Classic Car Show Preparation

Getting your vehicle ready for the main event

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At National events, even the tires must be the correct make and size as delivered on the car. Serious concours types carry reams of documentation proving any questionable items. On original-condition cars, judges will give higher marks to factory-original paint, even if faded, over a re-spray in the correct color. The idea is to encourage preservation, not restoration, of original cars.

If your car is not original, don't despair. There are other classes for cars with non-original paint, interior trim, wheels and other items. These classes, however, place extra emphasis on cleanliness and detailing. Trophy hunters often bring satchels loaded with soft-bristle toothbrushes and other tiny tools to scrub dust from around emblems and inside heater ducts (yes, they do check). Grass blades are evicted from tire treads, and there had better not be any oil seeping from the pan! To prevent cars being pushed out dry (with no oil or lubricants), most concours now require the cars be driven onto the show field.

Even if you don't get too obsessive about car shows, they do provide a good excuse to give your pride and joy a good washing and waxing a couple of times a year before sharing it with fellow car crazies. And, let's admit, that's often what it's all about!