Well, looks like I won't be going. Called the organizer today and asked about entering my Smart. I got flat out rejected. The show is actually part of a town wide festival here, but doesn't look like they want any foreign autos as this is to be a "Patriotic Memorial Day Event" and that nothing but "merican!" cars were allowed.
This is something that they did not mention on the registration form, flyers, etc. When I protested I was simply hung up on. My neighbor across the street also got his 78' Porsche 924 rejected. Needless to say a lot of local owners of foreign classics and oddities are pissed. This is a huge car town where almost everyone seems to have a toy on four wheels.
I'd just forcefully join the festival auto convoy. What are they going to do, create a huge commotion because your car is not a Judge?
Well, looks like I won't be going. Called the organizer today and asked about entering my Smart. I got flat out rejected. The show is actually part of a town wide festival here, but doesn't look like they want any foreign autos as this is to be a "Patriotic Memorial Day Event" and that nothing but "merican!" cars were allowed.
This is something that they did not mention on the registration form, flyers, etc. When I protested I was simply hung up on. My neighbor across the street also got his 78' Porsche 924 rejected. Needless to say a lot of local owners of foreign classics and oddities are pissed. This is a huge car town where almost everyone seems to have a toy on four wheels.
There's plenty of precedent for "fringe" events launching as a result of similar attitudes - Thanksgiving Day parade, Edinburgh (Scotland), etc. Get your buddies with interesting cars that were rejected and casually show up at a nearby parking lot and see how much of the crowd you draw away from the other show. Celebrate freedom of choice, let the visitors choose which cars they want to see.
I have lost count of how many car shows I have taken my smart car over the last 3+ years. It always gets a lot of attention. And I have won a few awards for "Import" class at the shows, and once got "People's Choice".
I've taken mine to lots of shows. The only trouble I've had is they don't know what class to put it in. That, and I have a hard time getting away from all the questions to see the other cars. I haven't even thought about my chopper that I spent $35,000 on parts and 1000hrs of labor building, since I got the smart.
A group of us (Suncoast Smarts) let one of the shows know we were coming and they created a special class just for us. Our fearless leader, Bill Hitchcock took home the prize!
First show I went to last fall was one that a local church sponsors each year. They welcomed us with open arms - the entry fee covers food or money for local food banks, and any car is welcome. We had nine smarts show up - lost the club event to the Corvette guys, they had 10 or 11 show.
And Hitch won prize for best paint~! Judged by the audience, too.
Was lots of fun and it's an annual event that I plan to attend again.
On another note - the local Corvair club sponsors a "Rod" show. Lots of great cars and trucks but only those of a certain vintage are allow to enter. . . and they took up all of the central downtown parking area - barely a place to park to visit the cars. Very well attended and free to see.
I don't have a problem with shows that are dedicated to a certain model or year. They need to be advertised as such. One of the local shows told me they wanted to make the show appeal to a wider base of people. They opened up to Snowmobiles, motorcycles, etc. They trippled their attendance and had more funds to donate to local charities. Everybody wins!!
I took my red passion coupe to a Friday Night Cruise-In last week at a local GM dealership. It was amazing how much attention and interest there was. I felt a little embarrassed because the smart was getting more attention than the immaculate silver 67 GTO next to us. There were so many questions that I ended up staying with the car and opening everything so they could see it better. (Fortunately no one asked to sit in it. I have my limits.) Some got a kick out of the "Taz" floor mats. (The mats, a MB star in the grill, and the Avenger antenna are the only "mods" to this car so far.)
I would definitely recommend you take your car to the casual cruise-ins, and gatherings. I got no negative feedback, and it is a great way to spread the word on these little cars.
Do you guys ever take your car to traditional shows? Just trying to gather opinions on whether or not I should take mine to a local show this upcoming Saturday.
What is your experience in taking your car to shows? Do you find it pointless or get rejected at registration? I'm iffy on going as I've never done it before and don't want to get laughed off the lot.
I've gone to several, they are great fun. Now there are some of those in the show that will look at you and wonder why you even showed up. And others that realize that it is a "car" show, and latter they will see how many people crowed around your car, and wish they parked next to you. Be sure you know enough about your car because people will ask all about it.
I just took my Smart to a show in Red Bud on the 4th and won 1st place in the special interest class.This is the 2nd show I was in so far,the 1st didnt know what class to put it in .The next show is July 19th at Ellis Grove Ill.Come on down and maybe we could get a new class started.
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