I'm curious... are there car shows or events that people that don't have $10k or more invested in extras can participate in and not feel like a loser at? I think I could make my car looks real nice and unique looking by summer time - and I think it'd be neat to show it off some - but I'd feel a little stupid around people that have $10k into their engine alone - and another $10k into exterior/interior stuff. I guess I'd rather put my time into it's appearance - cause I've got another project car that I'm saving my money for- and I can do most body work and fab. stuff on my own - fairly cheaply.
In my opinion thats why I go to Firestone and Porky's. Its like a mini car show. I have yet to see someone unfriendly at Firestone. Except for Fobia. He is a duche.
a lot of the shows i attend (with my Vette), yes, we're talkin cars that are 50K plus, with XXk in mods. Cars and Coffee for one has VERY HIGH dollar cars. Any Corvette show i go to, has pretty much cars loaded with magazine parts. could be engine, interior or exterior. Again, all high dollar stuff. Now, i go to local club shows like mnsc..ha, not so much. shows like that i bring my bike, E55 or WRX. its more equal value with the cars that show up, i'd say. So, with regard to your situation, do what makes you happy. its your car man!! if you like bling stuff, then do it, make it your own. make yourself stand out in the crowd! just don't turn it into a ricer type. I tell you what, people greatly appreciate "homemade" stuff, like you say you got a project, devote the time and money to that. It will be far more appreciated by ALL people when you say, yea, i built that in my garage, instead of saying, yea, i bought that wing from so and so magazine, and had a body shop paint and install it... etc... catch my drift? Aj
I brought my wagon to a car show last summer here in Duluth. it's had, well a lot more invested than I'd like to think, but it's not a looker. I was still proud to prop the hood open and stand next to it. started a lot of conversations. even had a guy come in to work a month or so later asking if he could buy the car.
i've always thought it would be fun to have a car show with a requirement of $10k or less in mods or something like that because it's true, you really have no chance of ever beating someone like alex whitkin [http://www.t-emotion.com/] maybe this summer we could organize a grassroots show somewhere and invite some other car clubs to compete? generally show divisions are model-specific (ie: best subaru, best mazda) except for best paint, best ICE, best team, etc. but i bet we could come up with a creative way to divide entries to make it fun. i'd def be down to help organize!
biggest issue you will find is with the sport compact class their ego is bigger then their cars displacement... ricers... ****heads typically... you get that everywhere.. I like most cars that have been genuinely and tastefully modded... but slapping brand name stickers on the fender does NOT make it a show car.. sorry... not to mention most subaru guys on here or around MN will laugh and criticize anyone that doesnt have the typical JDM wheels or the same exhaust setup.. everyone likes to think their car is unique but 96% of the ones on here all look the same... so hence if you do something outside the box people will dog on you... I got soooo much crap for running 19's.. but now they are on a different car the same people like the 19's... admittedly it looks better now but still... as 1badburb said.. who cares what people think.. do what you like and be ahppy and enjoy your ride...
Our shop puts on a car show every year (usually weekend before Ojibwe Rally in August). It is held at the Fargodome here in Fargo, ND. Keep an eye out for the 'Perfect 10 Show', as I will post info up later this spring on here. This show brings everything from magazine feature cars, to simple cars. We try to keep the cars at least someone 'clean', but do not require them to be magazine worthy. It is a 3.5 hour drive, but welllll worth it. I guarantee that. - Jason Here are a few threads with pictures to give you an idea of the scale: http://www.tintmasters.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4040 http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e347/powderssl2/Perfect 10/ http://www.clubredline.net/gallery/categories.php?cat_id=47
alright thanks guys - I'll look into it a little more come spring/summer - just thought I'd see whats around.