To show or not to show

[dmwhiteoak]

I'v been approached twice in the last week about entering my car in a show. The first time I was assured I would win in the foreign car class because they haven't had any enter in the past that would beat mine. Last night on the way home from work I stopped at one of our local corner stores that I never stop at and was approached by 5 locals oogling over my car. Now keep in mind I haven't washed it in a month or so and put about 500 miles a week on it. A couple of the guys are affiliated with a local car club that shows monthly. They were telling me how clean my car is and that I should show it and would place high in the show. I don't see it. I have 6 dings that need attention and the right front around the headlight is primered and all the car needs paint. Those guys were telling me how clean my car was and I just don't see it. What do I do? Should I just show it as is or wait until I think it ready. I live in a small town and everyone has seen my car but I just don't think its ready for a show. Any and all comments are welcome.

[narfire]

I find I'm my worst critic...
Others think it looks great and like you in my mind I start rattling all the things not quite right...
Give it a good wash and wax,vacume ,clean inside glass and why not, I don't think about awards but perhaps some might have had a spider in the past and have some great stories

[spidernut]

Show it! Who cares if you win? Everyone gets a trophy! Oh, that's children's soccer. Well, you may not get a trophy but it would be nice to let others share in joy of your fine looking car! Go for it!

[FulviaHF]

Show it when you're ready to show it. Not before. If it's something you can use to prod you into action, then it mught make sense. If you can use it as a means of educating people about it, then it also might make sense. But don't do anything you're not comfortable with. Classic cars should be for enjoying, not for stressing over about what other people expect, IMHO.

[Curly]

You say that you don't think it's ready to show, and from your description of half a dozen dents, primer around the headlight and generally needing paint - I'd tend to agree with you . However, it does depend a lot on the type of show - and I obviously know nothing about the general quality of presentation at car shows in your country.
If it was just a regular get-together of enthusiasts from different clubs in the area, who want to talk cars and see what everyone else is up to, then yeah! take it along and enjoy the company and the banter. On the other hand, if it's a proper Concours de Elegance type of show with judges awarding points for presentation, then wait until the car is ready.
There's no point in taking along a car to be judged if it's going to be an embarrasment to you. Wait until you have the car in a condition that makes you proud of the work you've put into it.

[FiatBen]

It's Texas. Let the good ole' boys get a good gander at that Italian Stallion and be proud of what you've done so far. Also, make sure you fully inform any idiot who wants to know what year your "MG" is!

Have you ever been to the Italian CarFest in Grapevine in the fall? Now that is a great local show!!!

[dmwhiteoak]

The car show was tonight but I had to work. My wife offered to take it but its not hard to figure how that would go. I had her all cleaned up and shining like a new penny so I just left early for work to get a little extra driving in. I will begin work on the cosmetics when money and time allows. Thanks for all the advice.

[fiat218]

To show a car ,it does not mean it needs to be perfect, so have fun

[vespistiSF]

Do what you want to do and not what others are telling you to do. From your post it doesn't seem like you want to show it so... don't.