Suggestions about car show judging???

Yea, it finally happened. I was kinda "hornswaggled" into judging a car show this weekend. There will be probably 200 cars, there will be six or seven of us and this will be mostly "gold chains" and restored cl***ics however, there is a street rods-customs category and I will be the guy looking at them.

I guess I'll just pick out what I like best.....unless some one might have a suggestion or two about this stuff? I don't do alot of car shows, for any reason.

 

i have done several and i hate it, however to be really fair about it. make yourself a list of things and then mark each car accordingly. in a outside show look at overall paint , engine, interior, gl*** ,wheels and tires , and overall look. very simple takes 2 minutes or less per car, give it a 1 to 10 and tally them up . suprisingly it makes a world of diff even when it comes to say gl***, some guys just dont clean it or do anything to make it presentable and it can kill an otherwise nice car and be a factor on two really nice cars. a thought, have fun

 

Vote for whoever can do you the most good, it's the American way.

 

Pick out what you like best- that's all anyone really does.

As a car guy, the things that'll influence you are design, engineering, and workmanship. It's not like judging restored cars where, as a judge, you need to know exactly how the factory did it, and then determine whose car is closest to the factory standard.

Rather, you're judging custom-built cars, so look for the best overall.

The only thing that gets me is the mix between 'design' and 'workmanship'. Often, great designs are lacking in quality, and well-built cars look like ***.

Find the best mix of all, and don't be afraid to let your individual tastes influence you. It's your call, and do it without regret.

 

I get a kick out of some of the stuff that wins sometimes even if its mine.
This past weekend we were at the Mother Road Festival here and while there were alot of nice cars (mine not one of them) I was shocked that they walked right past a Buddies 34 coupe and didnt bother to even Judge it and while it is in black primer its still one BAD mofo, blown 392,chopped steel 5 window, very traditional with super attention to detail it was obviously a crowd favorite yet they didnt even give it a second glance and there were a couple cl***es it could have been in 1 being best unfinished. I would suggest taking into consideration the amount of work in some cars even though they might not be as Pretty on the outside!!!

 

Have the owners of the registered cars vote for their favorite. Perhaps have the crowd vote for one. That's it. Otherwise... If you don't do a REALLY good job of judging, then all the guys with the 100 point cars who get shut out by cars that are clearly not built as well will KNOW the show had some half-*** judges who didn't really give a ****. Gary

 

I have judged car shows before and I am a little harder on cars that I know ride around on a trailer... especially those nice enclosed ones... I guess I think they should be spott-less... Also, if it is a points system, just be consistent... whether the score is high or low, as long as the numbers are consistent...

 

I've been talked into judging - IT ****S. No one is ever happy. I just look for good workmanship, creativity, clean and driveable (cars are ment to be driven, some are a stretch!). I prefer to talk the guys who set the shows up to let the participants vote for the best cars, then no one has anybody to complain to. GOOD LUCK.

 

WORD! Also look for cash payouts, possible free home improvements and ***ual favors.-MIKE

 

I have been asked many times. I ask, on the car show application, that the car owner also include a photo of their wife. I go on to explain that having the photo will allow me to easily pick her out in a crowd in case I have to ask her a question if her husband cannot be found. I have found this to be very helpful in making my decisions as a car show judge.

Here is a photo of the last show's winning car:



Here is a photo of the wife of the last show's winner:

 

Do it like they do around here, the judges just pick their friends cars.

 

OK, I got it now. I can do this. It might be fun

Gold Chainer 1: Hey, who is judging us???

Gold Chainer 2: (swiveling around in his designer lawn chair, pointing in my direction)..it's that grey-beard guy over there that drove up in that bug splattered old '35 Ford.

Gold Chainer 1: I think we're in deep ****.



THANKS guys, I knew I could depend on ya'll.

 

FIRST, when/where's the show? I've been looking for something for this weekend. Next, as far as judging...If it were me, I'd vote on the idea or concept more than the fit and finish. We've all seen beautifully executed versions of horrible ideas too often. If the car isn't perfect, but an excellent idea, it would get my vote way before a perfectly built car that ****s

 

Sunday, the Westlake Village Auto Show......at the Countrywide Financial offices on Agoura Road.....just off the 101. It's what used to be the State Farm Insurance building. From 10am-3pm. www.westlakevillageautoshow.com

I think I agree with that you on that point Groucho, I have seen a few well built cars that ****.

 

For Brad & my Nostalgia Race & Rod-A-Rama next March, we will only have peoples choice awards for Hot Rod, Custom and Race Car. All voted on by spectators on the back of their ticket stubs.

Still accepting applications for this Invitation Only event. PM me for details.

 

Thanks, I'll check it out. Yeah, I'd rather see a cool, tasteful car that's rough around the edges, than a perfect car that's got no "flavor" to it. I should have the "Lambo" doors on my Toyota by Sunday, so maybe you can vote for me

 

Judging stock restorations is one thing, Hot Rods is another. Only things you can judge are workmanship, I'm sure they will lump Model A's in with 1948 Fords, what do the two have in common? Good luck, be fair, whatever happens someone will go home disapointed.

 

Look for well executed design and workmanship AND bugs in the radiator (they should at least wipe off the windshield if their gonna be in a show).

 

Yep, the judging sheet they gave me says "Street Rod pre 1948" and "Custom pre 1948", so they lump alot of cars together

 

to be fair... these people are paying to be in a show and be judged as professionally as they can be.

If you want to at least give it a little effort... just put your feelings for the car aside when it comes to paint, fit, finish, and the like. Judge each car without unbias.

Usually there is a category for "personal feeling" how you like it. THat is where I find people either win or lose.

Or it could be like the shows I judged. I spent all afternoon judging and the people who ran the shows gave trophies to the cars they wanted to win.

 

Here's a few things to look for for point deductions.

Tire ***s. They need to be shaved off.
Valve stems. Must be all clocked in same position. Make sure stem to tire lettering is consistant too.
Wheel centering. Make sure wheel is centered & wheels point straight ahead.
All 4 tire tread patterns must be the same.
Trophys propped up in front of car? Instant disqualification!
Lawn chair must match color of car.
Bring your white gloves. They love that.
Fake food trays are a deduction
Flyers on the seat are a deduction
Baby seats are a deduction
Panama hat, gold chains, boat shoes w/ no socks & too-short shorts are disqualification.
Cry baby dolls propped up at car are disqualification & subject to *** kicking.

 

Do yourself a favor and call in dead the day of the show. No matter how you do it someone is going to be mad. After 13 years of car show politics and bullshirt I've learned, like in the movie "War Games" the only winning move is not to play.

 

Sell your pick to the highest bidder. Everybody's gonna be pissed at you anyway, might as well make a little money while you're at it.

 

I get conned into judging a lot of shows, both big indoor affairs (they sometimes pay pretty well) and parking lot shows. If it's a parking lot type that doesn't require judges sheets on each car it's not that tough. Do a quick walk around and make a list of the top 6 cars or so. Should be preety easy to pick them out. Then get picky, look at them closer and get down to the top 3, then decide 1-2-3. done. I try to balance looks and workmanship, the one with the best of both wins. Try to keep personal feelings in check, if you like a particular style it's not fair to someone that likes something different to lose because of it. And rest ***ured, there will be unhappy people. I'm always amazed how some jerk with a pos will get pissed he didn't win.

 

I did alotta shows over the years,if you start that every car should be a 5 on a scale of 1-10...you cant go wrong....

 

I have to disagree with a couple points. Flyers-can't be helped and are a good source to future events. Baby seat? Why in the Hell would you NOT expose your child at an early age to this great hobby?

 

Let's see. the people running the show pick someone to judge. That person has little experience at judging and is not sure what to look for.
I would kinda like to pull up a lawn chair and watch the trophy presentation.
Good Luck!

 

Guess you missed the little guy winking.

 

Greetings from Long Branch,NJ,Americas first seashore resort and 7 time U.S.summer capital....been doing shows for just over 40 years now,producing,participating in etc. and boy can I tell you stories about trophies....broken,thrown away,too small,upset owners of high dollar non winners....peel outs when somebody didn't win.... on the other side at our Fathers Day show at the oceanfront this year that was cut short by rain (we got soaked giving out trophys and when the show was over the sun came out) a girl with a C-3 Corvette in her first show won a trophy.....we do judges pick....and it made me feel good inside to see her excitement when we called her name....because she really was appreciative and surprised.
No trophy - hang out meet and greet runs and shows are also cool too.
Good Luck with judging.
Lee WRAT-FM

 

You guys pretty much nailed any answers I had thought of! Its all about the car, not the owners or the decorations (fake kids, fake food, etc......)

Myself, if it's close between say, a nice '57 Chevy 2 door hardtop and an equally nice '57 Olds, the Olds gets it based on lack of aftermarket support and more time spent (possibly) sourcing trim.

I always factor in rarity and scarcity when I view a car / truck. And I've never been a judge, and don't envy you. It would be hard for me to choose. Make sure the show guys keep you in food and drink!
Cheers!