Tips for first car show

[jackyl9999]

Hey everyone. I am about 98% done with my project and I plan on putting it in a show in the next week or so. So I am needing any advise I can get for showing one of these trucks. Cleaning, display, what to take to the show with me.

[PanelDeland]

Clean everything twice.Then polish it twice.Take a lawn chair and portable shade.Fill a cooler.If you have a build album take it,if not start making one.A sign board will cut down on questions but take away chances to talk about the truck.Don't take kids or an intolerant wife,they'll get bored(read as "make you miserable").Take a truck mag for slow times.Make up some cards so you don't have to write out your name and # foir peeps you meet.Take a duster,a few polishing towels and whatever cleaning supplies that are portable.Box,crate or somehow contain them so they can sit under the chair.Park with a friend so you can each take a break to see the other rides in the show (and go potty)but still have someone watching out for your pride annd joy.

The most important thing to take is the right attitude,If you built a truck to show and win trophys it's kind of like hunting to take game.Sure it's nice but if that's the only reason you go........
In other words,don't go expecting to take the show by storm,if you do you have suceeded in building a eye catching truck.If you don't enjoy going to the show for the sake of the show.
IMHO $0.02+ for inflation.

[BIG ORANGE]

PAY ATTENTION 2 the DETAILS.......................

[cdowns]

jusat enjoy yourself,dont let comments upset you. talk to a bunch of guys when you're there and ask questions HAVE FUN

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by cdowns

jusat enjoy yourself,dont let comments upset you. talk to a bunch of guys when you're there and ask questions HAVE FUN

Well put.

I hate show boards at an outdoor event with a passion, I pretty well refuse to look at a vehicle with one standing in front of it or take a photo of it. To me that is called trying too hard. If you have to have one set it in the bed of the truck and the guys who count will find it.


Do have the truck spotlessly clean inside and out. If it has a really fantastic engine compartment open the hood otherwise leave it closed. They just look better with the hood closed.

Do park it in a good spot without being blatantly obvious. Out under that big old shade tree out in the corner of the park may just be too far off the path for the judges to get to the truck even if it is the most comfortable place in the park to sit.

Don't sit in the truck at the show, don't let you significant other sit in it and make sure your kids aren't sitting in or playing in it. That is a huge turn off for people walking up to the rig.

Don't camp out around the truck or let your wife and kids lay blankets between the truck and the next vehicle to lay on. Again, no one wants to step over then to look at the truck nor take photos of the truck with people and stuff laying around it.

Pick up any trash around the truck even if it isn't yours.

No starting the engine every half hour on the half hour and gunning the engine just because you think you have the greatest set of pipes around or worse because you don't think the truck is getting enough attention from the people at the show. Bubba and Leroy may think it's so cool but most people think it is a big pain in the butt especially if they are close by.

Don't turn on the alarm when you walk away from the truck, It's there for people to look at and not be annoyed by a silly alarm going off. (saw that at a lowrider event a while back)

The above don't do it's all reflect things that I have seen at events over the past 39 years that didn't set right with me.

If people ask questions, give then a straight answer as they just might be a judge or the judges best buddy.

Don't drive yourself nuts if the truck doesn't win a trophy and be happy as all get out if it does. Trophy selection at events doesn't always reflect just on the truck but may have many factors involved that aren't actually related to the vehicle. To me having a stream of people walk up and take photos and ask about the truck is far more important than a dust collector.

I probably have 300 dash plaques from events over the past 39 years. I drove myself nuts at the first dozen or so in 1973 fretting over whether I would win a trophy or not. Even walked around looking at other trucks deciding if I could beat that one or that one over there. It isn't worth going nuts over. Then I just decided to go and have fun and enjoy the day and the other like minded people and I have been having fun ever since. I did win a few dust collectors along the way but mostly I had fun driving to and at the events.

I will say that a fresh truck on it's first time out of the box to be displayed probably has it's best chance of winning as it's new to everyone there and something fresh to look at. Most vehicles that get shown have their year of glory and then they are just another nice rig in the show that everyone has seen before.

[vectorit]

Be respectful as you drive out of the show.

I see/hear so many times people getting obnoxious on their way out, and think that either they are gonna hit someone or get pulled over by the cops.

Not is it only unsafe, but it puts a bad taste in the mouths of the people that allowed everyone to have the show on or near their property. If someone complains, or worse someone got hurt then expect a not so welcome reception next time a show gathering wants to reschedule.

[big_al_71]

Originally Posted by PanelDeland

Clean everything twice.Then polish it twice.Take a lawn chair and portable shade.Fill a cooler.If you have a build album take it,if not start making one.A sign board will cut down on questions but take away chances to talk about the truck.Don't take kids or an intolerant wife,they'll get bored(read as "make you miserable").Take a truck mag for slow times.Make up some cards so you don't have to write out your name and # foir peeps you meet.Take a duster,a few polishing towels and whatever cleaning supplies that are portable.Box,crate or somehow contain them so they can sit under the chair.Park with a friend so you can each take a break to see the other rides in the show (and go potty)but still have someone watching out for your pride annd joy.

The most important thing to take is the right attitude,If you built a truck to show and win trophys it's kind of like hunting to take game.Sure it's nice but if that's the only reason you go........
In other words,don't go expecting to take the show by storm,if you do you have suceeded in building a eye catching truck.If you don't enjoy going to the show for the sake of the show.
IMHO $0.02+ for inflation.

Could not had said it better....Be ready for comments like "I had one just like it" "Is that a big blocok or small block" "is it for sale" etc...bottom line just have fun..it gets old after a while I used to show my truck every weekend somewhere now I barely show it I just go in it chekout the other rides then leave...take lots of picts..

[Sillyoldman]

sunscreen, portable canopy, beverages a chair. I'm starting to get into the habit of bringing extra chairs for my forgetful friends.

[turner15]

just did my first too, park beside another truck ideally a truck like yours. And if you can one not as nice as yours. Take lots of pics of your baby. The day (s) go very quick.

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by turner15

just did my first too, park beside another truck ideally a truck like yours. And if you can one not as nice as yours. Take lots of pics of your baby. The day (s) go very quick.

Well Said!
I've been attending the same Car/Bike Show for almost 10 years.
The last 5 years, there is this 57 Chevy Apache in the.....
"Diamond In The Rough Catagory".
It is always in Brown Primer and he does NOTHING to it,
with one exception. 3 years ago he put on a set of Wheels/Tires.
That is it. No other changes whatsoever.
I'm putting MY Truck into the SAME CATAGORY this year,
and will be "gunning" for a spot right next to him!

[wild4wheels]

I have heard and or read that if there is a possibility of a magazine rep being there, you may want to keep the hood closed as much as possible...makes it much earier to photograph.

[jackyl9999]

Thanks for the tips everyone.

One more thing. How does the judging usually work. What do I need to pay attention to ?

[treveiger]

I took mine for the first time a few months ago and one thing is people will always make suggestions on what you should do to your truck (paint, motor, trim, rims, everything you can think of) some are good suggestions and some.... well not so much lol but be nice and if they have a ride there go take a look at it with them and make friends. We have a car show every saturday night at Zakotas so we dont really have to worry about food and drinks but theres always little kids getting close and sometimes even rubbing there fingers on your truck(kids have to touch everything it seems like lol) but be nice and always keep your truck in sight just incase somebody sratches it on accedent or gets to close. There a lot of fun especially when you bring your truck there and everybody stairs at you because your the new guy lol but its a blast.
Take a bunch of pictures and make sure you post them on here.

[Sillyoldman]

Originally Posted by turner15

just did my first too, park beside another truck ideally a truck like yours. And if you can one not as nice as yours. Take lots of pics of your baby. The day (s) go very quick.

No wonder everyone wants to park next to me. One other thing. Don't go to win something. Go to meet people and have fun. For me nothing ruins it more than the bitter apple thats expecting to get a throphy. It kills me how they can spend the entire day talking crap about others stuff. They usually speed off before the awards are given out because they weren't selected.

[jackyl9999]

That is one thing that I do not expect is to win something. This show usually has some very nice rides. I mostly want to do it for the experience. That and I like going to car shows. So that will give me a excuse to stay all day.

[Shane]

ignore the know-it-all's ... don't be aloof - in other words when someone ask a question, regardless of how silly it may seem to you, just be gracious and answer in a pleasant manner, no matter how many times prior you've already answered the same exact question ... BE NICE TO KIDS even the BRATS ... oh yeah, make a few new friends & have fun.

[Tom Vogel]

If its a peoples choice show, take the results with a grain of salt... its a personal taste thing. If its panel judging, you will definately learn a few things... and in the case of panel judging, its not what you have, its how nice what you have is.

[mr48chev]

Along with what Vectorit said, watch out for the fools coming out of the spectator parking lots who all the sudden feel that they have to do something foolish to show off or out. I've seen more than one have an instant decrease in bran cells the moment he goes ot leave the parking lot after going to a show.

But as he said, that smoky burnout out the gate may impress the mouthbreathers but the guys putting on the event and the guy behind you won't be at all happy with you if you do it.