Car Show Blues

[Changinlatitude]

It's the season and i've been entering my bone stock 300A and 04 MGM in the local car shows west of St. Louis. These shows are small town, mostly 30-50 cars on average - a pretty good cross section, really. My whine is about my class (2000-2011 or 1995-2011). Why do the judges always go for the brand new Camaros and Mustangs that were just driven off the lot? I don't expect first place of course, but maybe a runner-up now and then. Maybe it's sour grapes, but my cars are in great shape for being 8 years old and no, they aren't 100% perfect....but they have been kept extremely clean and detailed throughout. Bonehead judges apparently can't see the hard work it takes to keep an older car looking great over a brand new one - which takes 0% effort. I do get some satisfaction when 95% of the spectators walk right by a brand new Mustang and go directly to my cars to check them out! OK, rant/whine over. I'll just keep enjoying the shows and looking at some great older machinery, because I guess ultimately it's all about the cars, not who wins.

[jsignorelli]

You problem (observation) is a common one. In NJ where I live, car shows draw over 100 cars, easily. My mustang club draws 250 cars at our two main shows because we have been doing this for 17 years. Attendance is driven by the population density.

The problem you have can be fixed this way...join or form a club of car enthusiasts. Get a car dealer, or car parts supplier to sponsor the trophies and flyer printing. Host a car show where trained judges objectively look at each car and prpoerly evaluate "FIT, FINISH, & CLEANLINESS"
Have multiple classes so new and old are seperated.

The Mustang Club of America (and others) have rule books on line, for free, which detail how to judge. If you have trouble finding any of this, I'll gladly mail you a copy.

As a certified National Mustang Judge, I train others to become judges, as well as judge cars at regional shows.

[Mr. Man]

Your lucky you get that small of a cross section. Shows I enter are 1980 and up.

Judges like bling ( I call it the Raccoon effect) Try putting some Chrome caps on the fluid reservoirs. Parking is critical. Most people who go to car shows are not impressed with a GM. It's the wheels of the MM that separate it out of the crowd at first glance. So make sure the car is parked in a spot where the wheels are clearly visible from a distance.
Make sure the hood is open and the engine is clean. Though our engine is small in displacement it looks like a big block.

Don't worry to much about the interior. A good vacuum is all it needs.

Get a show board so people will be able to read the basics of what the MM is if you are off looking at the other cars.

Good luck:)

[jsignorelli]

Eric is correct, the average person is attracted to Bling. But "CAR" people are attracted to "QUALITY".

Keeping the modified cars apart from the stock entrees helps to preserve the intent of the show...to show off what a car should look like, even after years of driving it.

Our small show last week drew 152 cars, raised nearly $ 2000 for the Wounded Warriors, and we had tropies for stock classic, stock new generation, as well as modified. It is all in how you set up the show!

[thathotrodlincn]

I've seen this way too often at "amateur" shows. Many local judges know very little about cars, so they judge based upon what they know. One of my local clubs judges on cleanliness ONLY (that is all they can understand). Whomsoever has the newest car wins Best in Show. Very disheartening.

[Ms. Denmark]

It's important to have a show board or something that clearly states it's a Marauder. As Mr. Man noted, be sure your hood is up and the engine is detailed. Some "bling" never hurts. People will flock to look at the "huge" engine and you'll hear some incredible urban myths about your car. LOL! I just smile. ;) And as much as I hate to admit it....a Black car draws more interest and wins more awards :o (in my personal experience). Our mantle is becoming crowded with Mr. Man's winnings.....:cool:

[jsignorelli]

My club places what the judges will be looking for, on the back of the window card. This makes the owners happy because they now have a real target. In addition, all of our judges are certified by the MCA. We have taken a writen test on the rules for each class that we are certified in. We have "interned" at several shows under a certified judge. Then you get your certification. The assistant we have with us is a JIT, "judge in training".

But....... you can't judge new cars or modified cars with older stock cars. It is not fair nor equitable. If I spent over $ 30K on my engine, how is it fair to be judged with someone who has just entered the hobby. My class is judged against other cars like mine. Then, cleanliness really is the only thing that separates us.

While I like the Carlisle weekend, it is not a national show like those I'll drive 900 miles for with the Mustangs or the Shelbys. It is a great weekend with super people (Mustangers, Shelby owners and Marauder owners). I don't go to Carlisle looking for a trophy, I go looking to meet old friends from across the country. I clean my cars, but I place companionship over "you could eat off the chasis". Many of my car friends place a sign on our cars DO NOT JUDGE. Our cars are clean and could win a trophy, but we don't need another award. We want someone new to the hobby to get it. It is our form of sportsmanship.

[F8LBITEva]

sounds like you need a big chrome blower to shine at the car show

[Changinlatitude]

A show board sounds like a great idea and easy enough to do. I've got the bling on the GM and my intent is to keep the Marauder as stock as possible, but yea, just have to get the word out to what exactly it is. One thing though, the good folks who did check out the car (and luckily, I was at the end of the line in the sunshine) was about the rims. Everyone who asked was amazed that those are stock Mercury Marauder rims - not aftermarket. When clean, they really shine!

[BODYMAN]

Dont feel bad I got 2 & both when all detailed out 1 with a alluminator and 2.3 whipple other with a Vortech Chromed wheels and all kinds of other goodies, and I never win most people its ignorance they think ya got a Grand Marquis with chrome wheels. Heck back in early 03 I had a KBS (Kenny Brown Marauder-S) I heard a few youngs guy walk by and say OH he didnt They thought it was a GM I put a blower on with chromed wheels. I just laughed

[jsignorelli]

Here is a thought. Why not offer to judge the next time you go to a car show. If you help to set the ground rules, then you have taken part in a "legitimate' show. BUT...if all you attend are "peer" judging events (like Carlisle), then you are at the mercy of people who are clueless.
At our next MM event, we could run judging clinics, and then go off and train others. We have marauderville coming up. Next June, we have Carlisle. We can contol our own destiny, if we try.

[Motorhead350]

Last show I was going to bring a mirror and put it under the most scratched and dirty part of the car and put STREET CAR on the mirror somewhere.

My car will never win anything. It's driven too often and isn't fast enough to be the fastest. Either way it's always my favorite car in the show.

I'll admit I get mad to when a 100% stock car wins because it's brand spanking new. It has no stories, no stone chips and probably the factory air in the tires. Big deal!

[Ms. Denmark]

.....I'll admit I get mad to when a 100% stock car wins because it's brand spanking new. It has no stories, no stone chips and probably the factory air in the tires. Big deal! +1 So true!! :cool:

[jerrym3]

Try typing up and printing an info sheet, large print, put it in an 8 1/2 x 11 frame, and place it somewhere under the hood in plain sight.

People for some reason are attracted to stuff like that. Chrome helps too.

Car models do not.

Ticks me off when my Galaxie gets overlooked because someone with a checkbook just bought a new Mustang, Camaro, or Challenger. Worse yet, they show up in packs, and sometimes theres no room for real classics.

Wonder how much time they spent in junkyards around the country hunting for parts like I did? (pre internet)

This is why I like the Wildwood show. Car must be 25 years old, period.

[Micahdogg]

As a T-bird owner, I've been sent into fits repeatedly at car shows over the past 15 years. I've probably won a trophey or a plaque just once in my life on that car. It would literally burn me up to see a Mustang's with just Cobra R's, hoods and CAI's, cleaning out the "ford" classes in my year range. Meanwhile, how often do you see a 3.8L V6 with 383RWHP?! But people would just peak at the motor, walk by and be like, "OH snap, look a 89 Stang GT!"

People are just opinionated. They like the tried and true performance stuff and don't care much about obscure cars like t-birds, MM's, 2.2T K-cars, etc...

[Embassy]

The main point of a car show is to have fun.

That said, create a display sign that explains the limited production and what mods you have done to your Marauder.

I know that my display sign will keep people and judges hanging around a lot longer.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/731751/fullsize/img_5999.jpg

[gpfarrell]

I get a little bit of white shoe polish and mark the upper right hand corner of the windshield with a "13.1". I back it up with a time slip and a brief description of Marauders and Trilogy Superchargers inside an 8x10 frame.

The car gets lots of attention this way.:cool:

If I wanted a $15 trophy I would spend $15.

I want a fast subtle car, and subtle is never going to stand out.

[Micahdogg]

It's not about the money, but the trophy is a means to the recognition. It's just nice when hard work is appreciated. For instance, a guy chops the top off a CV, gives it a MM make-over and staps some 26's on it. Like it or not, that took some effort, and the fact that it's even at a carshow means he is proud of it.

[Motorhead350]

It's not about the money, but the trophy is a means to the recognition. It's just nice when hard work is appreciated. For instance, a guy chops the top off a CV, gives it a MM make-over and staps some 26's on it. Like it or not, that took some effort, and the fact that it's even at a carshow means he is proud of it.

Yes it is. The cars that win the shows have the most invested in them. It's all about eye candy unfortunately.

[Micahdogg]

Yes it is. The cars that win the shows have the most invested in them. It's all about eye candy unfortunately.

That was in reference to someone's "want" for a trophy. But in my experience, the most money invested still doesn't produce much eye candy.

[Motorhead350]

That was in reference to someone's "want" for a trophy. But in my experience, the most money invested still doesn't produce much eye candy.

I completely agree to that. Sorry if I misunderstood you. People should just go to the trophy store, it's cheaper than the 12K paint job.

:lol:

[Vortech347]

Car shows are about who's bought the newest thing or bought the newest thing then NEVER drove it.

That's about it.

[jsignorelli]

My favorite car show story involves a guy with way to much money. He shows up with a REAL, (not a kit car) Shelby Cobra (1965). He doesn't know how to start the car to back it off of the trailer. Apparently, he just bought it (trailer, car, etc) without ever driving it. Back to the guy.. since he didn't know how to drive it (or start it) he got back into the tow vehicle and drove home...... Now that is a guy with a fat checkbook story. There are people at car shows who belong, and then there are the pretenders.......

[Ms. Denmark]

Last year at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway car show, a brand spanking new Challenger took a first place trophy. Looked like the guy just drove it straight off the dealers lot right to the show field. LOL Very unsportsman like if you ask me!:D

[Motorhead350]

The only car show I really respect is the hundret (not 100) car pile up. All 63 and before and all must be driven. No trailer queens allowed at all. Not candy paint either. Its great, but the people are total hardheaded a holes... I don't see why we cannot get along. Haha

[Architect]

MotorHead350...You need a poster...gets the judges (and Patrons) attention... explains things and educates the judges...
You gotta sell that Marauder...;)

[Motorhead350]

Perhaps, but I don't spend a dime on the car unless it makes it go faster or needs something replaced.