Car show fiasco

[MERCULES]

I am so disappointed with a car show I went to today. I am used to not much attention or respect for the Marauder at the few car shows I have been to but today I think I hit rock bottom.

I spent 6 hours detailing the car yesterday and was looking forward to the first show of the year.

I signed in and parked the car and toured around to look at some of the other cars.

The people beside me had some friends visiting them and were just plain unfriendly and ignorant, which I can live with.

I was annoyed when there lawn chair fell over and hit my car but said nothing, then when I looked over again two guys were leaning on my car with their fat asses on my drivers fender talking about his car.

I fired up the Marauder and pulled out looked for another spot but all where gone so I left the show.

It's not like me to spin the wheels, but when I turned out of the lot before I knew it the pedal was to the floor and well lets just say when the smoke cleared they knew the Marauder had left.

I am done with car shows, unless there is a ford only show. I need to head state side and park beside another Marauder and get some respect.

Rant over, thanks for letting me get that off my chest. :mad2:

[MERCULES]

For the record my Silver Birch is in pristine condition, interior 9.5 of 10 and paint 9 of 10, it's not like I show up with a worn out old Marauder leaking oil .

I swear the next guy who parks his butt on my fender is going to get knocked out.

[Gerry24]

That was a shame... Hopefully that f***** lawn chair didn't leave a mark...

[sailsmen]

Obviously an aberration. I have been to dozens with my MM.

If people always acted that way there would be fights at every car show.

"Excuse me, may I help you? It's a car, not a chair!"

[MOTOWN]

Honestly its partly your fault , if you won't speak up for yourself , and your property don't expect anyone else to, i would have told them to get the hell off of my car!

[Gerry24]

What ^^^^ said...

[03blackvegas]

Sounds like you could use a trip to Vegas in September for the big show. When someone leans on my car, I walk up to them, look them dead in the eyes, and say, "Is this your car?", when they respond "No", then I say, "Then why are you leaning on it?

[MERCULES]

I can understand the odd spectator touching a car or leaning on it when they shouldn't no big deal for me really, it's just a car.

But when you show a car of your own you must be really ignorant to lean on the guys car beside you with your buddy and be ok with that.

[MERCULES]

Honestly its partly your fault , if you won't speak up for yourself , and your property don't expect anyone else to, i would have told them to get hell off of my car!

Yep you are right, lesson learned.

[MOTOWN]

Yep you are right, lesson learned.

Don't give up on the car shows though , they can be a lot fun , and you can also meet some really cool people who love their cars as much as you do.

[Smalldogg/03mm]

I would have lost it.. Can't take disrespect in no form of fashion...[emoji35][emoji35]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cheaneyt]

Should've told them fat ****s to get off your ride. That's sucks. People=****! For the most part. I probably would have ended up in a fight .

Sent while thinking of new mods for my 96 TC, using Tapatalk.

[champ1173]

That sucks! But like MOTOWN said, I would've said something. There would have been some vulgar language, that would make a sailor blush! :argue:

[jsignorelli]

I hear your pain. Several years ago, I went to an ALL Ford Show in south Jersey. There were nine Marauders registered. When we arrived, we were told that we had all altered our cars because Ford never put the 32 valve DOHC motor in a Marquis. We tried to tell this idiot that:
A) it was not a Marquis!
B) Ford did in fact place this motor into the car
C) we were never coming back to this show... and we haven't.

I have had a person put her hand bag (with metal feet) on the roof of my Mustang. When I yelled at her, she said "It is only a car!" Yes.. true... but it is MY CAR! I then threw her bag across the show field. She left the show. I guess I made my point. Don't annoy a Sicilian.. we hold vendettas.

[Gerry24]

I hear your pain. Several years ago, I went to an ALL Ford Show in south Jersey. There were nine Marauders registered. When we arrived, we were told that we had all altered our cars because Ford never put the 32 valve DOHC motor in a Marquis. We tried to tell this idiot that:
A) it was not a Marquis!
B) Ford did in fact place this motor into the car
C) we were never coming back to this show... and we haven't.

I have had a person put her hand bag (with metal feet) on the roof of my Mustang. When I yelled at her, she said "It is only a car!" Yes.. true... but it is MY CAR! I then threw her bag across the show field. She left the show. I guess I made my point. Don't annoy a Sicilian.. we hold vendettas.

Wow... That's just crazy that it was an all Ford show and they were dumb as a door knob...:shake::shake:

[gdsqdcr]

i would have lost it. Yes it is only a car, but if I respect yours, respect mine.

I took her out today for a drive, and got stopped by an older couple in an out-of-state RAV4. They commented on how clean the car looked and sounded.

[8UWITH6]

Guy leaning on my GN a few years back....so I say......"hey man, nice car is it yours?" He says, "no". So I say very loudly, "so get the F off of it then!". The confusion on his face was priceless. Needless to say he said he was sorry and moved on. A few other instances are simple and to the point get off my ride dude. I give zero F's when it comes to that and do not care how I come across to people in that situation. Respect other people's property.

[Nightcrawler]

I gave up on car shows. To me all they have turned into are lame measuring contests about who spent more money on a NOS seat belt. I went to a local Mopar show. Ther was a man there who had a 1964 CSS Dodge D100 with a 426 Wedge. There are two documented to exist. It was a beautiful black truck. But, because he wasn't a member of the club, he didn't even get a top 30 trophy! Now I go to events such as Street Car Takeover and TX2K, and FL2K. Much more exciting!

[Logizyme]

We still get much praise at the Ford shows in the Northwest.

[Wags]

Then you get the other extreme. Had the '68 in a show about 15 yrs ago. Nice sunny day. Had it in the show field, top down, hood up, trunk open. Left and went to kids football game a few towns over. Came back and saw that everyone was uncovering their cars and drying them off. I guess there was a short little heavy rain event that blew through. Got to my car and it is just soaked inside. The people on either side of me were going to put the top up, but did not want to touch any car that was not their own. So I had a wet rear end driving home that day. Took weeks to dry out completely. Lucky no permanent damage. A TV crew was at that show and "had to interview the idiot that left his top down in a downpour". Yep, I was interviewed that day. So sometimes you want people to touch your car, but I have to respect them that they did not. We did all get a good laugh out of it.

Wags

[Blackened300a]

Words would have been exchanged and then fists if my message didn't get across the first time. Most of my local car shows have been fine except for the occasional oblivious woman walking around with a giant handbag and kids. Kids are *******s and have no respect for other people's property and feel the need to touch everything. I stay away from shows that take place in shopping center parking lots or schools. That seems to be where I run into people that don't respect other people's property.

[Bluerauder]

Obviously an aberration. I have been to dozens with my MM.

I agree. At most car shows, 99.9% of the people know and respect the effort put into all the cars on display. Most everyone understands the "Do Not Touch" rule. However, occasionally you will get one of the uninitiated by-standers who may be visiting a show for the first time and just think they are in the parking lot of their local grocery store.

Car Shows that are open to the General Public for viewing will attract more of the uninitiated and have a higher potential for incidents like you experienced. I wouldn't let it get you down .... leaving the show because of two A-holes was a mistake IMHO. But, I definitely would have said something to the idiots AND the guy that they were visiting next to you. BTW --- what kind of car was HE showing?

[1 Bad Merc]

I can understand the odd spectator touching a car or leaning on it when they shouldn't no big deal for me really, it's just a car.

But when you show a car of your own you must be really ignorant to lean on the guys car beside you with your buddy and be ok with that.

I dont understand why you didnt go up and lean on their car....when they started to scream I would've said that I thought it was okay since you were leaning on my car! I am sure that would of moved their asses off your car.

[RF Overlord]

Two wrongs don't make a right...




But two Wrights made an airplane. :)

[jsignorelli]

Did you ever wonder after the horror stories about people disrespecting the cars at these show?
I wonder if they'll allow car owners to sit near their babies with a shotgun across their laps... just waiting for the idiot who thinks that your car is theirs to abuse.

I'll have to attend a Texas car show to research my question.

[jerrym3]

Car shows are tough. With 35 years of shows, my Galaxie has a few car show "memories".

If you stand there guarding your car, you don't see the other cars. If you walk the show, your car's unprotected.

With a paint job that was done in the early 80's, and 218,000 of driving (road chips/scratches/fading paint, etc), I've mellowed a bit with regards to the lookers and touchers.

I will give a friendly comment especially if a family goes by with unattended young kids, but I can't be in all places at all time, so I just have to live with it.

The alternative would be not to attend shows, but, shows are 90% of my reason to keep the car.

[88CuttyClassic]

i've had people come up to my hurst olds before wanting to test out oldsmobiles spring loaded grills. after my car was wrecked it got repaired, including the $1000 NOS grills, i dont take people trying out that logic too lightly. thankfully one of my buddies that comes to cruises with me a lot open carries a gold plated dessert eagle. people see that and see him and want no parts of it lol .

I had to scream at idiots with chain wallets i dont know how many times. ****en dirtballs.. i dont care if you think your grimey **** is cool. i'll wrap it around your neck if it touches my car!

i occasionally get the "leaners" they lean on the top of the door or lean against the a-pillar to get a closer look at the lightning rod shifters. i usually let it go. But what i did start doing was displaying a diagram of the shift sequence so A, they dont have to lean in and B, because explaining how they work 20 times a cruise can get annoying.

[tbone]

The guy who leans on my car will learn very quickly it will not be tolerated, in no uncertain words. Polite, but firm. My tolerance level for ignorance is at an all time low.

As far as cars that get no respect at shows that should really get awards, go to shows that are voted on by the public, not some snooty "judges" with all the political BS that goes on behind the scenes.
It's the only venue where the car will be judged for its' true merits.

[88CuttyClassic]

The guy who leans on my car will learn very quickly it will not be tolerated, in no uncertain words. Polite, but firm. My tolerance level for ignorance is at an all time low.

As far as cars that get no respect at shows that should really get awards, go to shows that are voted on by the public, not some snooty "judges" with all the political BS that goes on behind the scenes.
It's the only venue where the car will be judged for its' true merits.

I've been a part of both types of shows, dont think politics doesnt go on in public vote shows too. the general public will also vote for a car based on the stupidest stuff. my experience at judged shows is that some of the judges dont know the car they are judging. 12c is the Olds club of america class for Hurst Olds. they guys judging the class were asking me about my own car in the class they were judging. there was 5 cars in my class. the least orginal car won the class, THAT WAS BASED ON ORIGINALITY!! The car that shoulda won BOC didnt. Its fun to do judged shows but its really all BS. I worked with the general public for 12 years... i wouldn;t trust them to be able to do much right including voting on cars based on their merits. i just stick to cruises mostly and try to learn some new about different cars.

[jerrym3]

After decades of car shows with my Galaxie, I have a cabinet filled with trophies. But, half of them were given out just for showing up, which, IMHO, is dumb.

Being in the 1960/1969 class is tough. There are too many excellent muscle cars and early Mustangs. (Some shows put Mustangs in their own class.)

Two years ago, the judges at the Wildwood, NJ, spring car show did a good job.

They selected a "top 40" list. The 40 owners were told to go to the convention center after the show. Then, the 40 owners selected the best car out of the 40.

I can live with a "top 40" award in a show of a few hundred cars.

[03blackvegas]

I hear your pain. Several years ago, I went to an ALL Ford Show in south Jersey. There were nine Marauders registered. When we arrived, we were told that we had all altered our cars because Ford never put the 32 valve DOHC motor in a Marquis. We tried to tell this idiot that:
A) it was not a Marquis!
B) Ford did in fact place this motor into the car
C) we were never coming back to this show... and we haven't.

I have had a person put her hand bag (with metal feet) on the roof of my Mustang. When I yelled at her, she said "It is only a car!" Yes.. true... but it is MY CAR! I then threw her bag across the show field. She left the show. I guess I made my point. Don't annoy a Sicilian.. we hold vendettas.
I agree, my mothers maiden name was Morello, from Palermo Sicily.

[chief455]

When I go to a car show, I'm in the drivers seat, the car is a winner. I know because it's mine and the only car at the show.
I continue driving my one car show the rest of the day. Several people, not expecting a car show, comment on how different, nice, cool etc. my car is.
Only shows I bring my car to = the road.
After 25 years into the hobby, seeing more Chevelles, Camaros etc just does nothing for me. 10 years later, I still have no desire to park my car in a crowd, and stop driving.
The pleasure of my cars come from the driving experience, not lawn chairs.

[jsignorelli]

Did you ever have a car show visitor ( predator ) open you door and sit in your car. Now that really sent me over the edge. Even judges ask if they may open you car.

[Motorhead350]

I gave up on car shows for multiple reasons.

1. No one cares about mine because the blower is gone.

2. The only cars that win awards are never driven. If they are it's to the show.

3. Old people keep telling me what I should do when I know it will not work. Like putting 15 inch wheels on the rear to put drag tires on it.

4. Burnouts are now looked down upon.

5. Everyone wants to brag about how much money they spent. Even when I had my setup, I never told anyone what it costs because frankly that turns into a pissing contest.

6. The cars get to be all the same. Low miles GN, Rat Rod snobs unite, JDM dope smokers...

7. Then within 20 minutes everyone wants to talk politics. Not that I agree or disagree with anything, but I didn't come to a parking lot to discuss who's in office and who's getting rich.

Things are much more fun in the street. Hate to say it, but they are, for me.

[jerrym3]

I gave up on car shows for multiple reasons.

1. No one cares about mine because the blower is gone.

2. The only cars that win awards are never driven. If they are it's to the show.

3. Old people keep telling me what I should do when I know it will not work. Like putting 15 inch wheels on the rear to put drag tires on it.

4. Burnouts are now looked down upon.

5. Everyone wants to brag about how much money they spent. Even when I had my setup, I never told anyone what it costs because frankly that turns into a pissing contest.

6. The cars get to be all the same. Low miles GN, Rat Rod snobs unite, JDM dope smokers...

7. Then within 20 minutes everyone wants to talk politics. Not that I agree or disagree with anything, but I didn't come to a parking lot to discuss who's in office and who's getting rich.

Things are much more fun in the street. Hate to say it, but they are, for me.

Some good points, but regarding burnouts, that could be a little dangerous. Wildwood used to allow street burnouts with police standing guard, but it was limited to burnouts only. No speeding.

Then, probably due to complaints and potential liability, they stopped the burnouts.

I invite people to sit in my car for picture taking. I've never had anyone sit in the car without an invite, or even open the door.

Yes, the cars are getting repetitive. I pretty much know which cars are going to get trophies. That's why I usually just sit in my chair and, if they seem interested, tell the lookers about the car's history, how I hit the junkyards in the 80's to convert the car to a 500XL, etc.

But, I tell my story fast so as not to bore them to tears.

I usually leave when they start giving out awards.

[jsignorelli]

My Mustang club runs several shows each year. We raise money for the MDA, Wounded Warriors, and the Michael J Fox foundation. In addition, we help the Marines to run their Toys-for-Tots show. The owners and general public who attend these shows both appreciate a well run show, and respect the cars on display.
In my 28 years of taking cars to shows, it has been my experience that shows run for a charity rather than the sponsoring organization draw kinder and gentler people.
Just an observation.

And as for allowing people to sit in my cars... it is always children with wide eyed amazement at the cars. Each summer, my club visits the MDA camp where we are reminded of and appreciate what God has given us. We take the campers on short rides in our cars. They wear our crash helmets and imagine a world where their wheels were not part of their wheel chairs. The club members never leave the camp with a dry eye.