First Vettefest impressions
#1
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First Vettefest impressions
Well that was probably the best I've seen aside from Bloomington Gold, loads of spectacular cars! I was watching some of the C2's get inspected and that was quite interesting. Finally got to see Jim's car and it really is beautiful, I had to laugh when I noticed his "keep out" stanchions where flamed too. I picked up a Z06 ball cap for 5 bucks and a 2002 Chevrolet dealers brochure for 8. After searching for a die cast of my Cousins C4 I decided my feet had enough for one day.
Or so I thought!
I ended up spending the next 1-1/2 hours looking for my truck in the vast wasteland that is the parking garage. I was yapping to a fellow Vette owner just after parking and didn't pay enough attention to my location. I remembered another guy we were walking with mention level 4 so I walked that thing back and forth till my feet nearly blistered. Just before I was ready to sit on the pavement and cry I made a last ditch move and went UP to level 5 in the OTHER building! There was Dirty Gurty waiting for me, I swear I heard a snicker as I started her engine.
Moral of the story, less yapping and more watching! And now back to the show...
Or so I thought!
I ended up spending the next 1-1/2 hours looking for my truck in the vast wasteland that is the parking garage. I was yapping to a fellow Vette owner just after parking and didn't pay enough attention to my location. I remembered another guy we were walking with mention level 4 so I walked that thing back and forth till my feet nearly blistered. Just before I was ready to sit on the pavement and cry I made a last ditch move and went UP to level 5 in the OTHER building! There was Dirty Gurty waiting for me, I swear I heard a snicker as I started her engine.
Moral of the story, less yapping and more watching! And now back to the show...
#2
Life's Short. Drive Hard.
Nice shot of Jims car and display. It really should have been near the entrance or on an aisle end somewhere where more people could admire it instead of tucked away in a corner. All in all it was a very full house and seemed to be well attended. Carol was a bit disappointed in "Womens World". (The 4 or 5 vendors with purses, jewelry and sunglassses). Although I don't know what she was expecting.
#4
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It was a nice show. Seemed like a lot more cars there than in the past, and the vast majority were were of exceptional quality.
As a spectator, I do prefer the McCormick Place though...much classier venue compared to this. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to notice the 5 gal buckets hanging from the ceiling rafters
The atmosphere of this place is more like an old warehouse than a professional convention center. Just not the same appeal.
Sadly, I think this was Z06-Jim's last appearance at Chevy/Vettefest, and that's a shame, but I don't blame him for his decisions either.
If the show promoter is gonna twist his arm to attend by assuring him of a prominent high-visibility display location , the very least he could do was make good on that promise.
I know, ya can't keep everyone happy, but when you start BSing the people that bring the popular well-known cars, it will soon hurt your event.
As a spectator, I do prefer the McCormick Place though...much classier venue compared to this. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to notice the 5 gal buckets hanging from the ceiling rafters
The atmosphere of this place is more like an old warehouse than a professional convention center. Just not the same appeal.
Sadly, I think this was Z06-Jim's last appearance at Chevy/Vettefest, and that's a shame, but I don't blame him for his decisions either.
If the show promoter is gonna twist his arm to attend by assuring him of a prominent high-visibility display location , the very least he could do was make good on that promise.
I know, ya can't keep everyone happy, but when you start BSing the people that bring the popular well-known cars, it will soon hurt your event.
#5
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08 & '12
I have to agree that MC place is a nicer place but Rosemont is so much nicer for me to get to it is a 10 min ride ............ also an easier place to show for me . I should have the car there for the spring show
Last edited by johnnyvettes; 11-18-2007 at 09:07 PM.
#6
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I thought Bob Ashton and his staff did an excellent job organizing this show. I can understand Jim's frustration as to his placement, but there were several other high class displays right in the same area, like the amethyst car with all the gizmos, and the 55 ? chevy wagon (blue). Jim's display was awesome and always seemed to have quite a few lookers.
I will be attending the April show with the Chicago Corvette Club, I have a few plans for my 75 over the winter, just hope the Mrs. doesn't find out about (LSX) it. If I can pull this off I will be showing the 75.
I hope the show stays at Rosemont, less traffic headaches and better parking then McCormick in my opinion.
I will be attending the April show with the Chicago Corvette Club, I have a few plans for my 75 over the winter, just hope the Mrs. doesn't find out about (LSX) it. If I can pull this off I will be showing the 75.
I hope the show stays at Rosemont, less traffic headaches and better parking then McCormick in my opinion.
#7
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
It was a nice show. Seemed like a lot more cars there than in the past, and the vast majority were were of exceptional quality.
As a spectator, I do prefer the McCormick Place though...much classier venue compared to this. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to notice the 5 gal buckets hanging from the ceiling rafters
The atmosphere of this place is more like an old warehouse than a professional convention center. Just not the same appeal.
Sadly, I think this was Z06-Jim's last appearance at Chevy/Vettefest, and that's a shame, but I don't blame him for his decisions either.
If the show promoter is gonna twist his arm to attend by assuring him of a prominent high-visibility display location , the very least he could do was make good on that promise.
I know, ya can't keep everyone happy, but when you start BSing the people that bring the popular well-known cars, it will soon hurt your event.
As a spectator, I do prefer the McCormick Place though...much classier venue compared to this. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to notice the 5 gal buckets hanging from the ceiling rafters
The atmosphere of this place is more like an old warehouse than a professional convention center. Just not the same appeal.
Sadly, I think this was Z06-Jim's last appearance at Chevy/Vettefest, and that's a shame, but I don't blame him for his decisions either.
If the show promoter is gonna twist his arm to attend by assuring him of a prominent high-visibility display location , the very least he could do was make good on that promise.
I know, ya can't keep everyone happy, but when you start BSing the people that bring the popular well-known cars, it will soon hurt your event.
#8
Burning Brakes
Very well stated Tom. There were some pros and cons as with any venue, but Tom pretty much covered my thoughts. Z06 Jim was originally placed right behind me and basically in a "middle" spot. I really couldn't figure out how anyone expected Jim to setup his excellent display in that spot. He had every reason to be upset and I glad they moved him to a more visible spot, but he should of been up front.
I have mixed feelings about Rosemont too. However, our exit was better than ever! I was home within 20 minutes of the show ending...and that included stopping to fillup for the winter!
#9
Former Vendor
It was a nice show. Seemed like a lot more cars there than in the past, and the vast majority were were of exceptional quality.
As a spectator, I do prefer the McCormick Place though...much classier venue compared to this. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to notice the 5 gal buckets hanging from the ceiling rafters
The atmosphere of this place is more like an old warehouse than a professional convention center. Just not the same appeal.
Sadly, I think this was Z06-Jim's last appearance at Chevy/Vettefest, and that's a shame, but I don't blame him for his decisions either.
If the show promoter is gonna twist his arm to attend by assuring him of a prominent high-visibility display location , the very least he could do was make good on that promise.
I know, ya can't keep everyone happy, but when you start BSing the people that bring the popular well-known cars, it will soon hurt your event.
As a spectator, I do prefer the McCormick Place though...much classier venue compared to this. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to notice the 5 gal buckets hanging from the ceiling rafters
The atmosphere of this place is more like an old warehouse than a professional convention center. Just not the same appeal.
Sadly, I think this was Z06-Jim's last appearance at Chevy/Vettefest, and that's a shame, but I don't blame him for his decisions either.
If the show promoter is gonna twist his arm to attend by assuring him of a prominent high-visibility display location , the very least he could do was make good on that promise.
I know, ya can't keep everyone happy, but when you start BSing the people that bring the popular well-known cars, it will soon hurt your event.
For those who might be reading this please take in consideration that there are some people out there who drove 3 hours or so like I did just to come see this incredible car. For Jim to have taken the time to attend the event and make the long trip, there is no way his car should have been hidden. I do hope you can make this right and convince him to come back again
#10
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Hey Bob, thanks for posting the pic... ...that's a nice shot...
I was disappointed in not only mine, but the whole forum location as a whole...There were several people that told me they had a hard time finding my car and would have given up if they had not known I was defiantly there somewhere...
I'll have to give Bob Ashton credit though because he did let me move to an area big enough to set up my display and I appreciate that, but the 'stuck in the corner out of the way location' was very disappointing.
Overall though, it was a very nice show with several hundred awesome customized cars in attendance, a lot more than last years show for sure.
(I pretty much have to agree with Tom's 'Y2Kvert4me' post also.)
Thanks everybody for the nice comments....
I was disappointed in not only mine, but the whole forum location as a whole...There were several people that told me they had a hard time finding my car and would have given up if they had not known I was defiantly there somewhere...
I'll have to give Bob Ashton credit though because he did let me move to an area big enough to set up my display and I appreciate that, but the 'stuck in the corner out of the way location' was very disappointing.
Overall though, it was a very nice show with several hundred awesome customized cars in attendance, a lot more than last years show for sure.
(I pretty much have to agree with Tom's 'Y2Kvert4me' post also.)
Thanks everybody for the nice comments....
Last edited by Z06-JIM; 11-20-2007 at 12:49 PM.
#11
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Hey Bob, thanks for posting the pic... ...that's a nice shot...
I don't know, I came around the corner and spotted the "flaming" Z right away. I was able to access all 4 sides of the car and took photos from each. The one thing that struck me was what a safe location it was cornered in, some of those classic Vettes where really hanging out there with no protection from those passing by. If my car was in one of those spots I'd be crapping myself it would get damaged.
Boy, no sympathy for my lost in the lot story...