Topic: Car Show Advice
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Just curious, I am fairly new at the car show circuit and am curious on what more judges prefer, look for, etc.
My car is totally stock with all original parts, minus one factory radio and a re-spray a couple of years ago. My engine compartment is very clean (40,000 miles and always garaged). Interior is all original, no cracks, rips or tears (except seat backs). Carpet is a tad faded.

Should I leave my car alone or do a resto? I see the judges favoring a restore over a survivor 

If a leave it alone, would that be better for me in the long run
or restores will always bring more in the end.

SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
you are going to get a lot of different opinions on this subject and the bottom line to all of them is "What do you want from a show" Are going there to bring home the hardware or are you going to share in the spirit and mingle.
I personal do not like car shows, just not my thing to sit around and wait for some to approve of my ride, to pick it apart, to feel like i have to "brown nose" the detailing, all of the little momentos and auto lit, trying to increase my standingin the judging. I like, no i love to drive my vette, not sit behind it wanting for people to tell me "nice looking vette" and for me to nod in agreement. I will go to shows and put up with all of the hype of one to be with my C3VR family, thats about the only reason, so good luck to you what ever you decide, i know there are people here that differ greatly from my point of view, and that is what makes this site family.
Larry
I personal do not like car shows, just not my thing to sit around and wait for some to approve of my ride, to pick it apart, to feel like i have to "brown nose" the detailing, all of the little momentos and auto lit, trying to increase my standingin the judging. I like, no i love to drive my vette, not sit behind it wanting for people to tell me "nice looking vette" and for me to nod in agreement. I will go to shows and put up with all of the hype of one to be with my C3VR family, thats about the only reason, so good luck to you what ever you decide, i know there are people here that differ greatly from my point of view, and that is what makes this site family.
Larry
Original! I like 'em just the way that they are.


I would leave as is. What I have noticed at car shows, is the the lack of detail and cleanness under the hood. Some people do not even like to open the hood. I always like to look at the engine and I imagine the judges do to. Just my 2 bits worth...

Good looking vette you have, should do real good!
Good luck and have fun....


Steve, Lifetime Member #129
74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

Moderator
Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
I would only fix what is necessary, like the carpet if it is worn or spotted. As far as shows, I go to have fun with friends like Larry, get a great place to park and look at all those beautiful machines. I get more enjoyment from going on drives with friends. Some people take shows way to seriously so there is a lot of stiff competition and some disgruntle losers. Which is too bad because any car in a car show is a winner to me. This means it can get stressful when out for drives cause you worry about little things like rock chips ect. What I have seen in general car shows that have no vette specific class is only the unique or limited production number vettes stand a chance. Mark has a mint Pace Car and does very well at shows. It's fun to see him win
. If your goal is to have a show car then you need to make it spotless inside and out. Maybe even have the vettes history documented. If you do win at shows please show us pictures so we can all join in the celebration
. Even if you don't win it's fun to see you and your vette.


It really depends on what kind of show it is. The real serious, technical ones will be looking for original parts and showroom clean.
The fun ones will be personal choices of the judges, who might be club members that like sparkle (chrome everything).
Then there are the spectator or participant judged shows, where personal taste and popularity wins.
I have been to shows where some of the owners are anal about everything being perfect. They don't win all the time because the judges don't always care about that.
A friend of mine has an '81 with 3000 oridinal miles. He doesn't win because it is plain.
I get a few 2 and 3 rd places because people like my graphics.
You will never figure out what the judges like, except for NCRS, Bloomington and a few others where they go by the book.
Have fun with your Vette. That is the reward.


Save the Wave!
Support the National Corvette Museum
Support the National Corvette Museum

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
"Local" car shows will not be kind to s "Survivor" type car...not enough flash. That is, unless it is a really rare car, or that sort.
I do NOT like "judged" local shows. I much prefer participant voting. Most of the time, the club putting on the show judges the cars, and if you're not in their club, you ain't gotta prayer.
NCRS/Bloomington is a whole different ball-game. We prefer un-molested originals. Paint got some crazing in it? That's called "character". Got a bit of rust on the exhaust? "Patina"...
To each his/her own!
Do what makes you happy with your car. Put it in a couple of local shows, and see how it goes. Ya just never can tell.
My first year of showing the '74, before it was even fully detailed, I won 1st or 2nd place at 11 of the 12 shows we hit. Next year, it was the same. Now...the car won't win for crap!
It still looks just as good, and even better, but that's not what folks want to see...
If it had a Jimmy hanging out of the hood tho, there'd be no stopping me!
I do NOT like "judged" local shows. I much prefer participant voting. Most of the time, the club putting on the show judges the cars, and if you're not in their club, you ain't gotta prayer.
NCRS/Bloomington is a whole different ball-game. We prefer un-molested originals. Paint got some crazing in it? That's called "character". Got a bit of rust on the exhaust? "Patina"...
To each his/her own!

My first year of showing the '74, before it was even fully detailed, I won 1st or 2nd place at 11 of the 12 shows we hit. Next year, it was the same. Now...the car won't win for crap!


If it had a Jimmy hanging out of the hood tho, there'd be no stopping me!

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Manteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold
1975 L48 4 speed
Dude ! ..I'm flattered...What's a Jimmy ?.... No, seriously. If it ain't me,... or a Johnson(48), I don't have a clue. .(GMC ?) 

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.
Click to see larger views!

Lanoka Harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/21/2006
Posts: 828
Vette(s): 1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c
the shows i like going to are the ones that are not judged. you bring
your car to show it off and that's it. you hang out for a couple hours
and bs with people and then go home-- happy most times as people admire
your car and most times compliment you on it. if something needs to be
replaced it gets replaced but i am not trying to make them picture
perfect as i want to drive them all over and enjoy them. just my
thoughts.
LIFETIME MEMBER #97
THE DYNAMIC DUO
THE DYNAMIC DUO

in Forum: C3 General Discussion
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)