Car Shows - An Opinion

We have LOTS of car shows her each weekend, sometimes as many a 2-3-4 on a given day. We even have a "Donut Derelicts" group like the one started in CA that meets each Sat. am for coffee, Donuts and cars. They are GENERAL car shws, bring what you have.

My favorite aspect cleanning the car (motivation after being under the car cover all week), driving there (gets the car out, warmed up and gives me a goal) and talking with other car guys of all types.

One recent one was a rodder who had just driven his car 5000 miles on a trip out west!

It is funny that you get the same uestions (do you like it-how fast will go-etc).

My favorite is the speciality shows (Italian) and my car gets the same looks if not more than
the hight priced ones.

I'm talkig of my Cobra replica now. Can't wait to get the GT40 done-want to cruise the annual Ferrari Club show!

I like cars shows of all types. But they draw all types of people. I just don't pay any attention to those people who are too obsessed with themselves and there cars. IMHO cb

 

[ChrisL]

I don't think that you can separate the replica/restoration groups on a "I did it" or "I paid for it" basis. Remember that it is possible to buy turnkey replicas too.

The real breakdown I think is (and you eluded to it too) those who see their cars as a vehicle to be enjoyed on the road, and those who see it as an ornament.

My personal opinion is that there is merit in both. Although I fall squarely in the "vehicle to be enjoyed" camp, I enjoy seeing someone else's pristeen car too, especially when it has some historic significance. I just feel sorry though for the owner who is not able to fully enjoy it.

Let me add too that, in my eyes, pristeen does not have to mean clean and new. Imagine for example, if 1075 had not been touched since its win at LeMans in '69 and was on display with the original bumps, tar and dirt still stuck to its panels. It would always be a point of wide-eyed amazement in any display - and deserve an outright win.

In as far as disqualifying replicas from the competition... well its just their rules on the day. There are other competitions that are replicas only, and some that are both. Who cares.

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

Ron, I am not sure I agree with you. I don't think someone should misrepresent their car as their own efforts. But- I am in a way grateful to the very wealthy who pay to have cars restored, as it provides a source of income and employment to craftsmen who keep those skills alive, and provides an opportunity for the rest of us to see their work which we might not otherwise have.
I work on some of my cars- some of the time. My engine-building days are over, at least I think they are. I do the less complex stuff, and work with friends on the stuff I can't do. I don't hesitate to pay what folks ask; I have a list of people I trust and I am comfortable with them. I don't present any of my cars as solo works, and I don't take credit for what I haven't done.
I am not building my own GT40, although I expect to have substantial efforts in it myself before it's done. That is a function of time available, expertise, and the fact that I wanted something different from what most people on the Forum are seeking. I am grateful to know people who can do the kind of work I ask for, and more grateful yet that I can afford them. (almost)

 

[Ron Earp]

So,

I've read about Hershal's experience and others with car shows here lately. Also, I've gone to a few cars shows locally this year and I just don't think I get it. Remember, this is an opinion and it isn't meant to piss anyone off but I'm sure it will.

What I saw a lot of was the following: rich fellows who buy a pristine example of a car, bring it to a show (on a trailer), place it in the show, polish the hell out of it, and then proudly display their car as if they had squat to do with it. They win, they're proud, and if you speak to them many of them act as if they had built the car themselves.

Bull****!

I guess I'm missing something here but it appears to me that all some of these guys did was buy the car - does that take a lot of skill? Does it take a lot of skill to maintain a never driven original Shelby, Ford, etc...insert your favorite marque here.

I understand the restoration part, that can take a lot of skill and can be difficult, just like building a car is. And I can admire those guys.

For me, I'd much rather attend a Hot Rod show where the boys are doing the fabrication, they are solving problems with innovation, thinking outside the box, and creating something that comes from their own drive and hard work. Sure, I don't like all of the creations but it takes time and skill.

I guess what I'm getting at is that I noticed a poor atittude at one of the shows toward Rodders and Replica cars and I'm just trying to figure out why. Seems these people work hard for what they have and do while SOME of the other set just write checks. Interesting subculture that is for sure.

Ron

[ October 05, 2002: Message edited by: Ron Earp ]

 

[Robert Logan]

Et all.

As a manufacturer I have to tread a very fine line with this one.

I was realy pleased when the club in the UK changed its name to the enthuasts club from the owners club.

Whether you own it, build it, design it or assemble it or just love it our forum has a place for you all. I have friends / customers in all of the above categories and they all love our cars and they all have equal to offer.

Best wishes,

Robert

Ps. Jim, I am still to take delivery of the tub and we are, at the end of this week, 2 YEARS late.

 

[Ron Earp]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR> Ron, I am not sure I agree with you. I don't think someone should misrepresent their car as their own efforts. But- I am in a way grateful to the very wealthy who pay to have cars restored, as it provides a source of income and employment to craftsmen who keep those skills alive, and provides an opportunity for the rest of us to see their work which we might not otherwise have <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Jim, I agree with you and it might be my post is too inclusive. It doesn't bother me of people pay to have things done, it fact, if they didn't a whole bunch of people would be out of jobs. And, some of the "rich" folk keep cars restored and in nice shape for others to look at in museums

I just take beef with the folks who represent the works of others as their own when they haven't really done anything except puchase the car. And, at least in the times I'm referring to in my eariler post, the fellows thought they had done a lot, were part of some elite group, and felt they knew a lot about the cars they were showing.

I'm sure not everyone is like that, but we run across these people from time to time and they just rub me the wrong way. Especially when they vent opinions that "That car is just a replica, it isn't real" as if the car didn't exist and took no time to create. This narrow minded view ignores that fact that most replicas of Cobras (or GT40s for that matter) are much better constructed than the originals for driving, racing, or longetivity.

Ron

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

Ron, I agree 100% with your last. I'm not personally acquainted (well,maybe acquainted but not closely) with folks like the Marriotts and DuPonts that have car museums. I haven't run into the sort of person that buys a car and then claims they built it- maybe I've been lucky in that sense.
I agree about the fact that often credit is not given for the huge amount of work put into building a quality replica car. Even a good kit like a RF or an ERA still requires a great deal of time and expertise from the builder. And the not-so-good kits, well, it's not surprising that some of them become mult-year projects.
The degree to which car-manufacturing technology has advanced was made very clear to me when I compared my experience in 1072
(all too brief ride) with a longer ride in Bob Wood's 1137. The newer car is infinitely more solid, tighter, quieter (although this is a relative term with GT40s) and just generally feels much better made. And because of improvements in design and materials, it will stay that way. Would I buy an original GT40? No way, not even if I had the funds. I'd rather have the modern equivalent, for far less money and far more quality.

 

[Jim Glickenhaus]

Having been to and paticipated in car shows from mall parking lots to the Goodwood Festival of Speed I've found something to enjoy at all of them. People are people and life is short. Enjoy it. This weekend was perfect. As I drove J6 through the crisp autumn air I realized just how lucky I am...

[ October 07, 2002: Message edited by: MK -IV J6 ]

 

[Mike Dozier]

Ron

I think we've all bumped into the "new rich"
type you speak of. Certainly not all of them
are egotistical snobs. But a lot are, and I
think that's part of their character make-up
that made them successful businessmen...
but not very nice people. Just ignore them.

The battle I usually participate in is the "battle of the trailer queens".
I'm enormously fond of US musclecars and
shudder at what has happened to many of them.
Restored at huge time/expense to super high
standard, but alas never to be driven on
the street again. Just on and off the trailer. Those are no longer cars.
Very sad.

MikeD