Car shows are as American as apple pie and student loan debt. During the warmer months, there is one almost every weekend. They are fun for the whole family, cheap to attend and a great place to get children into the hobby.
There are unwritten rules, however.
As an attendee at any car show, it is important to realize that you are looking at rows of investment and hard work. It is not uncommon to see six figure cars at local shows.
Some people have years of work put into their cars and are rightfully protective of them. I have seen scuffles at car events because of people leaning on or even sitting in cars without permission.
Touching or sitting on people’s cars is an obvious problem. With paint jobs costing over $10,000 on some of these, any nick or abrasion is going to show up. There is no reason to touch a display car at a show unless you have permission from the owner.
Some people are more comfortable letting others sit in their cars, but others are not. Keep in mind that the owner makes the rules. This also goes for children and pets. Children are always welcome at these events, but parents must make sure children are respectful.
Smoking, eating, or drinking while near a display car is also a problem.
An accidental spill could cause a lot of damage. Smoking can also make someone’s pride and joy smell less than desirable. Keep your distance and admire from afar if you are taking part in these activities.
Not all cars at a car show are going to meet an individual’s tastes. In fact, some entries might leave people wondering why the owner wanted to restore a car known for being mostly a lemon when it was new.
There are cars I have seen that I wouldn’t be caught dead in, but I keep those thoughts to myself. Openly ridiculing someone’s car is rude and uncalled for. Most owners wouldn’t care and write you off as a jerk, but some are very sensitive.
We need to make sure these shows are inclusive of all types of cars. If the organizers believe that the car can be included, then leave it at that. Car culture can be very toxic at times, and it is up to all of us to make it better.
Car owners also have rules.
While some shows have racing and burn out competitions built in, most that I have been to do not. Heavy engine revving, reckless driving, and fishtailing out of the parking lot reflect negatively on the event and can be dangerous to bystanders.
Remember to respect your host and the event attendees. Lack of safety or accidents will cause more events to shut down, leaving the car community without an outlet.
As for me, I will see you on the road…or maybe a show!
