Thoughts on showing an "unfinished" car?

[69bronzeT5]

Has anybody here ever taken an unfinished or project car to a show before and what kind of response did you get? I'm thinking about entering my Duster into some shows this summer but it's less than perfect. It has some bubble rust on the quarters and you can see some of the original gold paint around the emblems and taillights. It has some chrome peel on the bottom part of the front bumper. Another question, I can clean up my engine and make it nice but the engine compartment is still gold. Any thoughts? Should I open my hood up at shows?

[captnsim]

I'd show it...  What do you have to lose. Just don't get mad at the boneheads that will put their  in. Paint under the hood black. 

[69bronzeT5]

I'd show it...  What do you have to lose. Just don't get mad at the boneheads that will put their  in. Paint under the hood black. 

Well, I was talking to the show organizer (since I'm also joining the Vancouver Mopar Club) and he said they added a Young Gun class last year for Young Gun's and their cars. Only one person entered into the class and ended up being disqualified because they tried to pass off their dad's car as their own. So I'll probally be the only person entered into that class. I was thinking about painting the engine compartment black but I sure would get a lot of slack for it.

[captnsim]

Just repaint it when you paint the car...

[mauve66]

1. you'll enjoy going more
2. might find someone interesting doing things similar to you
3. most shows have a non-judged catagory
4. you get an entry ticket with the fee to show the car anyway
5. you don't have to walk from the parking lot 1 mile away
6. i always though a car show was about getting the car out there, not exactly seeing perfect cars (i used to think that and it kept me from enjoying the car i had, now that i've spent so many years trying to get it"perfect" i wish i had just done it a piece at a time and enjoyed it for the past 16 years)

i can't even find a pic of the 1 show i did take her too 4 years ago or so, then 2-3 years ago i took her to the car corral but wasn't even running then

[BigBlockSam]

i like seeing cars " under construction"  at shows .  sometimes there's a catergory for that at the show . Rene

[A383Wing]

Quit spending all your time on here and finish the car! You would be surprised at how much you can get done without yer ass sitting in front of the computer all the time. 

[mauve66]

yadda yadda yadda Bryan

i still haven't put the turn signals back in yet

[69bronzeT5]

Quit spending all your time on here and finish the car! You would be surprised at how much you can get done without yer ass sitting in front of the computer all the time. 

The Charger isn't even close....the Duster is though

[skip68]

Hell ya Cody.  Take that bad boy.  I felt the same way until lately.  I just say it's a toy and I don't care what it looks like now.  It's just a toy to me.  So have some fun with it. 

[FLG]

I would cody 

I plan on showing my charger this year...weather it has primer on it or even an interior for that matter i dont care. I love seeing cars under construction...as long as there doing the thing correctly and not making some abomination like BK did. It really shows some peoples talents.

[histoy]

I'd take it and show it.  You may get some expert tips on how to complete some of the projects.   I've been to several shows where they have a class for project, or unfinished cars.  In fact some shows have awarded the unfinished class winner with a trophy that is in pieces, so that the winner will have to assemble it when he gets time...lol

[ac_knight]

I say do it.  I did this past year.  I labled it a work in progress.  I got a great response, but I was the only 2nd Gen Charger there.  You wouldn't believe how many people wanted to just sit and chat about my plans for the car.  I met alot of interesting people, and got a great response.  Trust me people love seeing cars that are drivers or works in progress.  Leaves a little to the imagination.  

[WingCharger]

Take it dude!
Mount a hitch on it and tow your Charger too.

A black engine compartment was a Chevy thing I thought.

[Troy]

Take it - I've never had a "finished car" in a show (including Carlisle and Monster Mopar). Hmmmm, I've never actually had a "finished car" so I wouldn't know what that's like any way. Maybe this year?

Troy

[squeakfinder]

I'd go. There's aways something to be done to a car no matter how "finished" they look. And now that I think of it, most car gatherings that I've been to have had some vehicles that were pretty rough. I like looking at those just as much as the trailer queens. You'll no doubt learn a thing or two talking to the other car owners. 

[69bronzeT5]

I'm going to clean it up as much as possible before summer. New carpet, new headliner, new wheels, get the missing fender trim, paint the primer spot etc.

[squeakfinder]

This reminds me, about two years ago I went to a swap meet in Canby,OR. There were cars for sale but not many Mopars. Within 15 minute's of the gate opening a Hang 10 Duster sold.

[Red Ram]

Clean it up, drive it until the wheels fall off while you're devoting your time and cash to the Charger. 

[Chad L. Magee]

Cody- I agree you should show the car for the fun of it.   You really have nothing to lose except the entrance fee and a few hours that it is in the show.  It will give you a chance to talk with more gearheads about cars, projects and etc., so it will be a learning experience at least.  Just ignore the people who try to dog you about the condition/type of car, as they always show up at shows.  Sometimes, the best place to find another project car is to bring one to a show and talk shop with other owners.....

[mikesbbody]

Cody, is there such thing as a "finished" car? there's always something to do  i agree with the guy's take it I have seen much rougher car's than your duster at show's  remember everyone there is a car guy (or gal) only the a....s will comment on things i.e non numbers matching radiator hose's etc take it and have some fun 

[mauve66]

only the a....s will comment on things i.e non numbers matching radiator hose's etc:2thumbs:

then you can do this

[Rallye]

Show it... Here's a picture from one of last year's shows.  I took my "unfinished" Rallye.  There were actually a lot of entries in the "under construction / unfinished" class.  Everyone seemed very interested in each other's cars and what they were working on.  Go ahead, take it to the show and have some fun...

[bull]

I've seen hundreds of perfect show cars. I'm must more interested when I see something that's a little beat up or a work in progress.

[BigBlockSam]

I've seen hundreds of perfect show cars. I'm must more interested when I see something that's a little beat up or a work in progress.

      well said Bull

[oldcarnut]

Quit spending all your time on here and finish the car! You would be surprised at how much you can get done without yer ass sitting in front of the computer all the time. 

That applies a bunch to me.   For a small box of electronics, that thing can just suck away more time than you realize.  As soon as I finish this reply I need to go finish with my u-joints and center chunk.
I agree with all the positive comments about taking it like it is.  You might even get lucky like some people I know and have some other folks give ya some missing parts they've had laying around to get yours going.  For me it's not about getting awards or having a great looking car out there for folks to see.  It's just more fun just hanging out with people having similar interests.  Helps get you motivated to keep the progress rolling.  I plan on driving the Bird clone to the local cruise inns as a work in progress if even for the sake of conversation.  Now time to motivate myself back in the garage 

[Todd Wilson]

I've seen hundreds of perfect show cars. I'm must more interested when I see something that's a little beat up or a work in progress.

I guarantee Frankie brings as much attention as  hemi car!   

[69_500]

Take it as is. I took the 69 SE Sunroof Charger I had everywhere, and it was in dire need of plenty of metal work. You could nearly stand on one side of the car, and see through to the other side if you were looking at the rear quarters. But hey, it was a Charger, and I liked it.

[TUFCAT]

I went to a show this summer in Kalamazoo, Mi called Mopars at the Red Barns. Its a very popular show in western Michigan, so a lot of very nice Mopars turned out.

Walking back to the show field, I see a rough looking, poorly painted, 1970 Charger R/T (that most of us would love to do a total restoration on) parking in the spot next to me. At first I was annoyed and wondered why this guy was allowed in, until I realize he has every right to be there as I do.

Turns out the guy has owned this Charger over 25 years and did the "not-so-good" work himself back in the 80's. He knows its shitty but he doesn't care. He's has fun with it.  Someday he plans to properly restore it when he has all the money.

[Old Moparz]

Just go & enter, it'll be fun. Besides, who cares what others say or think? I was in a Mopar club back in the 1980's called Mopar Muscle Club International (MMCI). This was when nobody owned Mopars & Hemi Cudas & winged cars could be bought & driven for what you paid for your Duster. I took my half primered, duct tape covered roof, Satellite convertible, to a club meet in West Virginia & won a plaque for longest distance travelled. 

[Magnumcharger]

Geez...if people didn't show their unfinished cars at the shows around here, there wouldn't be any cars at the show!!

[baullz]

Ya I so show it is well.

I've always like to see a car that isn't finished (like they ever are finished anyways).

I remember just this last summer we had a little local car show in town here and there was a 70 Coronet that basically had no interior and was still in its original paint and that was probably one of my favorites to see in the entire show.

[Todd Wilson]

I
Walking back to the show field, I see a rough looking, poorly painted, 1970 Charger R/T (that most of us would love to do a total restoration on) parking in the spot next to me. At first I was annoyed and wondered why this guy was allowed in

You are the kinda guy I like to park Frankie next to!


Todd

[Lost Sheep]

I show my banged up and rusty quarters 68 Charger at the local shows in my home town. I get frowned upon alot by the car guys that can afford to restore them. I show it anyways because I can........... F**k What other people may think about my car. Bottom line is it's mine and I enjoy putting it in shows.

[Finn]

I like seeing unfinished projects more than restored gems. After awhile the restored ones all look the same. Show it!

[moparguy01]

do you like it? are you proud of it? Then show it off.the whole point of a car show is for people to show their toys which they are proud of. to hell with the rest of the guys there who dont like parking next to a "ugly" car. some of us dont make much money to go buy a done car, we build them, if they have a problem with your car, tell them a stupid high price. when they ask why you just said a random price, simply tell them "thats how much I'll sell you the car so you can fix it how you like it. oh you dont want, then STFU" or something along those lines.

[FLG]

I just hate the guys with finished gems just sitting there, not wanting to look around cause theres is the best and not wanting to talk to anyone. Some people spend there time sitting by there cars, other mingling...fine, but there are some people that sit there and just dont care about anyone else. For example you tell them "Wow car looks great" and there just like "Yep"...that just bothers me. While others are much more friendly, telling you about the car, the history, showing pictures of the resto...even letting you sit in it. The one thing i hate are the people that seem to think they are allowed to touch everything. They go up to your car and lean against it, or rub there hand across the whole thing. I know my car is FAR FAR FAR from nice, but a black car + just a little dust = scratches. Or the people with a million keys and chains...yes i have a million keys...but i just take my car keys off the ring and throw the rest under a seat or in the glove box others just walk around hitting cars.

I gotta say though, every member ive met on this forum has been a great group of people who have fun.

[67_Dodge_Charger]

I have had my charger for five years now and I am finally going to put the engine back in this month.  Then I will work on the rest a little at a time.. I have been to shows with works in progress and others (like the Good Guys Car Shows) with cars that look really nice with some looking like the owners spent more money than what my house is worth...   

I had a moment at a show some years ago here in Missoula when I walked past a driver car, I don't remember the model, it had rust issues, trim missing and grime in the engine compartment.  That was when I realized that I could have brought my car.  It is fun and you can talk to others about their projects, plus your own.   Even the guy with the 32 Ford will talk to you. 

Robert

[Mike DC]

Yeah, be prepared.  There will always be a few jackasses that start informing you there's work to be done on the car.  ("Gee, I never knew there was a primer spot the size of a basketball on my car's fender!  Thanks for alerting me.")

But putting them aside, it's fun to have unrestored cars at the shows.  Most people at the show will "get it."   

[71bigblock]

I've brought my Challenger to a few local shows the past two years.  I've never got any crap.  The top is painted white with house paint, there is tin on the rear quarter bottoms to cover up rust.  Rock chips everywhere, you couldnt count them if you tried.  No antenna.  The rear window is siliconed in. 

And I say, who the heck cares?  Drive the heck out of it and enjoy it. 

Oh, and I dont pop the hood, either.  But at least it isnt painted black under there.   

I agree about other project cars, too.  If a car is finished, there isnt nearly as much to talk about to the owner as a car that needs work.  Its fun to hear the ambition of other people, no matter what brand.