone about all the drivetrain/suspension stuff I plan on doing they ask me "when are you going to paint it?"

2.) After telling them I just had the straight six rebuilt, who did the work, and all the modifications I made to the six, they ask me "you know you can just swap a 302 in there, right?" and then telling me why its useless to do anything with the straight sixes.... when my car gets driven more and driven harder in a week than theirs does in a year.

3.) People telling me they had a Falcon with an FE big block V8 in it from the factory, which Ford never offered.

 

2005???? Why did this turd rise back to the top? It's been on here longer than half the people responding.. This place amazes me sometimes.

 

Yeah its an old thread but Im gonna throw in my 2 cents worth while we're here. The biggest problem out here is with local shows, and its not with always with the high rollers either since most of them wont do the local festival shows anyway. I cant count the number of times Ive had my shit picked apart by older clowns with fuckin hay haulers that were little more than old stockers rolling on cheap slotted wheels. Its the whole mentality of those types that steers me away from supporting the local park and sit bs. Most of the street rodder types near here are the coolest bunch of drunks on the planet to hang out with and learn a thing or two from.

 

I think he did it just to piss you off..
oh hey look, it worked

 

Amen brother, from one old fart to another, you summed up my feelings exactly!

 

fuck pity, guys like that deserve to be shot in the face!!

 

Well put!!!

 

One mans piece of shit is another mans pride and joy.

 

i personally dont get why people pay all that money, and then go to a car show and show of someone elses work, its like turning up at the cake bake off with a cake from the shop.there must be something these guys see that i dont.