Since winter is upon most of us(yes, it's even cold in Texas today) I thought I'd get opinions of your attitude about car shows. I've been to more than my share of car shows, and death not occuring will go to many more. I love looking at beautiful cars. I enjoy keeping my cars in show-worthy condition when I can, but I don't like entering my cars in shows. I am just not one to park my car all day(or weekend for that matter) & sit next to it in a lawn chair while people come by and google it. Now don't get me wrong. I have met many great people & friends while I was admiring thier cars. I appreciate the people who do take the time to show thier cars for the joy of the rest of us. I know a lot of you regularly show your cars & really enjoy getting them ready for shows. I'm just not into it. I appreciate the compliments I get while driving or whenever it may be out of the garage, but I didn't buy it for that. I bought it to drive and enjoy, not to show it. I was just wondering if anybody else was like that about your cars. :chevy

 

i go to as many shows as i can. i try to go to the ones within about 300 miles but for a big show i will go farther. i went 700 miles last year to orlando in january. i love to be in the shows. i like to be involved with all the other corvettes and other owners. i have met alot of cool people at the shows and look forward to seeing some of them again at the next show. it helps alot that i win most shows i enter but i would probably still go if i didnt win. it just makes you work a little harder for the next show.

 

Most cars shows that are open to all marques and types of cars are the ones I really don't care about. I will enter them if the event is for a charity or some fund-raising organization that does something good for the community.

I do enter Corvtte-only events and I will even travel a few hundred miles to an event just for the out-of-town getaway (party time :cheers: ). A number of area clubs in our Association hosts show events throught out the summer and I try to make all of them. I have been fortunate to win some trophies, but the big reason I attend, like you pointed out, is to have fun with my fellow enthusiasts at weekend events. I have met some wonderful fellow Vette owners and made some lifetime friends at events.

What I find amusing is that people will come up to me and tell me how great my car looks, then they are absolutely shocked when I tell them that not only do I show my car, I also enter as many autocross events as I can find and also take part in open track events. I tell them that a Corvette is meant to be driven and competitive driving events are just a part of what makes the car so great. Some of my fellow club members just don't understand why I "abuse" my car like that. Guess I should take a few of them for a ride....

 

:iagree:

 

I do go to a lot of shows and even drive far to get there. I get bored easily. Last Octobervettes I got a Tattoo to keep me busy :) There are times I can spend the day bsing and others I leave early. I bought mine to drive and love to do that but I like people looking at it at the shows as well and I drive mine whenever I like so it does get miles on it.

 

I enter lots of shows. Mostley all Corvette ones. Like someone else said, if it'a charity show I might enter with all other types of cars. The people are the main reason. :cheers:

 

I enter as many as I can. I enjoy sitting there with friends and doing nothing but talking to them, the people that come by and just getting out in the fresh air. I also like winning. I will spend days working on my car to et it right. I have not entered the CE in a show yet, but my 99 Hugger Orange SS I had up until I traded it for the CE took numerous 1st places and 2nd 2 years in a row at the Chevy Super Show. It is very relaxing for me.

 

I never enter them. Too many pissing contests over judging and winning. :rolleyes:

But I love to go to them and take pictures and talk to people.

 

Amen brother...that's why we have the Active Handling Run Team right here on the forum...to drive!

I go to 1 local show per year...not to enter my car, or vote, or any "show" stuff...it's to be with friends...and watch Tony guzzle Tekillya!

 

I love to look at show cars, and I like to keep my own car pretty and clean, but I'd rather shove broken glass up my bum and sit in a tub of Tabasco than clean it with a toothbrush and Q-Tips! :sleep:

 

I've entered my 35th in three car shows and got a trophy in the 1st show; it gives me an excuse to detail the engine and the rest of the car.

When at Carlisle I park in the infield with the other 35ths and want it to be presentable.

I too get bored easily so don't go to/enter many shows; at least at Carlisle you can mix it up enough to keep busy for a day or two.

I guess, since I've only oned it a little over two years, the detailing is still part of the mystique of owning/showing a Vette. And, yes, I've even done the brush and q-tip thing but enjoyed the labor of love. But don't get me wrong, I couldn't do it more than once a season.

Of course my real love is 1/4mi racing but even then I want it "looking good".

 

My opinions about car shows:

- I hate sitting around all day in a lounge chair too.

- I don't mind people looking at the car, infact I like it when people look at the car. IF someone asked if they could sit in it, I'd let them.

-I mainly enter shows that are judged by officials. I don't go for the peer judging thing. It seems with the peer judging everyone there votes for there friends and not for the cars that truly deserve it. Don't get me wrong I'll still go to a car show that is being peer-judged, but my car will be parked outside of the show area for about 20-30 minutes, not entered in the show as I check out the other cars. Then I leave.

-SometimesI find even official judge shows have been screwed up. One time I was at a show and a 1959 Cadillac (touring car) won first place in a PRO-STREET class, while a gorgeous Chevelle (pro-street car) won second.

 

[QUOTE]I never enter them. Too many pissing contests over judging and winning. :rolleyes:


I'm glad I'm not the only one. Having someone tell me my Vette is cleaner or more pristine than someone else's just doesn't do it for me. All Vette's are special. I'm just not competitive against other Vette drivers. That, and the fact that a don't give a dern about what a person with a clipboard & judging card thinks about my car. I paid for it, I love it, and anyone who wants to critique it can get back in thier mustang and move along. :thumbs:

 

I've done the show thing with my '74 for the last year or so...did really well, 7 Best in Class or Best of Show out of the last 7 shows. But sometimes it gets old, especially the indoor shows that last all weekend. I think I am done with those. I like the outdoor shows with all kinds of cars, not just Corvettes. You get up. wash the car and give it a quick detail, then cruise over to the show to arrive around 9-10 am. Walk around, look at all the great cars and talk to folks, drink a few beers, awards by 3 pm or so, and the day is done. I did a couple of those this year, they were alot more fun for me.
Haven't shown the CE, probably never will.
Jeff

 

I go to the shows and park, walk and talk. I have never sat at my car. What for??? You can't see nothing there! I do enjoy washing and keeping it clean but it's a challenge when you drive it every day. Been a bone of contention with the wife, she'd rather I clean the bathroom! Oh well, if it means I can spend a couple hours on the car I can do the bathroom first!

 

:iagree: I know alot of people who are what I call "Trophy Hunters", and they aren't happy unless they come home with that $15 trophy...:rolleyes: I even know of a guy who bought his own trophy after he didn't win...:rolleyes: He said the judging was rigged but when he won at the last show everything was hunky dory and very well run in his opinion...

The "Trophy Hunters" go to a show and get ticked off about what happens, while I just go, park my car, talk to my mates and check out some other cool cars and I usually have a pretty good day.

 

Both of my cars are drivers. To me that's the fun of going to car shows. People are amazed that they are driven cars and that I race the '89. I've made many a good friend from putting my cars in shows and parades.

 

I love car shows .I usually hit the car cruises every weekend with my daughter .I look at it as having fun while making valuable memories.I take my camaro to 1 or 2 concours shows a year(usually long distance)I wouldnt stop for the world. :seeya :cheers:

 

The first year or so of owning the coupe I entered many shows. Then it occurred to me that sitting around all day was boring. The only shows we do anymore are the ones that all our friends go to. Then it's more of a social thing and not boring. We'd much rather spend a weekend day cruising (see some of MOJO's videos). I enjoy both Vettes far more behind the wheel than behind it in a lawn chair :cheers: