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Here’s some links to a few Winter Projects I’ve had going on…
feel free to look at any of these you’d like.
they are on my wife’s Facebook, but all are set as “Public View”… no Facebook account needed.
2013 Off-Season Winter Camaro Project: Trunk Re-Design / Re-Upholstery2013 Off-Season Winter Camaro Project: New Fesler Billet Parts
2013 Off-Season Winter Camaro Project: Be-Cool New Electric Fan Module
2013 Off-Season Winter Camaro Project: Intercooler Reservoir Tank Polishing
2013 Off-Season Winter Camaro Project: Radiator Polishing
2013 Off-Season Winter Camaro Project: Blower Re-Build (Day 1)2013 Off-Season Winter Camaro Project: Blower Re-Build (Day 2)
2013 Off-Season Winter Camaro Project: Blower Assembly Tear-Down / Prep for Re-Build (Day 1)
2013 Off-Season Winter Camaro Project: Blower Assembly Tear-Down / Prep for Re-Build (Day 2)
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I have Grundy for my Camaro…. all kinds of added extras included with coverage, no mileage restrictions, true agreed upon coverage, no deductible, extremely easy to deal with… Hagerty couldn’t come close to equal coverage (and really probably wouldn’t even cover my car due to mods). Give Grundy a shot, worth a try at least for your collector car.
Zac and I are on the same page…. traveling is where the fun is. Some of my most enjoyed shows have been the longer road trips. Here’s a few thoughts from the Iowa side of the river:
Comparing 2012 shows to their 2011 counterparts, when weather has been similar to the previous year, I’d agree with previous posts that the attendance seems to be up a little this year. I’d say some of our “local” shows have been up 10-15%.
Show promoters at shows where you are an “out of area” participant, seem to appreciate your participation MUCH MORE than the local ones do. It was extremely noticeable at shows such as Pardeeville, WI – West Point, NE – Sycamore, IL – Hannibal, MO — I had more interaction, and legitimate “thanks for attending” from show participants and/or organizers at Pardeeville, then I had at ALL Iowa shows combined. Maybe they like to see a new car show up, just like I enjoy seeing the different cars myself.. who knows. I think a lot of show organizers in Iowa are complacent, and take for granted the cars that show up. They exhibit very little (a/k/a – NONE) appreciation for any car that shows up. Thank you WI, IL, NE, and others for the welcome this year.
Weather forecasters in 2012 are still dumb*sses… It didn’t do any good at all this year to pay attention to weekend forecasts, until sometime late Thursday/early Friday. I can’t even remember how many times I’d check on Wednesday (clear / sunny), only to look again on Friday and see “showers possible”.
The shows I traveled the furthest to, also seem to have made the short-list for ones I’ll definitely return to the next year.
In Iowa, judged shows are rare, still nothing changed from the previous year.
In Iowa, shows that usually have at least 200 cars have convoluted the awards by trying to have a class for almost every common or oddball year car in existence. Not uncommon to have 40 classes at a relatively small show.
In Iowa, many times it’s a buddy-buddy system on voting for each other. I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of it myself at times. Not sure the best way to rid the shows of this, and continue to have participant vote (which is what most are). I tolerate it only because my wife loves to do the “local” stuff and be with friends.
Top Shows of the year for me…
for location – hands down, no comparison to Pardeeville. You guys have all experienced it before, so it’s same’ol same’ol to you. For me, this was the first time. Only show I got shut out this year, but who cares…. #1 for location, and probably in Top #5 for quality of cars. Also, somewhere #1 – #3 on ones I’ll be returning to (assuming weather and car cooperates)runner-ups:
Sycamore, Illinois. If you guys haven’t done it before, consider it once. Very large turnout (1000+), very nice quality cars, huge non-participant spectator crowd. Major downfall? – gotta get there early to not be buried on a side street. I was actually on the show grounds at 3:45am, and was by no means alone. Probably somewhere around 3-400 by 6am. Was worth it though.West Point, Nebraska. Yeah, I know it’s even further for WI guys than for me… and I drove almost 5 1/2 hours to get there. Large selection of cars (700), pre-register ONLY, so they know exactly how many of each class will be there and they can allocate space appropriately. Judged show, and seemed fair. Many, Many, super nice cars..AND, judging consideration given (within reason) to cars that were driven compared to trailer-mobiles. Massive non-participant spectator crowd. Downfall is the distance/time to get there. I think I’ll return though.
Winona, Minnesota. Just across the river from WI, easy access. It’s held during their “Steamboat Days”. For the most part, it’s a Display only show. No classes, no voting. They have 10-12 local “celebrities” pick out their favorites. Go there for the cars (400-450), the scenery of the area, and large spectator crowd turnout. Depending on other options, will probably return to it…if not next year, soon there after. Mopar guys.. a local collector of vintage drag cars usually bring in some super rare stuff to display… not recreations, but the real things. The organizer also has a buddy in Florida that will bring up 3-4 semi trailers of old historical pro stock drag cars also.. put on your list of ones to do some day, you’ll enjoy it.
if you’re into it, and willing to pay their stupid fees, the GoodGuys show in DesMoines is always worth going to. They always have somewhere around 3500 cars, most of them close to flawless. Hard to believe, but the DM show is one of the oldest GoodGuys events, I think #4(?) for length of time held. And, there is not a better location for a show like that than the Iowa State Fairgrounds. I’m not a State Fair person,,, but the grounds is perfect for a show of this size. A constant stream of driven vehicles cruising around the grounds… not like most Goodguys events which are held at/near stadium parking lots or racetrack parking lots. Open lots with sun if you choose, unlimited choices for shaded parking, full State Fair treatment for food vendors, massive indoor Air-Conditioned vendor building for the big National boys, etc…
Blanchardville, WI – excellent show. Not thrilled with location though, no trees, etc… cars more than make up for it though.
Hannibal, MO – excellent show, old downtown setting along Mississippi river.I guess I’m more of a fan of a LOT of shows outside of Iowa…
There’s a few in Iowa that are great shows… Zac mentioned one of them.
The Dubuque Arboretum show is nice (125 cars),, but the setting near the cars is great. Japanese gardens, waterfalls, … I’m into that type of thing. I could look around at some of the plants and landscaping for longer than the cars (almost..).Clear Lake, IA – rained this year, didn’t go. But, usually 500+ right on lake front property.
Other ones….maybe not so much…. our locals are good, but same cars show after show. Would be unique for you guys, but not for me.
enough for now…
I’ll ramble on about more stuff later this fall/winter..
hope everyone enjoys their off-season.gonna try to make it to one more show – Morris, Illinois. Have heard good things, and is usually a massive show… will wait and see if the rain-date postponement hurts turnout.
yeah, know what ya mean…. I could stand to have another 10-15 degrees (at least)..
Hopkinton on Sunday has been waivering between 55-59 for a high, but sunny.. still damn chilly.good luck in Oxford if ya go.
for anyone who’s interested, here’s an overhead shot of the Hopkinton, IA show from last year:
I always like to scout out a show site before attending, so thought some who’ve mentioned this show might find it useful..
also, here’s some pix from the show participants last year…
should be visible without Facebook login/password. It is set to be “public”.
Facebook has had ongoing issues the last few weeks though…. hopefully it works for all.Hot Rods & Harleys Car Show, Hopkinton, IA – October 1st, 2011 (photo link)
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Zac,,
Hopkinton is definitely on Sunday, October 7th… It was a great show last year,, if good weather, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Nice to have you guys come into Iowa…. thanks.What I like, and it’s not usually on the judging sheet,, is what led the judge to give me the score he did. The actual number means nothing to me (good or bad). I like the discussion with them about the flaws that stick out obviously to them, or the things they like. I couldn’t care less about how another car scored,, I’m strictly looking for tips on how to improve my own car. Being allowed to have meaningful discussions with a judge, during the judging, is becoming more and more difficult to do. (mainly due to owners trying to influence the score, or argue about it)
According to information given to me at a recent WI show, I lost placing in the show by one point. I accept that, and move on. “If” the judge would’ve given me one point higher in an area (and judged another one point lower),,,, would that really change my car at all? would it change what 99.9% of the people think of it when they see it???
I like the sheets if they have explained, written comments. If its just a number, its not all that useful.
To request one to complain, argue, etc… is just wrong.
here’s some links to photos I took yesterday….
these are all set as “Public” on my wife’s Facebook..
you do NOT need to have a FB account or login.I have additional shots/angles/blurred crap,, you name it.
if there’s something more, or you want the original hi-res shot, please let me know.
Great show, great people..thanks for the warm welcome from MMRJR, circletrack, PLUM CRAZY, and all others.
my wife told me a few more forum regulars stopped by, but she didn’t get the names….
looking forward to next year @ Pardeeville ~~ !!!links:
9th Annual Car/Truck Show – Pardeeville, WI – 9/1/2012 (Album #1)
9th Annual Car/Truck Show – Pardeeville, WI – 9/1/2012 (Album #2)
9th Annual Car/Truck Show – Pardeeville, WI – 9/1/2012 (Album #3)
9th Annual Car/Truck Show – Pardeeville, WI – 9/1/2012 (Album #4)
Ok,,, just a slightly different, but still related to this discussion…
If the car owner is around during the judging, are most judges receptive to discussion while looking at the cars? Not looking to debate or argue scores, but mainly looking for constructive criticism so I know what areas need work. I rarely get to any decent judged shows, and these are a welcome variation to what I’m used to. I remember last year in Monroe the guys spent 10 minutes and critiqued the h@ll out of my car (by my request).
Any chance of seeing / knowing what the judges see in my entry at the Pardeeville show?,,, or is it more of a “leave me alone” while I judge scenario??
I don’t care about winning/losing or arguing scores,,, I just like to get input from a fresh set of eyes so I can try to improve,,, I’ll be the first to admit I have issues in a few areas.
Pardeeville for me, if all goes as planned. (weather & Car cooperates)
Hope to see some of you there…
have a good week.
RussThanks again to everyone with the immediate replies….. I may have to do this one regardless, I’m sure I “might” be able to talk the wife into it…. if not, may attend solo.
RussThanks for the comments… I’m still not sure on going, only because of the distance, and my wife’s “non-interest” in the long ride time in the car. Everything I see about the show is very much on the “positive” side.
Hopefully, I’ll go this year,, or worst case, I’ll make it next year.
No trailer…. Car is driven to all the shows. Much more fun that way…
Is there a lot of foot-traffic at the show (non-participant spectators)??
October- what date?
I have 2 weekends already accounted for with shows in October, and possibly a 3rd. I’m sure others have their favorites they attend also…. would need to know a date before most could/would answer. “October” is awfully vague.Just my $0.02
