Well, it's over for another year - the wonderful OOB show. The cruise last night was a bit of a bust due to inclement weather, but not so for the show. Though the fog rolled in at award time, the rest of the day was absolutely perfect, weather-wise.
And, as usual, the show was very nice, and the staff was helpful and friendly. Poor Robbie, however, got stuck in soft ground on his way in and his beautiful Mustang became the Mudstang. But it did not keep him from taking 2nd in his class!
I figure somewhere around 400 vehicles were present - all of them worthy contenders, indeed. But most noticeable were those that seemed to be missing - friends that would normally be there, but were not. Sorry to have missed you folks - you know who you are.
But as wonderful as the show was, it was not without some difficulties that need to be mentioned. Right off the bat, when we arrived at 7:45 we were caught in a very long, parked lineup that stretched halfway to Saco (well, no quite, but it WAS long). And though the show was to begin at 8:00, the gates were not opened until 8:15. Seems to me that the tireless planning should have included arriving on time to get the show started.
This was matched by the delay of the awards ceremoney, which did not begin until 3:00. By then the fog was rollin' in and it was getting cold and damp. Of course, some folks, like Jim, were not bothered at all by the fog, since he has spent most of his life in a fog :o)
But as I made the rounds and spoke with countless folks, I got a sense that many were not pleased with the lack of enforcing the classes to maintain the integrity of the show. The first problem that was offered up was the obvious lack of a class for CUSTOMS. In a show this large, such a class is essential, because stock vehicles have no chance against customs.
The next problem that was brought to my attention was "class jumping", in a sense. Although there was a FOREIGN class, a couple of foreign vehicles registered elsewhere (note: when choosing a class, one should choose the most appropriate, which means genre or make/model is primary, and the year is secondary, so a 1978 MG, for example, should be in the FOREIGN class and not the '70's class). And someone else pointed out, correctly, that at least 6 of the 10 vehicles in Special Interest should not have been there as they had NO "special interest" whatever. As the day wore on, several other folks pointed out similar issues with the classes and class abuse.
Fortunately - and I give you folks great credit - the three vehicles that won in Special Interest were actually supposed to be there. It is a credit to all of you that you are not voting for vehicles out of their class, so that those owners will learn to place their cars where they belong. As a side note, those out-of-class foreign vehicles did not win anything, either, so it seems the tide is turning in favor of honesty and integrity.
The moral of the story - if you want to increase your chances of winning, place your vehicle in the most appropriate class. Not only does it increase your chances, but it won't anger others in the class.
The only other problem that was mentioned: some classes were WAY too big! They need to be divided. Three such classes included Street Rods, the '50's, and 90's to Present. Most other classes had fewer than 10 vehicles, but those classes had many more. Street rods should include EARLY and LATE classes; '50's should be STOCK and CUSTOM/MODIFIED, and 90's to present should be The 90's and 2000-Present, OR 90's to Present - STOCK, and CUSTOM.
Aside from the delays, and the problems with the classes, the show was a resounding success. This is a show we look forward to each year.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Hot Off The Press!
"Be kind - everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle"
This just in, courtesy of Dale Chasse:
Hang on to any of the new Maine Quarters. If you have them, they may be
worth much more than 25 cents.
The US Mint announced today that it is recalling all of the Maine quarters
that are part of its program featuring quarters from each state.
This action is being taken after numerous reports that the new quarters
will not work in parking meters, toll booths, vending machines, pay phones
or any other coin operated devices.
The problem lies in the unique design of the Maine quarter, which was
designed by a team of Aroostook County specialists. Apparently the duct
tape holding the two dimes and the nickel together keeps jamming up the
machines.
(^.^)
Car Show Manual
As many of you already know, HotKarz is working on a comprehensive manual that will cover Car Show Organizing, Judging Systems, Classing and how to improve your chances of winning. We are working with car buffs and professionals from all over the country (thanks to the Internet).
I am now appealing to you, for your own contributions. If you have specific knowledge, tips or info that would be useful in such a book, please consider sending it in. You need not be a "writer" - if necessary, we can put your words together in an entertaining way. And you would receive credit in the book for your contributions. It could be your chance for national recognition, as this book will be offered throughout the U.S. and Canada.
So, you folks put on your thinking caps. I know some of you have a lot of valuable information and tips to share. This is your chance to do just that. Particularly if you own a business that could benefit from exposure in a published book.
I have sold a LOT of books and manuals over the years - millions of 'em. No kidding. And while I cannot guarantee a huge number of these will get sold, I CAN guarantee that many will get sold. It appears the market for such a book exceeds 70,000. In fact, in just the first week of April, there are over 30,000 car events in America. In just that one week! So, if you contribute something worthwhile, you could get a lot of exposure (and a free copy, of course).
Hope to hear from you - preferably before the book is completed (^.^)
I am now appealing to you, for your own contributions. If you have specific knowledge, tips or info that would be useful in such a book, please consider sending it in. You need not be a "writer" - if necessary, we can put your words together in an entertaining way. And you would receive credit in the book for your contributions. It could be your chance for national recognition, as this book will be offered throughout the U.S. and Canada.
So, you folks put on your thinking caps. I know some of you have a lot of valuable information and tips to share. This is your chance to do just that. Particularly if you own a business that could benefit from exposure in a published book.
I have sold a LOT of books and manuals over the years - millions of 'em. No kidding. And while I cannot guarantee a huge number of these will get sold, I CAN guarantee that many will get sold. It appears the market for such a book exceeds 70,000. In fact, in just the first week of April, there are over 30,000 car events in America. In just that one week! So, if you contribute something worthwhile, you could get a lot of exposure (and a free copy, of course).
Hope to hear from you - preferably before the book is completed (^.^)
Henry Ford's Success
Many successful people know the story of Henry Ford, the 4th grade drop-out who built one of the biggest business empires in the world. When asked how he did it without a good education, he simply said, "I don't need to know anything except how to surround myself with people who do." In other words, he was too busy focusing on being a leader to waste his time with menial tasks. Those tasks were delegated to others.
Henry did not need to understand accounting, but his accountants did. He did not need to know how to weld, but his welders did. Henry knew that leadership was its own job, and if he weighted himself down with menial tasks, he would get nowhere.
Now the Obama campaign has put out an ad that belittles McCain's inability to learn how to use a computer, or to send email. This ad is most unwise, and shows Obama's lack of understanding of the role of leadership. McCain has been busy in his role as a leader. Using computers and sending email are tasks delegated to staff and assistants, so the leader can put his time into leading.
I'm not saying McCain is another Henry Ford. But I am saying that he understands the role of a leader while Obama apparently does not. Obama needs to pull that dumb ad. But he won't, because he just doesn't understand. And therein lies the problem with the Democratic nominee, and why I predict he will lose in November.
You want success. Great! Follow the lead of Henry Ford and John McCain - don't waste your time on any task not directly required in the role of being a leader. Delegate everything that does not require your absolute control.
Yogi Berra said it well: "If you are an orange, don't try to be a banana. Just be the best orange you can be."
Henry did not need to understand accounting, but his accountants did. He did not need to know how to weld, but his welders did. Henry knew that leadership was its own job, and if he weighted himself down with menial tasks, he would get nowhere.
Now the Obama campaign has put out an ad that belittles McCain's inability to learn how to use a computer, or to send email. This ad is most unwise, and shows Obama's lack of understanding of the role of leadership. McCain has been busy in his role as a leader. Using computers and sending email are tasks delegated to staff and assistants, so the leader can put his time into leading.
I'm not saying McCain is another Henry Ford. But I am saying that he understands the role of a leader while Obama apparently does not. Obama needs to pull that dumb ad. But he won't, because he just doesn't understand. And therein lies the problem with the Democratic nominee, and why I predict he will lose in November.
You want success. Great! Follow the lead of Henry Ford and John McCain - don't waste your time on any task not directly required in the role of being a leader. Delegate everything that does not require your absolute control.
Yogi Berra said it well: "If you are an orange, don't try to be a banana. Just be the best orange you can be."
Remember When...
Dale Chasse submitted this - it's been floating around the Internet for awhile, but not everyone has seen it. WARNING! If you remember most or all of these, it can make you feel suddenly old...and if you can't remember any of them, either it's past your bedtime, youngster, or old age is taking its toll...
I recall them all - and added a few of my own.
DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN
All the girls had ugly gym uniforms
It took five minutes for the TV warm up?
And the TV needed "rabbit ears", or a roof antennae?
Automobile tires had tubes?
Folks dressed up "to the nines" for Easter? And the ladies wore bonnets?
"Fanny Hill" was still banned in Boston?
The only calculators were slide rules?
The TV was a 7 inch screen in a 4 foot cabinet?
Tin toys?
Wringer washers and clotheslines?
Camping involved a tent?
Rolling snow instead of plowing it?
Nearly everyone's Mom was at home when the kids got home from school? And she baked brownies from scratch?
Nobody owned a purebred dog?
When a quarter was a decent allowance?
You'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny?
Your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces?
All your male teachers wore neckties and female teachers had their hair done every day and wore high heels?
You got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, all for free, every time? And you didn't pay for air? And, you got trading stamps to boot?
Laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box?
It was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents?
They threatened to keep kids back a grade if they failed. . . and they did?
When a 57 Chevy was everyone's dream car...to cruise, peel out, lay rubber or watch submarine races, and people went steady?
No one ever asked where the car keys were because they were always in the car, in the ignition, and the doors were never locked?
Lying on your back in the grass with your friends? and saying things like, 'That cloud looks like a... '?
Playing baseball with no adults to help kids with the rules of the game?
Stuff from the store came without safety caps and hermetic seals because no one had yet tried to poison a perfect stranger?
Fast food was a peanut butter sandwich?
A keyboard was a piano? And a mouse was a critter you set traps for?
Your bicycle was made from the spare parts of several others?
And with all our progress, don't you just wish, just once, you could slip back in time and savor the slower pace? Share it with the children of today.
When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited the student at home?
Basically we were in fear for our lives, but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc. Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! But we survived because their love was greater than the threat.
Do you remember Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Laurel and Hardy, Howdy Dowdy and the Peanut Gallery, the Lone Ranger, The Shadow Knows, Nellie Bell , Roy and Dale, Trigger and Buttermilk.. .
as well as summers filled with bike rides, baseball games, Hula Hoops, bowling and visits to the pool, and eating Kool-Aid powder with sugar.
Didn't that feel good, just to go back and say, 'Yeah, I remember that'?
I am sharing this with you today because it ended with a double dog dare to pass it on. To remember what a double dog dare is, read on. And remember that the perfect age is somewhere between old enough to know better and too young to care. How many of these do you remember?
Candy cigarettes
Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water inside
Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles - for 10 cents!
Coffee shops with tableside jukeboxes
Blackjack, Clove and Teaberry chewing gum.
Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers
Newsreels before the movie
P.F. Fliers
Telephone numbers with a word prefix...(Raymond 4-601). Party lines
Peashooters
Howdy Dowdy
Hi-Fi's & 45 RPM records
Poodle skirts and saddle shoes
The Cisco Kid and Hopalong
Brylcreme
78 RPM records!
Green Stamps
Mimeograph paper
The Fort Apache Play Set
Do you remember a time when...
Decisions were made by going 'eeny-meeny-miney-moe'?
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, 'Do Over!'?
'Race issue' meant arguing about who ran the fastest?
Catching the fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening?
It wasn't odd to have two or three 'Best Friends'?
The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was 'cooties'?
Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot?
Saturday morning cartoons weren't 30-minute commercials for action figures?
'Oly-oly-oxen-free' made perfect sense?
Spinning around, getting dizzy, and falling down was cause for giggles?
The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team?
War was a card game?
Baseball cards in the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle?
Taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin?
Water balloons were the ultimate weapon?
If you can remember most or all of these, then you have lived!!!!!!!
I recall them all - and added a few of my own.
DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN
All the girls had ugly gym uniforms
It took five minutes for the TV warm up?
And the TV needed "rabbit ears", or a roof antennae?
Automobile tires had tubes?
Folks dressed up "to the nines" for Easter? And the ladies wore bonnets?
"Fanny Hill" was still banned in Boston?
The only calculators were slide rules?
The TV was a 7 inch screen in a 4 foot cabinet?
Tin toys?
Wringer washers and clotheslines?
Camping involved a tent?
Rolling snow instead of plowing it?
Nearly everyone's Mom was at home when the kids got home from school? And she baked brownies from scratch?
Nobody owned a purebred dog?
When a quarter was a decent allowance?
You'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny?
Your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces?
All your male teachers wore neckties and female teachers had their hair done every day and wore high heels?
You got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, all for free, every time? And you didn't pay for air? And, you got trading stamps to boot?
Laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box?
It was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents?
They threatened to keep kids back a grade if they failed. . . and they did?
When a 57 Chevy was everyone's dream car...to cruise, peel out, lay rubber or watch submarine races, and people went steady?
No one ever asked where the car keys were because they were always in the car, in the ignition, and the doors were never locked?
Lying on your back in the grass with your friends? and saying things like, 'That cloud looks like a... '?
Playing baseball with no adults to help kids with the rules of the game?
Stuff from the store came without safety caps and hermetic seals because no one had yet tried to poison a perfect stranger?
Fast food was a peanut butter sandwich?
A keyboard was a piano? And a mouse was a critter you set traps for?
Your bicycle was made from the spare parts of several others?
And with all our progress, don't you just wish, just once, you could slip back in time and savor the slower pace? Share it with the children of today.
When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited the student at home?
Basically we were in fear for our lives, but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc. Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! But we survived because their love was greater than the threat.
Do you remember Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Laurel and Hardy, Howdy Dowdy and the Peanut Gallery, the Lone Ranger, The Shadow Knows, Nellie Bell , Roy and Dale, Trigger and Buttermilk.. .
as well as summers filled with bike rides, baseball games, Hula Hoops, bowling and visits to the pool, and eating Kool-Aid powder with sugar.
Didn't that feel good, just to go back and say, 'Yeah, I remember that'?
I am sharing this with you today because it ended with a double dog dare to pass it on. To remember what a double dog dare is, read on. And remember that the perfect age is somewhere between old enough to know better and too young to care. How many of these do you remember?
Candy cigarettes
Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water inside
Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles - for 10 cents!
Coffee shops with tableside jukeboxes
Blackjack, Clove and Teaberry chewing gum.
Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers
Newsreels before the movie
P.F. Fliers
Telephone numbers with a word prefix...(Raymond 4-601). Party lines
Peashooters
Howdy Dowdy
Hi-Fi's & 45 RPM records
Poodle skirts and saddle shoes
The Cisco Kid and Hopalong
Brylcreme
78 RPM records!
Green Stamps
Mimeograph paper
The Fort Apache Play Set
Do you remember a time when...
Decisions were made by going 'eeny-meeny-miney-moe'?
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, 'Do Over!'?
'Race issue' meant arguing about who ran the fastest?
Catching the fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening?
It wasn't odd to have two or three 'Best Friends'?
The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was 'cooties'?
Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot?
Saturday morning cartoons weren't 30-minute commercials for action figures?
'Oly-oly-oxen-free' made perfect sense?
Spinning around, getting dizzy, and falling down was cause for giggles?
The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team?
War was a card game?
Baseball cards in the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle?
Taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin?
Water balloons were the ultimate weapon?
If you can remember most or all of these, then you have lived!!!!!!!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Not The Usual
I do not ordinarily do this (take pot-shots at someone), but in this case I will make an exception. The individual who keeps commenting about cheating the classes (and Special Interest in particular), has proved himself to be the idiot I was beginning to think he was. This guy is so far beyond the pale that I have to believe he is mentally impaired. Consider his most recent post:
"If you think you can change the minds of hard headed Mainers then go for it, and good luck to ya!!!!Does this fire you all up because of your PT Cruiser? Can't understand why they don't have THEIR own class......Ask a hard headed Mainer that one!!!! "
This is almost funny, if it were not so pathetic. First, he insults Maine folks as people who cannot learn, or cannot change when change is needed. He insinuates that Mainers are all dishonest and want the cheating to continue. What a jerk. I am sure he is describing himself, but I know better than to think others are like him. The folks I meet at shows are great people, as a rule, and I like them.
And what is this childish drivel about my daughter's PT? It DOES have a class - but I guess this guy is just too ignorant to realize it. It can go in Special Interest, LEGITIMATELY. And it can go into 90's to Present (and usually does), when such a class is offered. If you want to see something with NO class, just look in the mirror, Bubba!
Look, pal, since you always take the coward's way and post anonymously, this is the only way I have to respond to you. And frankly, it is a waste of time, because you are obviously a narrow-minded, sick person in need of professional help. And you are obviously the cheater who is upset because HotKarz has thrown a spotlight on your antics. Only a cheater would protest so loudly against putting a stop to the cheating.
If you want to waste your time, and continue to prove to everyone what an idiot you are, feel free to keep posting. But I will likely just delete them, because I will not enter into a battle of wits with someone who is only half prepared.
You may think you are cute or something. But I would bet that 99% of the readers would think you are just an angry fruitcake. And since you seem to take exception to what is nationally accepted as class definitions, you obviously are ignorant and choose to remain so.
But the rest of us are not angry nuts. We like to have fun. And we know that any show that does not include cheats like you are much more fun and pleasant. So, you can do your part to make shows better - stay home!
Fair warning! The tide is beginning to turn. More and more people are refusing to vote for vehicles out of their class. Your days of trophy poaching and class jumping are coming to a close, fella! At Windham, there were better, nicer cars than ours in Special Interest. But like the judges said - if they didn't belong in the class, they didn't get the points. And they didn't! We took 1st. You are just pissed 'cuz you couldn't cheat your way to a trophy this time.
The shows will be improving. You can either help them improve, or get the Hell out of the way and stay home!
"If you think you can change the minds of hard headed Mainers then go for it, and good luck to ya!!!!Does this fire you all up because of your PT Cruiser? Can't understand why they don't have THEIR own class......Ask a hard headed Mainer that one!!!! "
This is almost funny, if it were not so pathetic. First, he insults Maine folks as people who cannot learn, or cannot change when change is needed. He insinuates that Mainers are all dishonest and want the cheating to continue. What a jerk. I am sure he is describing himself, but I know better than to think others are like him. The folks I meet at shows are great people, as a rule, and I like them.
And what is this childish drivel about my daughter's PT? It DOES have a class - but I guess this guy is just too ignorant to realize it. It can go in Special Interest, LEGITIMATELY. And it can go into 90's to Present (and usually does), when such a class is offered. If you want to see something with NO class, just look in the mirror, Bubba!
Look, pal, since you always take the coward's way and post anonymously, this is the only way I have to respond to you. And frankly, it is a waste of time, because you are obviously a narrow-minded, sick person in need of professional help. And you are obviously the cheater who is upset because HotKarz has thrown a spotlight on your antics. Only a cheater would protest so loudly against putting a stop to the cheating.
If you want to waste your time, and continue to prove to everyone what an idiot you are, feel free to keep posting. But I will likely just delete them, because I will not enter into a battle of wits with someone who is only half prepared.
You may think you are cute or something. But I would bet that 99% of the readers would think you are just an angry fruitcake. And since you seem to take exception to what is nationally accepted as class definitions, you obviously are ignorant and choose to remain so.
But the rest of us are not angry nuts. We like to have fun. And we know that any show that does not include cheats like you are much more fun and pleasant. So, you can do your part to make shows better - stay home!
Fair warning! The tide is beginning to turn. More and more people are refusing to vote for vehicles out of their class. Your days of trophy poaching and class jumping are coming to a close, fella! At Windham, there were better, nicer cars than ours in Special Interest. But like the judges said - if they didn't belong in the class, they didn't get the points. And they didn't! We took 1st. You are just pissed 'cuz you couldn't cheat your way to a trophy this time.
The shows will be improving. You can either help them improve, or get the Hell out of the way and stay home!
Definitions
For the benefit of organizers and participants, the following definitions of many standard car classifications is copied from Wikipedia - the original sources are reliable, and referenced either in or below the article. This is the last section of the full article, which also describes classes for insurance and/or car rental purposes, which does not pertain to any discussion on HotKarz:
Car Show Class Definitions
A different classification system is used for purposes of differentiating vehicles in most car shows. While there is little doubt about the definition of classes that are self-described such as "Mustang" or "Firebird" or "4WD Truck", there is often confusion about the definition of classes that are not as readily understood. The following classes are often used in car shows across America - these definitions are determined either by state regulations, the National Street Rod Association, or have been gathered from other reliable sources:
Street Rod —A motor vehicle, or a reproduction thereof, with a model year of 1948 or older which has been materially altered or modified by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts and with a gross weight or registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.
Classic Car —A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, at least 30 years old, not materially altered or modified by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts except that such parts represent the original
Hot Rod - Any car rebuilt or modified for higher speed, faster acceleration, or a sportier look. Many automobiles may be called hot rods, including some used in drag racing. They may be composed of used or newly fabricated parts. Can be a kit car.
Custom Car - a factory-built vehicle that has been modified either to improve its performance, often by altering or replacing the engine and transmission, or it may be a personal design by the builder, making the car look unique and unlike any car that might have been factory built. Though distinct from hot rods there is debate among customizers and rodders as to where the line should be drawn. A Custom Car cannot be a kit car, as a kit car is not a factory-built vehicle that has been modified from the original configuration.
Antique — A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, at least 25 years old, which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformity with manufacturer specifications and appearance.
Special Interest- a vehicle uniquely distinguishable from the usual, and/or designed for a particular purpose, such as a race car, military vehicle or bus, or built to a specific and unusual theme, either of which would generate interest because of its uniqueness or specialty function.
Kit Car - any vehicle that is created primarily from kit or prefabricated parts, and is a reproduction or replica. An original factory-built vehicle that utilizes prefabricated fiberglass body units to replace worn/damaged original parts is not a kit car.
Muscle Car - a high-performance automobile, built in the 1960's-1970's. The term principally refers to American, Australian and South African models and generally describes a 2-door rear-wheel drive mid-size with a large, powerful V8 engine and special trim, intended for maximum torque on the street or in drag racing competition. Normally was not built with comfort amenities of their counterparts.
Brass Era Car - beginning with the first horseless carriages, named for the brass fittings used for such things as lights and radiators. Starting with the first commercial automobiles of the 1890s to about 1918-19. Includes most Edwardian cars
Veteran Car - any motor vehicle built prior to 1905
Edwardian Car - any vehicle built from 1905 - 1918. Includes all brass era cars
Vintage Car - commonly defined as a car built between 1919 and 1930. The Classic Car Club of America prefers 1925 since it is the pre-classic car period.
Pre-War - beginning with the Great Depression in 1930 and ending after WWII, usually placed at 1948
See also
ACRISS Car Classification Code
Automobile
Car safety and road safety
Car body style
Three wheeled car
Truck classification
Vehicle size class
References
How are vehicle size classes defined? FuelEconomy.gov, part of the U.S. Department of Energy
CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999 Canada Gazette
VFACTS Motor Vehicle Classifications and Definitions Australian FCAI - Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
Koch, Jeff. "The First Muscle Car: Older Than You" Hemmings Muscle Machines - October 1, 2004, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
The Merriam-Webster definition: "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving."car "muscle car." Merriam-Webster Online, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
"Muscle Car Definition" Muscle Car Club Muscle, undated, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
Sherman, Don. "Muscle Cars Now Worth Millions" The New York Times, June 4, 2006, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
Classic Muscle Cars Library, How Stuff Works, undated, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
"Muscle Car Definition" by Muscle Car Society, undated, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
Gunnell, John (2005). American Cars of The 1960s: A Decade of Diversity. Krause Publications, 47-50. ISBN 978-0896891319.
"Pony Car History" undated, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
Roy, Rex. "Car culture: A child's Pony Car education essential" The Detroit News, February 27, 2008, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
Car Show Class Definitions
A different classification system is used for purposes of differentiating vehicles in most car shows. While there is little doubt about the definition of classes that are self-described such as "Mustang" or "Firebird" or "4WD Truck", there is often confusion about the definition of classes that are not as readily understood. The following classes are often used in car shows across America - these definitions are determined either by state regulations, the National Street Rod Association, or have been gathered from other reliable sources:
Street Rod —A motor vehicle, or a reproduction thereof, with a model year of 1948 or older which has been materially altered or modified by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts and with a gross weight or registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.
Classic Car —A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, at least 30 years old, not materially altered or modified by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts except that such parts represent the original
Hot Rod - Any car rebuilt or modified for higher speed, faster acceleration, or a sportier look. Many automobiles may be called hot rods, including some used in drag racing. They may be composed of used or newly fabricated parts. Can be a kit car.
Custom Car - a factory-built vehicle that has been modified either to improve its performance, often by altering or replacing the engine and transmission, or it may be a personal design by the builder, making the car look unique and unlike any car that might have been factory built. Though distinct from hot rods there is debate among customizers and rodders as to where the line should be drawn. A Custom Car cannot be a kit car, as a kit car is not a factory-built vehicle that has been modified from the original configuration.
Antique — A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, at least 25 years old, which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformity with manufacturer specifications and appearance.
Special Interest- a vehicle uniquely distinguishable from the usual, and/or designed for a particular purpose, such as a race car, military vehicle or bus, or built to a specific and unusual theme, either of which would generate interest because of its uniqueness or specialty function.
Kit Car - any vehicle that is created primarily from kit or prefabricated parts, and is a reproduction or replica. An original factory-built vehicle that utilizes prefabricated fiberglass body units to replace worn/damaged original parts is not a kit car.
Muscle Car - a high-performance automobile, built in the 1960's-1970's. The term principally refers to American, Australian and South African models and generally describes a 2-door rear-wheel drive mid-size with a large, powerful V8 engine and special trim, intended for maximum torque on the street or in drag racing competition. Normally was not built with comfort amenities of their counterparts.
Brass Era Car - beginning with the first horseless carriages, named for the brass fittings used for such things as lights and radiators. Starting with the first commercial automobiles of the 1890s to about 1918-19. Includes most Edwardian cars
Veteran Car - any motor vehicle built prior to 1905
Edwardian Car - any vehicle built from 1905 - 1918. Includes all brass era cars
Vintage Car - commonly defined as a car built between 1919 and 1930. The Classic Car Club of America prefers 1925 since it is the pre-classic car period.
Pre-War - beginning with the Great Depression in 1930 and ending after WWII, usually placed at 1948
See also
ACRISS Car Classification Code
Automobile
Car safety and road safety
Car body style
Three wheeled car
Truck classification
Vehicle size class
References
How are vehicle size classes defined? FuelEconomy.gov, part of the U.S. Department of Energy
CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999 Canada Gazette
VFACTS Motor Vehicle Classifications and Definitions Australian FCAI - Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
Koch, Jeff. "The First Muscle Car: Older Than You" Hemmings Muscle Machines - October 1, 2004, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
The Merriam-Webster definition: "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving."car "muscle car." Merriam-Webster Online, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
"Muscle Car Definition" Muscle Car Club Muscle, undated, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
Sherman, Don. "Muscle Cars Now Worth Millions" The New York Times, June 4, 2006, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
Classic Muscle Cars Library, How Stuff Works, undated, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
"Muscle Car Definition" by Muscle Car Society, undated, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
Gunnell, John (2005). American Cars of The 1960s: A Decade of Diversity. Krause Publications, 47-50. ISBN 978-0896891319.
"Pony Car History" undated, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
Roy, Rex. "Car culture: A child's Pony Car education essential" The Detroit News, February 27, 2008, retrieved on 2008-06-30.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Settler's Green Pix & More
For those who may be interested, a fellow by the name of Bob Dwyer took pix at Settler's green and posted them on his site at http://www.linwoodstreet.com/valley. Pretty good pix - there are two pages of them. Thanks, Bob, for sharing.
Ken Matthews would like to remind the volunteers for the Two Trails Cruisers Show to be at the WalMart in Windham at 4:00 pm on Friday, September 19th, and show up not later than 7:00 am on Saturday, September 20th.
Don't forget (as if you could) about the OOB cruise on Friday and the show on Saturday. It looks to be bigger than ever.
Will Paul Hanson and Bob Johnson please report to the Principal's Office - sorry - I mean, please go to Two Trails Diner on Rte 25 in Standish, to pick up the trophies you won at the Kiwanis car show last month. Gib doesn't want to have to dust them anymore.
From a reader who went to the Nationals this last weekend (sorry for the caps - I did not want to rewrite the letter):
"WELL HELLO BILL !!!! WE JUST GOT BACK FROM QUITE A WEEKEND . WE WENT TO THE ATLANATIC NATIONALS IN LAKE GEORGE NEW YORK . HAD A GREAT TIME . AT THIS SHOW THEY TAKE ONLY 1550 CARS - UNBELIEVABLE. AND OUT OF THOSE CARS THEY PICK THE FAVORITE FIFTY. WELL THIS YEAR IT WAS THEIR 25TH ANNIVERSARY SO THEY ADDED ANOTHER FAVORITE 50. THE TROPHYS WERE COOL . THEY BOUGHT ALL OF THE OLD PARKING METERS IN TOWN AND HAD THEM MADE INTO A TROPHY , THE SECOND TOP 50 CARS GOT TOP FAVORITE JACKETS AND A HAT AND A CHANCE TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR . WELL A MAN AND HIS WIFE MADE IT FROM MAINE . BOB AND PAM REED WON WITH THEIR FORD TRUCK AND I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER OUT OF 1500 CARS . SO WHEN YOU SEE HIM AT ANY SHOWS CONGRATULATE HIM CAUSE THAT IS A GREAT HONOR . AFTER THE SHOW WAS OVER ON SATURDAY THEY HAD A CRUISE LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF THE PAST CARS CRUISING EVERYWHERE . STAN AND I LEFT ON SUNDAY AND DROVE TO NASHUA NEW HAMPHIRE TO THE EAST COAST CAMARO SHOW A LOT OF CARS THERE TOO. WE GOT THIRD PLACE AND THE LONG DISTANCE TROPY DRIVING AS 87 MILES TO GET THERE . WE WILL BE IN LOUDON THIS WEEKEND SO WE WILL SEE YA AT WALMART."
Congratulations, Bob & Pam - you represent Maine well!
For all you readers - as you know, HotKarz posts over 2000 pix each year, so the odds are pretty good there are pix that you may want to save, or use. You are free to do so, for any non-commercial purpose. To save a pic, simply right-click on it, then choose SAVE PICTURE AS... and copy it to your computer.
Well, the garden is done for this season, so we won't have any more free veggies at the cruises. The air is chillin', the days getting shorter, and the fall fairs are almost upon us. Can next spring be far behind?
Yeah - it can (*o*)
Ken Matthews would like to remind the volunteers for the Two Trails Cruisers Show to be at the WalMart in Windham at 4:00 pm on Friday, September 19th, and show up not later than 7:00 am on Saturday, September 20th.
Don't forget (as if you could) about the OOB cruise on Friday and the show on Saturday. It looks to be bigger than ever.
Will Paul Hanson and Bob Johnson please report to the Principal's Office - sorry - I mean, please go to Two Trails Diner on Rte 25 in Standish, to pick up the trophies you won at the Kiwanis car show last month. Gib doesn't want to have to dust them anymore.
From a reader who went to the Nationals this last weekend (sorry for the caps - I did not want to rewrite the letter):
"WELL HELLO BILL !!!! WE JUST GOT BACK FROM QUITE A WEEKEND . WE WENT TO THE ATLANATIC NATIONALS IN LAKE GEORGE NEW YORK . HAD A GREAT TIME . AT THIS SHOW THEY TAKE ONLY 1550 CARS - UNBELIEVABLE. AND OUT OF THOSE CARS THEY PICK THE FAVORITE FIFTY. WELL THIS YEAR IT WAS THEIR 25TH ANNIVERSARY SO THEY ADDED ANOTHER FAVORITE 50. THE TROPHYS WERE COOL . THEY BOUGHT ALL OF THE OLD PARKING METERS IN TOWN AND HAD THEM MADE INTO A TROPHY , THE SECOND TOP 50 CARS GOT TOP FAVORITE JACKETS AND A HAT AND A CHANCE TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR . WELL A MAN AND HIS WIFE MADE IT FROM MAINE . BOB AND PAM REED WON WITH THEIR FORD TRUCK AND I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER OUT OF 1500 CARS . SO WHEN YOU SEE HIM AT ANY SHOWS CONGRATULATE HIM CAUSE THAT IS A GREAT HONOR . AFTER THE SHOW WAS OVER ON SATURDAY THEY HAD A CRUISE LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF THE PAST CARS CRUISING EVERYWHERE . STAN AND I LEFT ON SUNDAY AND DROVE TO NASHUA NEW HAMPHIRE TO THE EAST COAST CAMARO SHOW A LOT OF CARS THERE TOO. WE GOT THIRD PLACE AND THE LONG DISTANCE TROPY DRIVING AS 87 MILES TO GET THERE . WE WILL BE IN LOUDON THIS WEEKEND SO WE WILL SEE YA AT WALMART."
Congratulations, Bob & Pam - you represent Maine well!
For all you readers - as you know, HotKarz posts over 2000 pix each year, so the odds are pretty good there are pix that you may want to save, or use. You are free to do so, for any non-commercial purpose. To save a pic, simply right-click on it, then choose SAVE PICTURE AS... and copy it to your computer.
Well, the garden is done for this season, so we won't have any more free veggies at the cruises. The air is chillin', the days getting shorter, and the fall fairs are almost upon us. Can next spring be far behind?
Yeah - it can (*o*)
Some STILL do not get it!!!!
Here is the latest comment from that fellow who does not think Special Interest should be "Special Interest". This entry is directed at him, explicitly. Here is his comment (posted to the last blog):
"So what is special interest?? From your stand point nothing is so if the organizers want these cars in their shows and YOU don't think they belong in special interest than lets have a class called the loner cars would that make you happy? If we Mainers aren't up to your standards then why don't you stay home then we won't upset you. "
[REPLY] I have said this at least 30 times on this website - Special Interest is any vehicle that actually does have a SPECIAL interest. Something that gives it a special connotation to the public in general. There is nothing of special interest in a stock vehicle, unless it is one-of-a-kind. There is nothing special interest in a Corvette or Mustang unless there is something very unusual or unique about it, which would generate a SPECIAL interest. If the vehicle cannot be legitimately defined as having a unique, special interest, then it does not belong in Special Interest. It does not take a degree in common sense to figure that out.
And it has nothing to do with "my standpoint". Facts are facts, and do not change simply because of a different angle of view. And as I have ALREADY said (many times), show organizers who want a class for any "orphans" should include that class - nationally, the ORPHAN class is used widely as a legitimate class for any vehicle that does not fit into any other listed class. And some shows call the class GENERAL INTEREST, or FIELD class. I guess you must have missed that.
And for your arrogant, ignorant statement that if "Mainers aren't up to your standards then why don't you stay home then we won't upset you", that is not even an intelligent enough remark to warrant a response for two reasons:
1) I live in Maine, too, and
2) It matters not where a person lives - right and wrong is not dictated by geographical area.
So, I have a suggestion for you, fella: if you want to disagree about classes, that is your choice. But don't try to defend something that is so obviously wrong. And if you still cannot see the difference between "Special Interest" and just any old vehicle, get out your dictionary and look up the definition of SPECIAL and INTEREST. Maybe then you will have a clue.
From Merriam Webster Dictionary:
SPECIAL: distinguished by some unusual quality; unique; being other than the usual : designed for a particular purpose or occasion
INTEREST: a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to an object or class of objects
So, a vehicle in Special Interest should be uniquely distinguishable from the usual, and/or designed for a particular purpose (as I said, like a firetruck, MASH jeep, tank, surf wagon, etc.) which would peak the interest of the public at large.
Now, if you think a stock Firebird, or a stock Caddy, or a stock '67 pickup truck somehow fit that definition, then you need help that is beyond the scope of this blog.
"So what is special interest?? From your stand point nothing is so if the organizers want these cars in their shows and YOU don't think they belong in special interest than lets have a class called the loner cars would that make you happy? If we Mainers aren't up to your standards then why don't you stay home then we won't upset you. "
[REPLY] I have said this at least 30 times on this website - Special Interest is any vehicle that actually does have a SPECIAL interest. Something that gives it a special connotation to the public in general. There is nothing of special interest in a stock vehicle, unless it is one-of-a-kind. There is nothing special interest in a Corvette or Mustang unless there is something very unusual or unique about it, which would generate a SPECIAL interest. If the vehicle cannot be legitimately defined as having a unique, special interest, then it does not belong in Special Interest. It does not take a degree in common sense to figure that out.
And it has nothing to do with "my standpoint". Facts are facts, and do not change simply because of a different angle of view. And as I have ALREADY said (many times), show organizers who want a class for any "orphans" should include that class - nationally, the ORPHAN class is used widely as a legitimate class for any vehicle that does not fit into any other listed class. And some shows call the class GENERAL INTEREST, or FIELD class. I guess you must have missed that.
And for your arrogant, ignorant statement that if "Mainers aren't up to your standards then why don't you stay home then we won't upset you", that is not even an intelligent enough remark to warrant a response for two reasons:
1) I live in Maine, too, and
2) It matters not where a person lives - right and wrong is not dictated by geographical area.
So, I have a suggestion for you, fella: if you want to disagree about classes, that is your choice. But don't try to defend something that is so obviously wrong. And if you still cannot see the difference between "Special Interest" and just any old vehicle, get out your dictionary and look up the definition of SPECIAL and INTEREST. Maybe then you will have a clue.
From Merriam Webster Dictionary:
SPECIAL: distinguished by some unusual quality; unique; being other than the usual : designed for a particular purpose or occasion
INTEREST: a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to an object or class of objects
So, a vehicle in Special Interest should be uniquely distinguishable from the usual, and/or designed for a particular purpose (as I said, like a firetruck, MASH jeep, tank, surf wagon, etc.) which would peak the interest of the public at large.
Now, if you think a stock Firebird, or a stock Caddy, or a stock '67 pickup truck somehow fit that definition, then you need help that is beyond the scope of this blog.
Special Interest
Another person who commented says that it is his belief that SPECIAL INTEREST is a class specifically for any car without a class. It need not be "special interest". "It's been done this way for years". Hm-m-m. Does that mean I can register my PT with the Camaros, because "Camaro" does not mean Camaro?
As for the suggestion that it has always been done this way: is it OK to abuse your kids today just because you have been doing it for years without getting caught? Of course not. Just because it has been done for years does not make it right.
The commenter is 100% WRONG! Special Interest means SPECIAL INTEREST, just like Mustangs means MUSTANGS. And Special Interest means the vehicle must have a "special" interest for the general public. The name of a class DESCRIBES what is to be in that class. The name of the class defines it.
Shows that want to include a class for every vehicle that is an "orphan" from all listed classes would typically have a class named, appropriately enough, ORPHANS. Some shows give it a more aesthetic name, such as GENERAL INTEREST or FIELD class. But Special Interest is a legitimate class, and needs to be treated as such if the show is to retain legitimacy.
Just because a lot of shows - and participants - have abused a class for years does not make it right.
I understand that Maine is not all that "up to snuff" with many things, including car shows. Mainers have a tendancy to do what is expedient, which is an admirable Yankee characteristic. But there comes a time when expediency must give way to what is honest and fair to all, and leave the slip-shod methods behind that leave some folks out in the cold. In most of the country, car shows are run in accordance with a somewhat strict set of standards, to insure fairness and honesty.
No, not all shows are the same - there are many TYPES of car shows. But regardless of type, the shows, themselves, are expected to follow certain standards, for the sake of legitimacy. The reason, of course, is simple: the value of a vehicle is often determined in part by its ability to win top honors - just like a dog or horse show. For those values to be legitimate, the winning must also be legitimate. It is fraudulent to increase the value of something based on false information. So, if trophies are not won by legitimate means, in a fair competition, it is crooked to use such awards as a means of placing a higher value on the vehicle.
Everyone should want to play on a level playing field. And it is in everyone's best interest to do so.
As for the suggestion that it has always been done this way: is it OK to abuse your kids today just because you have been doing it for years without getting caught? Of course not. Just because it has been done for years does not make it right.
The commenter is 100% WRONG! Special Interest means SPECIAL INTEREST, just like Mustangs means MUSTANGS. And Special Interest means the vehicle must have a "special" interest for the general public. The name of a class DESCRIBES what is to be in that class. The name of the class defines it.
Shows that want to include a class for every vehicle that is an "orphan" from all listed classes would typically have a class named, appropriately enough, ORPHANS. Some shows give it a more aesthetic name, such as GENERAL INTEREST or FIELD class. But Special Interest is a legitimate class, and needs to be treated as such if the show is to retain legitimacy.
Just because a lot of shows - and participants - have abused a class for years does not make it right.
I understand that Maine is not all that "up to snuff" with many things, including car shows. Mainers have a tendancy to do what is expedient, which is an admirable Yankee characteristic. But there comes a time when expediency must give way to what is honest and fair to all, and leave the slip-shod methods behind that leave some folks out in the cold. In most of the country, car shows are run in accordance with a somewhat strict set of standards, to insure fairness and honesty.
No, not all shows are the same - there are many TYPES of car shows. But regardless of type, the shows, themselves, are expected to follow certain standards, for the sake of legitimacy. The reason, of course, is simple: the value of a vehicle is often determined in part by its ability to win top honors - just like a dog or horse show. For those values to be legitimate, the winning must also be legitimate. It is fraudulent to increase the value of something based on false information. So, if trophies are not won by legitimate means, in a fair competition, it is crooked to use such awards as a means of placing a higher value on the vehicle.
Everyone should want to play on a level playing field. And it is in everyone's best interest to do so.
The Lantern In The Barn
One reader (see COMMENTS below last post) asked that I elaborate on a true story that expresses, to some degree, the problems that some of us experience, not only with shows, but in other areas of life, as well. It has to do with "getting used to" problems to the point where we no longer "see" them. Here is part of the letter I shared with that reader earlier:
"After awhile, folks get accustomed to something, then stop seeing it. I remember our barn when I was a kid. Ever since I was born, there was always a lantern (no longer used) hanging on a hook just inside the door. One day I walked into the barn, and noticed something was different. Couldn't put my finger on it - but I knew something was not right. That evening I told my dad about that feeling. He then told me that he had finally tossed out the old lantern.
"All those years of walking right by it, but never really noticing it anymore because it was just "always there".
How many times have you grown so accustomed to something - a lantern on the wall; a problem at work; or even a spouse - that you just stop "seeing" it? Taking it for granted. I think that is what has happened to car shows. It used to be a thing of honor, to compete honestly. But as in all things, a few people who are either unthinking, or in some cases just dishonest, begin taking advantage, and in an attempt to win, they stoop to a lower level. At first, it is only one or two people, so we look askance at them, but say nothing. And because we say nothing, the problem slowly grows, like any infection, fungus or weed. Left untended in fertile ground, anything will grow.
And as it grew, we became rather numb to it. We figured we could do nothing about it, so we began ignoring it. And today, such problems have gotten almost out of control.
But they are not out of control yet. We have the opportunity to clean it up, and make it better for everyone except the cheaters. We can do that by monitoring ourselves, and by confronting organizers who allow, or even encourage it.
To monitor ourselves, simply THINK before you vote - first and foremost, your vote should never go for any vehicle that is out of its class. And you should avoid the trap of voting in the "buddy system". It's time that the winners were the vehicles that actually deserve to win, and not just the folks who have the most friends and relatives present. It's not supposed to be a popularity contest. And if you see someone overtly cheating, talk to them - not in a confrontation, but as a friend.
And when organizers allow, or encourage cheating by allowing class jumping, or sticking cars in the wrong classes, we need to speak up, and let them know if they do not enforce their classes, or provide adequate services and organization, we will stop going to their shows. That will get their attention, and it WILL result in better shows, simply because their primary purpose is to raise funds - and they cannot do that if folks stop going to their shows.
If we pull together, we can get the monkey back into its cage. If we do not, the monkey will raise havoc with us all, and eventually ruin it for everyone.
If you fail to tend your garden, the weeds will overtake it.
"After awhile, folks get accustomed to something, then stop seeing it. I remember our barn when I was a kid. Ever since I was born, there was always a lantern (no longer used) hanging on a hook just inside the door. One day I walked into the barn, and noticed something was different. Couldn't put my finger on it - but I knew something was not right. That evening I told my dad about that feeling. He then told me that he had finally tossed out the old lantern.
"All those years of walking right by it, but never really noticing it anymore because it was just "always there".
How many times have you grown so accustomed to something - a lantern on the wall; a problem at work; or even a spouse - that you just stop "seeing" it? Taking it for granted. I think that is what has happened to car shows. It used to be a thing of honor, to compete honestly. But as in all things, a few people who are either unthinking, or in some cases just dishonest, begin taking advantage, and in an attempt to win, they stoop to a lower level. At first, it is only one or two people, so we look askance at them, but say nothing. And because we say nothing, the problem slowly grows, like any infection, fungus or weed. Left untended in fertile ground, anything will grow.
And as it grew, we became rather numb to it. We figured we could do nothing about it, so we began ignoring it. And today, such problems have gotten almost out of control.
But they are not out of control yet. We have the opportunity to clean it up, and make it better for everyone except the cheaters. We can do that by monitoring ourselves, and by confronting organizers who allow, or even encourage it.
To monitor ourselves, simply THINK before you vote - first and foremost, your vote should never go for any vehicle that is out of its class. And you should avoid the trap of voting in the "buddy system". It's time that the winners were the vehicles that actually deserve to win, and not just the folks who have the most friends and relatives present. It's not supposed to be a popularity contest. And if you see someone overtly cheating, talk to them - not in a confrontation, but as a friend.
And when organizers allow, or encourage cheating by allowing class jumping, or sticking cars in the wrong classes, we need to speak up, and let them know if they do not enforce their classes, or provide adequate services and organization, we will stop going to their shows. That will get their attention, and it WILL result in better shows, simply because their primary purpose is to raise funds - and they cannot do that if folks stop going to their shows.
If we pull together, we can get the monkey back into its cage. If we do not, the monkey will raise havoc with us all, and eventually ruin it for everyone.
If you fail to tend your garden, the weeds will overtake it.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Gettin' It
I am uncertain how it is that some folks have so much difficulty understanding a simple concept.
As I was enjoying the company of friends at C.H.O.P. this evening, a man approached and told me he owned one of the cars that was wrongly in Special Interest at the Windham show on Sunday. He went on to say that he registered in Special Interest because they did not have a class for him.
With all due respect, this person, and others like him just aren't getting it. If a show does not have a class for you, DON'T GO! It is wrong, and dishonest, to register in a class you do not belong in, regardless of what reason you think you may have. When show organizers choose classes, whether they realize it or not they are creating their "invitation list". If there is not a class for you, then you are not invited.
So, they did not have a class for this fellow. So why didn't he register his stock Firebird with the Mustangs? Or the Corvettes? Or the 2WD Trucks? Of course, the reason is obvious - his car did not belong in those classes. And that is my point - it did not belong in Special Interest, either! There is nothing of SPECIAL Interest in a stock Firebird. So it did not belong in the class. Period!
If you would not register a stock Fbird in with Mustangs or Camaros, don't register it in Special Interest, either.
The ONLY vehicles that belong in Special Interest - EVER - are those vehicles that have a SPECIAL INTEREST. And just because you may have a special interest in your vehicle, that does not mean it has a special interest. The special interest must be for the general public.
If your vehicle does not have a special theme (firetruck, military jeep, surf wagon, VW Hippie Bus, or a model A that has a built-in popcorn machine), or if it is not unique (SnoCat, tank, or the "One Piece At A Time" Caddy), then it does not belong in special interest.
So, to this gentleman I would ask: if the show had a Firebird class, but not a Special Interest class, do you think it would be appropriate for me to register my PT Woody in your Firebird class? After all, if they do not have a class for me, shouldn't I be able to register in your class?
At the risk of repeating myself about 2,531 times: no one should register in ANY class that is not a good and appropriate fit for their vehicle. If they do, they are cheating everyone who is in that class legitimately.
Like the saying goes: I don't swim in your toilet, so don't piss in my pool.
As I was enjoying the company of friends at C.H.O.P. this evening, a man approached and told me he owned one of the cars that was wrongly in Special Interest at the Windham show on Sunday. He went on to say that he registered in Special Interest because they did not have a class for him.
With all due respect, this person, and others like him just aren't getting it. If a show does not have a class for you, DON'T GO! It is wrong, and dishonest, to register in a class you do not belong in, regardless of what reason you think you may have. When show organizers choose classes, whether they realize it or not they are creating their "invitation list". If there is not a class for you, then you are not invited.
So, they did not have a class for this fellow. So why didn't he register his stock Firebird with the Mustangs? Or the Corvettes? Or the 2WD Trucks? Of course, the reason is obvious - his car did not belong in those classes. And that is my point - it did not belong in Special Interest, either! There is nothing of SPECIAL Interest in a stock Firebird. So it did not belong in the class. Period!
If you would not register a stock Fbird in with Mustangs or Camaros, don't register it in Special Interest, either.
The ONLY vehicles that belong in Special Interest - EVER - are those vehicles that have a SPECIAL INTEREST. And just because you may have a special interest in your vehicle, that does not mean it has a special interest. The special interest must be for the general public.
If your vehicle does not have a special theme (firetruck, military jeep, surf wagon, VW Hippie Bus, or a model A that has a built-in popcorn machine), or if it is not unique (SnoCat, tank, or the "One Piece At A Time" Caddy), then it does not belong in special interest.
So, to this gentleman I would ask: if the show had a Firebird class, but not a Special Interest class, do you think it would be appropriate for me to register my PT Woody in your Firebird class? After all, if they do not have a class for me, shouldn't I be able to register in your class?
At the risk of repeating myself about 2,531 times: no one should register in ANY class that is not a good and appropriate fit for their vehicle. If they do, they are cheating everyone who is in that class legitimately.
Like the saying goes: I don't swim in your toilet, so don't piss in my pool.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Voila
For those of you who kept asking, such as it is, the "new" surfboard is finished. It was a bit tougher than I thought it would be, and I gotta tell ya I worried big-time about the glassing. But all came out reasonably well, as you can see here.
We have received several letters about the recent shows - mostly positive, but each had some difficulties as pointed out by those who went, and wrote letters.
We'll be going to C.H.O.P. tomorrow for the cruise, so a reminder - the C.H.O.P. cruise now runs from 5-7 for the remainder of their season. And they are having a show at the fairgrounds later this month - but we cannot go, since they will only be accepting antiques - vehicles that are at least 25 years old. Antique drivers do not count :o(
But I will give them much credit - unlike some shows, they are not going to take our money under false pretenses, as was done at Shawnee Peak earlier this year.
Anxious for this weekend, at OOB. That is just about the best "cruise" on Friday, and a darned good show the next day. It is one of the highlights of the season. Hope to see ya there!
We have received several letters about the recent shows - mostly positive, but each had some difficulties as pointed out by those who went, and wrote letters.
We'll be going to C.H.O.P. tomorrow for the cruise, so a reminder - the C.H.O.P. cruise now runs from 5-7 for the remainder of their season. And they are having a show at the fairgrounds later this month - but we cannot go, since they will only be accepting antiques - vehicles that are at least 25 years old. Antique drivers do not count :o(
But I will give them much credit - unlike some shows, they are not going to take our money under false pretenses, as was done at Shawnee Peak earlier this year.
Anxious for this weekend, at OOB. That is just about the best "cruise" on Friday, and a darned good show the next day. It is one of the highlights of the season. Hope to see ya there!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Windham & Settler's Green
Two big shows were held today - the Windham Boosters Show in Windham (ME) and the Mt Washington Valley Old Car club's Settler's Green show in North Conway (NH). I went to Windham, but so far the reports on Settler's Green say it was excellent. For those interested, here is a letter from the organizer of Settler's Green show:
Sounds like a fine crowd. And while it did not look like Windham had such a big draw, it still did very well. And Bob already has his Vehicle Safety Cards for next year's show :o). Some folks are on the ball!
The biggest drawback of the Windham show was something over which they had no control - the layout of the school grounds. The property is such that vehicles had to be separated by vast expanses, making it difficult to mull around and see everyone. And it was nearly 1/4 mile to the concession stand.
Other than that, there was one really noticeable problem - and it was a biggie. Anyone who was there can likely guess, because it was obvious and blatant - class jumping and abuse of certain classes. For example, there were two corvette classes, so all corvettes SHOULD have been in one or the other. But one decided to enter into the 80's class because there was a better chance of winning - and he did. That was completely unfair to the others in the 80's.
But the extreme abuse and disrespect of class occurred, of course, in Special Interest. If you were not there (or were there and did not notice), here is a sample what was found in Special Interest. As you can see by the pix, there was a stock, nearly off the showroom floor Caddy; a stock nearly off the showroom floor Grand Cherokee; a stock nearly off the showroom floor GMC Jimmy SUV; a Cobra kit car (there was a class for Sport Compacts); a stock, unrestored 1967 Ford pickup truck (there was a class for 2WD trucks); a rather stock Firebird (there was a class for GM Muscle); a car whose lineage was not readily known, and our own PT Woody SurfWagon. The last two were the only ones that belonged in SI.
Such disrespect and abuse of any class is untenable. Both the people who wrongfully entered the class AND the show organizers are at fault, and both should be thoroughly ashamed. If a show does not have a class for you, don't go. Do NOT put your car in a class in which it does not belong just so you can be there - it is incredibly rude, dishonest and unfair to the people who do belong in that class. And if the show has gone to the trouble of having a class specifically for you (like Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros, Mopar, Muscles etc.), then that is the class you should be in.
I will tell you this: if I were to register my PT Woody into your class, you would be pissed - and rightfully so. And if I took votes away from you, you would be livid, and would likely complain loudly to anyone who would listen. And you would be absolutely right!
All we ask is that everyone give us the same respect and consideration that y'all would want us to give to you if the tables were turned.
Slowly but surely, class jumpers and poachers are beginning to pay the price for their dishonesty. People are not voting for them as often. The folks are becoming aware. To the jumpers I would say, "You have been warned." If you choose to cheat, you will likely lose. Most folks want honest shows, and they are beginning to look for the cheats now that the problem has been brought into the light.
That said, the Windham show was a very fine show. I did notice that many of the judges were not particularly qualified, and some even looked lost. One was observed walking past 25 vehicles in 28 seconds. That judge did return later, but spent minimal time looking over only 1/2 the vehicles.
I fully recgnize that qualified judges are difficult to come by, so we do need to accept such problems in a judged show. But that is a shame - organizers really need to start training their judges better. If not, perhaps they should consider another form of judging.
I know this does not sound very good for the Windham show, but that really is not the case. They did put on a very good show. Pretty well organized, they were ready for us when we arrived. Food was good. Music was OK (not my type). Award ceremony was well-done and moved along rapidly. Yes, there were problems, but some were not within their control, and the others were, if nothing else, expected. Perhaps their 16th show next year will include improvements in the enforcement of classes, and the training of judges.
Thank you, Windham Boosters, for one of the better shows of the 2008 season.
"HI BILL; Mt. Washington Valley Old Car Club show had great weather we also had 227 cars and 631 Paid spectators. The (vehicle safety) cards worked great - some of the spectators said thanks when we handed them to them. Hope to see everyone again next year.
Thanks Bob"
Sounds like a fine crowd. And while it did not look like Windham had such a big draw, it still did very well. And Bob already has his Vehicle Safety Cards for next year's show :o). Some folks are on the ball!
The biggest drawback of the Windham show was something over which they had no control - the layout of the school grounds. The property is such that vehicles had to be separated by vast expanses, making it difficult to mull around and see everyone. And it was nearly 1/4 mile to the concession stand.
Other than that, there was one really noticeable problem - and it was a biggie. Anyone who was there can likely guess, because it was obvious and blatant - class jumping and abuse of certain classes. For example, there were two corvette classes, so all corvettes SHOULD have been in one or the other. But one decided to enter into the 80's class because there was a better chance of winning - and he did. That was completely unfair to the others in the 80's.
But the extreme abuse and disrespect of class occurred, of course, in Special Interest. If you were not there (or were there and did not notice), here is a sample what was found in Special Interest. As you can see by the pix, there was a stock, nearly off the showroom floor Caddy; a stock nearly off the showroom floor Grand Cherokee; a stock nearly off the showroom floor GMC Jimmy SUV; a Cobra kit car (there was a class for Sport Compacts); a stock, unrestored 1967 Ford pickup truck (there was a class for 2WD trucks); a rather stock Firebird (there was a class for GM Muscle); a car whose lineage was not readily known, and our own PT Woody SurfWagon. The last two were the only ones that belonged in SI.
Such disrespect and abuse of any class is untenable. Both the people who wrongfully entered the class AND the show organizers are at fault, and both should be thoroughly ashamed. If a show does not have a class for you, don't go. Do NOT put your car in a class in which it does not belong just so you can be there - it is incredibly rude, dishonest and unfair to the people who do belong in that class. And if the show has gone to the trouble of having a class specifically for you (like Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros, Mopar, Muscles etc.), then that is the class you should be in.
I will tell you this: if I were to register my PT Woody into your class, you would be pissed - and rightfully so. And if I took votes away from you, you would be livid, and would likely complain loudly to anyone who would listen. And you would be absolutely right!
All we ask is that everyone give us the same respect and consideration that y'all would want us to give to you if the tables were turned.
Slowly but surely, class jumpers and poachers are beginning to pay the price for their dishonesty. People are not voting for them as often. The folks are becoming aware. To the jumpers I would say, "You have been warned." If you choose to cheat, you will likely lose. Most folks want honest shows, and they are beginning to look for the cheats now that the problem has been brought into the light.
That said, the Windham show was a very fine show. I did notice that many of the judges were not particularly qualified, and some even looked lost. One was observed walking past 25 vehicles in 28 seconds. That judge did return later, but spent minimal time looking over only 1/2 the vehicles.
I fully recgnize that qualified judges are difficult to come by, so we do need to accept such problems in a judged show. But that is a shame - organizers really need to start training their judges better. If not, perhaps they should consider another form of judging.
I know this does not sound very good for the Windham show, but that really is not the case. They did put on a very good show. Pretty well organized, they were ready for us when we arrived. Food was good. Music was OK (not my type). Award ceremony was well-done and moved along rapidly. Yes, there were problems, but some were not within their control, and the others were, if nothing else, expected. Perhaps their 16th show next year will include improvements in the enforcement of classes, and the training of judges.
Thank you, Windham Boosters, for one of the better shows of the 2008 season.
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