Car Show Etiquette

[ssj335]

Hey!

So I have never been to a car show before. I always wanted to go but since I didn't have anything to bring I just never went. Silly I know since spectators are welcome.

Anyhow - what are car shows like? Such a funny question. But what can one expect? What are the do's and don'ts? School me please. =)

And what is the difference between Cruise Nights and Car Shows?

[YellowRose]

Car Show Etiquette

Kirsten, for one who loves classic cars, they are fun to go to, to see what others have done to their classic car, keep it original, modify it, or customize it. It gives one ideas as to what they might want to do to their own classic car. As for etiquette, one thing is DO NOT touch the cars. People spend hours and hours detailing their cars, and they don't want your fingerprints on it, or you leaning over it, possibly scratching the paint with your clothes, or jewelry...

The difference between a Cruise Night and a S&S (Show & Shine) event is this. Cruise Nights are when you drive your classic car to a local food spot where other Classic car owners go to, to show off their cars. A S&S event is often, but not always, a judged event, where you shine up your car before hand, take it to the car show, enter it in for judging and see if you can walk away with a trophy...

When you can, I would suggest that you go to both, even if you do not have your Tbird up and running safely. But talk with Elliott and ask him where they have their Cruise Nights at, and drive your regular car to one, and enjoy seeing a Cruise Night event. When your Tbird is ready, then you can start driving it to them and show it off. The same applies to car shows, when the Bird is ready to be shown off under judging rules, or you can just enter it to be shown without judging...

[ssj335]

Man both sound like fun. Thanks for the differentiation.

[jopizz]

There are many different types of car shows. Some are very informal where if there is judging it's only done by people's choice. Others will separate cars into classes and your car will be judged against other cars in your class. These usually aren't very technical. Then you have the car shows with formal judging where your car is judged on a point system (usually 300 or 100) and is compared against how it left the factory. Any deviation results in point deductions and usually the three highest pointed cars will win trophies. These can be quite stressful as you have to stay with your car until the judges complete their inspection and you have to start the car and operate all the lights, horn, etc.

John

[YellowRose]

Car Show Etiquette

I am glad that John gave you a good overview of how various car shows are done. Usually, once you check into a judged car show, you are given a certain number of hours to finish cleaning your car for judging, having it ready for inspection. Many owners do their detailing of the car prior to going to the event, and then spend their time putting the finishing touches to it, until they get the "Rags Down" alert to stop cleaning. Then the judges start making their rounds to inspect each car. This can take hours and towards the end of the day, they will announce the winners and award the trophies. The problems with some car shows is that they are often run by other car clubs, and they may not have a class for your type of car. For example, you have a 1959 Tbird, and you might be competing against cars of that club, which might be a Chevy club, as an example. Other types of shows may have classes that include, among many others, a division for 1955-2005 Tbirds. There you are competing against all years of Tbirds. Other shows may break that division down by years, 1955-1957, 1958-1960, 1961-1963, 1964-1966, 1967 and up, and finally, 2002-2005. But then, again, you might be competing against Caddys, Plymouths, Dodge, Chevies, of the same years...

Me I got tired of competing in shows that were run by car clubs that where not of the same make as my classic car... It seemed to be unfair competition. So those I try and stay away from. Then there are others that break down the cars into divisions, where you have a better chance of competing. As for myself, I have stopped competing for trophies for several reasons. Many of our car shows are held during the Summer months here in Texas, and in heat of high 90's while you are prepping your car for judging. Then you have to sit, stand, or get under a canopy to keep from being fried by the 100+ degree Texas sun... At 82 years of age, I have no desire to be turned into an egg omelet on a Texas pavement... Since my trunk is full of trophies, I stopped competing... But you are new at this, and when you have your Tbird ready for showing, go for it, show her off, get her judged, gain some trophies. For one thing you have a Tbird with a fairly rare color combination.. That will help... In the meantime, go to the Cruise Night events, enjoy good food, good company with your fellow Tbird club members, and others from other clubs, there showing off their pride and joy. You can make some great future friendships, and also gain a lot of information regarding your own Tbird. You may also find some who are very good mechanics and know how to work on your Tbird quite well...

[ssj335]

This is great info. I don't think I would be into the really intense shows except to spectate. Seems like it takes the joy out of it. But I can see how other people would love that.

I'd be more of a park-the-car and look around for a few hours and then leave. It will be highly interesting to go to one and see what the vibe is like. Can't wait!

[del]

Join a local T-Bird Club!

There is probably a T-Bird Club somewhere nearby. Join in! That local club will include folks that are passionate about their cars and anxious to help keep T-Bird enthusiasm alive and well!


I agree X2 about going to cruise nights and learning about your car from others. Car shows are fun too, and yes some shows may favor a particular brands but as Ray said, at a certain point, another trophy is not as important as just getting your car out, seeing other cars and meeting car folks.

These cars need to be driven!

[Y-Blokkah]

Join a local T-Bird Club!

There is probably a T-Bird Club somewhere nearby. Join in! That local club will include folks that are passionate about their cars and anxious to help keep T-Bird enthusiasm alive and well!


I agree X2 about going to cruise nights and learning about your car from others. Car shows are fun too, and yes some shows may favor a particular brands but as Ray said, at a certain point, another trophy is not as important as just getting your car out, seeing other cars and meeting car folks.

These cars need to be driven!

That’s the best advice right there.

There is nothing more enjoyable for me than cruising around, low and slow, lookin good, with some good 50s music on the stereo.

I love show and shines, especially the ones with no trophies but maybe a People’s Choice. But I’ve found myself staying close to my Crown Vic more and more because many of today’s parents take absolutely NO responsibility for their kids. I’ve had kids standing on the deck of my Continental kit, climbing up on the door sill to look inside, dripping ice cream and soda on the paint and also not being careful with key rings, belt buckles, etc.
I’ve become Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino, I’m afraid.

I’ve also found myself getting away from highly organized indoor car shows where the organizers charge a hefty entrance fee for the visiting public. Something about me having to pay them when my carmIS the entertainment that they then charge a big fee for people to look at just rubs me the wrong way.

But cruise nights, Friday evening or Saturday show and shines, informal Club Invasions of the local Sonic Drive In, etc, that’s what I LOVE.

As a maniacal 50s Ford guy, I have always had a fun “fake adversarial” relationship with the local Tri-5 Chevy Club. The back and forth trash talking banter is always great, IF you can take it as well as dish it out. They’re as nuts about their Fifty 5-6-7 Chebbies as I am about my 50s Fords. So if you open that door, be sure you’re fun loving and a joker, because you’ll catch it harder than you can dish it out.

I like to keep an appropriately brightly labeled ““Chevy Repair Kit”” under the rear bumper for all to see. A gallon of coolant for all those overheating SBCs, and a set of jumper cables. Plus I wear a white T-shirt with “Chevy Fix-It Kit” and the picture of a hand grenade on the front.
I’ll run through a Tri-5 Chevy show and shine or cruise night with my 55 Crown Vicky, low and slow, with a paper bag over my head. Eyeholes cut in, of course, and I draw a big grin on the front with a black sharpie.
I get catcalls and boos, but always get put on prominent display as proof that getting dropped on your head as a baby ruins you for life.

Enjoy it. It’s FUN. These cars are supposed to be FUN, and what fun is it to leave it sitting in the garage?

Ernie

[captjohn]

ssj335, Come on down to Biloxi, Mississippi this year in early October for the 8000 plus antique cars Cruise In along the Gulf Coast. There are 9 casino/resorts to stay in and lots of hotels but must be booked early. Most everything is a sell out. Great entertainment. This is a week long fun event all day long and into the nights. Now is the time to start planning. http://www.cruisinthecoast.com

[simplyconnected]

It might be off topic but two minutes ago my pointer dog was going NUTS at the front door. A guy asked if he could buy our '59 Galaxie. I told him it's not for sale then he broke my heart by offering his 'not for sale price'.
I didn't buy this car to sell and too much of me is in it. Robin & I enjoy her Galaxie too much.

[Y-Blokkah]

I lost a 56 Monarch Richelieu 2 dr hardtop with factory air like that. I said not for sale, he asked how much and I gave a truly ridiculous price. The guy never blinked and cut me a check right there and then.
When he came back after the check cleared I was completely heartbroken. I got 4 times the car’s value today, and this was in 97. Dayam....

[scumdog]

I am at the annual Beach Hop here in Whangamata (say funga-ma-ta) and there’s everything from Packards to Morris Minors to T-buckets and 32 coupes, they all get appreciation from the viewing public. The main street looks like a scene from American Graffiti at night, bumper to bumper slow cruising with cameras flashing everywhere, just laid back fun with everybody enjoying the other guys car, jus the way it should be.

[captjohn]

I am at the annual Beach Hop here in Whangamata (say funga-ma-ta) and there’s everything from Packards to Morris Minors to T-buckets and 32 coupes, they all get appreciation from the viewing public. The main street looks like a scene from American Graffiti at night, bumper to bumper slow cruising with cameras flashing everywhere, just laid back fun with everybody enjoying the other guys car, jus the way it should be.

That's the same way it is in Biloxi/Gulfport, MS every year at the Crusinthecoast event. Ya'll come on down. 1st week in October. www.crusinthecoast.com