Car Show Shy

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, tomorrow there is a Mopar only car show, at a large Chrysler dealership in Winnipeg, and there is a cruise get together not far from home also.

The big Mopar show, ill have lots of the muscle car types, as well, I know another guy who has a 1948 Chrysler, that is in minty sahpe that will be attending.

The small cruise get together, is a get together for another Gent I know who owns a 1947 Chrysler T&C Convertable, real nice piece of luxury.

My car still is not finished, has rally no interior other than the seats and carpets, seats have blankets over them, my paint job is a home job, not very good, with a few major runs, my bumper chrome is in real bad shape.

Now I am getting cold feet on attending either event, I am embarrased about my car, I know it is not as nice as what will be there.

It is going to hot tomorrow, the city and the highway going in will be packed with traffic, so I am even a little nervous about the drive there.

Not looking for any sympathy, but my fear of what my car is lacking, is making me think I should stay away from these events, till I can ge the car to a higher degree of restoration................... Fred

[PatS....]

Nothing to be embarassed about, it's a work in progress.

"Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway!!"

[Niel Hoback]

Fred, I feel the same way sometimes. Then when I'm at a show, I see cars in about the same shape as mine, and some even worse. I realized that I enjoyed looking at those cars anyway, because I understand what the owners are going thru.

Others would like to see your car, even though they know everythings not perfect, but they will still have those "My Dad had on like that" moments anyway. I'm sure you don't mind looking at less then perfection, others don't either.

Go, have fun, enjoy, thats why you and I and all the rest of us do this.

[55 Fargo]

Thanx for the "Push" in the right direction Guys.....Fred

[oldmopar]

Just tell them it's a rat rod and is for sale for $20,000 if they are interested in buying it

[greg g]

Go enjoy, it will likely be the only 48 chrysler there and people will appreciate seeing it.

[BobT-47P15]

I used to take the convert to occasional local cruise-ins with no interior....just the

seats with not so great covers on them. People still looked and commented. The

cruise-in might be a little more easy-going than the show.

However, I see unfinished cars at shows, too.

You're eventually going to install an interior, right? Going to fix the runs in the

paint, right? You can talk about your future plans for the car......not so much

on how it looks right now. At least it's drivable.

Can't comment on the traffic in your area, or the roads you need to

take to get somewhere. Any smaller secondary routes available?

[Don Coatney]

My car has no headliner. My interior has a lot of work to be done before it is perfect. But I do not have a problem driving my car 7-8 hundred miles to attend a show. Once again how far away are these shows you want to attend?

[55 Fargo]

My car has no headliner. My interior has a lot of work to be done before it is perfect. But I do not have a problem driving my car 7-8 hundred miles to attend a show. Once again how far away are these shows you want to attend?

Don, the 1 show is close to home about 10 iles, the other is about 30 miles form home into the city, no big deal either, just geta little nervous on the hot humid days, supposed to be about 85 and super humid tomorrow, not real scortching, just good and warm.....take care

[55 Fargo]

I used to take the convert to occasional local cruise-ins with no interior....just the

seats with not so great covers on them. People still looked and commented. The

cruise-in might be a little more easy-going than the show.

However, I see unfinished cars at shows, too.

You're eventually going to install an interior, right? Going to fix the runs in the

paint, right? You can talk about your future plans for the car......not so much

on how it looks right now. At least it's drivable.

Can't comment on the traffic in your area, or the roads you need to

take to get somewhere. Any smaller secondary routes available?

Thanx Bob, yes eventually it will al get finished, I may even be able to wetsand and polish the paint to a better state, or will sand out and let Maaco spray a paint job on.....Fred

[55 Fargo]

Gonna be at least 1 other 47 and 48 Chrysler at each event, I know the owners of those cars personally, and they are much nicer than mine, but I can live with that.....

[pflaming]

Had coffee this morning with a car enthuiast who has attended the 17 Mile Concouse in Pebble Beach, CA., for many years. He said that every year there is more and more interest in the 'as is' cars than in the 'perfectly' restored cars because of the authenticity of the 'as is' cars. Money can 'perfect' a car but only time can make a real deal. Interesting! He told me not to repaint my truck, just "fix it and show it!" Interesting.

For the uninformed, Pebble Beach is one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in California.

[Plymouthy Adams]

some shows actually have the "survivor" class

[Rodney Bullock]

Hey Fred, You know when folks have a before and after to look at, you in dear fans to you. Now next year when they see it they will say "WoW look at the progress he's made. I get that from people that remember when my car had upgrades done. Just think of the cat that has "no Car" then your problems solved:) Roll out and have fun. These shows are meant to put people together, who knows you might meet your future interior man:)

[David Maxwell]

...I know that when I go to meet, I love to see all the cars in various states of progress. It's fun to see the approach people are taking even if it's just to keep the car in "as is" condition. It's fun to share stories of success and failure and to try and help as much as possible when people need it. So go to the meet and proudly show your car!!! Have fun!

[1940plymouth]

Fred,

Back in 1992 my wife, the two boys and I attended a car show in Camden,NY which was a decent drive from our house, where we lived at the time. My old Plymouth was safe to drive, but she still had the original paint, dented rear passenger side fender, the chrome was coming off of both bumpers, the headliner was in bad shape, not to mention the door panels, but as we were driving up there, we had to go thru Onieda, as we were doing so, we got high 5's from people walking the streets, not to mention the oncoming traffic. When we got to the fairgrounds in Camden, we were parked next to a couple with a beautiful two one 1941 Plymouth. I felt bad parking my car next to theirs and apologized to them. They told me, not a problem, as I had a project car that was being enjoyed while being fixed up. We ended up having a good day with them, then we stopped on the way back to have lunch with them, and I have never fogotten that day.

My Father and I went to a car show yesterday, as we parked the old couple a man came by and said, well I guess you don't worry about people touching this thing do you, I smiled and told him nope, it is a driver, and these things were meant to be driven. The paint is ten years old, I have scratches in the paint, but the old girl is safe to drive and drive it I do. I just figure that sometimes these people that look at the car and snub their noses at the condition just don't have a clue:)

I hope this helps,

Bob

[Robin (UK)]

Hey Fred,

Take your beautiful car out, show it off and enjoy it.

If anyone has anything negative to say, it's their problem.

All old cars are great to look at and tell their own story.

The man who gets too obsessed with someone else's car's shortcomings should really find something better to do.

I have a short (true) story about the P15 coupe I used to own.

I was taking it to an event in a park and had my wife and friends in the car.

We drove through the gate and a guy walked up to ask what model the car was.

We told him, then explained that we needed to get the car in position so would talk to him later.

We drove around a huge crescent-shaped driveway and watched as the guy ran across the grass to meet us.

When we got there he came straight to us to tell us that the car's seat upholstery was not original.

We knew that and politely told him so.

I had the car 9 years and kept that interior. Bryan has now owned the car 5 years and has also kept the interior.

We know it's not factory spec, but we both love the car, have had loads of fun with it and hundreds of people have enjoyed looking at it.

We all still laugh at the memory of the puffing, panting, purple-faced guy giving us the benefit of his great knowledge!

Just keep that picture in your head if anyone offers any negative opinions on your car.

And remember you get to drive it home.

What better reward!

[BobT-47P15]

Had coffee this morning with a car enthuiast who has attended the 17 Mile Concouse in Pebble Beach, CA., for many years. He said that every year there is more and more interest in the 'as is' cars than in the 'perfectly' restored cars because of the authenticity of the 'as is' cars. Money can 'perfect' a car but only time can make a real deal. Interesting! He told me not to repaint my truck, just "fix it and show it!" Interesting.

For the uninformed, Pebble Beach is one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in California.

I read just recently, I think in Hemmings Classic Car, that the "survivor"

type car is becoming more popular....just as he said. They are a good

textbook on originality for others.

[daddyo23]

...I know that when I go to meet, I love to see all the cars in various states of progress. It's fun to see the approach people are taking even if it's just to keep the car in "as is" condition. It's fun to share stories of success and failure and to try and help as much as possible when people need it. So go to the meet and proudly show your car!!! Have fun!

I have to agree with David and the rest.My car is far from perfect, 10 ft.paint job that always has someone ask if it is a "factory" color. Same with the interior. I just tell them it was used as a taxi and that's why it has leather(read vinyl) seats and the yellow paint. Bumpers are kinda beat, little dents and dingys here and there but I drive it and have fun. I put what little money I have in the mechanical end to make it roadworthy. I plan on taking it next weekend on a 440 mile round trip to the NHRA divisional races in Iowa. It looks like a "survivor" and I'm happy with that.

[55 Fargo]

Thanks all for the votes of confidence. Sometimes my own expectations for perfection get in the way of life's enjoyment. I think I had a case of the not being able to "see the forest", because of a few "trees", going out to clean the opld giorl, and get ready to head out to the car show......Fred

[1940plymouth]

Fred,

Have a good time and please take lots of pictures

[T120]

Hi Fred, You might take a few photos along,showing the car as it was when you started working on it.You've accomplished a lot and certainly something to take pride in. - Have a nice day. Ralph

[Young Ed]

Fred glad you decided to go. I'm sure you'll post how much fun you had soon.

[Plymouthy Adams]

for what it is worth Fred, I will walk by dozens of "restored" or "cookie cutter" rods to get to see a car that I can tell from afar is a work in prcess...to see what he has done, in the midst of doing and technique and choice of "added/altered" equipment..more to what I am into..now you other folks don't get mad..I see your car..I see the fact it is an example of time money and dedication to get it right..now mind you most of these are brand X cars I go by and where replacement parts can be had on any street corner..the Mopar guys, well we are all in the same boat..very little aftermarket support out there so anything we get accomplished is just that..an accomplishment..

[55 Fargo]

Just retuened from thew car show, all went well, some people were eeven taking pics of my car.

Young Ed, Imet Lanny the POC magazine editor, he says he knows you and your Dad, he lives in my Hometown.

Will report moew later, I am typing without my glasses, and am almost blind without them for reading, 3 feet and beyond, I am still an eagle eye......Fred