I only take my stuff to local free events, “pay” events that fund a good local cause, or a special event where they are used as eye candy to attract attendees (local ball club fund raisers, etc).
I did not and will not rebuild mine for someone else - and I’m good with that. I’m not a fan of trailer queens (TQ’s) that are only driven from the trailer to a show space. Wallet rebuilds and TQ’s should be in a class of their own.
I’ll look at the other vehicles, and discuss things with family or friends I see after we walk away… UNLESS the car is for sale. I have no problem critiquing cars for sale as I would expect you to nit-pik mine if I were selling it. At that point, it’s a business transaction.
Went to a show a couple of years ago. HS kid had a ‘74 Barracuda he did in school shop and at his grandpa’s barn. Rebuilt junkyard police 360 with summit cam replaced the 318, paint and body done by the kid (and it showed), and he installed the dash cap and legendary interior. Car was a 30 footer - and he was proud. My family looked it all over, he told us what all he had done and what he wished he had done better. We voted for his car as the “Best of Show - Crowd Favorite.”
A different show the same year. All the TQ’s and wallet cars in the best locations at the front. A 58 Dodge with a Ford Coyote engine, entire car inside a plexiglass box was awarded “Best in Show.” A TQ 1946 GMC that was a total wallet build was awarded “Best Original Truck.” But it had 12v electronics and a 235 six. If you just wanted a GM, there was a ‘51 Chevy barn find truck that the new owner polished the old paint and drove it 100 miles to the show. I was impressed, and I am not into GM’s.
Put the wallet cars and the TQ’s in a separate class.
