What makes a car show good? Is it simply a wide variety of makes and models, shiny chrome glinting in the mid-summer afternoon sun, a lemonade in your hand, over-priced hot dog smells drifting on the wind? Is it the type of car – classics only, back lot reserved for Corvettes, nothing after 1972, domestic show specific?
A few factors make for a really good car show – and some are even simpler than you might think.
On Sunday we made our way to the Warren Car Show in New Jersey. The day was nice, a cool breeze skirting in on the last weeks of summer, and the show took place across several fields and a well-shaded parking lot. (On a personal note, my general state of happiness is heavily dependent on the anticipated level of sunburn likely to follow a car show. More often than not I am in some state of burning, so I take this matter quite seriously.)
More universally, however, the show was a series of successes, despite what had been threatening grey clouds to start the day, and that can be attributed to a few things.
1) The show was donation-only.
Now, it’s very difficult to host a car show and not expect to make back the cost of promotion and space rental, ect. I’m not suggesting every car show goes belly up on that accord. But to follow a show like Lead East, which felt a little like spending the weekend with a really obvious pickpocket digging around in your jeans, it was a pleasant treat to avoid, not only an admission fee, but a parking one as well.
An important thing to take note of – car shows are very often family events, (you’re reading the product of that theme right now,) and everyone is in competition for entertainment dollars. Make your next car show a cheaper option than the movies.
2) There’s car-themed stuff that isn’t cars:
At many classic car shows, most of the ones I’ve been to in recent memory, the vendor spaces are taken up by the same motley crew – a sausage and pepper stand and one guy selling the same six t-shirts of classic Ford pick ups that only come in sizes L-XX, and a selection of women t-shirts whose reactions run the gamut from uncomfortable under the breath laughter to feeling straight up insulted, and I want to know why that is.
This show was the perfect example of thinking outside the vendor box. A lane of the show was dedicated to cars from a local Chevy dealership, who sent up two tents and was giving out bags, shaker cups, vehicle information, hats and more. The new cars add an interesting element (I’ll get to that in a moment), and everyone loves getting free stuff – and it’s all car themed! There’s no reason we need to stick to the same few old vendors when there are so many ways to spice things up.
3) There’s also non-car themed stuff:
Perhaps it’s blasphemous to say that car shows should veer on the path of the straight and narrow, but let me explain. As mentioned above, car shows tend to be heavily frequented by families. By adding in activities for the kiddies, even the ones who don’t happen to be car enthusiasts (yet!) you’re giving yourself the option of a longer stay at the show. This particular event had face painting and free balloons, hosted by the local bank branch, and it really added to the festive atmosphere. I’d even say to take it a step further and add stuff for those non-car enthused grown ups too.
4) Be a little more opened minded about the newbies:
Believe me when I say that I get it. Classic car shows are for classic cars and that’s the way things are. But there’s something exciting and different about seeing a 2000s Ferrari squeezed in between a handful of Corvettes, or walking up to the twin grins of a brand new Ford GT and Nissan GT R. Maybe not every time, and maybe not in every space, but it’s important that we look and see how modern cars can and will fit into our classic car shows. It makes the modern car enthusiast, the one who cannot afford or does not desire to work on their classics day in and day out, the one whose modern muscle or foreign sports car doubles as their daily driver, feel like they are a true enthusiast, a part of the lifestyle. Accepting these modern car enthusiasts as nothing less than a car enthusiast is a matter of the survival of the hobby.
5) Invite a different crew:
This is the most fundamental element of why last Sunday’s show was such a success. And make no mind, I’m not implying the word instead anywhere in here, but rather, in addition. The first thing an attendee of the Warren Car Show encountered was a full parking lot of classic race cars – Midgets, TQs, Indy Racers, Bonneville champions. Some were long nosed and big engined, others were antique death traps with a dozen racing awards to their name. Each was a treasure, an experience that even the most stalwart of car enthusiast might just not encounter all that often – and that seems silly.
Why not call your local race car club, and have them make an appearance? Why not look up the nearest race track, and see if any drivers would like to give out autographs? Why not see if your county has a hidden gem, in the form of a Classic BMW Isetta Club or Vespas from the 1960’s, or green car racing or a 1980s Lancia club?
These amazing race cars gave something totally new and extra to this great show. They made it stand out from simple cars in a field, to undiscovered slices of history, in their tarnished, well-crashed glory. And we can all take a leaf from their book.
XX
There is no perfect recipe for the perfect car show. Sometimes the weather report ruins what could otherwise be a great day, and other times the turn out just isn’t expected. But at the root of us, the automotive industry and the car show hobby are vast and exciting – and filled with oft untapped potential and resources. As car enthusiasts with a love for the life and a desire to see it continue, it’s imperative we work towards unique and interesting car shows that keep folks coming back year after year. Warren Car Show wasn’t a big event, it wasn’t a trade organization conference, or a weekend long festival, but at its core it was a good car show, one worth emulating, and that is all it takes to put a smile on the face of any car enthusiast.
Images by Tomm Scalera