One thing I have noticed, that for the most part has proven true, is that the less work the owner did on their car, the bigger dickhead they are. They are the ones who trailer everywhere, criticize everyone else rides and get pissed if they don't get a trophy. Wife and I seldom go to shows because we are sick of these jackasses and, even though we are senior citizens, are sick of the same '50s music loud enough to make those with hearing aids turn 'em off. Another thing, is the lack of respect for others property by the attendees. I have seen people leaning on, running hands over and letting kids climb on the vehicles. I don't care how nice or how ratty a vehicle is, my rule is, "If it's not yours, keep your f'ing paws off!" .
I degrass though....... I entered ONE car show in our (none of them work but heaviest optioned 60 225 drop top). It was a small local show I was invited to. We have never had a garage for it so I threw the cleaning supplies in the PACKED trunk and my middle son and daughter took off down the road for the dreaded car show with thoughts of critics "you need to do this,that needs work,why are you having to do the entire cleaning job here and OMG what ALL is in that trunk!!!?" The kids and I were furiously cleaning all day in our areas of strength and we stopped to talk to some very sweet seniors who came out to check out all the hub bub. Several laughed while asking for an inventory of my "lot going on in there" trunk. Not easy to fill a 60 Buick trunk that full but here it was.....two tool boxes,my "magic box" of common parts and fasteners,a couple milk crates of cleaning junk and rags,radiator hoses,fan belts,full size spare,floor jack and a LOT of moxy! Lol "Wow! Ya'll are ready for anything aren't ya?" They commended my son and daughter on there diligent work and several leaned over and whispered "I am voting for ya'll, you drive it and know how to work on them,beautiful car and are prepared to work on it and EVEN have kids outside WORKING?!" Thumbs up. We're a lot of nicer car$ there but we cleaned the board.?UNANIMOUS (do what?!!) Best of Show, Best GM,Best 1950-1960, I was totally embarrassed getting all the awards but even the other car guys were slapping me on the back and telling the kids and me to get up there "Ya'll earned it!" Was my first and last car show, my Dad died (my only car he ever liked,hated my GS's"That's ridiculous to have a damn 455 in a mid sized Buick!" But he WAS seen one day blazing by my buddies at the park who thought it was me with secondaries open barking second gear! Lol) Anyhow we had our 15 minutes, "Josephine" just sits there now going down hill kinda lost my passion after Dad died so reverted to my hot roddin roots. Gotta need fer SPEED baybee!!! My car shows (if I ever get the "GSX" Poor Touring running is the gas pump and rolling down the road with my elbow out the window,not baking in a parking lot all day
Hey der Fritz...Sorry this is outa place a little bit, but if you ever think that 60 needs a new caretaker lemme know ! That old boat Ive been working on is a 1963, which my dad bought in 1972. "Its yours when I'm gone kid". Pops drowned in 1980, and was never found and his brother, my DEAD uncle was the executor and vowed to sell it. I remortgaged my house, and have fired 3 wives, estranged myself from the WHOLE family, but still have that boat. The day after my mom died, my dads mom died (!) and I had to find out reading the obits (daily habit) in the Chicago Tribune and that's 3 pages worth! Ended up suing my uncle, but that's a longgggg story in itself. Its amazing how much water goes under the damn in 58 years aint it?? Seems you and I could write a book; "How to FORK the world and think about US". Never met a judge I wouldnt pull the trap door lever on yet! ws
What I mean by mediocre and what I am hearing are two different things. First off....Why would you not consider your car a show car? It is exactly what I and many others like to see at a car show and different is good especially in a 50 year old car. You got offended because some idiot got his car scratched at one time or another by a dogs collar or possibly the ever popular 2 owners, 2 dogs , and their leashes. My statement simply reflects the fact that I don't want any dogs(including my own)around certain vehicles. I also don't want my friends ten year old being instructed(by his mom)to come help me when I am not asking for help. He tipped a rear axle over on my project and cost me hundreds of dollars....does that mean I don't like kids? My retired uncle just bought a 84 Riviera convertible with very low miles....he has literally never touched it under the hood. It is by definition...a show car. He worked very hard his whole life and wanted something to "hang out" at the local shows with. Young people may or may not continue this hobby,but I think it is here to stay. I just don't understand why anyone has a problem with "super nice" cars. Did this all start with Ferris Buellers loser friend who was mad because his dad wanted a nice car?
The "hatred" (jelousy, envy and ego) inside this scene will kill it faster than all the other things combined, EPA, taxes, insurance, lack of parts, time and most of all rust. If it dies, we killed it. I was born into this life, been wrenching everything from bicycles to jets, my father raced and died racing, my uncle built a legacy that stands to this day, other familiy were machinists and mechanics and built everything from cars to aircraft. People are unique and individuals, but at the same time, more alike than differnt. We are a paradox. No one forces another the stand and interact with someone they are uncomfortable around. Yeah, the "diaper wiper in the lawnchair" might annoy you, but that guy" loaths snot nosed know-it-all-young-whippersnappers" who never understood seeing these cars brand new for the first time. In 20 or 30 years, if there remains any semblance of this car world, come back and tell us if you see things from a differnt POV. No hate, only disheartened. Pogo was right.
More true words were never spoken.... Thing of it is, when I first started taking my car to cruises/shows, these kinda guys drove me nuts. Especially the "trophy hunters" as I call them. I didnt go to many the following year because of it. I really missed checking out the cars and participating with mine though. So now I really just get a pretty good laugh out of them. They dont bother me in the least other than perhaps I feel sorry for them a little bit. But at most of the local cruise-ins (I usually go to more informal cruise-ins than judged shows, I prefer the more laid back atmosphere to be honest) for everyone of of the high and mighty jerks I encounter, I meet several people who are genuinely interested in the car and appreciate it for what it is. I really enjoy talking to them and answering questions. The buttheads? Ah, I brush em off. Oh, and I too get SICK of the music. With more late 60's/early 70's cars than anything there, would it kill em to play some zeppelin/who/cream/hendrix/etc???? Just my 2 cents here, and that plus a buck might get ya a small cup of coffee. But..... As to the OP's issues, I kinda see both sides. "Mr. tri-5" didnt need to be so harsh, and telling you to leave is a crock. But I see two sides of the dog thing. Many events I go to that have any sort flier, it's not uncommon to see a "no pets" comment (though its usually ignored and rarely enforced). I love dogs and have 2, one of which is a very well behaved 100 pound doberman pinscher. But I understand that some folks would not be comfortable with dogs around a car they put alot of money/work into. Ive seen dogs jump on cars before, and though my heap isnt anything super nice/special, I'd be a bit angry if it happened at a cruise in. I put alot of work into it, but I drive it and enjoy it and not worry too much about typical wear and tear. But a car show is a bit more of a safe environment I think, especially for these guys with trailer queens. I personally think the more appropriate response from him wouldve been to politely ask you to keep the dog out of reach of his car, and leave it at that. Its a 2 way street. Youre ok with your dogs being there, but that doesnt mean everyone else is. Just like you use your car the way you want to use it, and that is great. But that doesnt mean others subscribe to the same ideology. At the end of the day, if the organizers asked for no pets and you knowingly disregard that, then don't get mad if someone calls you on it. Now if it wasnt a known no-no, thats totally different and I probably wouldve had a less than pleasurable response to mr chebby man.. That said, I dont have a problem with it personally, as long as the pooch is being well behaved. I see dogs more often than not at the events I frequent and never bat an eye other than to give them some attention if the owner ok's it. If its not under control, jumping up and acting all crazy, yeah I might have asked you to step away from the car. Otherwise, I probably wouldve asked if I could give the pup a pat on the head and a good ear scratch! ETA: Good looking pups!!!
I have to agree with the dying of car shows for the most part. Many of the guys at these car shows around here are just that. The interesting thing is they have always been nice and friendly to me and accepted me like all the other owners. It is very disturbing (in more ways then 1) when I was out of high school in 2008 and was a member of a local car club and was the ONLY guy under 45+ in the club of 50+ people, but there I was driving a mint 56 Pontiac StarChief, and 59 Buick LeSabre! The problem is most younger auto enthusiasts prefer newer 'old' rides then the pre emission era Detroit Iron we all like. A local car show,cruise, race, auction called Kearney Cruise Night this year had ALOT of late model rice burners and imports with guys my age stutting their stuff. It don't help when most of them assume to own a old car you must be rich (thanks to the more money then brain group). I am by no means rich, but I have had more vintage cars then alot of people my grandparents age lol. Car shows are for ANYONE with a set of wheels who wants to meet and see like minded people.
to make it very clear this thing I went to is a regular weekly gathering at a Denny's parking lot so not exactly the Concours d'elegance or even a Concours d'moons over my hammy for that matter. There are no trophies and while pulling into the parking lot the people that run the event were petting my guys through the window and didn't say a word. I have had them out there with me before and have never once heard any complaints. I keep them next to my side and I do not get close enough to other cars to touch them. Taking my gsd into Nordstroms is ok but walking around a parking lot is not...........k I am not ashamed of my car but this is not the first time I have gotten this sort of reception from people in this community. In fact the first time I ever went to this thing a couple years ago I parked the Electra outside their ropes and had to be convinced by other people there to bring it in. I do not have a problem at all with nice cars or nice things in general but at the same time lets be real here. These are machines that are used outside on the road where all kinds of crazy things can and regularly do happen I have had rocks and tree branches land on the windshield just being parked there. Last week a large tree trunk landed on the roof of my neighbors brand new two week old Jeep. I have had random people slam their car doors into it and was even rear ended on the freeway. It's life
need to add lawyers to that. That is why I love taking my wagon to shows. It is 5 different colors, missing parts, the back is full of stuff, the interior is a mess. but it runs and drives, and I don't give a rats backside if you don't like it. I do and that is all that matters. Will I ever get it done, maybe in some century. There are some young men that are into cars, my oldest would love a project car. He has looked at a few, but since he and his family are going to Selina, KS for school. I think he is planning on finding one, once he graduates. My youngest already has his project a field find, sitting over 20 years. A 1977 Pontiac Lemans. He and I are slowly getting it running. It is his baby. he even rents a storage unit to keep it in. I am forgoing the local good-guys show to attend an All Buick show on that Sunday. I have been to the last 5 Good-guys and figure I've seen them all. Plus Buick guys are better to be around. plus the Buick show is free. . I am also forgoing the rescheduled downtown Ft. Collins show to take my wife's field find to a Lincoln, Ford only show. I had already registered for the downtown show, but was canceled due to a snow storm 3 days before the show. I guess they figured most of the trailer queens and perfect weather summer only cars wouldn't show. Each of the new shows are about a 75+ miles father. So I get to drive the cars more. Isn't that what they are made for. Tim
I am 39 and am usually the youngest if not the second youngest at most of these events. Whats weird is I have more fun at a typical import show (like fast and the furious type) than I do with people that drive the same cars as me! I have been thinking of building a rat/pro touring type Nissan 240z partly because I honest to god have more in common with that crowd and they are way more chill.
That being the case, then IMO mr chebby was just a grumpy dude, ignore him and go about your business. And as for the ill-prepared coolant puker....ah, some guys just know it all.... Funny about the Nordstroms thing. I take my dobie to Tractor Supply and Lowes with me sometimes. He gets one of two reactions. People either get a big grin and give him all sorts of attention (which he gladly soaks up) or their eyes get real big and they go the other way. Haha.
I'd go back next week just for spite. Screw those people, it's a public parking lot. I do agree with others who posted that dogs and not well-attended youngun's concern me at a car show. But until they appear to pose any problem I would embrace them.
It's not even really about the dog thing for me. Its the general attitude and underlying atmosphere. Do not get me wrong because I have had some pretty cool times at these things. A couple years back I met an elderly woman with her son that were restoring her and her late husbands Electra. They had bought it new and she knew more things about the car than even her son! It was cool talking to an 70 year old Korean lady about cars. We sat and talked about getting the ac working and getting the electrical system reliable. Also met a cool young dude with an original well worn Nova wagon and another with a fully restored industrial sized tow truck from the 1940's. but most of the guys are your typical lawn chair and freshly waxed types. I take my guys a lot of places but the gsd gets out more because its part of her training and shes better in public than my other guy anyway. My other dog (pit lab gsd mix) has the stereotypical golden retriever 'I love everybody and want to say hi' type personality where my gsd is all business and is working all the time so could care less about other people.
I guess we are lucky here in Alabama. We have a guy that organizes 4 cruise-in's a month for us, April thru October. He has an old bread truck that he has converted into his mobile music machine and has all the music on a computer with thousands of songs to choose from. Most of what he plays are requests - 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and up. If you don't like what he is playing, go request what you want. He also does a 50/50 drawing (helps pay for his gas-hog truck's fuel). Last summer I hit the 50/50 4 out of 5 times that I bought tickets. If there isn't much in the pot, I usually just take my 10 bucks back and give him the rest. I much prefer cruise-in's over car shows. My car has been in three shows, two in Alabama two years ago and Bowling Green last year (last year, BG only judged the concours cars & the survivor cars, all the rest was just a big cruise-in). No more shows for me. I like to get there when I want & leave when I want... I just go to see cool cars & hang out with my friends. And it never fails, I always see at least one cool car that I have never seen before at the cruise-in's...
That's me. I tell people that I'm going to have as much fun with my car as I can, as long as I can. If there's something left for the next guy to enjoy after I die, great. If not, well, I won't care, I'll be dead. I rarely do car shows, and then only when several of us friends can go in together and park together. I also don't hang around my car when I'm there. Look if they want, most people don't know what it is anyway. I'm almost always the only `65 Skylark there. We like the cruise nights. They're more relaxed and most are there to have fun, Yeah, you get the occasional guy who hangs by his car because he feels it's better than all the rest and he wants to make sure everyone knows it. Can't change them so I just stay away from them.
A big X2!!! I agree with what Shawn wrote; "would it kill em to play some zeppelin/who/cream/hendrix/etc????" The cars shows now are more about the late 60s and early 70s muscle cars that people from the late 60s to the late 80s drove from the first hand to the second hand owners. It makes more sense to play the music those people listened to back in the day, watch a few episodes of that 70s show to get a clue. Besides the old people that cruised in the 50s at bar cruise night at the age dragging around their oxygen tanks are more than likely not going to buy anything because of their special needs diet and the prescription meds they're on they can't have any type of adult beverages either. That crappy music they play is another reason I don't go to some of those shows! I hate HATE hate that wa wa wa whiny high pitched crappy so called music from the 50s they like to torture people with at some of those shows! Horrible, just horrible. They don't play any of the good 50s music just the wa wa crap at those shows! Sorry, to the people that like that crap, just not my cup of tea at all. I would even suffer through some Beetle songs than have to suffer that wa wa crap! Sorry for the rant, but isn't this a rant thread? Derek
Chevelle guy pouring Dex-Cool into his radiator...soon he'll have lotsa leaks with brown mud in his engine...
