What am I doing wrong?? I've entered my Stang in 5 car shows this summer and not even as much as a ribbon, much less a trophy. The cars been polished to a mirror shine, not a speck of dirt on the interior, rims shined with chrome polish, tires gleeming and dust removed. I've tried staying away from the car as not to talk to much and have been glued to the car to address everyones and anyone questions.
One positive thing is that I've made many new friends and have noticed a sort of cult style gathering at the shows themselves. The shows have been relatively big in size upwards of 75-500 cars with the run of models and age.
Another thing is that my car gets a large amount of attention at all the shows, big or small. People seem to gather around the car all the time with nothing but positive things to say.
Are they political?
Do the judges really hate Fords?
Do I smell?
Whats the friggin deal?
Damn Vettes................
__________________
05' GT Premium, Triple Black, Hurst Short Throw Shifter, DiabloSport Performance Tune for 93 Octane, FRPP Spring Lowering Kit, Auto Meter Gauges and Tach. Light, White 10" Rally Stripes, K & N CAI, White Faced Steeda Gauges, 8" Shortie Ant., 18" Chrome Deep Dish Rims with Toyo TS-1S's, Strut Tower Brace, Borla Catback Exhaust System, Red Line Tuning Hood Lift Kit, Eclipse AVN 5500 Nav. System, 6.5" kappa speakers, 12" Subwoofer, 500w Kicker Amp., 3.73 Yukon Gears
It is pretty common, to start the car is NEW, and it is getting boring to see that many S197 mustangs at every show. Oldies tend to get more attention.
Second, if there are Mustang clubs attending that show, most probably one of their cars will win, they know the judges, the rules etc. Sometimes the judges are members of a club so that "demerits" your car since you are not part of their gang.
Third, maybe the car needs more mods to pick more attention, these are times where people just go crazy and spend huge ammounts of money on their cars, so a lightly moded Mustang with wheels, lowered with a few bolt ons is just COOL, but not show material.
Sometimes the best shows are those where attendants are the judges, if you get their simpathy and your car looks cool, you can get at least a minor trophy.
Thanks for the advice GTRaptor-
I agree with all your points and I do see the older cars getting the prizes. Also, I know what you mean when it comes to the mods...
Cool but not show material. Next spring I may go over the edge with something crazy, if the budget allows.
__________________
05' GT Premium, Triple Black, Hurst Short Throw Shifter, DiabloSport Performance Tune for 93 Octane, FRPP Spring Lowering Kit, Auto Meter Gauges and Tach. Light, White 10" Rally Stripes, K & N CAI, White Faced Steeda Gauges, 8" Shortie Ant., 18" Chrome Deep Dish Rims with Toyo TS-1S's, Strut Tower Brace, Borla Catback Exhaust System, Red Line Tuning Hood Lift Kit, Eclipse AVN 5500 Nav. System, 6.5" kappa speakers, 12" Subwoofer, 500w Kicker Amp., 3.73 Yukon Gears
Don't get discouraged. It's always fun to get recognized for your hard work but as you stated - you've made many new friends and that's what it's all about. You're time to shine will come (no pun intended) and it will be that much sweeter knowing you earned it.
I have a few 1st place trophies under my belt on my 96GT Ragtop but the people i've met and the resources i've networked are invaluable.
Have a great weekend!
Snack.
__________________
66 Coupe Tahoe Turq - 200, Pertronix & Flamethrower, 3 Row Rad, Cliff. 6/2 96 GT Vert Laser Red - FMS pulleys, Bullet ProM, BBK CAI, Prof. Prod. Elbow and 70mm TB, MAC Off-Road H, Borla side exhaust, Tokicos, B&M Ripper, 18x10 & 18x9 DD Bulletts 06 GT Tungsten, UIP, Red Leather, Stick, 18" blades, Steeda CAI, SCT XCal 2 w/ MC Racing 91 tune, MACs, BMR SP010 springs, BMR Adj Panhard, CDC ducktail & quarter louvers, Rear louver, painted black stripes
You're from New York! hahaha just playing!
Here is what I was told: Clean the crap out of your car! Primarily the engine compartment, trunk, fender wells and wheels. All mods should be bright as well as the stock stuff. Actually this is why so many new cars usually cars take more places. If you have the opportunity maybe point out ONE special thing about your car.
I just attended a national show and was one of 8 with max points. There were over one thousand entries. Try the smaller shows. This past weekend I attended two shows each with 40 to 50 entries. There was another show at the same time but it 125 entries. I attended the one's with 40 or 50 and took 1st place in one and Best engine in the other.
So if you want trophies limit your competition.
__________________
"Don't cuss American Cars with food in your mouth"
From my experience this year, I would agree with the others. If trophies are what you're after, go for the smaller shows. Another thing I've noticed, if the show is sponsered by a particular club, usually the members of that club will take most, if not all the awards.
Countless times I've heard people make comments like "anybody can buy a new car and show it." Which is true to an extent. Here is where I differ. I do 98% of the work on my mods, where as someone else may have a muscle car from the 60-70's era, or a classic chevy (55-57) that are absolutely gorgeous, and they've paid someone else to do all the work. Some of the people I work with have beautiful older cars that win often, but have done very little of the work. I only have to satisfy myself, anything or anyone else is a bonus. And since were on the topic of car shows, I think they need to have a catagory for 1/2 breeds. So many of the cars I've seen have chevy motors, but there not in chevies. Should be DQ'd before the judging even begins.
Well, you've already found the best part of shows, the people. It is just plain fun to attend the shows.
I've done well with trophies, 5 out of 8 shows. Only one was from a show where it was viewer's choice. I seem to do better at the judged shows. My car is usually different from the other Mustangs, and the judges seem to appreciate that. Cleanliness is indeed important, including under the hood. But, you have to do something to differentiate you from the rest of the herd. Don't get discouraged, and keep at it.
__________________
'05 Sonic Blue GT w/ '07 V8 engine, 5-sp, IUP, Beige leather interior, nothing else -
just the way I wanted it. (1 of 113)
OK, so I've added a few things to it. Check my Profile - too many to list here.
If your going to shows for trophys then your going for the wrong reason. Car shows are for enjoying the cars and people. When I learned this and quit caring I started picking up trophys. The one point is true though,taking a new car,that are roaming the streets, to a show will get almost no attention unless it`s a special model. Go to enjoy yourself,if it`s trophys you want then go to a shop and buy one. It`ll be far cheaper and less frustrating.
And since were on the topic of car shows, I think they need to have a category for 1/2 breeds. So many of the cars I've seen have Chevy motors, but there not in Chevy's. Should be DQ'd before the judging even begins.
Great idea! Since they're judging inside and out...sure. I wonder if in their points program there is a deduct say for a Chevy engine in a 32 Ford Coupe.
__________________
"Don't cuss American Cars with food in your mouth"
I've won 2 trophys with my bone stock ride, one was at a monthly show put on by a Hot rod resturant and one was at a city streetfair. The first was for judges choice, the streetfair one was for 'Best Daily Ride' both ere judged by the owner of the hot rod resturant. Tip... I drop at least a c-note a week at the resturant but it's still fun getting the hardware
I go to car shows for several different reasons but one is INDEED beating out the competition while making friends of the same.
Of course in the class my Ranger is in there are usually few competitors compared to Mustangs. There is some very stiff competition in that class in my area.
I HATE participant judged shows as many just vote for their friends or clubs they know. The 'local boy' usually wins regardless of what he does or does not have.
Being unique is hard to do sometimes but as stated above, that is what the judges look for as well as the obvious things such as cleanliness. I try to have at least one new upgrade at every show. Painted calipers....interior trim...etc...this never ends! 10 First in class and several lessors to my name.....and I've tied at least two nationally shown trucks for first.
My Ranger sees a show at least every other weekend and regardless of the outcome 'we' have a very good time.
Leaving early AM tomorrow for the last of the season in St. Charles Mo.
Great idea! Since they're judging inside and out...sure. I wonder if in their points program there is a deduct say for a Chevy engine in a 32 Ford Coupe.
hahaha whens the last time u saw a 32 ford with a ford motor. they all have chevy's
__________________
2006 Mustang GT 5 spd Black/Red
H.O. Polished Vortech, GT500 Fuel Pumps, 20' Foose Nitrous, KDW2's, H&R , Coil Over's Out Back, CHE K Brace w/Limiters, Steeda UCA, CHE LCA's, CHE Anti Squats, SOS, Cobalt A/F & Fuel Pressure, Silverstar's , Black Signals, Tints, JBA LT's, O/R H, Magnaflow AB, Hurst, SCT, 410's, Aluminium Shaft, BBR Motor Mounts, Raptor Light, 432/382 on a MD
My 07 is orange with nothing else on the outside except for the Gt on the fenders. I also have a Saleen s/c on it. I was parked next to a red Gt 500 with white stripes. It was amazing the comments I got on my car I even put the hood down after an hour the people would not stop. I am not bragging I was embarrassed and felt bad for the GT 500 guy. I loved his color with the big spoiler. Just not many orange ones around yet, and the super sharger caught people by surprise, other than the color my car is a plain Jane on the outside.
Just get your car as clean as possible inside, outside, and engine compartment. Check out where the Mustang Clubs are located in your state and just attend those. They usually do a really good job of judgeing.
Car show blues........ 
You're from New York! 
hahaha just playing!
(1 of 113)
but it's still fun getting the hardware
