Thread: What makes a Show Car?

ask a car show judge.....

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

ask a car show judge.....

I used to spend some time judging shows for what used to be the Australian Street Machine Federation, (ASMF, the mob that held the first event that evolved into the Summernats) NSW division, and there's no short answer to your question. The only advice I can give is give every area 100%. You're not going to take the top trophy at every show with a standout paint job, an above average engine bay, a tidy interior and a steam cleaned undercarriage because each of these areas are judged individually and all areas add up to your end tally. You need to be consistently well above average in all areas to be competitive. I reckon next time your at a show, track down the judging team's steward (don't disturb a judge while he or she is judging ) and ask for a judge to take a look over your car to give you some pointers or if your car is "still in the build", run you through a car that they judged highly.
To my way of thinking, "Every stone chip's a trophy, display 'em with pride" (unless you're just looking to fill your mantle piece with plastic gold).

Thanks for that, much appreciated!

There are many different types of "Show" Cars, and there are many different "classes" in various shows, for the same type of car??....Most shows have different criteria.
If you are going to enter a show, or show your car with the intention of having it judged, win a trophy etc, then you would be best served by obtaining a set of the rules/judging criteria for the particular class of the particular show you are contemplating entering, because they are all different. For example, some "street driven" classes do not even judge the undercarriage, whereas if you entered a "Concourse" type event, every single nut & bolt, every nook & cranny, no matter where it is on the car, will be judged.
I've entered a few, over the years!,...Pickles.

Please tell me more..

Originally Posted by Pickles2

If you are going to enter a show, or show your car with the intention of having it judged, win a trophy etc, then you would be best served by obtaining a set of the rules/judging criteria for the particular class of the particular show you are contemplating entering, because they are all different.

And because some classes have more entrants than others, I've known people 'build' their car to meet the requirements of the quieter category thus increasing their chances of winning a $5 plastic trophy.

Originally Posted by Scouse

And because some classes have more entrants than others, I've known people 'build' their car to meet the requirements of the quieter category thus increasing their chances of winning a $5 plastic trophy.

Ha ha ha,...Ain't that the truth,....seen it many times.
Also seen many "street driven" entries, arrive on a trailer, thereby ruining the chances of any genuine street driven entry.
Had enough of that stuff now!!
Pickles.

Like any competition or event, read the rules, read them again and then look for and understand the gaps in the rules. (may not work for show events like this though)

I dont go for anything like this, but the few times I see pictures of cars and trucks and the like, so many an not practical. Too low, wheels too large (hit the arches) stupid spoke wheels, exhaust outlet stupid size.

For me, the car has to be practical and in proportion.