first car show and won first place (by accident, need advice) story & pics

[lukedukem]

So I entered my car in its first show Saturday. the only reason i entered it was to be there with two of my uncles and spend time with them. my car is not a show car by any means. it doesn't have a shiney paint job like all the others who entered. so while they were anouncing places, i got first, plus i was the only car to enter that category so first by default. so i went up and grabbed the trophy and sat back down. my wife asked what it was for, as i looked at the title i realized i had entered the wrong group. it was for ratrods. i was suppose to be in the 60-69 year class. i didn't know what to do. i was really embaressed and started to put up my stuff. my uncle had his 57 belair and he wasnt there but he won a trophy also, so they gave it to me to give to him. his trophy had a truck on it and it was for the truck class. WTF. They said it was because he won third but they didn't have a third place trophy for him so he got that.
So i thought, well maybe they were giving trophies to everyone, because the turnout was suppose to be like 100 cars and only 25 of us showed (I was the only mopar), it was the weather that kept most away. Well as we are putting stuff up my wife told me she heard on judge saying "some dumb mother f'er put his car in the rat rod class and it shouldn't have, plus ...." He kept going. Saying more about how the show was a mess. There were four other cars that got first in their class cause they also where the only ones in it. I knew that judge too. And another that was there, why they didn't say anything when they started judging is beyond me. But now I was getting pissed that he said that. But instead of causing a scene we left. Well now I feel bad I got this trophy and I do not want the other judge, who I call for issues with my charger (he's very knowledgeable in mopars), to think any less of me. Like I entered the class on purpose thinking I have a rat rod. Should I call him and the other judge and explain? Need advice, am I a a-whole. Here are a couple of pics. I'll post more pics tonight. Thanks, hope this didn't get posted twice. had issues with pics and long story

luke

[Aero426]

I think you are worrying needlessly.    Not your fault it was a mess.    No need to bring it up to anyone unless someone asks.     Move on to the next car show and have a good time.    Besides, your car is the real trophy, right?    

[Ghoste]

X2.  Just take it all in as part of the experience and enjoy.

[JB400]

Just enjoy the show and the fact that you participated.  Let the judges worry about the trophies.

Congrats on the first place

[billssuperbird]

 

[Troy]

Seeing how unorganized they were... it's possible that they changed your class for you. I avoid having my cars judged. I don't want a useless trophy so they can just give it to someone who values that sort of thing. Call the guy you know and explain. As for the rest, who cares what they think. At least you bothered to show up in the crappy weather! Nearly everyone probably got some sort of trophy.

Troy

[lukedukem]

Seeing how unorganized they were... it's possible that they changed your class for you. I avoid having my cars judged. I don't want a useless trophy so they can just give it to someone who values that sort of thing. Call the guy you know and explain. As for the rest, who cares what they think. At least you bothered to show up in the crappy weather! Nearly everyone probably got some sort of trophy.

Troy

i was told that when i signed up. she said that if the judges needed to they would move us around. but talking to my wife, she remembers me putting "L" for my class. which was the rat rod group, so my bad. and they shouldve moved me.
i also really didn't want to have it judged, just wanted to be with the older guys and BS with them and hang out. especially with the uncle who owns the vert 57 in the pic. he had a hard top 57 that i helped him and his son biuld the motor for, my first rebiuld from block up. he got me hooked, i was 16. no trophy needed. i'm gonna call the mopar guy i know but not the guy who said the bad stuff, don't want to get into it. i used to work with him, tells you what he thinks even if it hurts your feelings. he doesnt care.

I think you are worrying needlessly.    Not your fault it was a mess.    No need to bring it up to anyone unless someone asks.     Move on to the next car show and have a good time.    Besides, your car is the real trophy, right?     

for sure. i got alot of compliments from certain groups of people that day, kids- because of the dukes and the skull  under the hood, and the bikers love my car for some reason- idk why, and hippy guys. lol.

i have more pics of other cars i can post when i get home. pretty cool old 30's and stuff

luke

[RECHRGD]

Don't worry about it.  Lots of these small shows are put on by people that have no organizational skills at all.  I don't attend many of them anymore, I'd rather drive the car.  A few years back, I took my grandson to a local show.  I was in the '64 to 72 muscle car class and had the best car by far.  First place for my class was given to a '84 El Cameno, and it was entered in the truck class!  Could'nt really explain that one to my grandson very well......

[Ghoste]

I went to one years ago put on by a local car club and everyone in the club got a trophy.  They told you on the way in that if you weren't a member you should become one because all the club members were going to automatically get a trophy... and they all did. 
I assume the second place ones were all family and friends and third place club prospects or something, I don't know.  I do know it seemed like they were making up categories on the spot. 

[lukedukem]

i talked to the judge and everyone got a trophy after all. no big deal. gonna try to post more car pics of the show later

luke

[lukedukem]

fastback: won best overall.

[lukedukem]

camaro: anyone know why he had the soad in the car. never got to ask. camera makes it look darker than it is.

[Ghoste]

Is it a nickname (or legit name) for that interior in a Camaro?  You know, like our Halloween interior.  Or maybe its his own inside joke on the orange car with orange guts?

[lukedukem]

Is it a nickname (or legit name) for that interior in a Camaro?  You know, like our Halloween interior.  Or maybe its his own inside joke on the orange car with orange guts?

lol, my wife called it that, halloween car

luke

[Old Moparz]

Don't let the car show judge get under your skin, it's no big deal. Look at all the criticism that flies around this forum as well as others when someone posts photos of a car that's rough, not stock or whatever it is. People get too caught up in the details of things & forget to have a good time. I'm not saying a judged car show is bad, some want to compete, it's human nature. Just go & do what you intended to do, hang out with your uncles & have fun.

Car clubs are no different than any other organization or group that has members. There will be differences of opinion of how it should be run, how the classes & awards are set up, etc., so there will always be some kind of conflict. I was part of two Mopar clubs in the early 80's, one a local club, & the other an international. I hadn't planned on joining but "needed to" because of all the Chebbies & Ferds that surrounded me. I could never find any Mopars until I found these clubs & went to some of their shows & meets.

Both had their share of problems, but just going to a show & seeing a bunch of Mopars gathered in one spot instead of being outnumbered by 284 Mustangs & Camaros & five 90 year old guys with a Model T's was great.  

[lukedukem]

more. with a boat?

[lukedukem]

another boat one. it was a nash something... started with a M, the boat was from an old Florida Epcot Center ride, kids could drive these in a lake.

[lukedukem]

my uncles T-Bucket. it will break the tires loose. chevy powered ford 

[lukedukem]

mine

[lukedukem]

my other uncle, who had a hardtop before this one. i helped him biuld the hardtop. its what got me started. i was 15 and his son was also. 20 yrs ago. first motor i'd had done

[lukedukem]

this one was a concours chevelle. said it had biuck interior cause the factory burt down? anyone know

[lukedukem]

more

[Old Moparz]

Nash Metropolitan. 

My wife loves them so we will stop to check them out at shows. I remember talking to the owner of one who once told me how the doors were the same stamping for either side of the car. They were just fitted with whatever hardware & trim was necessary for the left or right side.

Cool pix, thanks. 

[lukedukem]

one more. this one won peoples choice he had alot of family there.

[JB400]

Nice pix   Orange Crush Camaro

[Old Moparz]

The last time I saw a full sized Bronco that wasn't all rotted out was...... 

[bill440rt]

Don't let the car show judge get under your skin, it's no big deal. Look at all the criticism that flies around this forum as well as others when someone posts photos of a car that's rough, not stock or whatever it is. People get too caught up in the details of things & forget to have a good time. I'm not saying a judged car show is bad, some want to compete, it's human nature. Just go & do what you intended to do, hang out with your uncles & have fun.

Car clubs are no different than any other organization or group that has members. There will be differences of opinion of how it should be run, how the classes & awards are set up, etc., so there will always be some kind of conflict. I was part of two Mopar clubs in the early 80's, one a local club, & the other an international. I hadn't planned on joining but "needed to" because of all the Chebbies & Ferds that surrounded me. I could never find any Mopars until I found these clubs & went to some of their shows & meets.

Both had their share of problems, but just going to a show & seeing a bunch of Mopars gathered in one spot instead of being outnumbered by 284 Mustangs & Camaros & five 90 year old guys with a Model T's was great.  

Looks like a nice gathering & everyone had a good time.
I agree with what Bob & others have posted. I don't go expecting too much regarding these local small shows. Most times, just get out, have fun, drive the car & socialize. Many "judges" at these small events don't really judge cars anyway, they just pick who they like or who they are friends with. Their opinions don't really hold too much weight then in my book.
What Bob described above is also a prime example why I haven't joined any car clubs. There are multiple clubs in my area to pick from as well, ranging from general clubs to brand-specific. Too many politics, too many expectations, etc. I attended a smaller judged show this year run by a club while although it was a very good show, it could have been organized better & especially by class. Modified cars in the stock class & vice-versa. Cars being moved around class to class, etc. Politics surrounding the club, etc. No thanks.
Just go, have fun. If it really bothers you about the trophy then talk to someone. Otherwise, keep it as a remembrance of the day hanging out with your uncles.  
 

[JB400]

One still having paint is rare enough, let alone one that's not rusted.

[Ghoste]

Which must be why it has all of those trophies. 

[RJS]

I was in one car club in my life and although it is not really my thing it was run very well. All club cars weren't judged at any show we put on. That is the only fair way to run a show. It didn't stop some members from bitching but people always find fault in any set of rules.
Car shows can be a fun day and at times a not so fun day when you meet up with self proclaimed know it all's.
Make the best of it and don't worry about trophies, they are just pieces of plastic anyway.
Ron

[myk]

The real trophy, the real prize is the car itself and the people and the times you share it with.  Anything else is just for the sake of stroking a man's ego and quite frankly I'm too old and tired to worry about that high school stuff anymore...

[Moparman01]

I can relate to your story Luke. Years ago I took General Lee to a local show, fairly big show with 200 or so cars, and the General won Best of Show! Now let me explain, other than the General Lee paint scheme my car is FAR from a show car and very far from a best of show winner. I've done a lot of work to the car but have not done any body work to yet, there are plenty of rust bubbles here and there and quarters were replaced on the car at some point in its life and done very poorly, she's got some waves. It's a 50 footer driver car with a healthy 440. When they called my name for best of show I was so embarrassed I almost didn't go up to accept the trophy. At the same time, one of my good buddies had just finished a beautiful candy apple red total resto mod build of his 56 Ford with a Corbra Jet and a 4-speed, his car was much more deserving of the Best of Show award, I tried to give trophy to him but he wouldn't take it lol. I asked some of the people running the show how i won and they simply said "cuz it's the General Lee!". Unfortunately I've won other shows with the General too for the same reason, so I've pretty much stopped taking General Lee to any judged shows anymore. I guess the moral of the story is like every one else is saying, don't put much stock in the small local shows , not to put anybody's car down by any means but the trophies just don't mean much. The local shows are just about getting out and hanging with buddies and maybe seeing some different cars than usual in the area. I prefer cruise nights much more over judged car shows myself, no trophies or judging, come and go as you please and run what ya brung!

[wingcar]

Don't worry about it; as long as you had a good time at the show....that's all that really mattered.   If all you do is chase trophies at car shows you will never really enjoy them...and then what's the point in attending?  I have a collection of trophies and while it is always great to be recognized for all your hard work...I have found that talking to other owners and making friends is way better than any trophy.  Plus, no madder how hard the show organizers try, someone will leave with hurt feeling because they didn't win.  My Challenger has just enough mods, that I am always put into the modified class with guys that have thousands of dollars worth of paint, and engine work (superchargers, etc.).  Is it fair...I don't think so, but on the other hand would it be fair to those in the stock class to allow my car to compete with them?  See what I mean....no matter which way they go, someone would be unhappy.   I just go to enjoy the show and never expect a trophy...that way when I place it makes it that much better.... 
(Besides trophies just collect dust....go to shows to collect memories...)