Car Show Input?
Thread Starter
It's 5 o'clock Somewhere
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,996
Likes: 21
From: HOUSTON TEXAS
St Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Car Show Input?
I intend to hit a few of the local shows with my 08 C6. I could use some input on the do's and donts of "showing" a late model car. My mods amount only to the wheels and floormats/cargomat. I am seriously considering getting the underhood liner with the corvette logo. With that knowledge what catagory would I enter? Besides the obvious of having the car as clean as possible, what tips can you give me?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 2
From: Escondido Ca
Others will chime in with different points of view, which is a ok. My experience led me to never ever again want to enter any sort of show & shine competition on up to the best judged shows. Far too much politics and out right rigging of class winners. Snob attitudes and a whole lot more. Azzes looking inside your fuse boxes for lint.....plus a bunch of fat slobs sitting on beach chairs sneering at your car. To me, just not worth the waste of my time....and I did not bring an old beater Corvette.....!!!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 19
From: Levittown NY
I intend to hit a few of the local shows with my 08 C6. I could use some input on the do's and donts of "showing" a late model car. My mods amount only to the wheels and floormats/cargomat. I am seriously considering getting the underhood liner with the corvette logo. With that knowledge what catagory would I enter? Besides the obvious of having the car as clean as possible, what tips can you give me?
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,267
Likes: 8,542
From: Rochester, NY
My advice is to go to the show, walk around and try to enjoy it. As for entering your car, a lot of work for nothing much in return except frustration.
I only go to shows that are not restricted to Corvettes only. I find the all Corvette shows pretty boring, and get tired of looking at the owners sitting in their chairs acting like they are really special.
But I am sure you will get more positive input then what I have given.
I only go to shows that are not restricted to Corvettes only. I find the all Corvette shows pretty boring, and get tired of looking at the owners sitting in their chairs acting like they are really special.
But I am sure you will get more positive input then what I have given.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 19
From: Levittown NY
Others will chime in with different points of view, which is a ok. My experience led me to never ever again want to enter any sort of show & shine competition on up to the best judged shows. Far too much politics and out right rigging of class winners. Snob attitudes and a whole lot more. Azzes looking inside your fuse boxes for lint.....plus a bunch of fat slobs sitting on beach chairs sneering at your car. To me, just not worth the waste of my time....and I did not bring an old beater Corvette.....!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 53
From: Tucson Arizona
With a late model vette I wouldn't be too concerned about how perfect the car is just go and enjoy the other cars. Most of the time the winners come from the older generations and those are the ones that I go there to see in the first place.
I have owned 25 vettes from all 6 generations and have gone to many car shows over the years but never have shown any of my vettes and that includes a 1953, 1957 fuelie and a 63 split window. The only car that I have ever shown was a 1959 Ford Retractable hardtop and that was only because it was a safe and great place to park it while I was at the show. I had no intention of showing it and it ended up winning a trophy with no prep whatsoever.
This was the 59 that I picked up for $800 from the original owner around 1980, still had the clear plastic seat covers on the seats and was perfect. Needless to say when I resold it I got many times what I had paid.
I have owned 25 vettes from all 6 generations and have gone to many car shows over the years but never have shown any of my vettes and that includes a 1953, 1957 fuelie and a 63 split window. The only car that I have ever shown was a 1959 Ford Retractable hardtop and that was only because it was a safe and great place to park it while I was at the show. I had no intention of showing it and it ended up winning a trophy with no prep whatsoever.
This was the 59 that I picked up for $800 from the original owner around 1980, still had the clear plastic seat covers on the seats and was perfect. Needless to say when I resold it I got many times what I had paid.
Last edited by RJRSW; Mar 17, 2013 at 02:35 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
There will be tons of bone stock cars in any show and all expect to win a big trophy. Personally I show a fair amount but only get judged in a show with cash awards. The other shows I put a "Do Not Judge" sign up...having someone pat me on the back with a trophy is not my thing. The chit chat thing is more important to me.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,979
Likes: 743
From: PA
DO NOT enter any shows with participant voting. It's all friends voting for friends, clubs voting for club members. Do judged shows only. And make sure they have a class for Vettes rather than years. Otherwise you'll end up against Stangs, Vipers, etc. instead of other Corvettes.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
DO NOT enter any shows with participant voting. It's all friends voting for friends, clubs voting for club members. Do judged shows only. And make sure they have a class for Vettes rather than years. Otherwise you'll end up against Stangs, Vipers, etc. instead of other Corvettes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,992
Likes: 394
From: Naples FL
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2015 C6 of Year Finalist
You would be in a stock class. You are allowed by most shows to be considered stock if you have 6 or less changes from factory.
While i do agree there is a ton of politics in a lot of judged car shows I still enter because I like to talk to the people who ask questions about my car, as well as look at other peoples cool rides.
While i do agree there is a ton of politics in a lot of judged car shows I still enter because I like to talk to the people who ask questions about my car, as well as look at other peoples cool rides.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
You would most likely be in a C6 stock category.
Do:
Have fun.
Make sure your car is clean.
Don't:
Expect to get a trophy.
Worry what anyone thinks of your car.
Fail to have fun.
If you are a trophy chaser, you'll need lots of bling. I show the blue car and always get great compliments and get to interact with lots of people. I usually don't get a trophy and when I do it's rarely a first place. The cars with the bling and wild paint win and that's OK with me.
Do:
Have fun.
Make sure your car is clean.
Don't:
Expect to get a trophy.
Worry what anyone thinks of your car.
Fail to have fun.
If you are a trophy chaser, you'll need lots of bling. I show the blue car and always get great compliments and get to interact with lots of people. I usually don't get a trophy and when I do it's rarely a first place. The cars with the bling and wild paint win and that's OK with me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,595
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
You would be in a stock class. You are allowed by most shows to be considered stock if you have 6 or less changes from factory.
While i do agree there is a ton of politics in a lot of judged car shows I still enter because I like to talk to the people who ask questions about my car, as well as look at other peoples cool rides.
While i do agree there is a ton of politics in a lot of judged car shows I still enter because I like to talk to the people who ask questions about my car, as well as look at other peoples cool rides.
As for a judged show, they can be good or bad. A good judged show is one where the judges have a good knowledge of what they are looking at. There are some judged shows where they pick judges and some may have know knowledge of Corvette's. In reality, if it is a wash and shine show, the judges should really only be looking at the overall cleanliness and nothing else.
I suggest that if you want to enter, clean your car polish and wax it and go and have fun. Walk around and look at other cars meet the owners of the cars and just have fun socializing with people that have the same interest.
show
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 35
From: Jupiter Fl
Yours would be stock to be sure, This is what I take to car shows !! I have been to lots of shows, some big, some local small shows etc , and I always seem to have a good time talking to other car people about their rides. Still as some have said, there may be the odd snobs or A--holes who take the things way to seriously, I never go to a show expecting to win anything, I just like to check out all the cool rides. and if i win something, then thats just makes the day even better 
Geaux Tigers!!!!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,731
Likes: 424
From: DeRidder LA
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
You would most likely be in a C6 stock category.
Do:
Have fun.
Make sure your car is clean.
Don't:
Expect to get a trophy.
Worry what anyone thinks of your car.
Fail to have fun.
If you are a trophy chaser, you'll need lots of bling. I show the blue car and always get great compliments and get to interact with lots of people. I usually don't get a trophy and when I do it's rarely a first place. The cars with the bling and wild paint win and that's OK with me.
Do:
Have fun.
Make sure your car is clean.
Don't:
Expect to get a trophy.
Worry what anyone thinks of your car.
Fail to have fun.
If you are a trophy chaser, you'll need lots of bling. I show the blue car and always get great compliments and get to interact with lots of people. I usually don't get a trophy and when I do it's rarely a first place. The cars with the bling and wild paint win and that's OK with me.
Great points....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,798
Likes: 25
From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
A few months ago somebody asked the same question and got a lot of good feedback. If you will do a 'search' you can read all about it.
He did very good at the show.
GentlemanVette..... started the thread.
He did very good at the show.
GentlemanVette..... started the thread.