A little surprised ...but not really...

[Bad Brad]

I was at a car show in my area, third time with this particular event show. Every time they were dis-organized to me ,
parking no direction, wait in long line with only one person to register your car, etc etc,. Judging, appearance, exterior, interior,no consideration of vehicle year, how many made, how rare, or special your car may be because they won't talk to the
owners, by their rules. Event was held in a area not visited or easily access by the public SO mostly just other car owners
seeing the car show,,, Crazy I think.....

Any way 187 cars signed up for the event, 75 trophies, out come approximately , if you had a Corvette you
got a trophy, 26 handed out to Corvettes, 2013,14,15, car you got a trophy, Chevy, Ford, Dodge Challenger, deserving were
trophies to the Old cars 30s,40s, 50, 60s, GTOs , flatheads, etc. Judges forget about the VIPER Americas supercar 1992 to
Present. Hand built, Monster 10 cyl, high torque output, roadster, always limited production numbers!!! They don't know what a automobile they truly are!!! In the top supercars ever developed!!! NO Respect NO Recognition , there were two Vipers
at this show my 1st Generation Black and a Second Generation, Red, both with less than 26,000 miles, both in Great
Condition for Showing!!!! NO Respect Once again for the Viper!!!! a little surprised.....but not really!!!!
What do you think???

 

[Mopar Steve]

I think you sound like you are going for a trophy rather than just a good time. The trophy should be more for the effort you put into your car, not what car you chose to purchase. Your thoughts on "I have the best choice, low production, best performance, best looking, etc" are your feelings only. Every car owner at your event feels the same way. No reason for the most expensive car to get a trophy.

For several years I hosted a regional TV show and was a judge at many events. A rare, one of one car is no more deserving of a trophy than any other car. Tasteful modifications, cleanliness, and presentation make all the difference. I'm sure you washed your car, but, what about the glass? Inside and out, wax? Build up around every body line, around the lights? Were the floor mats inside ? Was it vacuumed perfecly? Were the tires treated? Too much? Was the hood open? Closed? What were the judges looking for? stuffed animals, crybaby kids, display boards, signs, all of those cute things around the car could be hiding dents, torn upholstery, scratches etc. I wouldn't even judge a car that had all that "crap" around it.

Go to a show to enjoy yourself, talk about your car to other owners, learn about other cars. I take my viper to shows often. Sure I like the recognition of a nice car but that is not my motivation.

Want to get a real education? Go stand behind another car, just a car or two away from yours. Stay there for a while don't let spectators know the Viper is yours. (Take off your Viper swag) and just stand or sit there for a while and listen to what people say about your car. It can be both educational and humbling.

Have a good time. Forget the dust collectors.

 

[Bad Brad]

Mopar Steve, I don't go to get a trophy , I love talking with people, but you are not hearing me here, Yes to most of the things you mentioned, I
did put effort in caring for and cleaning the car, before and during, no dents and waxed, that's not the point here, the facts are it is limited production car, and rare I Never said "the best choice, or best looking" or most expensive, but 26 trophies for Corvettes that are mass produced, and were clearly not in ready form by the list you named dirty floor mats & wax lines, I understand everyone thinks their car is the only one deserving a
trophy, Maybe for the entry fee everyone should get a Participation award, and we should be Politically Correct !!! I don't need a education as
you put it , I have listened to spectators pro and con and have made corrections as needed it is a learning process as well as humbling, I do not
believe I have a Viper swag that is my opinion as well as yours, I know I will not attend that event in the future. I believe that Judges at this
event are not familiar with the Dodge Viper, and I can go to a Dealership to see a 2015 New Car buy it and get a trophy. That's the bottom line!!!!
that's where the Education needs to be placed .

 

[Mopar Steve]

You just don't get it. The education I am speaking of (and yes you do need it, and no this is not an attack on you) is what popular opinion of your car is. You obviously don't know what that is. The comments and opinions of the masses as well as the judges is what you need to hear. You don't want to hear it from me either that's okay.

 

[Mopar Steve]

Also, why are you not a member?

 

[Free2go]

What category were you in?

 

[GRANGER73]

The question may well be the answer.

 

[Bad Brad]

Mopar Steve Your credibility will soon be in question , if you are a true Viper Enthusiast, My # is 28233

I' am tired of this useless conversation what are you trying to prove??

 

[Free2go]

I have found that Every time I register my car under the "Mopar" category, it's a guaranteed loss.

 

[FrankBarba]

I live in an area where there are more car shows than i care to visit. Who give a Rats Ass about the Viper ?
You Do. Have fun at these events. You must be an Ambassador to the Brand...Go buy a bunch of Hot Wheels you can
pick the Viper up for about 50 cents or go to your local advertisement company and have something made up to hand out.
Let the kids sit in your car. After all it really is not about the old geezers that don't know what a viper is, Make sure the Kids
know what a viper is, after all they will be buying our cars. I say F the Trophy...

I can go to a Dealership to see a 2015 New Car buy it and get a trophy. That's the bottom line!!!!
that's where the Education needs to be placed .​ Come on now your a Trophy Hunter.....

 

[GRANGER73]

I can go to a Dealership to see a 2015 New Car buy it and get a trophy. That's the bottom line!!!!
that's where the Education needs to be placed .​

Yeah, but you can't sit in the car.

 

[FrankBarba]

Originally Posted by FrankBarba
I can go to a Dealership to see a 2015 New Car buy it and get a trophy. That's the bottom line!!!!
that's where the Education needs to be placed .​

Yeah, but you can't sit in the car.

You need to tell BAD Brad this...This is his comment not mine. See 2nd last paragraph in post # 3

 

[denniskgb]

Forget about car shows ….they are boring as sh..t. You get a bunch of old cranky farts with canes and heart monitors….Plus you are stuck there for hours for gods sake. For someone to judge your car? Cars and coffee is a much better time. This Saturday we had 6 vipers a GTR and a 08 Z06 vette, early in the morning for breakfast and then caravanned to Starbucks to cars and coffee event to join in with 50-60 cars. Great time, no sour **** individuals, no categories, NO DRAMA.
By the way the trophies….go the trophy store and get a couple made, no one would know the difference.

Mopar Steve is a very credible guy BTW.

 

[Allan]

Car shows, cruise nights, cars and coffee........................all seem to be a bummer in the Viper.

At trackdays...........the Viper always has the presence of a rockstar.




This seems to have been my experience anyway..............

 

[broomrider]

OK boys, so I understand all points of view in this. I think what Bad Bad is trying to say is that he was disappointed Viper doesn't get the recognition it so dearly
deserves. It is disappointing. There is an old saying that kinda goes along with this, "don't cast your pearls at swine". Its true that we as Viper owners are the ones
Whose shoulders it rests on to pass on the love and history of this car. As far as car shows are concerned, the Viper has long been deemed socially
unacceptable like the dodge brothers were in their heyday. Brad love your car and don't let a trophy define how you feel about it. Smile and wave when you
Pass their *** on the track and hwy.

 

[ViperJeff]

I've participated in my fair share of car shows. For the most part enjoyed them all. The one undeniable thing I learned with the judges....... look at the sponsors

 

[Bad Brad]

to all that have responded , seems I struck a Nerve, with some positive and negative points of view, it seems some Viper owners don't like
their Vipers, some understand that I was just trying to point out that the judges at some of these events don't know a thing about the dodge
Viper. My new friend whom I officially meant at this show, just stated to me , that when he signed into the show the judge asked him if his Viper was a Imported or a Domestic car ??? What a Red Flag , gives you warm fuzzy feeling doesn't it !!!!

Well this is my last post on this subject, I do not wish to make any enemies, Just have to try to inform the public and maybe some future judges
what a Viper is no matter what model or year, they are few and I am Happy and fortunate to own one . Every One have a happy Holiday Season.

 

[Free2go]

I went to a car show one time where a guy brought two Vipers. They were both dirty as HELL. I couldn't believe it. I don't really take my car to shows anymore because like DennisKGB says, they are boring. But when I do, I clean and polish the hell out of it. Then, I ask my wife to do a walk around and look for imperfections. She's an expert at finding flaws. I'll correct those things and I know it's ready. Then I make sure it's in the 90's category. Also, I NEVER sit near the car...I walk around and hang out with the other car owners and complement their cars. I tell each and every one of them how "I'd love to own one of these", when in reality I'd just like to own another Viper. Again, stay the hell away from the car. You'll only screw $hit up.

 

[ViperJeff]

By far the most exciting car show I was ever in was the AutoRama...... with that said.... I would never do it again

 

[Free2go]

Let the kids sit in your car.

..............

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Free2go]

What do you think???

Asks this ^^^

 

[Free2go]

I' am tired of this useless conversation what are you trying to prove??

Then when you do, tells you this ^^^

 

[Solid Red 98]

This thread may also have a regional component to it. Here in northern California, my GTS is a rockstar wherever it goes--especially at car shows. It gets enough attention that I almost get self-onscious while gridding up, making sure that my parking job is a single move affair, and perfect--even though I can't see the wheels, the nose, or much of the back. It is also important to acknowledge the bystanders, walking that fine line between cocky, indifferent, approachable, and enthusiastic. A lot of car people come off a tad snooty and that doesn't win friends especially among the young. I always make the exhaust talk without big garish revs and above all show that I am having a good time. Many have rarely if ever heard a Viper and want to know what it's "V10 or is it a twelve" sounds like--odd as it sounds. People are ,in general, governed by a herd mentality. Mopar has always been the underdog of the big three from a cultural standpoint. Everybody knows Corvettes, Mustangs, and Cameros. There is always a second conversation about Chargers, Challengers, and other Mopar notables. The Viper is an elusive, relative new kid that emerged from the ashes of a disgraced Chrysler-- few people really know anything about them. Further, they earned their pedigree in the Euro-heavy sports car championships. There has even been some argument as to where Vipers actually fit in the scheme of things. Is it an exotic or a muscle car in the mind of the masses? Only the "in the know" car guys really have the car's pulse. The car has been strangely marketed over its production run. It has appeared in precious few movies, (not forgetting about that all but forgotten Viper TV show)and with the exception of the latest Star Wars commercial, very little direct marketing has occurred. Back to the original point, Vipers don't get the credit that they are most certainly due. Rare in numbers, rarer on the street, very expensive looking and to fiddle around with, fairly new to the scene with no grass roots participation, all conspire to render the Viper as a somewhat enigmatic odd-car-out. It is definitely not mainstream. My experience has been really positive here in Cali, where Prius drivers often smile at me--but I do smile back. IMHO.

 

[Free2go]

Solid Red, I agree with you. Everywhere I go people love my Viper. As a matter of fact.... I was at the grocery store the other day buying beer, steak, and toilet paper, and this guy walked up to me and told me if I did a burnout he would have his girlfriend show me her breasts. I immediately lit the tires up and turned the parking lot into a coal mine.

 

[denniskgb]

Solid Red, I agree with you. Everywhere I go people love my Viper. As a matter of fact.... I was at the grocery store the other day buying beer, steak, and toilet paper, and this guy walked up to me and told me if I did a burnout he would have his girlfriend show me her breasts. I immediately lit the tires up and turned the parking lot into a coal mine.

so did yo get to inspect his girlfriends breasts before you did the burnout? Or did you do the burnout first just to find out that his girl looked like a big foot mountain beast?

 

[Free2go]

so did yo get to inspect his girlfriends breasts before you did the burnout?

I only inspect steak and watermelon at the grocery store. I'll do a burnout for **** all day long.

 

[Sybil TF]

I have found that Every time I register my car under the "Mopar" category, it's a guaranteed loss.

Same here, What category gets a win?

 

[Free2go]

Same here, What category gets a win?

I always win in the 90's category. The ONLY times I don't win in that category is when I get Best of Show.

 

[Free2go]

Sybil, what are you doing floating around the other club? You know they don't appreciate you like I do....Jeff especially

 

[cfiiman]

Interesting thread, I'll give my .02 on this. From what I see, car show "judges" are just regular ol' people unless we are talking a concours event or something. They have no idea how to really judge anything, so they just mark what they like. So what this means is if you get a trophy it is because those particular people really liked your car, if you don't they don't, but it has nothing to do with whether you deserved one or not. Let's face it, ANY VIPER deserves one So don't stress about it, I've found that I don't enjoy car shows too much anymore b/c there is no "technical" judging. I've seen a new Camaro with temp tags on it get best in show when there were concourse Buggatis there worth a million dollars That is when I realized unless it is a high caliber show, it doesn't matter if you do or don't get a trophy, but if I was a judge you would have got one