Why do you go to shows & cruise in's?

Yeah, I'm traveling to the east . . . at speed

 

I go for the drive, #1. To see friends, #2 and to look at cars I haven't seen. Once I've seen what I want to see, I leave.

 

A little show yesterday is a perfect example of why I go.

A young kid pulls in next to me in his little 29 roadster. If I say it was rough- that would be an understatement.
He's all of maybe 23- has his wife & very young son. He's been thrashing on the car for a year & this is the maiden voyage. It leaks, smokes, has some very questionable "engineering" but he built it & was so excited, he could hardly contain himself. It was clear to see he loves his car & wanted to talk to anyone who would listen. I gathered up a bunch of my friends & told them to go talk to the guy about his car. Get 6 or 7 guys on a car and the people will come. Before you knew it- people were swarming over the car asking questions & he looked over at me w/ a shit grin ear to ear.
His son is telling everyone who would listen- "That's my daddy's car!"
I'm not sure how into the car the wife was but by the end of the show, she got it.

That's what a show is about.

 

a question ive always wanted to ask alot of people that i hear compaining all the time about car shows and having anti shows and anti billet and anti whatever. i go to shows because i enjoy focusing on something else other than the real world... bills, work, family drama, whatever. and the fact that i love cars. but when i'm at a car show, (if im not striping at the event)... then i'll run into certain people that like to compain about how "gay" or "lame" the show is... but for some reason they're there every year!!

 

I go mainly to pick apart other peoples cars and tell everyone what I don't like on every vehicle I see. I like to tell the owners that they did it wrong and that this doesn't look right and that doesn't fit correctly, and those gotta go, and so on and so forth.

 

beer

Beer

BEer

BEEr

BEER

BEER!

And friends. And summer nights under the open sky.

 

I try too seek out like-minded individuals to share my car obsession with.Not an easy task in my area,seems most New England HAMBERS are in the southern part or not too friendly.

 

Yep BEER !

 

to meet people with the same passion for cars that are slowly but surely fading away.to some day be replaced with fiberglass kit cars.

 

I don't go to many shows any more, but when I do I go to look at cars and see how others do things. Case in point I went to Billetproof this past weekend mainly to look at Fuelpump's tires on his coupe, I also had nice conversation with Fab32. Gone by 1PM.
I usually frequent the local cruise ins every other week or less. I always drive my car to them and usually only stay a half hour or so before getting restless. I get to catch up with freinds and check out any new cars and most important drive my car out of town.
Personally I would rather spend time in the garage then socialize, but thats just me.

 

I go to shows to hang out with like minded people and admire other folks cars, craftsmanship, listen to live music, show support for a local club or charity, etc... It's more of a social gathering and getting to get out and enjoy your cars.

 

LMAO!!!
That's the real "pearl".

 

There's a big Muscle car show here in August. The Land O Lakes Muscle car Classic. There are some pristine examples there. It's kind of fun to look at some of the cars. The unique ones or early pre GTO cars. The low production ones. I can appricate the work that goes into keeping them original but you can only look at so many stock 69 Chevelles and 383 Road Runners. The originality and trail blazing nature of hot rodding makes it 100 time more fun and interesting.
And it's got to be the Ego Fest of the decade. BLECCHH!! That's what really sucks at any kind of show or event. A little humble goes a long ways.

 

Trophy whores; amen brother! The same local car club trying to get me to join are the same ones who go around and kissing everyone's asses for votes on their cars; shit like "I'll vote for yours if you vote for mine." Total bullshit and absolutley no merit. They can shove the membership. Personally, I could give a rat's ass about a trophy but for Christ sake, at least let the car win on it's own accord.

 

So I have a place to put my crying baby doll....

 

I usually go to a few during the year, mostly a local monthly thing to see some former club members and shoot the shit with them. I usually never register 'cause I ain't out for awards. Then I also go to NSRA York and the Turkey Run. York had about a 1000 less cars this year, but not all of the same ones from before. They had a lot more traditional build cars, some of which were really amazing. Actually 4 of them won major awards. I'll post some pix when I get the chance.

With the exception of the Turkey Run, they are mostly like re-unions with friends. As for the Turkey Run, it's were I go to get some sun, see some friends and family and spend hours and hours in one of the best swap meets on the planet.

 

beer women and cars.... why wouldnt you wanna go?

 

You know, this really is a simple yet hard to answer question that I've been ask myself before while hanging out with friends. Here's a more thought out response...

We go to shows I guess for several reasons in no particular order.

• to hang out with good friends
• to meet new friends and like minded car folks
• to get out and enjoy our rides
• to admire the craftsmanship of other builders
• cause we like cars
• cause we want to continue to see the hobby have a pulse
• to get out and see new places, venues, etc...
• to see great live music, local bands, etc...
• to support a fellow club, group of folks or a cause that we all believe in

I really don't understand why you wouldn't get your cool car out and go to a show of fellow hot rodders, etc... Some of the responses in this thread I find mind boggling. Seems to me that the "I'll just play with the ball in my own yard" mentality is the kind of thing that would damage the hobby in general. Who cares if a show is judged or not? Who really cares what types of cars you're at a show with? Who really cares if someone criticizes or praises your car or not? Take the good with the bad but supporting clubs, charities and the hobby in general seem to be very good thing to for the betterment of the hobby. Just my 2 cents though.

 

I will drive half way across the country to go to a good show! So i dont have to listen to some local uptight asshole that thinks his car is the best car ever built and cant understand why he didnt get a trophy..."he did every thing right" he got to the show early polished his penis till it was so shiny you could see it from space, set up his lawn chairs behind his newly shined penis so he could hear other peoples admiration of his penis, did every thing but put up a big sign that says "This is my car, come admire me !" Srew that ! I love cars but they are my excuse to hang with friends and take road trips.

 

Car shows.
I understand how some hate them.
For me, its an excuse to take one of the cars out.
I like to photograph events and I go all over the area to do that.
Everywhere I go I see something new.
some of the shows, have swap meets involved.
Yesterday I drove for an hour and a half to go to a show, got there early and hit the swap meet.
Bought some collectibles and some parts, had a great time, and left at 2:00 PM before awards..............I opted to the "do Not Judge" window card.

Nothing wrong with winning though. But I got enough plastic and wood in the attic as it is. Wife hates to see me bring anymore home..............I have a few neat ones on the wall for decorations, ,mixed in with posters, some pinstriped parts, some collectible toys, etc............

In any event, I cannot tell you how many times I have been at a show and someone comes up to me and has parts, or a complete car to get rid of. I scored a few cars that way, and some NOS parts for dirt cheap. this is known as networking, and for me it works.
I also go to shows to pass out flyers for some shows I am involved with, to benefit a fire hall, and another for the local 4H.

 

...to pass out business cards ....

 

That means you register. I donate my $5 or $10 and just enjoy the show. Let some dude who doesn't even know how to change his oil have my trophy, I don't need any more junk to collect dust in the shop.

 

Speaking about shiny penises.....you didn't mention to the group about your shiny new paint and trim. LOL.

Yes Steve, it is all about friends and road trips. I have mentioned many times that the road trip is my favorite part of the weekend. Breaking down actually can make the trip better.....example the pileup two years ago.
We don't have any good stories if we didn't break down or have interesting road trips.

 

Inspiration!! I've never gotten any good ideas sitting and watching T V. I go to be inspired by people who share the same passion for hot rodding that I do. And if I happen to inspire someone while I'm there then that makes the trip worth it, for all of us. Don't go for the plaques & trophies, go for You, but don't stop going.

 

Don't go to shows per se although I will attend a few each year if it's a good cause and I've got the time. Don't care if I win a trophy but it would be nice to win a little cash to support this damned spare parts habit I've got. I generally do go to a Saturday night cruise-in every week because I enjoy the company, it's nice to talk to most of the people I meet and generally there ain't a danged thing on TV worth watching. It's almost like going 'home' for dinner on Sunday afternoon. Got to catch up on gossip and look at what 'cousin' Dave' brought out for everyone to have a look at!

 

LOL... Can I suggest another place to 'put' it?

 

Cars shows are a lot of fun meeting new car guys and old friends. There are lots of great shows for every type of car person from small to large. Some people like to bad mouth car shows because it's cool, just like some people bad mouth the SBC engine, look at me I'm cool and maverick.

CRUISER

 

I go to shows for the social aspect of it. Most of the shows around here are at least an hours drive away, so I get to cruise for a bit. Most of these shows don't charge admission. 99% of the shows do not have "awards", but they do give away a ton of door prizes. I could give a rat's ass about awards, but winning a nice door prize is always cool. I picked up a few handy goodies last summer, including a car polisher setup and a nice jacket.

Another valid reason for hitting shows, at least for me is that due to the plates I'm currently running on the Essex, going to shows is the only way I can legally drive the truck. Shows, parades, and servicing are the restrictions on the "Vintage Auto" plates I run. Hopefully by next summer I'll be able to get normal plates for it.

 

Hating on car shows is a waste of time. I guess if you can't stand them, then it's great that you don't come. Personally, I like cars and I like most car people. I don't show for trophies but I like looking at other people's ideas and talking to them about my ideas. I've learned a lot that way.

 

It's backwards !!