Have any tips 'n tricks to share regarding Car Shows ??

[SwaveDave]

Ive finally got my frameup restoration done and she is now worthy of Car Shows ; been to a couple and have noticed some interesting ways to show ones car. Description Boards on easels seem to be popular around my area, as well as mirrors to view underneath the car. Just wondering if there might be some tips you could share that might enhance the appearance of the car and/or increase your chances of winning a trophy.???

What is your most sucessful form of judging at car shows : Participant, Spectator, or formal Judges ??? Which has been your worst ?

Thanks, Dave

 

[JJU]

I'm assuming that you have a cleaning regimen already developed so I won't go in to any specifics unless you want me to. Your car must be clean. Unless you trailer your car, the sooner you can get set up and the road filth removed from the car, the better you will be. In most instances you never know where you are going to park and what you will pick up along the way that you have to remove (bugs, tar, grease, road paint, etc.). Carry a good supply of products for interior, exterior, and under the hood care. These are the three areas that people/judges will look. Since you are a Zaino "nut" like me, try using Z-6 on your Windows. Careful on hot and/or humid days with the Z-6. "Less is more" in this case. Use Z-6 on your towel and wipe rather than apply directly to the surface of the paint.

The type of car show is a factor on what I do. Around here there are four types: Concours, judged, peoples' choice, and show & shine. The last involves no awards.

Older cars do better at peoples' choice so anything that you think will get an "OOOWW" or "AHH" should be accented. (i.e., chrome)

Having some details and pictures about your car is good. (e.g., history) Careful that the display doesn't blow over and hit your car or someone else's car. Don't lean anything up against your car.

NCCC concours is very regimented and you can look at the rule book for specifics. Make sure you follow rules about removing items from the interior of your car before judging.

Judged events are tricky depending on the judge(s), the number of cars in your class, and the number of cars the judge(s) may need to judge that day. I've had judges spend less than 30 seconds looking at my car and some that will spend 15 minutes looking over everything. The 30 second judges are looking for first, "cleanliness" and second, does the car have somthing that just wants to make your eyes look at it. The 15 minute judges are looking for cleanliness and defects.

If you decide to bring mirrors for your underside, remember that you need to transport them in some fashion. Unless you trailer your car, this can be a problem. Only the strictest judging events warrant the mirrors. It's your choice otherwise.

My worst fear is always someone touching the car. They may have something on their hands that you don't see. (i.e., sharpe edged rings) I've even had people get inside my car who aren't judges (which usually don't happen anyway). A sign near the door "DO NOT TOUCH" will handle most instances but there will always be that one exception that you have to watch out for.

 

[SwaveDave]

Thanks Jack for the pointers ;

What do u think about real shiny tires ? Yes or no ? How about real shiny interiors ?

What have you done best in : Participant judging, spectator judging , or real Judges ?

Its difficult to see underneath the car using mirrors, when the car is parked on grass cause the vette is so low to the ground anyway ; guess there isnt much you can do about that, huh ?

Dave

 

[iron cross]

In your better shows, CLEAN wins, Dirt loses. Also keep it simple, aftermarket hoses and junk in the engine bay with wires running all over don`t cut it. Its a Vette show, not a hot rod. When its down to two or three in a class, the one with the least amount of things wrong will win. Painting the undercarriage is not a substitute for a clean car. A Judges Handbook with pictures to illustrate before and after is always a good reference to show points of interest if they were necessary. It will help on some older cars as there are very few originals left. Original tools and some safty equipment will also give a few points when the judges narrow down the class. Run your finger around the inside lip of the wheelwell, if dirt or dust is present then clean it again. When things get tight, thats where they look. Judges will normally not look or open anything that is closed. Hoods, trunks or doors should be open. Most indoor shows you will have the battery disconnected anyway. If you know of a soft spot in your preperation and think you can get away without a Judge seeing it, your wrong. We look for the piece with the least amount of errors or things wrong and thats the one that will win. One last thing, leave the judges alone, they should know what they are doing. We hope!

 

[GS Diva]

Dave,

Everyone here has given you great advice! Here in New England, Hubby and I participate in "Corvettes only" judged "show & shines" where cleanliness and condition are judged, generally by 2 judges at the same time, and you are in groups of similar cars (i.e. Roadster or Coupe, same group of years). Generally, there are 3 classes (or more if the show includes "Modified" or "Personalized" classes). First is "Street" where judges touch nothing, they only look at the car from 3' away, hoods/doors remain closed. Second is "Super Street" in which judges go everywhere but not under hood. Third is "Show" where anything goes, including engine compartment.

Remember, here in New England, these shows are judged on cleanliness and condition...so if you think it's clean, then clean it again! Alan and I typically clean the cars at home the day before the show, drive to the show, get there as early as possible and then clean it all over again for about 3 hours!!! And people wonder why we consider this fun!:L

As far as tires go, we brush everything out of the treads, wipe them down, and we like a non-greasy look so use "More Shine, Less Time" by Stoner Products. We also like the sheen of 303 Aerospace Protectant on all of the interior. The "greasy, slick" look isn't necessarily a plus!

We both prefer the judged shows rather than participants choice. We want our cars to win a trophy based on its own merits rather than because we have a lot of friends who are also entries in the show and who may vote for us!!

Good luck...have fun!!!

Elaine

 

[SwaveDave]

Good info.

Here in Northern Illinois, there are few Corvette only car shows...but many all years/all makes car shows with sometimes as many as 20 different classes. Ive gone in the 'Corvette Modified' class a few times since i have more than 3 (allowed) modifications. Less than 3, and you can go into 'Stock Corvette' class.

Theres one car show ive been going to for a while now, and this same guy keeps winning year after y ear with his 1967 GTO in participant judging ; i could never figure out why, cause his car is not as nice as 3 other GTO's that are in his class..and he even has rust in the trunk and pitted bumpers. I come to find out, that, he is the owner of a Auto Repair Shop and specializes in classic cars . He employs about 10 mechanics who all have classic cars . Many of his customers come to the Car Show also ; its not hard to figure out whats (probably) going on , is it ?!

Dave

 

[JJU]

Thanks Jack for the pointers ;

What do u think about real shiny tires ? Yes or no ? How about real shiny interiors ?

What have you done best in : Participant judging, spectator judging , or real Judges ?

Its difficult to see underneath the car using mirrors, when the car is parked on grass cause the vette is so low to the ground anyway ; guess there isnt much you can do about that, huh ?

Dave

I would say "No." to shiney. Maybe "sidewalls only" and then just "medium shine". Clean the "gray" on your treads so that they are "blacker". Make sure you don't have any pebbles in your treads. Don't shine anything under the hood. I knew someone that thought shiney valve covers would make a difference. (They weren't chrome.) He "poured" Amour All on them. :t

I've done better with real judges (not volunteers).

I would worry about people stepping on the mirrors in all cases.

 

[Big_John]

Keep it simple, keep your "display" to a minimum. Clean is the key word. Let the car speak for itself. People like different things, for example, I personally dislike seeing trophies from past shows displayed, but someone else might like them. Do it the way you like best, just keep it simple.

One other thing, go to the shows to have fun. Don't sweat it if your car doesn't win. Remember the judges are quite often volunteers that may not know as much as they should. I've been to a lot of shows and watched too many sore losers. Your car can win first this week and not even place next week. Just go to have some fun, see some cars, make some new friends and above all HAVE FUN!

 

[SwaveDave]

Sound good what you said. I dont like people displaying ther past trophies either ; i think its tacky and makes it look like 'the judges better get with the program too' . Its needless flaunting and is misplaced pride.

What i enjoy alot about going to car shows, is : the relaxation, talking to the other corvette hobbiests, seeing what theyve done to tastefully molest thier cars ... and listen to Oldies music. If i go home with a prize..great. IF not, i enjoyed the day.

Dave

 

[JonM]

http://www.clubcorvettect.com/carshow/judging.doc