We couldn’t be more excited of the news that classic car shows are back in full attendance! It’s been more than a year for most of us due to the pandemic. Now that we can all safely gather again, car shows are the first stop on our agendas!
There is just something special about a classic car show. All the beautiful designs of yesteryear shining in the sun and the sounds of motors from a sea of dream machines. Older enthusiasts recall vehicles they grew up admiring, while the younger onlookers get a chance to view pieces of history.
Showing your prized possession off at a car show is also exhilarating. Owners gather together to put their collectors on display in hopes of taking home an award. While it’s more about displaying your ride and not all about the win, it will definitely fill you with pride when a judge selects your car as a winner.
That’s why you should take good care when preparing to enter your vehicle into a car show competition. Here are 5 tips on making sure your classic car or truck is show ready.
1. Get the vehicles body in prime condition.
You might guess that it only takes a good wash and wax to get your ride ready for the judges and spectators, but you might want to look a little closer. Carefully inspect your vehicle for any signs of scratches, dents, rust or any other body blemishes. Take your vehicle out in the sun where you can get a good look at it and see what others will see at the show. Missing these details will certainly be frowned upon by the judges and may give spectators the opinion that you don’t fully care about the upkeep of your classic.
2. Thoroughly clean the interior.
I cannot tell you how many classic cars and trucks we have seen at shows with immaculate bodies and paint only to see a dirty or damaged interior. It really is a let down as you had hoped the inside looks as good as the outside. Having a tidy interior will make a big difference to judges. It is wise to start with the roof liver and work your way down to the floors when cleaning an interior. Be sure to wipe down the dash, instrument panel, door panels and seats so it can look as close to showroom condition as possible.
You may also want to bring a handheld vacuum with you to the show to help keep your carpets clean. Chances are you thoroughly vacuumed all the carpets before the show, but crumbs, dirt and dust have their way of getting in. You want to make sure that every crevice and corner are as clean as they can be.
3. Be sure to focus on the engine compartment.
Even if you don’t have a lot of shiny engine components, you will still likely want to show off what’s under the hood at the show. This is why it is imperative to keep your motor and other mechanical components clean. While this can be quite time consuming to get your engine compartment clean as a whistle, your hard work will certainly not go unnoticed by the judges and car show attendees.
4. Pay attention to the small details.
If you really want to bring home the trophy, you need to have a keen eye so that no stone is left unturned when it comes to getting ready. Judges are experts at picking out tiny flaws that separate the winner from the runners-up.
Make sure your grill and wheels are polished and shining and any other chrome trim on your vehicle. Make sure your license plate is on straight and clean as well. The mirrors need to be smudge free and headlights and taillights should also be crystal clear. The small things can make all the difference!
5. Be sure to display everything correctly.
You’ve taken great care to get your classic ready but pay close attention on the way you display your car or truck. Roll down the windows so people can get a good look inside. Put the hood up and down throughout the day. That way spectators and judges can see the engine compartment but can also see the clean lines your vehicle was designed with.
Also bring along and trophies or accolades your vehicle may have previously earned. You can set up a small table near your vehicle to show off its pedigree. Maybe you have a photo album to display of before and after pictures of the restoration work done on the vehicle. It is also a good idea to showcase any original paperwork like the original bill of sale or sales sheet. Lastly, you should display a little about yourself. Include your name and phone number at least so that if you decide to wander around the show, judges or even potential buyers are able to get ahold of you. You might not want to sell, but you never know what kind of offer you might get from someone that has stars in their eyes when thinking of owning a classic just like yours.
Classic car shows are super exciting whether you are an owner or an onlooker. Be sure to enjoy all the history these shows have to offer and the comradery of all the classic car enthusiasts just like you.