jusplainwacky

I'm planning to show my car this Saturday after years of restoration and this will be basically my first car show after all the years of restoring it.

My car looks amazing...in fact I took it to a small show last night (only about 20 cars) and I over heard one person say, "It looks brand-new".

I'm trying to decide if I should display some "before-after" pictures...which are not flattering at all. The car looked like it should have been parted out....a REAL MESS!! Below is an example...you get the picture.

Do you think people gain more of an appreciation of the amount of work that went into it, or does it "sour" their views on the originality of the car?

The show is going to be handing out awards and I don't know if I show a bunch of pictures of a disaster if that would get me more votes or less.

Thoughts anyone?

GTOguy

Absolutely. I for one have admired your fearlessness and can-do attitude, and your before photos show just what a great job you've accomplished. I can see showing them to US, here on the forum. If I were trying to sell the car, well, maybe not so much. You've come a long way, sir!

cv67

Talk about going neck deep wow.

Your call...some look at em I just look at the car and typically never read em. Whatever floats your boat.

In your case at least there would leave no doubt EVERYthing is new.

Love that body kills me they are so expensive.

jusplainwacky

Hi...I'm slightly confused about your answer "Absolutely"...does that mean "absolutely it would get more votes"....or absolutely it would sour people?
I agree...that it could really "turn off" a potential buyer...but it will be a long time before I consider that.

jusplainwacky

BTW...here are some pictures...

Frankie the Fink

Some luv 'em, some don't....
Put an album out there and see how much attention it attracts.
Personally, (just me) I prefer to present the car as a finished product as it sits.

BTW - what's with the missing grille tooth ?

66jack

People enjoy the before/after pictures...even if they don't talk to you about it...

I show my B/A picture of the place i moved it from and then took it back to same location after restoration...

So if you can, park it back in the place the before pic...it gives it some perspective...

Heres my before/after pics...

Jim_A

I'll throw in my two cents...

I got my 59 in similar condition back in 1980. I took 4 years to do a body off to the car. I Have many of the same type pictures showing the condition I found it in.

I always found three types of people at the better shows. the elite NCRS Perfectionists without whom we would not know how these cars were originally built. Thank you all for your Knowledge and diligence it is what keeps the hobby going.

the average spectator who generally seems to appreciate the current condition on the car only

and.... The avid Corvette enthusiast who will know what you went through with her to put her in the condition she is now in.

My choice... Drive her... Show her and Love her... Don't even worry about what anyone else thinks...

I always bring my pics. I put them in a closed album labeled restoration photo's in the center of the open trunk along with other items and awards. Those who care will ask to see them, those who don't..... Oh well

BTW, looks like you have done a great job Congratulations....

capevettes

I don't mind looking at a couple of the pics of the restoration at a show or cruise night. . What bothers me is when you stop to talk to a guy with a complete album and he wants you to look at all 100 pages Most of us understand what it takes to get these old cars in beautifully restored condition. Some guys buy them finished. At least by showing a few before pics people will see how much effort you put into it. I don't think it diminishes your car to show the rough, before pics.

jusplainwacky

It got a cavity!!

I took it out so that I could get the drain plug on the radiator. There is no hole in the radiator housing to get to it. Suckie design.

jusplainwacky

That is so cool!! It really does hit home when you see it in the same setting. Excellent work!

jusplainwacky

I have a book on the restoration of the car and a bunch of pictures...including a ticket from a CHP (California hwy patrol) officer...clocking in at "Approx 140mph" via "fixed wing" (plane). It's a "real ticket"...but not a real incident. He's a friend of mine.
I personally like B/A pictures, but wasn't sure if this would influence people not to vote for your favorite car because it was a basket case.

AkrHack

Yes that is very cool. And based on how much fatter the tree trunks are, I guessing that the pictures were taken 10 or 15 years apart.

jusplainwacky

I like it!
I was thinking of using perhaps a cork board...like an artist easel on the ground..so that if someone trips on it...it doesn't fall on my car, or someone else's car.

Mike Terry

Before and after pic. Before

After

It just takes Time & Money and a hell of a lot of Talent. My hat is off to VetteDaddy for his talent

GTOguy

I meant absolutely have the picture album available. As stated previously, there are those of us who actually are very interested in what it took to bring the car back to the current condition. Most folks just want to look at the finished product. True gearheads want to see the entire process, and you've gone through the ENTIRE process. My hat's off to you!

1snake

I've found that the majority of people love seeing pictures of the process. Most don't understand the amount of work it takes to restore a car and are in awe of pictures showing a bare frame and how it became the car that's right in front of them. I usually take an album to the shows but don't bring it out until someone shows interest and then there's usually several people gathered around it the rest of the day.

corvetteed

Try having two different versions of the albums: 1) the executive summary version (just a very few pix) and 2) the full boat version, with all the pix. Just put out the executive summary version, but keep the full boat version handy for those who express an interest in knowing more.

SDVette

In my experience, there are usually 1 or 2 people who will take the time to look through it... 95% won't.

I feel you - after spending all the time, you want people to know!

It's really more for you than them!

1snake

Since many others have had a different experience than you, maybe it's the car being shown. Exceptional cars always draw a crowd and a lot of interest.