we used to have a car show at a local nudist colony not to far from me i'm not sure there was much they could do that would keep ppl away. although the big old naked guy at to door named papa smurf that was collecting the 5 bucks to get in was kinda scarey the rest was lets just say "interesting" he he
YEAR CUT OFF DATE! Best shows IMO have a cutoff date, stock or Hot Rod pick a year, and stick to it. Swap Meet is a MUST, a show and no swap will have me staying home working on my project.
I went to austin for the second roundup and loved it....free breakfast after a night of free entry into a few clubs downtown. Then I think the show started around 10 or 11 and was over by about 6....just in time for another round of drinking downtown. Lots of good people and cars in a great park with good weather and vendors. It was one of the best I attended...I guess because I felt like I was getting a good value for my entry money. Now I rarely go to shows because I don't feel like wasting $25 and getting nothing for my money(at least have free donuts and coffee in the morning) My old club put on a show a couple of months ago (I think it wa our sixth or seventh) we had about 100 cars show up,2 bands (OK one was a little loud for the older folks) FREE bbq pork sandwiches and sides,cheap beer,huge raffle,vendors,$10 T-shirts,free dash plaques...all for a measly $15.....I like to think it was a good show....and we made a few bucks even with all the good stuff.
Disagree! Several makes should be there. A great car show has something to draw the spectators. As much as I dislike some of them, a car show for participants only is not a car show but just a gathering. Then, there needs to be a draw for the participants, like door prizes, music(again a mixture) and a really good pa system. Cheap Karoke machines don,t cut it. Trophies are a must. Whether any one car owner admits it or not, His ego is salved when his name gets called for an award. And, if trophies are given, they should be good quality. Nothing ruins a car show like any thing cheap. Chose your catagories with care. To have a great carshow, the promoter, whether a club, merchant, or private individual requires much work. If you have never held a car show, then do your research well. Go to those that have been repeated year after year with success. Ask those reaponsible what they have done, and why.
Haven't seen this mentioned but those dam car show fliers casually dropped inside my car. I spend a long time on the inside of my car to make it look presentable. I don't want it littered up with sheets of paper. Loud music and those overplayed 50's-60's tunes. (Mustang Sally, My 409, Little Deuce Coupe, etc.) Giant dogs, kids on bicycles. And the Barney Fyffe wannabee dude blowing his siren.
a show where the grand prize is what its all about. The trophy. Thats why we do it. The win! The money! The trophy! Not about hanging with friends, meeting new, and checking out kool rides....Its for bragging rights that my car is better than yours cuz I had this guy build it for me. If I had to go to a show where my car wasnt the center of attention or it was forcasted to rain that day I would just stay home...... or drive my 92 chevy pickup. my 2 cents
Makes it.....cheap beer,cool people and real hot rods! Breaks it......7.00 beer,know it all assholes and a lot full of people with car dusters running 24-7. Happy Holidays JOKER JASON.
I think his point was not how much, but who pays. why would I want to spend [many] thousands of dollars to build a car, but then have to pay for people to come see it for free? I don't mind helping out the promotors provide a good show, but if it's not worth the spectators money to share the expense then it's not worth having a show. I'll go to DQ and hang with the real car guys and gals if that's the case. Russ
AMEN!! I ran a car show for several years and lobbied to remove all judging. One guy bitched because we combined his class with another. He would have been the only car in his class. What would that trophy mean? What do most trophies mean anyway? Does getting a $4 piece of plastic make hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars worth it? Maybe it looks nice next to their time-out baby and fuzzy dice. I go to shows to see the cars and B.S. with other car people. The more low key, the better. I'd much rather hang with some guys who are working on getting their beaters a little better, than listen to endless bragging from the gold-chainer crowd.
We still have one down here... the Auto Train will bring you down. Makes: as a participant in your car show, I have a bum knee, let me ride my banana seat bike instead of having me rent one of your electric scooters (NSRA people are you listening?!?), I'm not handicapped, just inconvenienced. Breaks: Anti-social people... A car show is a gathering cars and the people that drove them...and unfortunately for some, the cars can't drive themselves in... Some of those people will probably want to ask you about your car... try and be nice.
I did the 60th Grand National Roadster Show in 2009. Just to check it off on my bucket list. On of the most Prestigious shows in the country. I was also invited to Blacies 50th show, but my wife ended up in the hospital and i could not go. I was reinvited to the 51th show.This one I did make. I think being invited to Blackies show was one of the greater events in my life. Also checked it off the bucket list. I also enjoy the Good Guys show.
nothing breaks a car show more than stupid Betty Page wannabe's walking around with thier parasols thinking that they can lean all over any car they want to for a photo op. If I wanted to see that trash I know where to find it, and I'm not going there either. I think that has no place at a car show.
Huh! Whats this post got to do with the "What makes or breaks a car show" thread??????? I'm sure that there is a "bucket list" or a "just bragin'" thread somewhere else on H.A.M.B.
Pistons and Paint is always good! So is the lonestar roundup... Us texans know how to put on a good car show! And the people, cars, location and trophies are always win!
Personally I dont do car shows, in this area I see entry fees in the $20-$25 range I compare it to going to a high school basketball game and the players have to pay to get in!!
I have to say the people, I wish they hadn't canceled the Confettis car show series here, it was laid back, and a lot of fun, not to much super high buck fancy stuff, but regular people. Whether it's street rods, hot rods, even some rats, imports, whatever, it's the attitude of the people. If you can get a bunch of guys together who really enjoy their cars and actually work on them, that makes the best show. Forget these high buck shows where they want to shoot you for looking at their cars too long
This thread has been so helpful! I have wanted to organize a cruise to benefit the American Cancer Society since before my dad died, but school and work have not allotted me the time to properly plan such a thing. A lot of you mentioned you like to attend shows that benefit charities and good causes. Is this something you all might be interested in? I am thinking an entry fee of $12.50, $10 going to the American Cancer Society, the $2.50 for the scholarship fund in my dad's name at the local college. Cruise and then casual show, prizes for best in each decade, and one best in show. Haven't decided who will judge, but the prizes will be fun hand made trophies or something not-too-serious. I'm hoping to talk someone into donating t-shirts. Do you all think I'm on the right track?
I put my hat in for a reasonable entry fee... two days getting your car and a passenger in for 25 bucks seems fair to me.
My main peeve is having the same old typical 50s doo-wop songs blaring so loud you can't have a conversation with the person next to you. Combine that with some jackass on the PA between every song and I generally don't even look at the cars within a certain distance of the speakers. I'm all for having some background tunes, but I like to involve my girlfriend in the whole car thing and I get annoyed real quick when I have to pause in the middle of every conversation because I can't hear her and she can't hear me. And while I know this isn't always very feasible to plan out, having plenty of space is always a plus to me. When I go to shows I like to take a lot of pictures and there are some events where the cars are packed in so tight it's impossible to get a decent shot of anything. However I do realize that obviously can conflict with the whole notion that you generally would like a large turnout at the show you put on. I do think having shows in and around the center of town works pretty well. Easy layout, usually a place to go in and take a break by getting a beer and something to eat. Seems to always generate a good bit of business for all the shops and food places in the immediate area too.
good idea, I think most people don't mind paying the entry fee if it's going to something like the American Cancer Society, instead of a promoters pocket. good cause, it affects everyone.
Ok here it goes..what makes or breaks a car show??? MONEY!! Everyone wants great goodie bags....bitchin trophies...cheap food....cheap beer/drinks...and they want to get in free or for practically nothin, something for kids to do, great music, well organized staff..blah blah blah. The posiblitys are as endless as your clubs pocketbook As many different ideas/suggestions that you are getting..the reality is no-ones ever going to be completely satisfied. And that you just gota deal with. Start something small and let it build..however bigger isnt allways better. The biggest charity is your clubs bank account, putting back into the kitty to reward your selves with something, to want to do it again next year Makes: more than 5 cars Breaks: spectator fees
So are you saying DON'T charge the spectators? One of the main things I hate is when I pay to put my car in a show, then find out everyone off the street is let in for free. A reasonable gate fee for spectators keeps out the people who probably shouldn't be walking around a bunch of nice cars anyway.
The Jalopy Journal
