Car Shows - What Gives??

[Terry Stapley]

Is it just me or is anybody else bothered by the fact that to display a vehicle at a car show, one has to pay an entry fee ($25 to $100) for the priviledge of having the show promoter charge show attendees an admission price to come and look at the car that you have paid the show promoter to show??

It just does not seem correct!!

Maybe we can turn this into a Republican vs. Democrat issue thingy!!

[RedBarchetta]

That $#it will change once this recession gets deeper and deeper. I did one show, got my first place plaque (which I paid for, no doubt ), and retired with a perfect record.

Now I just do the freebie car meets on Saturday mornings, etc.

-Dean

[trularin]

Ha ha Dean...other than the GM show, I did the same thing.

I do the GM show, but I am the only Ford there.

You are right, wait until we get deeper in.

[Thompson]

Terry,

I agree with you. This has always bugged me. It is kind of like having a rock star pay to perform at a concert and then letting the people come see him for free. Seems back wards to me.

So - we in Denver have come up with an event that is free for every one to bring their cars to and free for everyone to see them. The Old Car Council of Colorado started a "Colfax Ave Cruise and Car Festival" last Sept. It is kind of like (except a lot smaller) the Woodward Dream Cruise. Colfax Ave in Denver is 26 miles long so we invite Cruisers to cruise the entire length of it and have several "Festival Sites" set up along the way for them to stop and see some of the other cars at. To raise money to pay expenses we sell sponsorships and advertising in a full color program that is distributed to all the cruisers. Our charity is DARE and they help us with the police in the three citys we cruise through.

Last year was our first year and we had close to 3000 cars show up for it. What a fun day. Check out some of it at our sponsors web site at KOOL 105 | Greatest Hits of All Time - Homepage. Click on the pictures button and check out the cruise. We are working on a new web site and should have it up and running soon.

We have found that people really enjoy these free, no rules, no awards, and no BS events. Just come and bring your car and see some other neat cars. And have fun.

Dick

[Ron61]

Dean & Tru,

I quit the pay for car shows a long time ago and just went to the free ones and some show and shines. When I had my car it wasn't a show car to start with and it just seemed a waste of time and money to pay to stand all day in the sun for a $5 dollar plaque. And I found the other car owners at the show and shines seemed a lot more friendly than at the big car show. I still go and take pictures but quit entering it long before I sold my car. At least there the drinks and hot dogs were free as people would buy you one to vote for their cars back when they had classes. And with about 40 classes that almost made my days food free.

Ron

[speed220mph]

I have similar misgivings, but if it's for a worthy cause I have no problem. A perfect example of this is the Concours de Gralyn that benefits the Brenner's Children's Hospital at Winston-Salem, NC. Peter Brock and Elliot Forbes-Robinson attended along with other notables who donated their time for this benefit. It was a chance to give back while sharing my car and enjoy the company of other like-minded car guys. Did I mention track time at VIR was included in the events of a great weekend?

[Excaliber]

EVERYONE I know has the same feelings on the matter. The English car guys, the Tuners, the Cobra's, the late models, you name it. We all feel the heat and ask the question, "Why?". Fact is, not everyone pays! If your well connected with the sponsors of the show and have an exceptional car the fee is often waived. As was the case for me at the last show I went to, which also gave me some insight as to what it COST to produce a first class show, it aint cheap.

Often you need to rent a hall, print/buy advertising, spend a LOT of time hustling up sponsors, HOPE the show is a success, etc. It's a 'business', and like fishing they don't call it 'catching' for a reason...

[Dan Stryffeler]

I believe the only show that we have around here (Cleveland area) that is both pay for entrant and visitor is the Autorama... most shows are outdoors and the entrance fee goes to offset the cost of the show and to an associated charity, so I think it is a worthy cause.

Whatever the case, it makes for a looonngg day (usually 8am until 4pm). Personally, I enjoy the freebie car-cruise nights at the local resturants a lot more.

- Dan

[Wayne Maybury]

Paying to get your car in is one thing but standing around all day is something else all together. I find it interesting to walk around a car show to check out all of the cars but when you have your own car in the show, you can't really leave it alone for long so you have to stand or sit by it all day. That gets really boring, really quickly.

Wayne

[MaSnaka]

I notice a lot of guys...like me drive their calssics to the car shows, check out the cars and drive off. I am not as dedicated to sitting around all day talking to people and hearing the all to common line" I know a guy who had an original..." I think the car crowd is great with a lot of great people but sitting or standing around all day is just not for me. I have a friend who participats in atleast 1-2 shows and a cruise night every weekend. That's just not for me.

John

[Jim Doak]

Terry, so that's why I didn't see your car at the Expo Center last night??

(For you non-locals, the Autorama begins in our neck of the woods today.)

I also don't like the idea of paying $50 to join the ISCA for the privilege of showing my car in the Autorama. Especially when they charge a $14 general admission fee to the public.

However, my car is in the Autorama. When I called the organizer I balked at the $50 fee and told them that I wasn't interested in joining the ISCA or being judged and winning a trophy. They - she actually - was very helpful and told me that I could pay a $15 entry fee and be classified as "non-competition", meaning that I can't win a trophy. Big deal...

So for a $15 entry fee I received two exhibitor 3-day passes valued at $20 each. So in my way of thinking I came out $25 ahead.

[bobcowan]

Sometimes I'll pay, and sometimes I won't. I'm not a dedicated car show attendee, we just go when we feel like it.

I always have a good time at the shows, and never get bored. I get to spend the entire day talking with other gear heads! I'v met a lot of good people that way. That's how I met Dick and the other folks at the Mile Hi Cobra Club.

Events like the Colfax Cruise are great fun. Looking foreward to the next one.

[Excaliber]

Local 'cruise in' tonight, several of us we'll meet at Brians place and then drive down there together, park together, get something to eat, kick some tires and talk story. Now THATS a 'car show'!