Car Show Etiquette Boobs And BooBoos
As the car show season has now been unto full swing it’s good to step back and review some of what we see and take some lessons. There is an etiquette to car shows that goes beyond just making sure your car is ready for the stage. Half way through the season we have all seen the gaffes that some make, so lets have a laugh at their expense for a moment while we review their shortcomings.
The Dirty Car
You have seen them. There is always that one car that has two or three high points like a polished supercharger, big wild 22″ wheels and even a slick looking body kit. They have a big display board outlining every anodized nut and bolt on the car, the $3000 stereo and the nine flat screens inside.
But when you look under the hood the engine is filthy. There are empty soda cups in the interior and candy wrappers stuffed in the map pockets. There is dirt and road grime just inside the spokes of those big 22″ wheels and the little brakes behind them are rusted.
Clean the car with a fine tooth comb. Under the hood should be spotless no matter how aged the components might look. Door jambs, the nooks and crannies between body kit and car, under the wheel wells and the insides of the wheels should be clean. The interior should be spotless.
Display Bling Madness
A nice presentation with backup is always nice, especially when a lot of work went into the car. But we have all seen the guys who stack three photo albums on the radiator, two display boards with mirrored back lighting, and include several stuffed animals crawling around in the engine bay.
Is this really all that necessary? Really? Some of these people need an extra space next to their car to put up a reception desk to house all their fliers, photos and poster boards. I’ve even seen one bring a TV to play video of their restoration project just to add theatrics with hourly screenings!
Keep your presentation materials to a minimum and let the car do the talking. Don’t pile so much crap on the front of your car that people have to move it over to see your engine. If they want to see every photo of your build project you ever took they will ask.
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The Helicoptering Owner
You’ve seen the guy that sits eagerly by in his lawn chair ready to pounce on the first unsuspecting show goer that shows the slightest bit of interest in his car. He even sometimes sits at the front of his car at the point to save 7 paces in the act of glomming onto you when you pause to look.
Within seconds the owner is helicoptering around you as if you were a car chase in Los Angeles…….narrating your tour of the car, shoving their album of photos on you and remaining two steps away as you walk around it. This is CREEPY. Don’t do it. If a person has questions about your car they will find you and ask.
Unless you are addressing an MCA Judge, it’s best to hang back and be cool. Don’t be too desperate for people to like your car. If it’s show worthy they will be your groupies without being tied up with your leash.
Close Your Trunk!
We all camp out at car shows. We bring the chairs, the ice chests, the PS2’s and the umbrellas. But we sometimes forget our car is there to be on display. Make sure that once you are set up….close the trunk unless it is empty and it is intended to be part of your show.
Nobody wants to climb over your display boards and trip over your lawn chairs only to see a trunk full of clothes, empty fast food bags, and car show spam stacked in your trunk. You came to put on a good presentation and so many people forget to move out of their car in the process.
Conclusion
People who are spectators at a car show will never tell you that you are making these gaffes. If you are in a club you well know they will wait until they are behind your back to start bagging on you to the rest of the crowd. So if you got miffed at what you just read because it is about you, it aint the first time it has been said most likely. Thank me for the favor in saying to your face.