What are car shows coming too?

[-RUNNR]

I just came back from a car show, which is a nice annual event.

However, I just cannot get over what some people think makes a nice car.

For example, the class I was in was "Sports Car". There were fout entries, my 2001 Viper, 1969 Jaguar E-Type (sports?), 196? Austin Heally Bug Eyed Sprite, and a 1997 Mitshibishi Eclippse (sports?).

The Jag took first, the Austin took second, the ECLIPPSE took third, and I went home empty handed. The Jag I can deal with, it was a nice car, but it should have been in the "Foreign Sports" category, same with the Sprite. But the Eclippse??? ***??!?!?!?!

The "BEST OF SHOW" went to an old piece of cr@p, nasty looking, uncleaned, never waxed in 20 years Bradley GT KIT CAR!@!@$!$!@#$

Have people forgot what car shows are supposed to be about???

Very disappointing weekend. Especially after the sadness of yesterday's Petite Le Mans.

 

[ExecUtron Technologies]

I had to dump another $60,000 and seven straight months of labor into my Viper, before I started getting first-place trophies (and that’s just in the Sports Car divisions). I just purchased a Supercharger system and will have it installed and the entire engine and it’s compartment re-painted before next year’s shows. With these additions, I hope to take Best-Of-Show honors. Car Shows are for modified or perfectly restored classic cars. A stock Viper is neither, even though it’s one of the coolest cars on the road.

 

[Matt M PA]

As a car show veteran, I can tell you why shows have changed. Politics. It's more important to people today to win a dumb trophy..rather than just have a good time. My former Superbird, (now in a New Zealand museum) won 1st 6 times at the Mopar Atlantic Nationals, was an AACA Grand National Winner, NMCA Best of Show Winner, and got the Governor's Cup at the New Hope show here in PA. So, you know it's not sour grapes. Now, at most shows, the low rider folks come in in droves..and vote for their buddies. The nicer cars get shut out. The judged shows are no better, they "take care" of their pals too. In fact, the AACA judges on a scale that changes depending on the venue. A really nice car may have a problem at Hershey getting a Senior award..but a roach will get a Senior at a smaller AACA show. I now only go to shows, see my friends. A local club has offered me a on-field parking spot, so that the Viper is there..but they know I want nothing to do with the judging part.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

The last show I did was about two months ago. Was grouped with "post 1980 American-made cars" - any make and model. Figured the pristine '87 Grand National would take top honors, but was hoping for second or so. Turns out they have the participants judge each other's cars. Each catgeory would judge another one. Our category was in charge of judging the Mustangs. My tendancy was to give higher marks to those that had a lot of work and a little history behind them. The lovingly restored Mach 1 rated better than the pristine 2001 Mustang Cobra with 154 miles on the odometer ("Picked it up yesterday", the owner told me).

Well, I ended up with second place in my division, but not how I figured it. An '85 Firebird with faded paint and T-shirts for seat covers(!!) won it. And never even opened his hood. The judges for our class? The Corvette class. I can only wonder...

I don't go to win trophies, but rather to admire other cars and share the Viper experience with those that are interested. Definitely a lot of fun!

Chris

 

[GTS Bruce]

Do you have a GTS or an RT?Some basic definitions:Sports Car-2 seater open top car.Can be a roadster or convertible(RT-10).GT-2 seater hard top version of a sports car(Viper GTS).Sedan-Has more than 2 seats.(mustang,camaro,bmw etc) Bruce

 

[ruckdr]

I attended several car shows this past summer, and here are 2 rather unique experiences:
1. I was signing in, and my wife was looking at the available classes to enter; you know the usual, 1930's Custom, stock, 1940's Custom,Stock, 1950's, 1960's , Rods, etc. Well there was one catagory my wife saw, "Family Ride", and said that is it; after all, our kids are grown, and our family is 2 (my wife and me).
So we entered "Family Ride", and when the judge came around, he asked "Family Ride"?? I said 2 in the family, this is the ULTIMATE Family Ride. He agreeded, but the winner was a early 1960 4 door station wagon Land Yacht.
2. Had to enter 1990's Cars in another car show; only one close. Didn't win that, but there was a special catagory and first place plaque, which was picked by the 15 year old son of the Show Director. The catagory was " THE CAR I WANT WHEN I GROW UP " ; We Won. At least that young man has GOOD Sense and Judgement.
We enjoy going to car snows to visit and answer the 3 most often asked questions about Vipers:
1. How much do they cost?
2. How fast will it go ?
3. What is the yellow/orange thing in the headlights? (laser for small animals).

 

[MadMaxx]

Yep..
You can have a 100K show car and get beaten by a daily driver in some shows! I always looked at it like this... be happy with what you drive. I personaly, would never have a trailor queen. I'm not into the giganctic shows and the status of winning trophies. Most of the shows I visit are smaller local style shows. How many "Normal" folks know how special a 70 Hemi 'cuda is? To them.. it's just another car (Or camaro.. as it's often mistaken as! grrr....). Today's youth goes for the flashy and loud import scene... fine, let them have their own shows. Go out to the shows to have a good time and to be around other owners who know what you've put into a car.. heart and soul.

And scott... that thing is pure evil. How can you even think about putting that on the road? Hehehe.. I'll hook you up w/ the Highway Patrol teddy bear... that little stuffed animal has helped me out a bunch over the years! Oh.. and all the unmarked HP camaro's have pinstipes down the side, blacked out windows, relocated antena, and different wheels (the black one does). Be on the lookout.. they go for the flashy cars

MadMaxx

 

[scottgf]

You just never know what the judges will do.
I was at the "Spring Fling" a pretty big Mopar show in So. Cal.
a few years ago, I just went to look at the nice cars and was entering the parking area in my 73 Road Runner when one of the officials asked if I was there to show my car,I said "no just looking" so he pointed to the parking area, a dirt lot, I didnt want to park in the dirt so I decided to pay the entry fee so I could park on the grass.
I hung out for a few hours then went home.......A few weeks later a get the First Place trophy (B Body modified)in the mail...kinda a cool surprise...
You just never know....

 

[Performin Norman]

My buddy has an annual customer appreciation day at his auto repair shop. Last year I took the Viper and took 3rd place. I told them beforehand that I didn't even want to enter. I don't like mixing pleasure with competition. Well, I lost to a 39 Chevy pickup that doesn't even have any paint on it. He bought it for $800 bucks and hasn't done a thing to the POS.

I usually just go to shows to watch.

 

[Bruce]

I will never enter another car show with the Viper. The Viper is always the favorite but never wins. I've seen junk beat out my car on more than one occasion. When I attend a show a sign is placed on the dash "Do not judge". If I want a trophy (which I don't) I'll go buy one.

 

[Ken Larsen]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ScottP:


son your car is just not rare" "once you start modifying your car and not just keep it a stock Viper then you'll start placing"...

ScottP

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


hey scott ill trade you your stock viper for mine!

 

[Tom Friend]

I turned down 1st place at an all-Mopar show earlier this year. They wanted to give it to me because I had the only black car they had ever seen without all the tiny spiderwebs... Gee, for fifty bucks worth of Zaino I could have entered a ****** and won... The part I wanted to avoid was not the trophy, that would have been cool. I didn't want to spend the afternoon waiting in line to do the required parade.

After that, I decided no more shows for me. When I compare the amount of prep work to the amount of fun I have, I am better off going to the track.