Actually, the biggest suggestion on entering a car show, is go with an open mind that you are going to have fun and taking home a dust collector, trophy, is not necessary.

The next suggestion, is to clean, clean, and clean some more. Clean in places you don't normally clean. Door hinges, hood hinges, trunk hinges, seat hinges. Anything in the engine compartment that is rusted or corroded, paint or replace.

It also depends on the type of show and who is putting it on. If its a participant choice, paint your car Red, just joking. I could write you a book on this, but the biggest thing is cleanliness/condition.

Dave & Terri

I?ve been attending car shows for a relatively short time (5 years ? still a rookie), and now that the 2000 season is about done (up here anyhow) I was thinking of some of the things that I have learned over the course of attending these events. I know that we have quite a few M&M members that do attend and compete in car shows, but maybe there are a few out there that either don?t attend, or are just starting up. I have learned a bit on how to present your car to get a favourable reaction from other participants and attendees and thought that I would share them with everyone here (kind of a list of ?Things I wish I had known when I started?). Here ya go? feel free to comment, correct or critique any of this!

1) Details, details. Get in that engine bay and start cleaning. A good steam cleaning followed by a session with a product such as Simple Green, lots of rags and a box of band-aids are a great start. Take off all the little brackets and items that are easily got at and paint them (for that factory look) or chrome/powdercoat them. Don't worry about doing this all at once. Take your time and just do things as you can. No one says that it ALL has to be perfect right away. A clean engine bay will go a long way at a show. I've had my current car in shows for 3 years now and I still have things that I need to repaint/detail, but with everything clean they don't stand out that much to most people. Dress your wires and hoses with something like STP Son-of-a-Gun or Protectant 303 (NO ARMOUR ALL!!!) to really leave a good impression.

2) Same thing goes for the interior. Empty all the crap out, clean the carpets, dash, seats, etc. and leave them at home, or put them in the trunk. People appreciate this, and having stuff on the floors, etc. will not win any points for style. If your carpets are a bit worn get a nice set of mats that closely match the original carpet color. Take off any seat covers (unless original seat material is really worn/cracked). People would rather see the original seating materials, and the covers can look tacky. If your seats are in bad shape either get them recovered (preferred) or get a set of seat covers that closely match the interior, as not to draw too much attention to them.

3) Exterior: Your paint does NOT have to be flawless to get noticed!! However, you do need to do your best to make that color pop and shine. I use the Mothers 3 phase polishing system and it works great! Brings up the color in the paint and gives a nice glazed look. Take the time to wipe off any bugs/road grime once you get to the show, and dress the tires once you are there and parked. Polish your chrome and wheels. Also get a California Duster ? to help keep the car clean during the show. These things are great and work very well!

Ok, your engine bay is pretty good, interior is clean and empty of any loose items and the exterior looks as good as it can (take my word, no cars are perfect, and just because you know exactly where each little ding or scratch is, 99% of the people who look over your car won't notice them), so what now? Well, if you really want to get noticed then a simple signboard will help a lot. People LOVE to read about cars. Keep it fairly simple with things like make, model, year, options, owners, modifications and a "Thanks to:" section. If the car has something fairly unique to it then you can put a sentence or two on that on the sign as well. When it comes time for people to vote many will vote for the car that they know something about over another car that is similar in condition and cleanliness, but didn't have an information board. It really does help if you plan on going to shows fairly regularly, and it isn't that expensive to get one done up at a sign shop. Check out others boards at shows and see what catches you eye and design yours accordingly. Like I said, it isn't really NECESSARY, but it sure helps... it is also a great conversation starter.

4) Be friendly!! Talk to people about your car and their cars. Now, not everyone you speak with will be completely knowledgeable about your car, or cars in general, but this is your chance to fill them in a bit and give them some more information. Don't put people or their cars down (you already know this ), and realize that not everyone will have the same tastes as you. You will always run into a jerk or two, but don't bother confronting them (waste of time), just politely move onto another person. 99% of the people at shows will be extremely nice and pleasant to talk to, no matter what kind of car they like/own. It's a lot of fun, and you get to learn about other cars, etc. at the same time!

5) HAVE FUN!! Unless you are into concours judged shows and the like these are usually put on for nothing other than getting a bunch of car folks together to enjoy each other?s vehicles and company. Awards should not the big focus IMHO. I have a great time at shows, no matter if I take a trophy or not. If trophies are all you are worried about expect to have a rotten time. Do your best in presenting your car, enjoy the time at the show and if you get an award then great! If not chalk it all up to fun and entertainment, and take what you have leaned from the show to help you prepare for the next one.

Here's a quick word on what I refer to as 'glamour cars'. These would be fastbacks, Mach Is, GTs, red and blue cars, special editions and convertibles. I refer to these as glamour cars not in a derogatory sense, but rather to describe their ability to attract votes in participant choice format shows. If you have a relatively plain white/brown/silver coupe and are up against red/blue/green fastbacks and convertibles, California Specials, Indy Pace cars, etc. it can be very tough to break into the trophies, no matter if your car is in as good or sometimes even better condition. These cars attract votes no matter what you do. Many clubs set up classes to break out the 'glamour' cars from other less visually impacting body styles to give others a better chance at an award. It can be a bit frustrating at times, but hey, what can you do (unless you do what I did and get a glamour car yourself)!

Whew, this is turning into a long post!! Here are a few other quick tips for you:

- Bring lawn chairs!! Standing around all day can get very tiring, so having a sit down in a chair behind your car can be very relaxing (also good for longer conversations with folks!).

- If you can you might also think about a large sun umbrella. Parking lots and open fields don't always have shady areas. It can get HOT!! There are a number of these types of set-ups that are designed to fit easily in the trunk of a car. If you plan to go to a lot of shows this can be a very nice item to have. On the same note, bring sunscreen to avoid the 'lobster' syndrome. Sunburns hurt.

- Get there EARLY!! If the show starts at 9 am, be there by 8:30. That way you get better parking spots and have a bit of time to set up and do the final detailing. Most organizers are there 2-3 hours before the actual start of the show setting up the site and getting things in order. Most will be ready to accept cars at least 1/2 hour before the show is scheduled to start. Also, many people do their voting within a couple of hours of the start of the show. Come there late and you will probably have missed any chance at an award due to missing 3/4 of the voting participants. I have seen some folks with fantastic cars roll in at 11-12 on a 9am start show and then loudly protest the fact that they didn't get a trophy while the cars that did weren't as good as theirs. Hmm, sorry, you snooze, you lose!

- Bring a small detailing kit to the show. This would include rags, protectant, some wax, California Duster, window cleaner, newspaper (to clean windows... works way better than rags), small tool kit and a bottle of instant detailer to remove the last of the bugs and road grime from around the fenders. Remember, detail!!!

- Other misc. items such as granola bars, juice, other snacks (concessions can be expensive and the food is not always? ummm, palatable), small first aid kit, pencil, personal/business cards, and most importantly a good attitude!!

Car shows are great fun, and a good place to make contacts and friends. Learn as much as you can and ENJOY YOURSELF!! As you go to more shows you will settle into a routine and learn how to make set up more efficient. I can get to a show and have my display set up and the last of the little detailing done in less than 1/2 and hour. Then I have the rest of the show to vote, meet people and look at the other cars on display! Whew, how was that? I'm tired of typing now

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Cheers,
Ian
M&M Member #395
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'79 Mustang Indy 500 Pace Car
Ian's Pace Car Website
Vancouver Island Mustang Association Website
Indy Pace Car Registry of Mustangs Official Website

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Dave

quote:

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Originally posted by wythors:
Ian left out that it certainly helps to have a large, flashing yellow light-bar on top of your car to draw attention to it. It also enhances your reputation with the participants whose cars are parked near yours. "Hey, I saw you at the show last weekend. You were parked next to that really cool Pace Car with the flashing trollop lights, right?"

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quote:

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Originally posted by 68F100:
Good thing I wasn't judging, cuz I hate red.

- The preceding opinion is that of the person who posted it.

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There is someone else in the car world that hates red????? I thought I was the only one

We had a show here last May at a high school - judging done by students. There were 5 mustangs, 3 red, 2 blue, three trophies for the class - the three red cars took home the dust catchers, Gino & I (blue 'stangs) did not. I hate red.

Carole

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66 Coupe, Arcadian Blue C-code
MCA #45106
M&M #501 - got those 501 blues
Vice-president Mustang Club of Tidewater