Car show tips

[My Cobra]

I wanted to start a post where we can come and talk about car show tips. things to do. Things not to do. I guess lets start out by talkin about a few issues:

1.) Do you need to have trophies from past car shows?
2.) Do you need a frame or somethign like that with info on your car?
3.) What products do you use on your wheels, exhaust tips and those plastic honey comb lookin pieces in your side scoops?

[J]

How about what to bring: Pick up a nice foldable chair. It gets old standing around... and I HATE when people sit in their cars when they are at a show.

[Stormin]

Good one ((J ))That is a must...

Also when showing "pop the hood" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CODY2003]

I wanted to start a post where we can come and talk about car show tips. things to do. Things not to do. I guess lets start out by talkin about a few issues:

1.) Do you need to have trophies from past car shows?
Don't have to have them, but it always helps. Think about it, isn't your attention drawn to cars with a lot of shiny things sitting in front of it. :rofl:

2.) Do you need a frame or somethign like that with info on your car?

Unless you have a completely stock or restored car, it is highly recommended. Not everyone is going to notice all of the little mods that you have and a list helps, as well as a judges book with more detailed info on the mods. I would recommend getting a hard back poster like what Erick, and Coop have. I have one on the way for this show season if it will ever get here. and I think that it will be a lot more professional looking than a framed piece.
3.) What products do you use on your wheels, exhaust tips and those plastic honey comb lookin pieces in your side scoops?

Wheels, I use Tuff Stuff. Exhaust, Tuff Stuff and a good round of hand polish with white compound if I have it or mothers billit. Flat plastics, every so often I use back to black and the rest of the time, the preasure washer at the car wash. and an old tooth brush to finish the job if there is any old wax or something.

[CODY2003]

Good one ((J ))That is a must...

Also when showing "pop the hood" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and trunk even if it is empty. all that does is prove that you cleaned the entire car.

If it's an indoor show I would say open the pass door as well.

[CODY2003]

I also have access to the MCA concourse rules if you need them.
Just shoot me an email. :thumpupn:

[My Cobra]

a lot of good point. So where did you get that board at that you put all of your stuff in? A link or somethign woudl be cool of what you are talking about.

[CODY2003]

a lot of good point. So where did you get that board at that you put all of your stuff in? A link or somethign woudl be cool of what you are talking about.
I designed a poster and had derickatm with mycarposter.com print it.
I need to email him and see what's up with it. :nailbite:
If you look at my work offer sticky in the PS forum I have some examples of what I did for erick, coop, and myself.

[My Cobra]

nice. Pm me with what kinda prices and things like that please.

[Roush roadster]

I wanted to start a post where we can come and talk about car shows.

1.) Do you need to have trophies from past car shows?
2.) Do you need a frame or somethign like that with info on your car?
3.) What products do you use on your wheels, exhaust tips and those plastic honey comb lookin pieces in your side scoops?

NO,NO, Past car show trophies, I won't vote for anybody that has them or doesn't show their engine.

Yes, that tells the people about your car.

[mysteed]

Here's a few tricks that I've learned when it comes down to the little things being the deciding factor between you and someone else.
1:Clean the inside of the tailpipes before you leave for the show (when you wash the car) and clean them again when you get to the show
2:Clean under the wheels wells. There is a small lip on the outer most edge of the wheel well. Most through judges will check there for dirt.
3:When the judge is judging, make sure that you are right there to answer any questions that he might have.
4:For shows that will last untill dusk, neons are just about a must. I've seen judges sway from a best in class car to making it the best of show simply because of how good it looked at night.
5:Clean under the seats in your car. If you think that the judges might check somewhere, they probably will.
6:Go to a few shows and talk to the guys that are always at every show to get a few tips and tricks from them. Theirs a reason that they have alot of best of show trophies.

[CODY2003]

NO,NO, Past car show trophies, I won't vote for anybody that has them or doesn't show their engine.

Yes, that tells the people about your car.
Why don't you like prior trophies? They are basically just to advertise your prior success.

[HerNastyNotch]

1.) Do you need to have trophies from past car shows?

No you do not! I do not care about your old trophies unless they are from a known and prestigious show. Otherwise, anyone can get a trophy. Without knowing what kind of competition you had to get the trophy, then they are kinda worthless to me and are only serving to distract me from what you really want me to see - Your Car!

2.) Do you need a frame or somethign like that with info on your car?

Yes, you do! Having something that lists key information about your car makes it very easy for me to find out what I want to know quickly and easily and prevents you from having to answer the same questions over and over again. However, do not bring a frame with a piece of paper with a whole bunch of text on it that you printed from your home printer. Do something that complements your car. Some nice ideas are being brought up in this thread. For example, get a paint shop to handpaint the car information in your car colors on a colored or painted piece of lexan or plastic sheeting.

3.) What products do you use on your wheels, exhaust tips and those plastic honey comb lookin pieces in your side scoops?

I have different wheels than most of you, and I don't do anything special. Soap, water, towel, and q-tips. I don't have tailpipes or side scoops. Can't help you there.


Yes, bring a chair. Hell, bring an extra for someone to sit down and chat with you.
Yes, open your hood and trunk and, if space allows, your doors. Let everyone look at your masterpiece inside and out.

[CODY2003]

I wouldn't suggest opening your doors on a smaller outdoor show(which is what most people will be able to be in). There normally isn't that good of security and an open door is an invitation for people to get into the car.
Unless you want all of the little kids at the show to crawl in and drop their suckers on the carpet. At higher end shows, it shouldn't be as much of a problem, as well as indoor shows because security is normally better and there are people there to help you keep an eye on the car. I basically only get to go to small shows around my area. The biggest show that I will be going to this year will probably be the Fun Ford Weekend in Abilene.
It's kinda the same deal with the trophies. If you only make the few shows that are sparatically placed around you, most judges arn't concourse and don't have any training as to what to look for, so they end up looking for the flash and attraction. Especially repeat visit proof. For instance, I went to a church show two years ago, took first and had an artist who was making rounds sketch my car. I went back last year and took my Trophy and sketch with me. This reminds the local judges that you have been to the show before, and that you were successful there. As well as all of your other trophies. They set up a thought that your car is a successful car.

[coopdog21]

I wouldn't suggest opening your doors on a smaller outdoor show(which is what most people will be able to be in). There normally isn't that good of security and an open door is an invitation for people to get into the car.
Unless you want all of the little kids at the show to crawl in and drop their suckers on the carpet. At higher end shows, it shouldn't be as much of a problem, as well as indoor shows because security is normally better and there are people there to help you keep an eye on the car. I basically only get to go to small shows around my area. The biggest show that I will be going to this year will probably be the Fun Ford Weekend in Abilene.
It's kinda the same deal with the trophies. If you only make the few shows that are sparatically placed around you, most judges arn't concourse and don't have any training as to what to look for, so they end up looking for the flash and attraction. Especially repeat visit proof. For instance, I went to a church show two years ago, took first and had an artist who was making rounds sketch my car. I went back last year and took my Trophy and sketch with me. This reminds the local judges that you have been to the show before, and that you were successful there. As well as all of your other trophies. They set up a thought that your car is a successful car.
i agree somewhat.i dont take prior triphies .i think some judges look at that and say well he's won before ,lets give it to someone else

you have to have a display board.not for the judges but for everyone else(contact cody) :thanks:

i have always made sure i was there when the judges were looking at my car,just so i can point out some of the smaller things,and motor mods they cant see.

cleaning tip: wheel wells,under your side skirts ,and the inside of your wheels.you would be suprised how much judges look at these things to seperate your car from the next.i actually had one judge look under my floor mats once :silly:

[CODY2003]

seperate your car from the next.i actually had one judge look under my floor mats once :silly:
I can top that. I was at one of the few registered carshows with trained judges, and they looked at my exhaust system. :ugh2:
one skinny guy actually crawled under the car. :nailbite:
Still won first in spite of it though. :w00t:

[BonesGT]

First off..Don't go to a UMC Show..hehehe (inside joke there)

I have a nice 2' by 3' poster I had done with the "Bone Stocker" and a P-51 Mustang, and a few diff shots of here in the corners. I sit this out front of the stang. This get people to come over to the stang, then they start looking at the car it's self. Seems to work very well...hehehe