Car Show Rant

[289fia_cobra]

^^^
Forget skynet, call in the Borg! They're perfect and will make the stupid people pefect too!

It's for threads like this I decided my car would be a driver, and never enter it into a show. Like Tim's experience, I had went to the "Mervyn's Plaza/Boston Market" hot rod gathering in Santa Clara (every Wed.) and it's been going on for a while so people have developed the etiquette of hands off, and watch your kids/dogs/dangling camera issues.

But I allowed some kids into my car when they couldn't keep their eyes off of it among the dueces, GTO's, etc. I just said "Hey, wanna climb in and get pictures?" I think the kids liked it but the parents LOVED IT! For me, I enjoy the car enough when I drive it and I do like to share experiences whenever I can. That to me, is part of the whole package.

[JWilly]

I do the occasional show and it is amazing how much interest these cars generate. All in all, my experiences with the onlookers has been good. Although I have seen a good number of dogs at these shows, I have not seen a problem YET. I often feel sorry for the animal in the heat, on asphalt and no water to drink. Can't believe people do that to their pets. I have let a number of kids sit in the car and they are always delighted and in general, respectful of the car. The worst thing I have had is a few sticky fingerprints which the spray bottle of detailer takes care of. I am usually more annoyed by the "is it real?" or "how much did this cost?" question I ALWAYS get or the jerk who thinks he is an authority on Carroll Shelby, than what the kids do. My biggest concern is some overexcited kid running up and burning him/herself on the pipes.

[Dirty Harry]

I enjoy car shows, generally, and go to 3-4 every summer. My car's no high-dollar stunner--more of a 20-footer, I'd say. So, I watch the crowd and any well behaved kid the looks at the car with a gleam in his eye gets an invitation to sit in it. Parents are usually grateful to get a picture of their kid in one of the show cars. Sometimes a parent asks for the same deal.

What really gets old, though, is the goof that occupies 20 minutes trying unsuccessfully to convince you that he knows something about Cobras or bores you to death telling you about his plans to fix up his uncle's Nova someday.

[CHANMADD]

I used to keep my car in my dealership showroom. I can't tell you how many times that I had people step over the door and put their foot on my chair then sit in the car. I had to replace the steering wheel once because somebody broke it pulling themselves out of the seat ....probably a 400 pound monster who tried to fit where I do...150 pound 5' 6"
I don't go to shows anymore for that reason and that is why not many people have seen my car at shows. I have heard the comment " he just drives his car and doesn't do anything with it". Well that is what I have the car for ....to drive it....and it is very Lekker (nice). The one year, 2001 the guys at the Del Mar Cars at the Fair asked me to take my car there. I did and when I went the second day it was covered in dust,inside and out, so I took it home. And.......my damn clutch just went out!!!
john

[donraye]

Originally Posted by gene giambona

I went to the Dream Machines car show today and witnessed a frustrating event. While my friend and I were walking down one of the many rows of vehicles, we stopped to look at a pair of Cobras. The unlucky owner of one Cobra was sitting in a portable chair behind his car when a lady walked by with her dog on a leash. For some unknown reason, the dog decided to jump up on the trunklid of the car and left some nice claw marks on the clear coat.

The lady quickly said sorry and walked away while we all looked at the damage in disbelief. I'm sure a detailer could buff it out, but why did this nice guy have to be a victim?

I've been to several shows now and witnessed cars damaged by unsecured portable pop tents that were blown into cars by the wind, people with bicycles that decide to place the bike between them and the car they are viewing, and unsupervised children climbing onto vehicles.

What ever happened to car show Etiquette???

Hi everyone, That poor "nice guy" victim was me and my wife Jacquie, and of course our beautiful Cobra. I and several onlookers were in total shock over the incident but perhaps more so by the actions of the dog's owner. Yes, she quickly said "I'm sorry" but then she even more quickly disappeared into the crowd in a deliberate (and successful) attempt to avoid any possible "responsibility". She did not even take so much as a moment to look at the damages caused by her dog, but instead rushed into the distance ASAP. It was not the dog's fault but clearly hers.
This show was not supposed to allow any animals except for "service animals" as in guide dogs, but here's this 20's something empty headed "valley girl" running around the show with a very cute but also very young and obviously untrained hound. This should not have occurred because they should not have allowed her in the gate with this dog, but they did not enforce their own rules and this was the result.
The car had SEVERAL clearcoat scratches some came out with the use of detailer spray, a soft cloth and lots of elbow grease, but some will require the use of rubbing compound and then polishing compound, etc.
Too bad as this is the type of event and thoughtless conduct that makes us all get chills over entering our car in these events.
My wife and I both love to participate in these shows but there can be unfortunate events that make you wonder if it's worth the risks.
Don