Question about car shows

[Dino]

I haven't been to one in ages, especially as a participant because the last few times I took my then 68 Charger I got soooo tired of people pointing out what was not factory that I nearly lost my mind.  Last time I left a show I may have left some rubber back there as I was so pissed.

I am not going to any of the big shows, I just don't want to deal with the crowd, but I would like to go to a smaller, local show.  Do you find that it's the same story?  People will bitch about your not factory correct car no matter where you go or is this not common at the smaller shows?

[Ghoste]

Yeah, I find that.  It mostly doesn't bother me though.

[ChgrSteve67]

There will always be the one or two that thinks they are an expert or just likes being a ass.

Just smile and say yeah I know and then let them move on.

I had someone tell me Saturday that they had a Charger just like mine except theirs was a hatchback and the trunk and glass lifted together.  I just said that's great and left it be. There is no point in trying to educate people if they are wrong about something.

The reward of the people that are excited to see it and don't care if its 100% original (and mine is far from it) far out weighs dealing with the 1% of asses out there.

[1BAD68]

I used to not take my car to shows for that very reason. But now that my car is painted, I've been to 3 shows this summer (all small local shows) and I think things are different.
People just look it over and say "nice car" or not say anything. Occasionally a gear head will ask some questions and talk a bit about what they have but for the most part I think the "barrett jackson know it all's" are not around anymore.

[68X426]

People will bitch about your not factory correct car no matter where you go or is this not common at the smaller shows?

It's everywhere, big or small shows. Keep in mind that you are showing, and to show means you are inviting comments. And comments are un-filtered, coming from folks who might be jealous, or at least feeling they have to act knowledgeable around their friends. When they should just keep their thoughts to themselves. 

Try a sign board. Present some details on what makes your Mopar different from the factory, and some of the work that went the car. That way you may find more better conversations at shows.

[ODZKing]

Yes, big or small you'll get comments.
One of the ones I get most with the 67 is questions about the two bucket seat in back.  "Did that come that way from the factory?"

[Dino]

Maybe things have settled a bit since I went to shows.  Having a sign is a good idea, with some luck it'll weed out the worst.  I do 'show' and I do expect comments but I guess the last few comments I got were too much.  I actually had some idiot yelling at me to leave the car for real mopar fans who would not risk driving it.  This must've been '97 ish.  The car was factory green, repained bright yellow by the po.  It was one of those ultra rare matching #'s 383's with auto on the column...   Part of the trunk and floor was replaced with riveted aluminum, the skin was covered in an inch of bondo front to back yet I was crazy driving a car like that in the elements.   

I do want to go to some of the smaller shows so at least the neighborhood kids can look at the car.  Sometimes they're circling the bottom of the driveway to get a glimpse of it and I would be more than happy to make those kids' day.  It's the parents I have issues with.   

If I was sure that nobody would touch the car I'd park it and leave but I think that's asking for trouble.  Maybe I should park next to a tree, climb it and bring my slingshot!  Of course, awesome shot as I am I'd probably hit the car or the one next to it....

Alright, my college is having it's annual show in 3 weeks or so.  It's a pretty small show so I'll give it a try.

Thanks for the replies folks.

[1BAD68]

If I was sure that nobody would touch the car I'd park it and leave but I think that's asking for trouble.

This may be the problem. I don't know your car but unless it's a OE Cert. car then just park it and walk away.
The only time I'm by my car at a show is when I get there and am walking away or when I return to leave.
Otherwise I just walk around like everyone else. The last thing I want to do is babysit my car or park my but on a chair.

[Dino]

If I was sure that nobody would touch the car I'd park it and leave but I think that's asking for trouble.

This may be the problem. I don't know your car but unless it's a OE Cert. car then just park it and walk away.
The only time I'm by my car at a show is when I get there and am walking away or when I return to leave.
Otherwise I just walk around like everyone else. The last thing I want to do is babysit my car or park my but on a chair.

My car's a driver which usually gets washed when it rains but I still don't want anyone touching it.  It's the principle I guess.  It's not your car so keep your greasy paws off.  ( How you GL owner's do it I don't know.)  I do want to walk around and see the other cars but I get bored quickly so that won't last very long.  Swap meets on the other hand I could spend all day.  I do tend to leave shows early but as long as little kids come by all bug-eyed looking at the Charger then I'm staying.  I'll be happy to make a kid's day if it means sticking around longer.

I know I know, I'm not car show material so I should probably just shut up and stay home but I never saw my dream cars as a kid and I do want to make that possible for the younger generation.  It's not like there's all that many Chargers around here.  Which is kinda funny since at one point most of them came from here.  I'm not all that far from Hamtramck.

[twodko]

Dan is spot on. We put together a simple small binder with about 18 before/after resto pix in it. In the cover slip I banged out a list of the pertinent Info about the car. Try the same and describe it as a "non-stock" car then go with your mods. Or just make this sheet, put in it a clear slip and leave It on the rad support.

Of course there are always those who can't read. 

[Cooter]

It's not your car so keep your greasy paws off.  ( How you GL owner's do it I don't know.)  I do want to walk around and see the other cars but I get bored quickly so that won't last very long.  

We HAVE to baby sit the car or some over zealous fan would be sitting on the door taking a picture. (Actually had this very thing happen at a Dukes fest). If you don't sit by your ride, trust me, people are jealous today. They all want their 15 mins of fame/attention and they will tear up your ride because you are somehow stealing their 15 mins. Even when they make to stupid remarks to try and bring a GL owner back down from their "High" of being the most popular Car at the cruise/show. If ignored, they feel slighted and WILL come back and leave their "Mark". Of course you won't notice anything until you go to wax/wash it and BAM! "Where the f*ck did that come from?"....

Then there's the ones that have that attitude of "Well, if you didn't want anybody touching your ride, shoulda left it at home"...THAT pisses me off. Do people have eyeballs in their finger tips to where they can't look at something today without touching it? Are they blind and NEED to touch it??? Bottom line is, if you go to a cruise and are pretty much expecting to be pissed off by the time you leave, you are better off just staying home, because you most likely will.

The sign thing? Well, tried that too...unfortunately, it too will bring the comments. only difference is you get people asking "Well, why the hell didn't you put it back original"? Or my favortie..."Why did you go with the 440, when you coulda bolted in a Hemi"?

[Old Moparz]

The last time I was at a show as a participant was with my '69 Satellite convertible. I never cared about what anyone thought of the car & usually never hang out near it. One time I did stick around because I saw these 2 guys talking & pointing to it, so I was curious. They were arguing over what year it was, so I found it funny.

It's a base model '69 Satellite, but it has.....

a '68 quarter panel on one side & a '69 on the other,

a deck lid from a GTX with a Sport Satellite trim panel in it,

a 1970 GTX nose with a bulge hood & a Road Runner grille,

and a steering wheel, a pair of buckets & the buddy seat from a 1973 New Yorker.   

Now it has a full set of seats from a 1968 Coronet 500.   

[bill440rt]

I find it the other way around. Usually the smaller local shows bring the "unknowledgeables", and the bigger shows bring more car-savvy people that tend to admire & ask intelligent questions or just strike up a conversation. At least those are the folks I come across.

I had a car sign made up, started using it this year. I also had one done years ago for another car.
One of the do's & don'ts was to put information on there for the most popular questions asked. This could apply to both a stock or modified car. People will usually stop by, check out the car, & read the sign. Keeps the "dumb questions" to a minimum, but they do still happen occasionally. The hardest part is people keeping hands (or other body parts) to themselves. Children usually just don't know any better so I don't blame them, but the adults that do it drive me crazy. 

Just go, enjoy yourself, & take it in stride. 

[ACUDANUT]

I say factory...NO and I don't care..Then I ask: "where is your perfect car". ?

[moparguy01]

when people say stuff like that, I just laugh. My car is so far from stock that it isn't funny. When someone points out something small that isn't right, I like to ask them about  all the other non stock parts. its fun to watch their reactions.

[ODZKing]

Dirk,
Sent you an e-mail.   

[Dino]

Dirk,
Sent you an e-mail.   

Thank you much my friend!   

[Ghoste]

I like when people point out blatanlty obvious things to you.  My fastback has rust bubbles forming under the vinyl top and everyone seems to think they are the first one to notice it.  I always reply with my best and most puzzled "seriously?!"

[71ChallengeHer]

My friend went to a show this weekend . He said they gave a trophy for " I can't believe you drove that thing here"     Just go and have fun . 

[67440chrg]

I go to a lot of small chariety shows around here.  My car is so far from stock I never get the not correct coments. I take my 2 girls to most of them and make it a family event. I have recieved a best Mopar award two years in a row at one I go to and I am the only Mopar there. My odds are good at that one. Just go and have fun if someone coments tell them it belongs to you not the factory anymore.

[FC7 V code]

Hey Dino, I feel your frustration. I to stopped going to shows or at least participating in them for over 20 years because of just the issues you mentioned. My cars are far from perfect as are most. If you actually drive them as I do they end up with little things that anyone could pick apart. The last couple summers were the first shows I have had cars in since 1989. Small or large show you always seem to run into a self professed expert on your car(occasionally you even run into someone who knows what he is talking about). I'm sure most of us have heard the "I had one just like yours, except it was a 318 car that was 2 years older and it was green with no stripes and it didn't have a vinyl top" . So in other words it wasn't really much like yours at all except that it was a 2nd gen Charger. You really just have to go with selective hearing and try to hang with a few friends so that you can turn away or walk away if someone becomes to annoying. On occasion you actually may run into somebody that really has something cool to tell you or talk about. As a case in point I had an older fellow walk up to me at the Newberry, MI car show(about 50-75 cars) and asked if I minded if he crawled under my AAR. I didn't have a problem with it and he popped up after a couple minutes with an excited look and a remark about it still having the tie downs on the rear frame for rail car transport. Come to find out the guy worked on the line at Hamtramck back in the late 60's into the 80's. He really knew his stuff and it made the whole car show well worth my while.

[ODZKing]

Just when I think I've heard them all, some jackass comes up with somthing else to say.
The only advise I can offer is this: I don't go to shows for recognition, or trophies.  I go for the comeraderie with my fellow car folks, Mopar people and Charger owners. 2 of the best times - this year anyway, was Carlisle and Moparfest.  I get to see fellow Charger people I only get to see once a year.
And frankly, Mopar people are like no other ... the best as far as I am concerned.   

[RECHRGD]

Most shows have separate classes for stock and modified cars.  If your in a stock class and your car has modifications, then I guess you're open to ridicule.  But, if you're in the modified class, people have no reason to make negative comments.  Usually you can enter any class you want and that leads to people just entering whatever class they think they can win in.  Most people just vote for the shiniest red car anyway.

[Dino]

Thank you all for the replies and comments.  I started to think it was just me but I'm glad these are universal issues and I'm not crazy...at least not about this stuff...

I don't know anyone around here that is interested in cars so unless my wife joins me, I'm pretty much by myself.  I will put a sign on the car to say I'm not participating for an award in any class.  The car has a green interior, it has no class!   

It's my trusty driver, looking at it right now outside my office.  I'm going to park it, look around a bit, and hope some people get a kick out of seeing this old beast.  Hopefully people will keep their hands off, I better have a sign for that as well.

ODZKing, that template you sent is great!  I'll be sure to use that.