Car Show Rules/Advice

[tk421]

Hello Everyone:

I posted this three days ago over in the thread for British Invasion of Stowe, but haven't had a response yet.

So this year, I will be entering the British Invasion of Stowe (Sept 14-16), and will be in the Concourse d'Elegance. This will be my first show as a contestant, and I could use any advice or tips. Since my car is not a "classic", more than 25 years old, I doubt it will be taken by a small show around where I live.

I really want to know about cleaning/polishing/washing the car during the dates of the event. Am I allowed to clean the car in the night? Not at all after entering?

Any advice will be welcome.

 

[Silverghost]

Having "been there, done that" as it were, here's my 2 cents - you can work your fingers off right up until the moment you are driving to the show field. Clean, polish, wash, detail to the degree that YOU are satisfied with. Once you drive onto the show field, keep a clean cloth handy (discreetly) to wipe off the occasional finger or hand print (yes, that does happen, generally not TOO much though). I've known of cars that were literally in the paint booth 6 hours before the event started, it's amazing what can be accomplished with major $$$$.

Concourse judging is reputed to be the strictest, nth detail judging of all. Do you have the correct hose clamps? Is the casting date of the (name part) correct for that year car? Is the paint color and finish either as original or period correct? Under a microscope is an appropriate cliche.

Now, before you set fire to your car and run screaming into the night , relax and have fun! You will get to some spectacular cars in an amazing setting, often times one of one cars, things you may usually see in magazines, books or museums. I've been fortunate enough to attend concourse events in Pennsylvania, Michigan and California. Each one was an AMAZING event, with lots of found memories. It was the California event where the car was said to have been in the paint booth 6 hours previously. When your last name is Lauren, you get what you want when you want it! Bugatti Atlantic - https://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/09/ralph-laurens-car-collection-in-pictures/

Anyway, that was more like 25 cents worth. Enjoy the show!

 

[tk421]

Thanks for the advice. I figured that once the show started, the car was "done".

I'm not afraid of being judged by the anal concourse show. I'm a regular watcher of British Top Gear, and I remember twice when they made fun of concourse events (stuff like cleaned engine bay, original paint, and the rest).

Am I expecting to win? No, I just want to have the fun and experience of having my car poked and prodded.

Thanks for the input

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Just as an aside to the conversation:

At the VTR convention in Rockford, Ill. some years back, I brought the TR3 that I restored. (Sold it since then.) I had it entered in the "Participants' Choice" category. (I think that's what it's called.) The other option was Concours, and I really didn't think it warranted that classification. Though it wasn't painted "as original", or had the original color interior, I did choose period correct colors. Had Minilite replicas, etc., etc.

Anyway, when the judges made their rounds, one of them came up to me and asked why I hadn't entered it in Concours. I told him why, and he said, "You should have; it would have done very well!"

Wasn't my intention at all, but sure was nice to hear!

I agree with Peter, in any case. Don't take it too seriously, as the whole thing is subjective, even though there are standards. Just enter and have fun with it.


Mickey

 

[CZ_Dave]

I won the Portland Rod & Custom......




Because all of my tire valve stems were pointed




in the same direction.




Got a 5 ft high trophy and $1000,

for my 1955 Hillman Husky

 

[tk421]

I won the Portland Rod & Custom...... Because all of my tire valve stems were pointed in the same direction.

Merde! Have to take the wheels off now and make sure all the tires are put on the same way! :madder:

Just kidding, but that is an amazing way to win a show!

 

[JPSmit]

Got a 5 ft high trophy and $1000,

for my 1955 Hillman Husky

that may have doubled the value of the Husky

 

[GBRandy]

I had my TR8 in the concourse at Rockford and it took third place. First went to a much lesser quality car IMHO, but it was truly completely stock.....

I LOST points because I have a canvas top (not stock vinyl), non stock steering wheel, shortened gear shifter, polished rims, wider tires, etc.

Remember, concourse means it looks like it was from the factory the day it shipped....what you may think are logical "improvements" will actually cost you points.

Alarm systems, radios, floor mats, power antennas, mud flaps, wheels, carpets, etc are all things that we do to improve the driving experience....but will cost you at a true concourse review....

 

[tk421]

I had my TR8 in the concourse at Rockford and it took third place. First went to a much lesser quality car IMHO, but it was truly completely stock.....

I LOST points because I have a canvas top (not stock vinyl), non stock steering wheel, shortened gear shifter, polished rims, wider tires, etc.

Remember, concourse means it looks like it was from the factory the day it shipped....what you may think are logical "improvements" will actually cost you points.

Alarm systems, radios, floor mats, power antennas, mud flaps, wheels, carpets, etc are all things that we do to improve the driving experience....but will cost you at a true concourse review....

I completely understand what your saying. Luckily, the only non-OEM changes I did to the car was change the air filter to a K&N and put on new tires (same brand and size as OEM however). And, luckily I don't have to do any modernizations or significant changes, just patch up what is on the car. The Jag has more features on it than most new cars under $40,000 today.

Do want to put on mudflaps however, but I would take them off before the show. I don't want any body rot to start, have to take care of the lower part of the body.

 

[CZ_Dave]

Got a 5 ft high trophy and $1000,

for my 1955 Hillman Husky

that may have doubled the value of the Husky

<span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">This is my old Hillman Husky, sold it for $65000, double the value?</span></span></span>

 

[Roger]

Concours = Public Competition. As in Concours d'elegance.

Concourse = An Assembly, a promenade, boulevard, an open space.

 

[JPSmit]

Got a 5 ft high trophy and $1000,

for my 1955 Hillman Husky

that may have doubled the value of the Husky

<span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">This is my old Hillman Husky, sold it for $65000, double the value?</span></span></span>

Mea culpa. t'were your normal Husky wot come to mind.

 

[tk421]

Concours = Public Competition. As in Concours d'elegance.

Concourse = An Assembly, a promenade, boulevard, an open space.

I probably just used the auto-correct feature I have on here, it doesn't recognize No. 1.

Is there a pronunciation difference? I'm guessing No. 2 would need the pronouncing of the -se, whereas concours is said "con-cor". I prefer not looking like an American that can't speak French, I worked my ass off for three years of high school in it.

Why can't Americans say "coupe"? It's not a chicken coop, its a coupe!

 

[Bruce Bowker]

"as the whole thing is subjective,

VERY!!!