What's wrong with people??? Mopar Nats Aug 8th RANT

[4406v]

I drove my 71 Cuda to the Mopar Nats this past Saturday. Left home at 5 am and drove 203 miles arriving around 8:30 a.m. on my trip across route 70 I did not see another classic mopar on the road??? 2 new Challengers passed me during my trip both looked like they were headed to Columbus.

I arrived and parked in the For Sale corral and was immediately surrounded by people looking at the car. I mentioned "I drove 203 miles here this morning" I got strange looks and comments "You drove it here" my reply was "Yes it's a car they're meant to be driven" seems people have placed these cars so valuble they've forgotten how to really enjoy them.

I can tell you after driving the 406 mile round trip the 'Cuda has really grown on me. I realize what a great car it is and I'm going to keep it and fix it for myself, my way. I see a Hemi and a shaker hood in my future.......

My rant is related to all of the tents and canopies I watched flying around and smashing into other people's cars!!! Seems NONE of them were secured to the ground. It really wasn't windy but the canopies were flying like kites!!! Do we really need a RULE that CANOPIES MUST BE ANCHORED TO THE GROUND??? My car needs a paint job but if it had been scratched I'd have lost my mind!!!

[74 challenge]

There are so many rules at car shows that need to be written for stupid people.

I love dogs, hell I have a dumb one of my own...but why do owners need to bring them to car shows? I watched a dog piss on a real Shelby gt350 last weekend. Yeah it's a ford..it's funny in that regard...BUT REALLY? Fluffy does not need to attend the car show with you.

Bikes...not the motorized ones the pedal ones. I cringe when I see people walking through the show with bikes. Park them, lock it up and then go enjoy the show....

No touching cars, you think this was a simple thing that everyone should know. Some adult took off my uncles rad cap, I have no ideas what he thought he was going to see beneath it?

I love cars shows, I love when people bring their cars out for all to enjoy but I totally understand why people do not bring their cars near shows.

I'm glad your keeping that car it is a beauty.

[anlauto]

How was the Nationals over all ?

[Oldschool]

I agree with keeping your car. It's a sweet ride....   

[4406v]

By the way the car averaged 16 mpg at 70 mph most of the way. (not too bad imo)

I had a guy looking over the car reach under the hood and disconnect the cowl seal by pulling on it. After he realized he pulled it off he walked away!!! I was pretty irritated at the ignorance!!!

The Nats is ALWAYS a great show ,lot's of great cars and great people. I really enjoyed just meeting people and talking about my car. The longer it went on the more I knew I was driving it home (and I wasn't worried IF it would make it) It's a dust bowl on a day like Saturday so yesterday I woke up and gave it a good cleaning. My wife told me "That car is really growing on me I think you should just fix it the way you want it, paint it black with the black billboards AND KEEP IT" How can you argue with that??? It's why I've kept her for 27 years!!!

[HP_Cuda]

 

[YellowThumper]

I think the main issue is the "level" of the enthusiasts in attendance. Strictly a show and prizes means better level enthusiasts but less attendance ie $$$.
Open it up with seller areas the show gets more $$$s but also gets the non car sorts.

Along with the above mentioned items ar the women with the oversized purses with all their dangling bling...

My cars are driver quality but still there are a few shows I avoid due to the traffic of non car people.

Mike

[4406v]

I learned a long time ago to avoid "car cruises" especially the ones in local small towns. Non-car people show up because there's activity, food, music and last of all cars. I had a baby stroller rubbed down the whole side of my Black 71 Challenger 15 minutes into the first show I'd ever taken it too!

 I stick to the 3 all Mopar shows within driving distance of home Albion,Pa, the Nats, and Norwalk in September. The recent incident with the Nats has me wondering if that's soon over too???

[69ChargerRT]

well if the experience left you wanting to keep your car id say alls well that ends well!  keep it!  and keep us updated on what you plan to do.  id like to see a thread about dropping a hemi in a 71 cuda

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Glad your keeping your car , first off.    Yes people are FREAKIN IDIOTS! We went to the Frame Park show yesterday...  Some guys azz pressed up against NIKKI's right fender... until he realized BIGS was headed his way.    And yea I've often gotten the you drove it here?? Really?? Depending on my mood I tell them my museum is full or some such. After my alternator incident last year I just leave my hood down. 

[4406v]

This was taken of me in my 70 440 six pack Challenger at Norwalk. I drove 185 miles , 160 in pouring rain. The skies cleared up about 30 miles before I got to the track. I registered, shammied the car off, and made my first pass 15 minutes later. A guy comes up afterwards and says "I can't believe you drive that car like that" I replied I didn't put a 440 six pack Dana rear end in the car to drive it like it had a 6 cylinder in it. If it breaks I'm going to build it stronger (hopefully faster) If I had been afraid to get it wet I would have missed one of the best weekends running MY car I've ever had!!!

[sdweatherman]

What do you guys think - maybe these shows that see a lot of non-car people coming through - should print a simple one page pamphlet that has "car show etiquette" on the front page? I know I am probably being optimistic here - as I suspect over half of the people would instantly throw the sucker in the first trash car they see. Maybe have a drawing number on it for a door prize - so they might hang on to it for a while? Any other thoughts?

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Not a bad idea per se, but I think only the "car guys" would read it. 

[roadman5312]

What do you guys think - maybe these shows that see a lot of non-car people coming through - should print a simple one page pamphlet that has "car show etiquette" on the front page? I know I am probably being optimistic here - as I suspect over half of the people would instantly throw the sucker in the first trash car they see. Maybe have a drawing number on it for a door prize - so they might hang on to it for a while? Any other thoughts?

                                 Not a bad idea.  Also a big sign at the entrance, "CAR SHOW RULES, FOLLOW THEM OR DIE "  then a list of the rules of coarse.      Also the "do not touch" signs on your car. Personally we are working on an invisible electrifyed fence that tases any body who trys to touch the car.    Really, we are.   

                                                                                           

[brads70]

Glad your keeping your car and are inspired to build it your way!  I hear ya about driving it. I drove mine to Carlisle one year  7 1/2 hour drive each way , went over to register it for the autocross and was told sorry this year it was by invitation only and besides that you missed the 30 mile cruise around town to prove it's a street car!( as a guy was unloading his off a trailer... )  I said "SERIOUSLY ! First I've heard that and  I just drove it here from Canada 7 1/2 hours  go look at all the bugs on the front of it. "  Didn't matter to him so I went back to the show field and parked it. I did go back later and did one lap for fun. 
When I'm around my car I often offer little kids to go sit in the drivers seat. I love the smiles and big eyes they have !     Oh I also offer the same to pretty girls ! I'm older....NOT DUMB! 
 I often get people tapping my fenders to see if they are steel or fiberglass. I too don't like when people think it's ok to lean on your car. I try and be cautious about people stealing parts like rim blow horn caps etc... but I like to think that's rare and 99% of the people are good.
I agree about bicycles, atv's and golf carts! It usually ( not always! some people have legitimate issues ) the same 400 pounders that just have to have the parking spot closest to the mall/store entrances . They circle around till they find a close spot when in reality they should park furthest from the entrance as the walk would do them good!