i dont know about you guys, but what is the deal with judges at car shows not giving our third gens a trophy? i spend so much time before shows shining everything and cleaning as much i can, the engine bay is clean, exhaust tips, my original mats, etc. i never win a trophy and my car is in as good if not better shape than the classic cars and i win nothing. is there something wrong with out third gens?

 

I have won 2 out of three shows I have been to. I would suggest a "classed" show so you only go against the same car. I won 2nd place against about 25 firebirds (all generations). there were 1500 cars at that show but you stand a better chance if the show has a class for each make/model and era!

you have a very nice Z28 man.

 

I was first place for top late model.

 

Most shows are put on by geezers (people my age) and they have a tendency to look to their past and what was cool, so your chances of winning an award, unless there are year specific classes, isn't good. Nature of the beast.

And finally, if you participate in shows long enough, the awards don't have much meaning. I have a ton in the garage gathering dust. I think meeting people, especially other thirdgen owners, is much more appealing than winning a trophy/plaque .

JamesC

 

Your car is super sweet looking!

 

Really only two or three kinds of cars win at shows (large shows, not the church parking lot deals), classed or not:

1) Ultra-low mileage originals
2) Spike-Z caliber modified cars (big $$$ builds)
3) Frame-off restored cars that you can eat off of underneath.

If you don't fit any of those, you have pretty slim chances of winning anything (again, at large shows). My car would never win a car show since it fits none of those (and even if I fit #3, I probably still wouldn't win being "just" an RS), I don't even stay around for the judging, I just go to have a good time.

 

I have 2 trophy's....and would rather be a big show...where I know there are better cars....and meet great people, than be at a small show where I should have won and didn't.

in my area...seems the same people win each year...they know the judges, so if I see them at the show...I don't register and enjoy the day.

 

since i built the ta in early 2006, i have won 99 awards with it. over 20 best paintm numorous 1st place and several top 50 show also best gem in a open non class show, beat out several very swweet fords and gm's.6 at thirdgen fest

 

I agree with the others that if you want to win anything at shows, you need to attend those who have classes. The shows that we have in my area usually have classes for 80's vehicles or sometimes 69-92 Camaros/Firebirds. 99% of the time, older cars are going to prevail just because they are classics and more popular (even if our cars are up to 30 yrs old. What I hate the most is going to a show where brand new Camaro's, Challengers, Chargers, even Vettes win 1st place or prizes for top 25 cars in the show. Most of the time they are completely stock looking like they were just driven off the lot.

 

I've had my wins. All with the 2nd Gen Fbody cars I've have. It is cool to have your name called but lately it is mostly about meeting people and talking with them. You can learn a lot. I really like the cruise ins though. No charge, park, walk around, eat and leave. No pressure to clean like mad only to get snubbed because your car is not "old". I bought my 3rd gen to drive and have fun in and to be somewhat comfortable on long trips out. I've had it a month and have put on 700 miles and most all of those are to cruise ins and a couple of shows. Enjoy your car, if you want to win trophies then go out and buy a 1st gen.

 

I have won many many awards over the years and its nice but I don't go to win a 5$ plastic dust collector. I know my car, whats wrong/right with it. I honestly go to a show just to hangout and talk with other guys/gals and pickup cool ideas of what to do and a LOT of what not to do! lol
I will prolly donate all my trophys to something like the special olympics in the near future because all they do is take up space and collect dust. I think those kids would enjoy those a whooole lot more than I ever will/would...

 

We have been hitting up more cruise nights too over the past few years also. I too like the fact that its free and you can leave whenever. At the judged shows you are stuck there for the whole day.

 

Go to the F-Body Gathering (G16) in Atlanta. Everybody got a trophy. It's a real self-esteem booster.

Seriously though, I've never been to a real show with certified judges doing 100 point or even 1000 point judging. However, I've been to a few local car shows (50 to 200 cars). My pickup truck won two first places and one second place. I feel only one of those awards is legit as my truck was up against some good competition and the judging was comprehensive. The other two were either sparse (stock Chevy trucks is a narrow category) or the judging was done by high schoolers.

My Camaro won best in class for stock thirdgen 87-92 at F-Body Gathering G15, but as mentioned before, almost everybody got an award there. The classes were so divided in generation (stock, mod, really modded, sub year groupings within generations, etc.) that most people were up against two other cars in their class, thus guaranteeing they'd get a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. And then the plaques don't say 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, just class winner.

G15 was an awesome time, though. I'm just pointing out how car show awards aren't the best judge of a car. Don't take it personally.

 

Hey, I remember your white B4C. I judged it LOL!!!!!!!

 

I've won a few awards at car shows that I didn't expect and I've went to some where I felt my car was one of the better ones and didn't win anything. Like others have said, just go and have fun. I don't really care if I win anything, its just a bonus if I do. I feel more at home at the drag strip anyway, but I do enjoy a car show occasionally.

 

He won Best in Class for stock thirdgen 87-92 because I wasn't there!

 

Haha, well thanks for judging it so highly

Could it be you sensed defeat and decided not to go!?

Seriously, I'd like to see your car some time. I'd say it'd be easy but FL spans two time zones and I think we're in opposite parts. I'll be missing G16 (and 17)... maybe 18!

 

1990 RS won 3rd place Overall at a local restaurants car show this week.....

 

Wait what happened to the white bird?

 

Nothing. That 90 RS isn't my car. It belongs to a 20yr old girl.

 

I'm pretty much with the guys that have done shows for awhile in that trophies are just dust collectors after awhile. I have won over 30 at local shows, and a few bigger ones, many of those 1st place. They are cool at first, but after 10-15 of them, no big deal. I mostly just do cruise nights now, also to come and go as I please and not be stuck all day. I did win 2 2nd places and a 3rd place at STARS, which was pretty cool to me. But, my best car moment was having a full page article in HPP magazine (Jan. 2002). I will agree however that in most cases a 3rd Gen will get passed over and in some cases, a not as nice 68 or 69 Camaro will beat it out. I say just enjoy the social aspect of the shows and have fun with your car. You know what you've got and how much sweat and tears (and money) you've put into it.

 

If anything, they make cool garage decorations.

 

Especially if you're into the lacy delicacy of cobwebs .

JamesC

 

I am with you guys, I have won a ton of awards at the shows but personally I don't mind not winning anything, I get together with friends and talk cars all day and look around for ideas, I don't even register my car anymore lol! go out...cruise...have fun...that's what it's all about!

 

I guess it's nice win, but I'm with you guys - I enjoy hanging out with other 3rd genners. We understand and appreciate each other's cars on a whole different level.


But........

If you want the secret to winning trophies, I will disclose it. Right here. Right now.

1) Get a 1st gen.

2) Paint it red.

That is all......

 

I'll have to second that, and around here even a half *** black 69 will do....ha

 

I have noticed There is not many third gens at shows and we get put in classes that we dont belong in

 

Rob, it's always been like that here in town, one of the reasons I quit doing shows. That and the dang favoritism, where even the "project" cars beat you out....lol Just stick to Sonic, much more fun anyway and only have to hang out a couple of hours and go. Hope to see you there.

 

At my local show I've given at least 3 Thirdgens awards