I go to a few small local shows that donate all porceeds to charity. Just park my car and wander around--don't care if I win anything. Going with the intention of winning takes away the fun aspect. Have met alot of very interesting people that I would have never met otherwise.
I think if it's your first show, forget almost everything you read here. Just go park (hopefully near a friend!) and enjoy seeing the other cars, and visiting with your friends. Forget about all the BS, and opinions. Have fun, and enjoy the people you like to visit with. I prefer car get togethers more than shows, as they don't involve judges or trophies.
Thanks for all the feedback. I'm not really into the brass, just want to have a good time and show the truck off. And I'm sure I'll hear a lot of "Why didn't you put an LS in it? " or "Why didn't you use a MII front end?" And I'll leave the dolls, plastic hamburgers, etc at home.
What I used to do: Watch the weather to see if I'll go at all (Uh oh, it's cloudy!), shine, polish, pack the lawnchairs, worry, stress, yadda yadda yadda. Wait for the awards at the end. Stupid. More work than fun IMO. What I do now: Drive there as is (no cleaning), leave the bugs, dirt, etc, no lawn chairs. Park with an exit strategy so I'm not locked in. If I gotta put the entry in the windshield, next to "Class" I write "Not much". Wander till I've seen what I wanna see and talked with who I want to. And then I leave. Best parts of the show: driving there and back. The show is just a destination, another excuse to drive. But, different strokes. If some folks like power parking and trophy chasing, well as the Seinfeld crew used to say, "Not that there's anything wrong with that!"
What is it with the crybaby dolls at car shows? Why would people think those were an appropriate thing to place next to their cars?
Go support the charity. Buy stuff they have for sale. Talk to new people and listen to their stories. Don't sweat the judges. My favorite part is when someone asks if they can take a picture of pride and joy.
what the other guys said and a couple more things.of dont worry about a trophy, but depending on the size and how well organized/connected the show is there are often cool door prizes. i've ended up w/ some cool stuff that way. if they do a 50/50 raffle buy some tix. you got as much chance as the next guy to win some cash! bring a friend and a couple foldable chairs. depending on the size of the show you might make 3 laps and see everything in two hours and need to sit for a bit. bring a cooler w/ sodas/beers and snacks. most shows will have food ad drinks for sale, but your soda will be cheaper and i bet they wont serve beer.and if you bring beer bring a couple cups. most shows are cool w/ drinking a few cold ones if you not stupid about it. bring as much "extra" cash that you can swing. there could be a little vendor area/swap meet.ya just never know. last car show i went to i scored an old gerstner tool chest!
X 2 on this advice. Those boards are so annoying. Most have a pic of the vehicle on them ??? It's right there to look at...why is there a pic of it in the way ??? Also, try to get as far from the annoying DJ and blaring music as it can ruin a good day if too close.
My only pet peeve with shows is the open hoods. Nothing ruins the lines and architecture of a beautifully designed car than an open hood. I don't give a hoot what the engine bay looks like. I wanna see the CAR in it's natural glory.
There was a 'Day at the Lake' in Merced in 1996...an annual show hosted by a local club. Someone had a neat flamed '40 Tudor, and pulled his right front tire onto a crybaby doll. My son and I were parking his '27 'Nose-Job track roadster, and we laughed like heck. We milled around for a little bit, then took our usual walk around, visiting old friends... A 'comittee' of middle-aged women gathered around this '40, and were RANTING about the 'insensivity' of somebody inferring such mayhem on a CHILD. I said to the group: "Get real. This is a stuffed dummy, and it's the guy's own dummy. You people need hobbies." A picture of it even made the pages of a magazine! Most of you probably saw it.
If you absolutely must display a crybaby and pissing dog, close a door on the crybaby's hand, and have the dog pissing on the crybaby. Don't hesitate to offer kids a seat, and let the parents take a pic. You just might start a young one on the way to fame as a car customizer. Roger
I don't do many shows but when I do I let anyone who wants a photo of themselves or their kids with or in the car I offer to take the photos. Here's what happened the last time I let a bunch of kids get in my car . All the advice here is pretty good... no make that real good and by the way I have won several peoples choice awards, so letting the public get in your car and take photo's usually gets your car alot of votes and no one has ever damaged my car in any way. Go to have fun !
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