Entering a non-running Charger into a Mopar show

[69bronzeT5]

Hey everyone....I was hoping to get your input and opinions on something in regards to an idea I've been kicking around.


I've had my '69 Charger for 14 years now. I got it when I was 6 years old for Christmas and I'm 20 years old now. It's been a project since I got it. It's been in the garage the whole time and rarely sees daylight. I was thinking of maybe bringing it to Mopar Madness, our local BIG Mopar show this July. I think it would be a cool experience and it would be nice to get the old girl out in the sun and get some exposure on it. I was thinking of just doing Display Only because the Unfinished/Project class has a rule where the car must run and drive to be in that class. The car doesn't run at the moment and needs a bit of work to make it running or even driveable. The 383 hasn't run in about 9 years. At this point in time, I don't have a space to work on it as my garage is full of my grandpa's and uncles stuff (the car is in my grandparent's garage). If I were to bring it to Mopar Madness, I would need to trailer it and winch it on and off the trailer. Of course I would do this early in the morning before the bulk of the entrants show up and load it back up after everyone leaves.

What are your opinions on this? Would you bring a non-running car to a Mopar show?

[spoolinhard]

I trailered my barely running car to a car show once. It was not a pleasant experience. Maybe instead of going through the effort to trailer it to the show, pull it out of the garage and get it running instead.

[69bronzeT5]

Some pictures to get a better idea.....

[XH29N0G]

....I got it when I was 6 years old for Christmas . ....

That is inspired. 

I would spend the time trying to make progress on getting it running.  The hours add up.....but if it means a lot to you to show it...

[Charger-Bodie]

I would use that time to work on models of Chargers for people.

[Indygenerallee]

I don't want to come off sounding like a asshole (but I probably will  ) I don't think most people go to car shows to see a non running plain jane car? (even if it is a 69 Charger) If it were mostly done and was like a restomod wild concept I can see that as most shops to that to promote further projects, but for a individual to do it with a plain janer, I would say it would be a waste of time. I frankly would be a bit embarrased myself.

[AKcharger]

Cody I'd take it to the show, just get there early and leave late. Meeting and talking to people is fun. I really enjoy just hanging out at the car and hearing "I used to have one of these...but it had a hemi" "hey honey remember Scott had one of these in high school"

Plus it will give you encouragement, connections and perhaps volunteer help to complete!

[69bronzeT5]

Problem is it needs fuel lines, fuel tank, brake lines, brakes etc etc....probably about $2,000 worth of parts to make it road worthy and I definitley won't have that before July....

[AKcharger]

I would use that time to work on models of Chargers for people.

Like this!

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Problem is it needs fuel lines, fuel tank, brake lines, brakes etc etc....probably about $2,000 worth of parts to make it road worthy and I definitley won't have that before July....

Unload some of those other cars of yours and you will!

[Baldwinvette77]

i say get it running and wear a biker helmet to keep the bugs out of your teeth, Hotrodding at it's purest 

[71green go]

I have to admit...waste of time unless its for sale

[Dodge Don]

In retrospect, with over 12,000 posts you probably racked up around 150 days online......if you had spent that time working on the charger it would likely be done already. Just saying is all.....but hindsight is always 20/20.

[Paul G]

Why even take it off the trailer? Sitting on a trailer though people will think it is for sale. Truthfully, I would not take it unless it was running and driving. If you do decide to take it I am sure you will get a lot of attention.

[Patronus]

Sorry Bronzie. I voted no. If you want to impress your friends, you gonna haveta spray all day, sand all night.

[JB400]

What's wrong with taking the Challenger instead?  You've worked hard for it, why not be a little proud of it and show it off instead?

[greenpigs]

I said no also, the money would be better spent on parts to get it on the road.

[projectanimal]

I have to admit...waste of time unless its for sale

X2   Hope you can work on it and drive it to the next show!

[Cooter]

Hey everyone....I was hoping to get your input and opinions on something in regards to an idea I've been kicking around.


I've had my '69 Charger for 14 years now. I got it when I was 6 years old for Christmas and I'm 20 years old now. It's been a project since I got it. It's been in the garage the whole time and rarely sees daylight. I was thinking of maybe bringing it to Mopar Madness, our local BIG Mopar show this July. I think it would be a cool experience and it would be nice to get the old girl out in the sun and get some exposure on it. I was thinking of just doing Display Only because the Unfinished/Project class has a rule where the car must run and drive to be in that class. The car doesn't run at the moment and needs a bit of work to make it running or even driveable. The 383 hasn't run in about 9 years. At this point in time, I don't have a space to work on it as my garage is full of my grandpa's and uncles stuff (the car is in my grandparent's garage). If I were to bring it to Mopar Madness, I would need to trailer it and winch it on and off the trailer. Of course I would do this early in the morning before the bulk of the entrants show up and load it back up after everyone leaves.

What are your opinions on this? Would you bring a non-running car to a Mopar show?

Sh*t Cody, I bring mine on trailers all the time and don't give a rats ass who don't like it. I don't go looking for trophies anyway. Sometimes, you just need to have someone else look at the progress and give you the old   every once in a while. Besides, it makes you feel alot better about the work you've already done. Just be prepared for PLENTY to ask if it's for sale. Personally, I would LOVE to see any younger kid at a cruise night/car show with an older Musclecar. Running or NOT. The fact that he was attempting such a feat would get MY attention long before that trophy queen Hemi whatever would. I personally think Taking the newer cars to a car show is just Typical. People can see those at the local dealer, they come to a "Car show" to see OLD CARS. This is one of them.  "embarrassed" shouldn't even enter your mind. I take it and have FUN. Afterall, that is what it's about, not whether or not your "embarrassed" to be seen with it.

[1974dodgecharger]

What cooter said......

[ODZKing]

We have an "in progress" class at our show however that is usually folks that have a car they are working on and drive under their own power.  Road worthy but need paint or interior, that sort of thing.
I agree with most here, get that thing on the road!   

[bill440rt]

Good points from both camps.
Since your poll asked what I (the reader) would do, I voted No.

By all means I would go to the show enthusiastically. Instead of spending that money on a trailer, gas, entry fees, etc etc I would bring it with me to spend in the swap meet & hunt for deals to round up parts for it. If motivation is your thing, then meet people, talk to them, make friends, etc and bring that motivation home with you as well. If you know of certain tasks you are unsure of doing then get references & business cards.
Then, I'd roll up my sleeves and get to work.

[PocketThunder]

Problem is it needs fuel lines, fuel tank, brake lines, brakes etc etc....probably about $2,000 worth of parts to make it road worthy and I definitley won't have that before July....

Unload some of those other cars of yours and you will!

  I had more than one car at a time once, and all it did was drain my tiny amount of money between two cars.  Sell off everything and keep the Chally and the 69, use that money to make the 69 roadworthy.   

[daytona71]

I agree with Bill. If the Mopar Madness show you refer to is the one held in July at Langley BC, the host club runs a very good show. I don't recall non-running cars being on display in the show area. I would suggest that if you wanted to display your car in its present condition, it should be on a trailer in the swap meet area. You will get a lot of attention(mostly the same question"how much you asking?) There are members of the club that are expert bodyman/painters, transmission re-builders, cooling and a/c service technician and others that you could gain valuable information from in regards to restoration of your car. You may find people willing to help you with either information on different aspects of restoring and /or links to obtain service and parts you need to complete your car. Owning your car for so many years is great, and you will want to show it off once it is completed. Something to be very proud of. Good luck with your restoration

[kab69440]

No way would I do it. It's just too much hassle. I hear all the time that I should tow mine to this or that gathering but I just don't have that kind of ambition. Heck, less than a week ago in the Speedway I heard two old timers lamenting that there hasn't been a 69 Charger in this town for umpteen years, so on and so forth. I didn't mention they were standing less than a quarter of a mile from one and it's been at that location for almost 23 years now.

[moparstuart]

Take it at our show the un restored or under restoration cars get the most attention

  Everyone wants to go see whats up and ask questions on what your going to do with it

   

[67_Dodge_Charger]

Heck yeah, take your Charger   everybody appreciates a work in progress.  Don't listen to the naysayers, they hide from their inadequacies.  Cars are meant to be seen, whether it is in disrepair, restoration just beginning, or that jewel that shines brilliantly.  Robert

[Baldwinvette77]

In all seriousness though, why not just get it running?... don't you want to drive it?  it may be fun to take it as it is, but i don't think i need to say how much more rewarding it will be to run new lines, and replace whatever, and then drive to the show, you don't even need to paint it. 

[69bronzeT5]

I haven't updated my signature yet however I am indeed selling everything except the Challenger, Charger and Coronet. I was thinking about it more and I think I'll wait until its running and driving to take it to the show. I'll just continue gathering parts for it until I have a place to work on it

[TUFCAT]

I voted no....unless it was for sale.  

If not, I'd wonder why anybody would haul a rusty project car on a trailer.  Just Sayin'  

[Plum Crazy 68]

What's the difference between a non-runner and a car that is only trailored to shows?  Cars are meant to be driven and I would want to see them running.

[bull]

I think the car would get some looks and it would probably get a lot of purchase offers too. Maybe you don't want to be tempted by someone holding $10k in cash up in front of your nose. I wouldn't do it unless you can do it on the cheap locally. Don't see how you can really justify it otherwise.

[resq302]

Its kind of a personal preference for this type of thing.  I have been to shows with my charger when I just started getting running and (although it was not on a trailer) granted it wasn't together, I had a bunch of people come up and express their appreciation for the work that was going into it and see the various stages a car went under being restored.  However, at the same time, there are people who would turn their noses up to it since it is still being restored.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

I voted no unless it was for sale.  

If not, I'd wonder why the hell did somebody brought it.   Just Sayin'  

I've never heard of anyone dragging out a non-running car in need of restoration and entering it in a show.

No offense, but it sounds like a big waste of time, money and effort to me. People at car shows want to see done cars, not ones that might be done some day.

[TUFCAT]

The possible exception would be a historical display car ...something along the line of  "Miss Belvedere" the Tulsa 1957 Plymouth, a significant drag car, or a perhaps a factory prototype.

Otherwise it makes no sence and you're setting yourself up for stupid comments, with people shaking their heads.  

[tcs69rt]

Get it in running condition and drive it there. Unless your a trophy collector? But wait.....there are plenty of guys with complete resto trailer queens that collect trophies and that's not you. Even if you got some award for a non-running car over a running car could cause hard feelings among the "running car" crowd. Good Luck with the resto, keep us posted.

[resq302]

On the contrary, when I was invited up to the Hemmings Concours show in VT, they had a class for under construction.  Was pretty cool seeing cars in all stages of restoration.  Was pretty cool to see from a top side view of the drive train, frame, and such.

[Old Moparz]

no.

.

[UH60L]

If you have a trailer, put it in the "under construction" class.  At least it would really BE "under construction". 

I lost in that class to a '55 chevy once,  that was literally just missing the rear bumper (that had been removed that morning due to an incident with a tree).  It was a completely restored and fully functional car.  There was nothing "under construction" about it.

Once my car came out of the body shop with new paint, I vowed never to enter it as "under construction" again (even though it's nowhere near done or running), because I don't consider that a fair competition.

I wouldn't want a trophy for something I basically cheated to win.

[Fred]

 
Not me.

[HPP]

IMO, non running cars go to the swap corral. If it runs, even if its ugly, battered, and beaten, then put it in the show.

[Cooter]

If you have a trailer, put it in the "under construction" class.  At least it would really BE "under construction". 
I lost in that class to a '55 chevy once,  that was literally just missing the rear bumper (that had been removed that morning due to an incident with a tree).  It was a completely restored and fully functional car.  There was nothing "under construction" about it.
Once my car came out of the body shop with new paint, I vowed never to enter it as "under construction" again (even though it's nowhere near done or running), because I don't consider that a fair competition.
I wouldn't want a trophy for something I basically cheated to win.

See, my whole problem with going to Car shows for the Trophy hopes is the fact that If it's "Viewers Choice", or even judged, there's Always something that seems a little "off" about how the winners are picked. First off, with the latter, you are at the mercy of whatever the judge/s like personally. they may not even know a Plymouth, but know the hell out of a Chevy. And the General Public?? OMG! Gimme a break. All they know is what they saw on the latest video games, or what they saw Vin Diesel drive in the latest movie.

[charge69]

Attending car shows in the past with friends who have cars entered, I fully agree with Cooter that you are at the mercy of whatever type of car the judges know or like. The public has no idea how much time, effort, or skills go into restoring an old car and, sadly, just do not want to see cars that are unrestored.

My car just won't be entered in any car show to be judged and rarely shown at all. Too many idiots out there that do not have a clue or are "experts" that do nothing but critisize your "incorrect" this or that but don't have a car of their own!

Keep your car and money at home and have a lot more fun restoring it and forget entering it in a car show in its' present stage.

[Paul G]

I prefer to enter shows that are judged as long as they have a class my Charger fits in. Peoples choice comes down to who has the most friends. Classes can be iffy too. Stock or modified matters.

[Plum Crazy 68]

The only sane reason to enter it would be if all the other cars are Fords and Chevys.  I would vote for the Mopar!

[469 runner]

The only reason to be involved in this hobby is for the enjoyment we get out of it.  If I cared even a little what someone else thought of my car it would just diminish the enjoyment.

Do what makes you happy, and don't worry a minute about other peoples opinions for or against.

[charge69]

I applaud your reply, 469 runner!  It echos my belief in the hobby and what makes going to a car show enjoyable for me!

[Darkman]

I voted "YES"

From my point of view, you can achieve a lot by doing it.

1. Car shows are all about networking as well as showing your car. Meet new people, discuss plans with your car, talk about what works and what doesn't.

2. There are people who do like cars under construction. It adds a new conversation piece rather than looking at yet another restored car.

3. Actually being a young person "saying" they have a Charger they want to restore will get shrugged off with the "oh yeah right" attitude, but actually showing them will get attention.



I am lucky that where I am, there aren't too many chargers, so showing what I am doing will gain interest, especially all the work going into it currently.

Next show that suits, my car will be entered regardless what condition it is in!

[dyslexic teddybear]

3. Actually being a young person "saying" they have a Charger they want to restore will get shrugged off with the "oh yeah right" attitude, but actually showing them will get attention.

Interesting point.

Just a suggestion.....make a sign for it "Work in progress, not for sale" to avoid confusion.

[TUFCAT]

Like I said, in the real world most people would probably laugh unless it was for sale.  

[Baldwinvette77]

It would only get laughed at by seriously uncool people  in the ratrod world this car is 99% finished, just needs new plumbing 

[JB400]

Like I said, in the real world most people would probably laugh unless it was for sale. 

No one is going to laugh at the car.  That's just dumb.  There will be a few interested in it.  There will be a few more that will give it a quick glance, and then move on.  But, since it's a project, with not much done to it, most will overlook it.

[Cooter]

Maybe get it where it will fire up Cody and Take it to the show on the trailer JUST LIKE a HEMI show queen!! Then laugh when people ask Why it's on thew trailer, and you reply "I didn't want to risk dmamaging the paint driving it there".

Screw with people at the show. It's SO MUCH FUN! You wouldn't believe how dumb many of the "so-called" Experts are. Many times, you don't even have to be rude, just catch them in a line of BS and laugh. But above all else, It's all about YOU and YOUR car. No one else. I'd take it not running simply for spite myself.

[dyslexic teddybear]

Maybe get it where it will fire up Cody and Take it to the show on the trailer JUST LIKE a HEMI show queen!! Then laugh when people ask Why it's on thew trailer, and you reply "I didn't want to risk dmamaging the paint driving it there".

Screw with people at the show. It's SO MUCH FUN! You wouldn't believe how dumb many of the "so-called" Experts are. Many times, you don't even have to be rude, just catch them in a line of BS and laugh. But above all else, It's all about YOU and YOUR car. No one else. I'd take it not running simply for spite myself.

Gotta admit, sometimes it IS fun to screw with people. Not to be mean, but when they do it themselves, and all you need to do....is wait for it. 

[71ChallengeHer]

Cody, if it makes you happy , take it.    The charity car show I have every year has an under construction class. And guys asked me to add that class, so they could bring their projects and hang out. The 1st year we trailered the Super Coupe to the show and had it on display.     

[greenpigs]

Still it would be a better use of your extra time & money to get it roadworthy, then go to shows as it looks now.

[UH60L]

If you have a trailer, put it in the "under construction" class.  At least it would really BE "under construction". 
I lost in that class to a '55 chevy once,  that was literally just missing the rear bumper (that had been removed that morning due to an incident with a tree).  It was a completely restored and fully functional car.  There was nothing "under construction" about it.
Once my car came out of the body shop with new paint, I vowed never to enter it as "under construction" again (even though it's nowhere near done or running), because I don't consider that a fair competition.
I wouldn't want a trophy for something I basically cheated to win.

See, my whole problem with going to Car shows for the Trophy hopes is the fact that If it's "Viewers Choice", or even judged, there's Always something that seems a little "off" about how the winners are picked. First off, with the latter, you are at the mercy of whatever the judge/s like personally. they may not even know a Plymouth, but know the hell out of a Chevy. And the General Public?? OMG! Gimme a break. All they know is what they saw on the latest video games, or what they saw Vin Diesel drive in the latest movie.

Most of the shows I go to, the "under construction" category (and most other categories) is judged by the show entrants.  IE, only the people who enter a car in the show get to judge most of the categories.  At least one of those shows, the one my club puts on, is mopar only, thus no worry about chevys or fords or whatever.

As I said, I got beat by a car that was, until that morning, fully restored, but the guy hit something with the rear bumper (tree I think) and took it off for the show, then entered it in under construction.  Thus, in my opinion, some shows need more specific rules about what their categories are or require.

I know at our show, if a b-body has more than a couple minor modifications (modern tires or wheels for example) it goes into the b-body modified class.  Some people get upset when we tell them they can't enter as a stock car with a different motor than what their car originally had......but it's not fair to other entrants when you have a 572 crate hemi dual carb setup in a supposedly stock '68 charger.

It all comes down to how much integrity the people running the show have.  Some don't have much....

As for people laughing at the car, I say screw-em.  A lot of the people I see laughing and talking crap about the cars in shows are people who drove up in econo-boxes or walked in off the street, and don't even own a show car.  (and from listening to some of their conversations about 80 percent of them are either clueless or very mixed up about old cars......had one guy very recently swear to me he had a mustang mach 1 with a hemi in it back in the day------stock from the factory........)

[mauve66]

most shows have a fun field and a judged field.
when i took Mary back in 04 or so she was barely runable and the interior wasn't finished, i parked way away from the "done" cars so as not to offend them and now regret it. my car was so far away from the rest that not very many people came by to see her and given her history as a little old lady car and the 2 year only color, i now feel she deserved better.  Even at a Mopar show a 1st gen is fairly rare (more new challys and chargers). 
MATS used to have an under construction field but i don't think they do now.  For the extra price of getting the car in its more convienent than walking from the parking lot back and forth everyday, especially if your still buying parts at the swap

[F8-4life]

I will tow my 69 project charger (similer to yours) to any show in the state if it means tempted by 10k offers!
Sell it or fix it...or I guess you have to trailer it around.