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I was able to put on close to 3000 miles this year, and attend and see a lot of things I have never done before. I would like to continue to see and do new things next year … it is going to be a long 6 months with the car in storage …
I started out the year at the Chicago Autoshow:
Went to Volo to check out some cars:
Jefferson swap meet
Vintage TorqueFest … a great show and lots of passionate people that are not worried about trophies
Multiple Cars and Coffee Lake Mills events … always +100 cars … quick, easy and again … no awards …
Automotion lots of great cars, but just too many people come to just do stupid things at night
Multiple trips to Fort’s Cruisin
Cruisin for a Cure:
Touring the Ring Brothers shop:
Going on a 1000 mile ride with my dad to St. Louis on part of the Hot Rod Power Tour:
Car Show in Verona:
Munz auto collection for UW Hospital benefit
[img]All Stop Car Cruise:
Multiple trips to Quaker steak and lube:
Beaver Dam:
Car Cruise in Fly in to a private collection:
Road Apples show:
Albany:
VFW Jefferson cruise in:
I forget the name of this show:
Marshfield:
in the pits for a nascar event:
Pardeeville:
Parks Automotive:
Waunakee:
Mecum Chicago:
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I have to admit, I enjoyed viewing Ryan’s photo’s of his adventures more than I enjoyed attending the few car shows I did this year
To recap, What can I say about Automotion that hasn’t been said in the last 5 months? The youth of America has made a stink about not being ‘accepted’ and have decided to start their own shows, in the same town, on the same day. They turned it into one big orgy with the drinking, driving like a-holes, lack of respect to others, and sense of entitlement. I know, I make myself out to be a hypocrite being that I used to be ‘that kid’ that threw some of the best motel room parties in the history of the Shamrock Motel.
Perhaps age, a career change, and being more fiscally responsible has changed my view. A few years ago, I felt that all I was doing was seeing the same cars week in and week out. Granted, each year I have shows that are “must attend” shows for me. I do not miss those events. Running every weekend to go here, there, and everywhere just doesn’t happen anymore. I’ve found I enjoy driving my summer car more than letting other people knit pick or praise it. I could care less about awards anymore, I have too many (not 556+) simply collecting dust in my garage/shop. The appreciation of acknowledgement is humbling, but only a select few really mean something – and those ones reside in the house.
I attended Blanchardville for the first time in three years this year. It’s always a great show, but nothing tripped my trigger about it. A lot of the same cars and faces. Pardeeville was an absolute blast this year, I had a great time and the day flew by. However, I’ve not hid my opinions when it comes to the separation of church and car show. I don’t care what religion you are, which higher power you believe in, or what sins you have. When I attend a car show, I don’t want prayer. I don’t want constant scripture on flyers. I want it to be about the cars and the people. Not Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. I’m glad the proceeds do great things, but that happens because of people, not prayer. Enough on this subject.
On the subject of cruise nights, I can only say I wish there was more of them in my area. QSL is the closest to me, but that quickly becomes the same ordeal week after week. Others take place on the east side of Madison, or Lodi, which maybe I can venture to next summer as being done work at 4pm almost everyday is very enjoyable, along with more time for other activities. The thing I like about these is they are scheduled for only a few hours at the most, not an all-day affair. No awards, no pressure into spending all day cleaning my vehicle. My favorite car related event all summer was the Saturday night before the HRPT left Madison… Cars everywhere, cruising East Wash was like going back in time, and I got away with A LOT on the street that night
jonmandude and I have had an ongoing conversation about the thrill of our hobby as of late, and speaking entirely for myself, I can say there is more I want to see and do with my car besides attend show after show. I put 2200 miles on this summer, an all-time low. Most of those miles were put on when I drove the car to work
That is going to change for 2016, as I am in the final stage of my performance build I started on my car 6 years ago.I’m putting it away for winter tomorrow. No daylight for six months. Time to get comfy with my fancy new truck
I talked to a few people at shows, and many have shared the same thoughts. It is losing it’s luster for many of us. For me, it has always been the same. I build a car that I want to build thinking “when I get it where I want, I will stay with this one”..then the same thing happens, I enjoyed the building more than the owning. It seems time after time, I get the car to a place that I am happy with the look/performance and I part with it. I just can’t seem to be satisfied and happy. With this summer I have understood a few things and been annoyed by a few more.
I have finally understood the attitude that I have hated for so long. That attitude is the “I don’t want to see new car at shows” attitude. I have always thought it was the new cars themselves. But I have realized that maybe it is the “just off the showroom..I have done nothing to it…look what I bought” cars at shows. The only difference between them and the same one at the grocery store down the street, is maybe this one is cleaner. I have grown to have a “a car at a show should have had some effort put into it” attitude. It should be more than a purchase. There should be some blood, sweat and effort into creating something special. Anyone can write a check. Show me a part of yourself.
I have always been a large supporter of eliminating year restrictions and getting the next generation involved. I still believe that. But it is becoming harder and harder to stand up for the spoiled brats of today. When I was a 18 year old kid with my first and second cars, I wanted to be involved with the older guys with the cool cars too. But unlike the kids of today, I respected them and looked up to them. I wanted to learn from them and EARN their acceptance. The kids today DEMAND it. They don’t respect anyone. And they don’t show what they can do. They TELL you what they have (supposedly) done. Zac knows some of what I am talking about.
And honestly, many of the 40 somethings aren’t much better. They pull into a show with their store bought car and expect to be respected because Motor Trend said their car is special. The focus has gone from cars being an expression of the owner, to a car being a status symbol. The rarity of the car is what too many people think makes them unique rather than the artistic expression of the work the owner put in. Real car people, the ones who love cars and feel they are an extension of themselves, car fans and collectors, are being overshadowed by “car investors” who care nothing about the art or emotion of a car, and only care about the monetary value. If it continues down this path, the hobby will fall apart. We all grew up enjoying the car hobby because the cars touch something emotionally for us. Nobody likes the guy who tells you how special he is because of how much money he has to spend. The hobby is being overrun by too many of those pompous “look at me I have a big bank account” guys.
By next week, my car will be gone and I will be taking a break from this hobby. I may make an appearance at a show here and there as a spectator. But it will be a few years before I do another build. I just don’t have it in me to be part of it all right now. I am disgusted with the “check writers” and ashamed of the kids.
I love going to car shows. I must say that I have been doing a lot of the DJing at shows and not so much of drawing cars making art for the owners this past year. I have though, when having no requests for art, just sit and enjoy conversations with other people. Whether they were from my club, Wisconsin Street Rod Association, or making new acquaintances, I had a blast at that. I know my vehicle is only five years old now but I appreciate the love people have for it. I’ve put a lot of miles on it over the years…over 90,000 on a 2010 car. Glad I don’t lease it. At 61 years of age, I hope to continue doing the shows for a few more years and I am considering retiring from my full time work as a wire harness maker. I just have to figure out my financial situation with SS and my investments. If you see me at a show, whether DJing or drawing or kust hanging out, stop by and talk to me.
Jon, thank you for your honest words.. I can only imagine it was a hard decision to let your car go, I know I never could, but understand where you are coming from.
I’ve been in this hobby for a long time and usually love every minute of it, but will agree this year was different and I think it’s because of what we all saw at the first show of the year for many – Automotion. I have never seen such a disrespect for others as I did that weekend, unfortunately that is not going to change. The Dells has changed a lot in the last few years, it’s always been about making money, but this year a new level. I know the organizers of Automotion have asked the hotels to work with them and encourage the other group that seems to think Automotion is now THEIR show and screw the rest of you, that will never happen. I’m not sure if we will attend the show next year, and if we do, it’ll be for a few hours on Saturday and that’s it. I hate to think the younger “I get it my way no matter what you say” generation has ruined a great show, but the time has come.
Everything else you said is right on, there is nothing worse than attending a show and hearing an owner brag about his vehicle and have no flipping clue what’s been done to it, and heaven forbid it breaks down, they would not have a clue what to do. I realize not everyone can, or wants to restore a car – but give the person who did the work the credit, not your pocketbook.
We didn’t attend a lot of shows this year, Steve always has several irons in the fire. We did attend the Inaugural Tri Five Nationals in Bowling Green, Kentucky in August and I can’t wait to go back. That show really set the standards, they had no idea what to expect and over 1500 tri fives showed up and took the town over for the weekend, they were very polite and respectful.. it was like going back in time, no one was afraid to drive their cars and everyone genuinely seemed to enjoy themselves and the surroundings…
As always, I thank everyone that takes the time to support the shows in the area, we are lucky to have something every weekend, if we want it. It’s going to be a long winter, hope to see you – especially at the VFW on June 25, 2016
circletrack wrote:I’ve been in this hobby for a long time and usually love every minute of it, but will agree this year was different and I think it’s because of what we all saw at the first show of the year for many – Automotion. I have never seen such a disrespect for others as I did that weekend, unfortunately that is not going to change. The Dells has changed a lot in the last few years, it’s always been about making money, but this year a new level. I know the organizers of Automotion have asked the hotels to work with them and encourage the other group that seems to think Automotion is now THEIR show and screw the rest of you, that will never happen. I’m not sure if we will attend the show next year, and if we do, it’ll be for a few hours on Saturday and that’s it. I hate to think the younger “I get it my way no matter what you say” generation has ruined a great show, but the time has come.The owners of Mt. Olympus have bought up a lot of the mom and pop motels on the strip, and sponsored one of these “other shows.” I wonder if some sort of a hostile takeover is in the works, but the Automotion show is established. The issue is with all of the other stuff going on outside of the Automotion show, it can and will cause others to not attend Automotion.
Agreed, we love attending Automotion – it’s always been a good time. When it takes 45 minutes to go less than a half mile and overheating starts, that’s when I get ticked. The owners of Mt Olympus have bought up nearly everything on the strip (give or take a few, where we stay is one), it’s a million dollar weekend for them – they aren’t going to change anything.
Had a great time with the cars in 2015 so far. Yea not quite done driving the Cruising Wagon, Forecast Sunday thru Wednesday looks Great! So far 2,000 miles on the 93 Mustang Convertible, in storage now, and 10,465 on the Pinto! Started in April did the Spring and Fall Jefferson. May, a surprise visit for my Mom on mothers day weekend, Utica NY, a 2,300 mile trip. June Show in Verona with the II’s. Then Fathers Day in Detroit at Eyeson Design car show at the Edsel Ford Estate. For sure one of the top , if not the top, shows I’ve done since I’ve started in the hobby 7 years ago. Not sure what next years theme will be , but I will keep you posted. The end of July , the Pinto Stampede, Elizabethtown Ky to Springfield Il. August the Openair Classic held this year in Ashland Wi. 4 days 208 Convertibles 416+ people! September the Beloit Auto Rama , nearly 1,200 cars! October 17th Jasper Alabama, 25th Halloween Car show Batavia IL . Cruise nights Fort Atkinson, Albion, Gus’s , and QSL Middleton. And many miles in between. in January I will do a little maintenance and get ready for next year.
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A photo my Brother shared with me on Mothers’s Day of his 1974 Ford E100 Van taken in 1978 in the Florida Keys
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My Junior High in New Hartford Ny
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The II’s in Verona
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The Edsel Ford House.Attachments:
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