first car show

[charger01]

I plan on taking my charger to its first car show next month.  Its not a perfect showcar, but is still very presentable.  Was kinda curious as what kind of reaction you guys get with GL's.  I dont want to have it judged because it isnt perfect, and Iam sure there will be nicer cars there.  The wife says enter it and have it judged.  Opinions? thoughts?

[JB400]

If you don't want it judged, then don't have it judged.   


 You'll be center of attention with everyone.  You might want to rope it off and have a detail board of all the mods done to it.   It'll help with the stupid questions. Most importantly, have fun.

[areibel]

In our clubs show there are probably 50-60% of the cars that aren't judged.  When you register you're asked if you want judged, if yes there's a little sticker added to your dash card so the judges know which cars are in.  But it's not just the unfinished cars that don't get judged, a lot of them are guys with very nice cars that just could care less about getting a trophy.  They're proud of their car and they're there to have some fun!

[Back N Black]

Personally, i would not have my car judged. I don't need someone to tell me what they think about my car.  

[41husk]

It does not matter what shape it is in.  If you have it judged don't take the results personal I have finished ahead of cars I knew was better than mine and behind cars that I knew were not as nice as mine.  If you want to have it judged go ahead.  The big thing is have fun.

[1970Moparmann]

Personally, i would not have my car judged. I don't need someone to tell me what they think about my car.  

I've had a Charger since of a ripe age of 17.  NEVER have I ever had a car judged, nor do I ever want to.  I used to go to all the Chicago CMC events years ago and I was floored how pissed off people would get if they didn't get 1 place in a class.  I never received a trophy, and never stay long enough to see if I won one.  I'm good for a 4 - 5 hours at a show and then I boogie out.  

What I like is to talk to people about cars.

What kind of show is it?

[skip68]

The less perfect it is the better it is.   A GENERAL LEE that's got flaws looks more real and people will be asking if it's real.      You'll have fun and draw lots of attention.   

[maxwellwedge]

I stopped checking off the judging box years ago - I go to get the cars exercise and catch up with my car buddies. Most of the judges wouldn't know a good car if it bit them in the ass......

[41husk]

That includes Mopar only shows!

[1970Moparmann]

I stopped checking off the judging box years ago - I go to get the cars exercise and catch up with my car buddies. Most of the judges wouldn't know a good car if it bit them in the ass......

Amen.  It tends to be "hey, that's Jim's car, vote for it".   

As you might get, I'm not good with any form of politics in my life..

[charge69]

I only have gone to car shows as a spectator as my Charger was not restored until I started a few years ago. This summer wil be my first shot at entering the car in a show but I don't think I will get it judged.  As I know every nut and bolt on the car now, too many "little" things I want to change later.

It actually gets a little too hot to sit for hours by your car (someone will be by mine at all times) while people stroll by and look. Some know nothing, some know a little and some know far too much about your car! Ha!

Your Charger looks great! Have it judged just for fun and do not take it too personal as every car show I have ever attended seems to have a certain "slant" to the judging based on what entity sponsers the show!

[skip68]

What he said about not leaving the car alone.   I've caught several people trying to sit on my car just for pictures.   One couple even put their toddler on my Hood.     I bet you'd win most popular.   

[charger_fan_4ever]

Personally, i would not have my car judged. I don't need someone to tell me what they think about my car.  

Couldn't have said it any better.

[Cooter]

I stopped checking off the judging box years ago - I go to get the cars exercise and catch up with my car buddies. Most of the judges wouldn't know a good car if it bit them in the ass......

Exactly. Don't be too surprized if you don't win anything based on "haters" in the Judging field. Happened to me. One even asked if it was a nice car BEFORE I "ruined" another Charger....Bastid. This coming from a JUDGE who "only" owned an "All original" Dodge "Omni" based Charger.

[charger01]

Personally, i would not have my car judged. I don't need someone to tell me what they think about my car.  

I've had a Charger since of a ripe age of 17.  NEVER have I ever had a car judged, nor do I ever want to.  I used to go to all the Chicago CMC events years ago and I was floored how pissed off people would get if they didn't get 1 place in a class.  I never received a trophy, and never stay long enough to see if I won one.  I'm good for a 4 - 5 hours at a show and then I boogie out.  

What I like is to talk to people about cars.

What kind of show is it?

It's just a local cal show at our yearly banana split festival.  Hot rod mag started having their top speed challenge he as well last year, so u may attend those shows too. That would be a lot larger crowd. May  be a dumb question here but the car show is sat and a cruise in fri nite. What does a cruise in consist of?

[41husk]

At a cruize you usualy meet at a designated spot with your cars and sit around talking to fellow car people.  No judging or awards.  and some times they all drive together to another designated spot.  Most Cruizes in southern IL just stay at one spot a resteraunt, Auto store or other busines.

[brigond]

I say go for it.  It's about the fun. I remember a show that I went to . There was a guy with a  less desirable 4 door GM car. That wasn't the bad part . Under the hood, he used household wall insulation . I felt kind of bad for the guy . The judge and others around him gave him a few pointers.  It was clear that he was a new to the game.  He and a few family members stood proudly by their car. I'll never forget the  show  because of that. 

[twodko]

Enter your car and have fun......that's what it s all about. HAVE FUN! 

[Kern Dog]

When I finished my 70 in 2003, I was anxious to take it to shows. This was my first really nice car, so I was curious to see how it would fare against others.
I won first place in the first car show that I entered. The class was "Under construction". The car was complete except for the interior. The next show I entered the car, I didn't even place in the top three! The car was finished then, but it didn't matter. The show was one with "Participant" judging. That is the laziest, crappiest way to judge a car show. The car club that hosted the event had members with FOUR B bodies in the class that I entered. My car was clearly nicer that two of them. It was obvious to me that there was some...."You vote for MY car, I'll vote for YOUR car..." stuff going on there. Seriously, when you lose to  cars with faded paint and worn out chrome, you have to know that something wrong just happened.
After that second show, I took the car to other shows but changed my attitude about them. I remembered that I built the car to make myself happy, NOT the judges. I've won a few more trophies since then and even struck out a few times. So what. I enjoy having the car out there to be enjoyed. These cars are pieces of rolling history and it is great to see people light up when they see them.
Regarding your car, be prepared to be jumped on like the only girl at all all boys school. Be prepared for a wide range of reactions too. Most will be cordial and respectful. There will be some opinionated jerks that will not like the car, insult it or even YOU personally. Screw them. Let THEM buy a Charger and build it to their own tastes. Enjoy yourself and enjoy the day.

[charger01]

Yeah, I expect some adverse comments too. I like the gm but I think in hindsight I would of painted it differently.  The gl gets attention from an entirely different group of people than a non gl. Not necessarily good attention.

[dodgey68]

 NEVER have I ever had a car judged, nor do I ever want to.  I used to go to all the Chicago CMC events years ago and I was floored how pissed off people would get if they didn't get 1 place in a class.  I never received a trophy, and never stay long enough to see if I won one.  I'm good for a 4 - 5 hours at a show and then I boogie out.  What I like is to talk to people about cars.


it blows me how pissed off people get when they dont get a trophey,who cares, get it judged see how ya go,first show, ya never know, but dont take it personally if ya dont a mention, just enjoy the drive and the car people,,,

[mikeydf14]

Just clean the car up, go and meet as yet unknown new friends, meet old ones, swap stories and learn from the ones in the know.  When shows started to become work as it did for me I said heck with this. Go, enjoy, learn and don't worry what others think.  Good luck.

[1970Moparmann]

 NEVER have I ever had a car judged, nor do I ever want to.  I used to go to all the Chicago CMC events years ago and I was floored how pissed off people would get if they didn't get 1 place in a class.  I never received a trophy, and never stay long enough to see if I won one.  I'm good for a 4 - 5 hours at a show and then I boogie out.  What I like is to talk to people about cars.


it blows me how pissed off people get when they dont get a trophey,who cares, get it judged see how ya go,first show, ya never know, but dont take it personally if ya dont a mention, just enjoy the drive and the car people,,,

Let me clarify, I can give a rats ass if I get a trophy.  When I used to have time (pre kids) I would bring my 69 to the CMC shows, with 100% intentions of never getting a trophy.  I would never get a trophy with the car because it was a 20 footer.  I never had the funds to do anything at that point.  We're talking 25 years ago....

I honestly don't give a crap about trophies.  If I stayed at a few shows I'm confident I would, but I don't care.  I go to one or two CMC events a year now with intentions to look at cool cars, and talk to friends.    

Hope this clarifies my previous post.  I approve this message.....

[mikeydf14]

It is AMAZING how mad/upset people get when they don't go home with a $5 dust collector (trophy)  I had my fill of that and I have nothing to prove.  I made more friends by just going and talking than I ever did competing. Just not worth it!

[1970Moparmann]

Yeah, I expect some adverse comments too. I like the gm but I think in hindsight I would of painted it differently.  The gl gets attention from an entirely different group of people than a non gl. Not necessarily good attention.

I'm guessing your going to hear nothing but positive comments!   You'll be amazed at what reactions you will get!!!!!

To answer your question about car cruises, like Allen said, it is a weekly get together that is usually 3 - 4 hours.  I grew up going to these......

There are a few in Chicagoland that will get 400+ cars!  It's crazy.  There are a good dozen places semi locally to me that are top notch.   Great time to meet new people and see different cars.  

Have fun with it because you will!!!

More pictures of your car??  

[1970Moparmann]

It is AMAZING how mad/upset people get when they don't go home with a $5 dust collector (trophy)  I had my fill of that and I have nothing to prove.  I made more friends by just going and talking than I ever did competing. Just not worth it!

No crap.  There was a guy years ago who had a 67 Coronet RT who literally would have a hissy fit if he didn't get a first place trophy. 

I drive my cars and enjoy them!!

[ws23rt]

This is a great thread. Glad to hear so many pitch in and agree that showing for who is top dog is not what car shows are about. Their will always be those that need the pat on the back (yes you are the best so now can we talk about cars?).
I was asked to be a judge at a small mopar show 20 yrs back. I had never done that before and no one told me what was expected. They gave me a clip board and said go do it.
This would be a good lesson for all in this hobby.
Since I think I know these cars pretty well I was motivated. With my new found judge's eye all I saw were things that were wrong, incomplete, over done, etc. I wandered around with the clip board and saw the look on the owners faces as I approached. The reg. car folks that make up 95% on the show had the oh no here it comes look. The other 5% had a puffed out chest lets talk about this look.
  I did not have a good time that day.

[1974dodgecharger]

Go to have fun I say.....

[charger01]

Probably wont get it judged. I know every square inch if it. I dont really need it picked apart and scrutinized by someone else.

[charger490]

i have been going to car shows for 12 years now.if you talk to the people that look at your car they will vote for you.i have also let little kids stand on the seat and work the steering wheel.i went to a show once and never cleaned the car except for one fender and won best of show.it also makes a diff. if the people who  runthe show are Chevy or ford people because the for and cheys win.i have now given all my trophies away to the boy and girls scouts and some to special Olympics .sometimes when at the show a little kid will enter his little car and i give him a trophie.

[charger01]

Well I went and and they handed out top 40 cars out of 150 with trophies.  I got one and my son was thrilled.  What I gather from my experience is this.  My car hands down got more attention and photos than any car there, and was surely not the nicest.  But all attention is not good attention. Everybody can seem to relate to the general lee, but it really attracts a different kind if crowd, and that's not necessarily a good thing.

[Baldwinvette77]

Well I went and and they handed out top 40 cars out of 150 with trophies.  I got one and my son was thrilled.  What I gather from my experience is this.  My car hands down got more attention and photos than any car there, and was surely not the nicest.  But all attention is not good attention. Everybody can seem to relate to the general lee, but it really attracts a different kind if crowd, and that's not necessarily a good thing.

look at it this way, even in the tv show the GL got lots of attention, and most of it wasn't good   

[68X426]

it really attracts a different kind if crowd, and that's not necessarily a good thing.

Some of us here resemble that remark.