"David Hill" wrote:
<<3) Anyone else too embarrased to go to any of the car shows because your
car looks like crap?
What??? Your Spit is running and has a wheel on each corner, hasn't it? Here
in the UK, we get all sorts at shows. Some cars have had money thrown at
them until they shine. Some are the result of long hours of sweated labour.
Some are in mid-rolling rebuild and some are just plain rough. The point is
that no car in everyday use will ever be in top concours condition. Go
ahead, get it shown.>>
Agree completely here! Drivers and other "non-show condition" cars
probably attract more new enthusiasts than any other type. Most people
just entering the "old car" world have neither the skills, money, or
inclination to immediately buy or build a concours car. I always have
more respect for a "driven" car.
If I have any criticism of the vintage British car "family", it's the attitude
in
some circles of "looking down one's nose" at less than stellar cars. In
the Corvair world (another place I hang out), there is much less
attention paid to the condition of the cars and more to the "hobby" aspect.
Some shows have awards for "worst looking car that made it to the
show under it's own power". (Populated by true "beaters" , "in
progress" vehicles, and simply "daily drivers".) Sometimes this is
more hotly contested than the "Best of Show"... and almost always
gets more crowd attention.
In the Bowie, MD British car day a couple of years ago, someone
showed up with a "project" TR250. Showed it with the other
"restored" 250's... complete with "Under Construction" warning
signs and yellow "Construction Zone" barrier tape. I thought it
was brilliant and got more attention than any of the other cars.
Drive and show those cars!
Bill Elliott
Lake Mills, WI
TR6, Corsa, and other toys well driven
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