I just saw a posting by Movie collector about his recent experience at a car show. Here's mine.

Last year I came in second at a local Corvette Club promoted show. The only reason I came in second was due to my engine not being as detailed as the 1st place car. Yesterday I took my partner (Grandson) to the Automatic Switch co. where the same show and and Corvette club did their thing. Since I my Grandson had asked me "if we win a trophy can I have it for my room"? You have to understand something this is my only Grandson, he's 6 years old, and like any normal Grandfather I'm just nuts about him, and will do anything to make him happy. So when I registered I put the car in his name, This way if we did win they would have called him up. I would have given anything to see his face, Anyway, it was a great day and we had a wonderful time. Then it came to trophy time. The Corvette Club broke it down to a bunch of different categories, mine was in the 74 to 82's. When they got to my class they called 3rd place, then 2nd, then 1st.. Oh darn no luck this time. But, a number a people (some I knew and others I really didn't) didn't understand how I didn't win, after all there were only 4 cars representing my group, One had left, so that left 3. It so happened that 3rd went to the bad paint, 2nd to a 70, and 1st. to a 73 . Wait a minute, the 70 and 73 aren't in my class. Now don't get me wrong just a "hey, that's a nice car" is really enough for me, and if I lost fair and square, then that's the way it goes. Well, after the ceremonies I told the Corvette Club MC about the screw up, he checked his notes and realized that a mistake was made. Bottom line, they had a 3rd place trophy left, and my Grandson has it in his room now. His face was priceless. I just wish they had done it right, and called him up. Anyway we did have fun, which is what this is all about.

   

warbird38971.6015856481

Unfortunately, a lot of "local" shows are not exactly fair when it comes to voting, or judging.
I prefer the shows that are participant voted, but...the show trophy I am most proud of is one that was judged by the local Boys Club, and I won 2nd place. There was only one other member of our 'Vette club there, and he was in a different class. I was in the "70's" class, along with every other 70's vehicle you can imagine.(mostly lowriders )
That fact that my car took 2nd at that show is just astounding. I thought there was no chance of winning anything, and yet I did.
One of the last shows I went to , several years ago, I was beaten out by a 70 Vette with nasty paint, rust, dirty tires/wheels, torn seat covers, and about 2 quarts of oil standing in the intake manifold. How? I wasn't a member of that car club.
I know it's supposed to be fun, and for the most part, we've always had a good time at local shows, win-lose-draw. The good ol' boy voting really messes it up for everyone.
I'm glad your grandson has his trophy, tho! That's so kewl!

I"m not much for car club judged shows. The first show I put my black 79 in waaaaay back, maybe 20 years ago, there were 3 Vettes in my class. Two club members and myself. My 79 was definitelythe nicest of the three. I took 3rd. I bent down to look underneath one of the others and the guy freaked out. "You're NOT supposed to look underneath!!!" Then they said they were going to have a second judging, another show apparently, if I wanted to pay another registration. I could "fix" what was judged wrong with my car and try again. NOPE, goodbye!  Couple years ago in another show I was in the Corvette class. That's IT, Corvette class. Was beat out, along with some other nice C3s and even a C2 by 3 brand new Vettes. One had 80 miles on it. Now when I go it's just to get better parking.  Mike

I liked that story & thanks for sharing.  What's even better than winning is the time you spend with your grandson and it's also educational.  I'm sure he wouldn't trade you for a trophy!  Your an awesome grandpa!   CONGRATS!greypoupon6938971.7952546296

Not to put the Corvette Club that hosted the event, but they did get a bit confused. 

The C-3's were broken into 3 classes:  The first class was the "Chrome Bumper" ('68-'72) Class, but they gave a trophy to a '73.  I thought that I heard them wrong.  The second class was the "Urethane Bumper" ('73-'77) Class, but they gave a trophy to a '70.  Now I was really confused. 

I was a little surprised that there was such confusion from an event that was run by a Corvette club.  In their defense, they did judge a couple of hundred cars (all types, it was an open show) & people do make mistakes.  

I was glad to see that when the mistake was pointed out, they re-checked their notes & realized that they had made a mistake & that little warbird had actually won a trophy & they made good on it.  It made the kid's day

Here's a lesson to anyone who hosts a show, bring extra trophies just in case.  Mistakes happen.

Anthony

p.s.......The third C-3 Class was for "Late C-3's" ('78-'82) & these year ranges were how they were announced.  Also, club members cars are not eligible for judging.

Ten1538972.8947337963

[QUOTE=greypoupon69]I liked that story & thanks for sharing.  What's even better than winning is the time you spend with your grandson and it's also educational.  I'm sure he wouldn't trade you for a trophy!  Your an awesome grandpa!   CONGRATS![/QUOTE]

Micki, you're absolutely right ! We have a great time together, which I'll treasure forever. BTW, Ten15 and Mustang Sally were there too, which made it even more fun being there. And to be fair, the club did their best, considering the number of vehicles that were there.  

Hey Cookie, nice job, glad it worked out for your grandson! I used to be in that Corvette club and at least their own cars are not voted on. I guess it was an honest mistake. Glad you had a good day.

I went to the Old Time Drag Days at Island Dragway and had a ball watching hundreds of muscle cars, hot rods, & Vettes race all day long. One of the best car events going.

I'll most likely be at Wendy's on Wed. night, see you there or maybe at the Chatterbox.

Take care