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If I was to enter a small car show with 100 or so vehicles and probably less than professional judges, would I be judged "down" with a targa-type roof, or should I install my original T-top roof panels.
T-tops off, unless its raining. You want to accentuate the cars features. I grow up in the t-top genearation so they are nothing new to me but for the population that has not seen them they are excited. My 72 still has the removable rear glass so the kids are amazed when you but your hand through. THe more cool gadgets uoit has the nicer. I raise my lights as well.
Not being a as.... but I don't think a t-top roof is considered a targa roof. A targa roof has no center section like our T-tops do.
Have fun Ike
Last edited by general ike; Apr 25, 2020 at 04:41 PM.
Me thinks the astro top is more interesting ... personally, I don't care for them but appreciate them because they're relatively uncommon.
Most of the smaller shows along my range usually have the SOS people, cars & judges (until death/divorce) ...
... more mutual admiration society than a competition ..., everybody gets a trophy ... ho-hum.
It depends on the car show. If it's a open show with the participants doing the judging, you better have a especially nice car. Most votes go to club members no matter what their car looks like. Other shows with judges , it's a toss up. Does the guy like vettes? mopars, fords or is he a fair judge. Just go, have fun, if you win something that makes a better day.
If I was to enter a small car show with 100 or so vehicles and probably less than professional judges, would I be judged "down" with a targa-type roof, or should I install my original T-top roof panels.
The Corvette community has more of an 'original' fixation than any other marque I've encountered. This is interesting because Corvettes fresh off the line in the 60's and 70's had all kinds of quality control issues, yet everyone wants to restore them to 'as new' condition. For myself, I'd prefer a C3 that looks original, but has proper panel gaps, a really nice paint job, maybe a driveline upgrade; you know, all kinds of things that make the car better-than-new. The '69 427 Tri-Power roadster that's currently for sale on this Forum is a perfect example of a car that pushes all my buttons. But that's just me...
So, I'd say if it's a Corvette show, for sure go original; if not, just show your car at its best, whatever that is. Good luck.
Ah Roy I guess I miss u understood but I guess you can call that a targa roof for a t top car. I think they are cool looking and give the car another look.
I take alot of photos of my car. Very few of them have the T-tops in place. I like the openness!! Ike
Last edited by general ike; Apr 26, 2020 at 10:27 AM.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I agreewith l82vett. I definitely depends on the show, whether its open or vette only, and if it has judges or public voting and if it has classes. Most of the
club shows, only the club members win which is a sham and a shame. I've been to many that I would have a lot o people oogling my car and taking pics, and that was before the hotwheels wrap, and still not get a mention. I was at a beach show with general classes an no corvettes won and a jeep cherokee junker won. Go figure. Definitely dont have an expectation of winning anything and the show will be a lot more fun. Just go and get your car clean and be competitive but enjoy the cars and people watching, a prize is a bonus only. That being said theres a couple of c1 guys that go to local shows only to win and they put house money into there cars to do that, dont be those guys
Yeah the small shows around here,50-300 run the gamut. The ones run by a car clubs are usually for a charity and are a joke. The trophies only go to the club members. Not a single one went to anyone else. The American Legion just has one fan favorite award and usually the kids pick out a odd ball/unique car. The largest 300 car run by the boy scouts, uses judges that usually have a basic knowledge of the type of cars they are judging, so they will have a basic understanding of what they are looking at. They are always looking for knowledgeable volunteers. It probably is the most fairest but you are competing against original vs. restomod and a vette vs. a model T for the trophies.
So we go to support the charities, see some cool old cars, talk to some car lovers and a nice drive. Luckily for us one is across the road from a winery so a mandatory pit stop is always required. Trophies are nice but unless they are from some of the elite shows, the locals mean nothing. Trust me, I have won a bunch and I am saying that.
Simple have fun enjoy, your car, nothing else needed. Ike
Last edited by general ike; Apr 26, 2020 at 11:06 AM.
You'll probably be judged more harshly by all the so called Corvette experts than the judge. Whenever I take the uber low mileage, near pristine 79 L82 car to a show I get to listen to all the "experts" point out flaws and things that they think are wrong. Funny how you can win best in show or best original survivor with a car that has so many flaws or changes.
My other favorites is how everyone says "I had one just like it", never knew it was so popular. In the long run the judge would not hold it against you in most local shows, if you want it do it.
Most small car shows don't bother with the 'picky' stuff. All the trailer queen cars won't go to those small shows, so there's no need to dicker around with non-stock items. Go to the show and have fun.
P.S. Don't expect that the cars you think deserve awards will get them at a small show. Awards will be decided by 'no clue' judges or by the 'good ol boy' method to dole-out trophies to the judges buddies. At least, that is the thought you need to take with you to such shows, so that you won't be disappointed or upset with the results. Most small car shows are money raisers for worthwhile charities/projects. Just go to help out the project, show your car, and enjoy the day.
C3 Corvettes never get any respect at North Florida car shows. Just go to the show and have a good time. I'm hoping the "Vettes at the Village" Corvette show at the World Golf Village doesn't get cancelled in June.
We have a local show run by the local car club about 250- 300 cars typically. You can bring anything. If you are bringing a car you get in free if you bring a donation for the food shelf. Last year the kids of club members were the judges. They picked some strange stuff for trophies. We go just to have fun and talk to car people. My last 5-6 hot rods I swapped in LS engines so lots of questions about LS installs. I'm not an expert but I was able help a few folks with their LS swaps which is kind of fun.
The big car show that we go to is the Oreillys (used to be Car Craft) in St.Paul MN in late July. The judging is done by the car craft staff. I never have got a trophy but had 5 hot rods shot for features and two made the covers of Chevy High Performance and Car Craft magazines. It very fun to "get the nod" for a photo shoot.
We go to the shows just have fun. Eat a brat or two and get a bit of a tan.
I like doing the cruise nights better than the shows. Like mentioned the car club guys usually get the wins. But I have been to shows where that hasn't always been true.
[QUOTEMost small car shows don't bother with the 'picky' stuff][/QUOTE]
Or even know....dont worry just go have fun
I recently won the truck class at a local show (few hundred), didnt stick around to the trophy.
Yes it was the nicest but was already told 2 wks in advance by the guy putting it on Id win.
I only went to take a drive and people watch.
Sure were a lot of 9 sec 600horse cars that have never been down the track haha.
Small Car Show Judging
You want to accentuate the cars features. I grow up in the t-top genearation so they are nothing new to me but for the population that has not seen them they are excited. My 72 still has the removable rear glass so the kids are amazed when you but your hand through. THe more cool gadgets uoit has the nicer. I raise my lights as well.
