First Car Show
06-20-2007, 02:18 AM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: colorado
Posts: 274
First Car Show
My wife has convinced me to show my recently completed car at a local show this weekend. I have been to many shows but never a participant.Any pointers or advice you can share would be apprenticed.
06-20-2007, 02:48 AM
#2
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MO
Posts: 488
RE: First Car Show
I'd say most important of all, have it as clean as possible. I've seen waaay too many extremely clean vehicles beat really badass vehicles in their class. A friend of mine proves this year after year. He has an 01 S-10 with a couple minitrucker mods (lowered, rims, body matched components) but nothing drastic like air ride or a body kit. However, you could eat off of almost any surface on it. He regularly beats out trucks that are otherwise Minitruckin' magazine quality because they have filthy engine bays. Roll that bad boy up on ramps, wash down under it be sure to clean the rocker panels good, wipe out the wheel wells, if you have time, wipe out the inside of the wheels where all the brake dust collects, and take some time under the hood. As far as interior, a good vacuum job and dusting off is usually sufficient. My advise is to get a little box and keep tire gel, detailing mist, glass cleaner, and a few towels in there. Clean the windows, gel the tires, and do a quick detail with the mist once you get to the show. Most importantly, have fun! It's not all about the trophy, it's about just having fun hanging out with fellow car lovers.
06-20-2007, 04:07 AM
#3
5th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: DBN, MI
Posts: 2,578
RE: First Car Show
ORIGINAL: stangdude81
I'd say most important of all, have it as clean as possible. I've seen waaay too many extremely clean vehicles beat really badass vehicles in their class. A friend of mine proves this year after year. He has an 01 S-10 with a couple minitrucker mods (lowered, rims, body matched components) but nothing drastic like air ride or a body kit. However, you could eat off of almost any surface on it. He regularly beats out trucks that are otherwise Minitruckin' magazine quality because they have filthy engine bays. Roll that bad boy up on ramps, wash down under it be sure to clean the rocker panels good, wipe out the wheel wells, if you have time, wipe out the inside of the wheels where all the brake dust collects, and take some time under the hood. As far as interior, a good vacuum job and dusting off is usually sufficient. My advise is to get a little box and keep tire gel, detailing mist, glass cleaner, and a few towels in there. Clean the windows, gel the tires, and do a quick detail with the mist once you get to the show. Most importantly, have fun! It's not all about the trophy, it's about just having fun hanging out with fellow car lovers.
I'd say most important of all, have it as clean as possible. I've seen waaay too many extremely clean vehicles beat really badass vehicles in their class. A friend of mine proves this year after year. He has an 01 S-10 with a couple minitrucker mods (lowered, rims, body matched components) but nothing drastic like air ride or a body kit. However, you could eat off of almost any surface on it. He regularly beats out trucks that are otherwise Minitruckin' magazine quality because they have filthy engine bays. Roll that bad boy up on ramps, wash down under it be sure to clean the rocker panels good, wipe out the wheel wells, if you have time, wipe out the inside of the wheels where all the brake dust collects, and take some time under the hood. As far as interior, a good vacuum job and dusting off is usually sufficient. My advise is to get a little box and keep tire gel, detailing mist, glass cleaner, and a few towels in there. Clean the windows, gel the tires, and do a quick detail with the mist once you get to the show. Most importantly, have fun! It's not all about the trophy, it's about just having fun hanging out with fellow car lovers.
06-20-2007, 04:15 AM
#4
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location:
Posts: 1,473
RE: First Car Show
clean right before u go to the show and bring some touch up stuff with you. when u park clean up any bug marks from the drive. the last one i was at i was parked next to a gt500(new) and i got me looks, complements then he did. his car looked like it wasnt washed in ages.
06-20-2007, 11:01 AM
#7
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 721
RE: First Car Show
What everybody said..clean, clean, clean! I spent a coupleor three evenings cleaning everything. Pulled wheels, every crack in the engine bay should beclean,even lower hoses and supension seen thru engine bay. Don't forget inside the door well at the hinges.
Is it going to be a scored show using interior, engine bay and exterior paintfor scoresand the same judges for everyone.Or just judging for the ones they like the best. I have seen where the local club sponsering the show picks all their buds cars for the top places. I went to a central Va. mustang show and could not make top 40. But a 64VW not washed with a stick holding up the engine hood placed. I will only enter paper scored shows. ButI do love to go just to check out all the greatrides. Goog Luck!.
Is it going to be a scored show using interior, engine bay and exterior paintfor scoresand the same judges for everyone.Or just judging for the ones they like the best. I have seen where the local club sponsering the show picks all their buds cars for the top places. I went to a central Va. mustang show and could not make top 40. But a 64VW not washed with a stick holding up the engine hood placed. I will only enter paper scored shows. ButI do love to go just to check out all the greatrides. Goog Luck!.
06-20-2007, 11:11 AM
#8
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MO
Posts: 488
RE: First Car Show
yea, some club sponsored shows suck, all their buddies win and you worked and donated your entry fee for nothing. I've even seen some shows where the club putting it on only allows it's members to display, not compete in the show.
06-20-2007, 12:24 PM
#9
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DE
Posts: 550
RE: First Car Show
Clean, clean, clean. Have fun. You will met realy nice people, most of the time. Walk around and just talk cars. Take pics. I have a 07 GT 5 spd, Vista Blue. No mods just, but it always gets looks, and people will always ask questions. It's a bunch of people for like cars. The shows I have been in, are judged by votes from the people in the show. And there are always more non members of the local club then memebers.
It has always been a good time, even if I don't win. FUN!
It has always been a good time, even if I don't win. FUN!
06-20-2007, 01:17 PM
#10
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 103
RE: First Car Show
Ditto on cleaning the engine compartment. I entered my 1st show last weekend in Fort Wayne, In. There were 9 Mustangs in my class. The club members put their cars off to the side and weren't entered. Several cars had dust and dirt all over their engines. The guynext to me used half a bottle of Tire magic on his tires and covered the black top around his car. I got 2nd place and was a little disappointed in the judging. The guy took all of 3 minutes looking at each car. I have taken off my tires and cleaned in the wheel wells before the show and set my trunk up with a Helmet, Tool kit, 1st aid kit and a gym bag with my Club logo on it. The judge never looked into my trunk. But I had fun and was surprise to win. Enjoy.
dly 07 Black GT/CS
[IMG]local://upfiles/40386/7176A2D3BE244798A3F864E69B3E6958.jpg[/IMG]
dly 07 Black GT/CS
[IMG]local://upfiles/40386/7176A2D3BE244798A3F864E69B3E6958.jpg[/IMG]
