Bluestripe67

In the 42 years I have owned my '67 I have participated in many shows, cruisin's and stuff in between. The car has been seen by many old and young. I stopped worrying about wins and awards 20 years ago. If I receive some kind of award now days, that's fine, but never expect it. I just enjoy seeing the other cars, talking to other owners, and driving mine. Dennis

ricks327

I only attend one car show, the Chevrolet dealer that we lease all of our cars from, and they give out 50 awards, none for best of show, etc. I prefer Cruise-In's. My car is also a TopFlight car but the color has been voted least desirable by many, Goodwood Green.

Frankie the Fink

When I sold my '61 a few weeks back, I had two boxes full of trophies I included for the new owner. They're pretty meaningless once the car is gone...

LouieM

A good way to look at it.

Bill Pilon

Frankie is right on, around here where I live Vetts are not the in thing, I have a very presentable original appearing car and I have had folks tell me that if I would put a engine dress up kit and different wheels on it I would win some trophies, of course I have no chance of winning the sound system contest with my original wonderbar radio.

Bill

SDVette

Having a great car isn't enough to win awards.
I have learned that winning awards at car shows is a skill unto itself.
You have to jockey for the best position.. you have to be politically well-connected.. you have to "market" the car..

Some guys are really good at it and they enjoy that part of it.
But that's not for me...

Those of us who just love the cars and like to work on them are probably not going to win too many awards.

I still enjoy attending shows.. to look at the cars, meet some fellow gear heads.. chat about upkeep of old cars, etc..
Plus, the entry fee usually goes to a worthy charity....

warrenmj

Life is way tooooooo short to worry about awards and trophies! If I go to a show, it's just to hang out with other car folks and talk to the people walking through the show. If someone shows an interest in my car, I'll talk to them and offer to let them sit in it (especially kids), which most eagerly accept. I too usually leave before awards are handed out, because I really don't care about them

Johnbar

Bingo times 2!

Texaspilot180

I attend a few shows each year with my 65FI coupe and don't really worry about awards and such. Sometimes we win an award, more often we don't but we always have a good time, have a chance to get out and drive the car, meet some neat folks and see some neat cars. I've seen when large clubs attend, and it's participant voting, us non-club guys don't have much of a chance. I don't really need a trophy sitting on the shelf collecting dust to have fun with my car or watch other folks enjoy seeing it. I will generally stay to the end to applaud the winners as a courtesy. This past year we started doing shows with a cause, charity events, veteran events etc. instead of the bling trophy shows, but they are all fun (sure beats yard work).

And you have a very nice car, one very worthy of awards, but at a small show you just never know what the "flavor" of the day is going to be. I'd vote for your car, as I don't believe the car guy "code" would allow me to vote for my own car!

Mike67nv

I agree that restored midyear Corvettes don’t attract much attention at local car shows. Around here, and especially at Hot August Nights (HAN), it’s all about bling and hot rods.

I only participate in one or two shows a year now and I’m pretty picky about which ones I attend. I guess I’ve never understood paying a fee to show my car, so I don’t? In my opinion, shows like HAN have a flawed business model – charging exorbitant fees to guys who have invested tens of thousands of dollars in a car to park it for their benefit – the correct model would have shows paying car owners to attend.

One show I enter every year is put on by a local supermarket. Free registration is limited to 25 cars and they give each car owner a ticket for two of their deli-lunches and soft drinks. It only lasts three hours and it draws a nice crowd. I know it’s benefiting the store but at least they show some appreciation for the car owners. I usually meet a handful of people that have owned or always admired midyear Corvettes, but the crowds hang around the blown ******.

Bob 66 coupe

I agree that most people who attend the charity shows / Cars & Coffee, seem to drift towards the new cars (corvettes especially if loaded with lots of air brushing under the hood, Hellcats, cars with fancy LED lighting, etc.). When the show is limited to just classics, pre-1990, a different crowd is present, more old-timers, and C1 and C2 are appreciated more. Yes, shows are more for meeting people and supporting local charities then getting trophies, but when a beat up 61 caddy wins you sort of wonder - what on earth?!?.

jmschmit

I have been going to car shows for 43 years. I can tell you what I have learned. People a lot of times are voting for the person,the more friends the more votes If you bring lots of food and drinks you will have more friends.These are shows that participants vote for, if officials are voting and you are a good friend you get votes.Don't plan on winning just have a good time showing your car.People will come around. Good luck BILL.

Bob 66 coupe

I have seen similar posters at some shows. Where do you have them made and where do you get the stands??

3JsVette

Local show judging is more politics than knowledge.
Don't expect the general public to appreciate a well restored correct car as many just don't know the difference.
If you enjoy attending do yourself a favor and put for display only on your show card. Then there is no reason to be concerned about recognition and it's all about fun.

cv67

SDVette

Places like Kinko's (now Fed Ex), and even Costco have the ability to print them and also sell the stands. They have templates that you can drop your photos into and add text.

If you need a design done from scratch, you probably have to talk to a graphic designer.. Some of these places have them on staff.

Kerrmudgeon

I restored my cars for ME, not for some fool at a car show with dubious credentials and his own preferences to do with cars. The thumbs up, horn toots, and admiring glances I get on the road are the only trophies I need, or want. ......and the chicks of course!

Jackfit

Two shows 2015-16 Corvettes at Carlisle, because someone has to be able to drive a c-2 there. Most are now late model corvettes and car clubs enjoying the weekend. And shopping.

Jack

fyreline

The short answer to your question is, you can't. You can't make other people appreciate something - they either do or they don't. And always remember that you can't control what other people do, you can only control what YOU do. Drive your car, enjoy your car, show your car . . . you didn't buy it for anyone but yourself, and in the final analysis your opinion is the only one that counts. If you're in a trophy hunt, that's a whole other thing. I have a small shelf in the garage in front of my '62 with a half-dozen or so of the awards it has garnered over the years I've owned it. They are from the shows I enjoyed the most, and that were memorable for the people I met there. There are more awards and trophies in a box somewhere, some of them bigger and more impressive-looking than the few that I keep out . . . but those are the ones that make me smile every time I look at them.

And THAT's what it's all about.

biggd

Do you really need another plastic trophy? I go to shows to see other peoples cars and chat with them. I usually leave before the awards are being given out. I know I've left some plastic trophies on the table. Better there than collecting dust in my attic.