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Have you ever considered presenting your vintage vehicle at a car show? Well, you should. It’s a beautiful thing when gearheads get together to celebrate the beauty of their cars.
But what does it take to ready your vehicle for a show?
Also read this: Where to Show Off Your Classic Car: From Cruises to the Concours.
Photo: Jim Motavalli
The process always starts the same way: with cleaning supplies. A thorough cleaning is an absolute necessity—whether you’re rolling up to a local Cars and Coffee event, traveling to a classic car mecca like Hot August Nights, or mingling among collectors at the Pebble Beach concourse.
We recommend rolling up your sleeves to do the detailing yourself. After all, nobody will care about getting your car in perfect shape more than you.
An Essential Wash
Car wash kits like this one from Meguiar’s provide most of what you need.
Begin with a thorough washing in the shade. Don’t use dish liquid in a bucket, which will leave streaks. Instead, go the professional route with a complete wash, wax, and cleaning kit. Meguiar’s is a respected brand.
The best kits include items you’re going to need after the body is clean, such as glass and interior cleaners and tire foam. Wheel cleaners, which remove brake dust and other debris, are a different product.
These articles provide expert car-cleaning advice:
- How to Avoid Micro-Scratches: The Two-Bucket Car Wash
- A Powerful Tool in Auto Detailing: The Clay Bar
Don’t neglect the mirrors, wheel wells, lower bumpers, or any other hard-to-reach areas. A microfiber towel is good for removing last-minute smudges. The black rubber trim on bumpers needs its own cleaner.
For finer points about steaming, vacuuming, and shampooing, read this: Get Your Car Ready to Show This Summer.
RaggTopp both cleans and preserves fabric tops.
Clean on the Inside and Underneath
The interior is also going to need a good going-over. Typically, interiors attract dust, so a good cleaner and a micro-fiber cloth will take care of it.
There are plenty of good choices for interior cleaning products. But it’s essential to make a distinction between leather and vinyl interior. And don’t be shy about getting into the crevices with a Q-tip.
Convertible tops need their own care. RaggTopp is a convertible top cleaner and preservative that works on fabric. Most convertibles are displayed with their roofs down, but the judges may want to see it up, too.
The truly dedicated will degrease the car’s undercarriage. Judges and car nuts will definitely go over the engine bay, so you want to prepare that as much as possible too. Points are awarded for original hoses, batteries, clamps, and even removable tags.
A nice touch is mirrors that allow showgoers to see the undercarriage easily.
Getting to the Show
Assuming you are driving to the show, you should probably wait on the tire foam until the car is in place on the show field. If the event is some distance away, you may want to trailer the vehicle.
Most cars can ride outside on a flatbed trailer, but high-ticket vehicles demand an enclosed trailer. And, of course, there are services like UShip that would be happy to move your car.
Flatbeds are fine for most car shows. eBay has a great selection.
Before setting out, make sure your vehicle is in top driving condition. Some shows require owners to drive onto the field, and a non-functional brake light will get noticed.
If possible, park in the shade. Many owners like to sit with their cars, and that can get punishing on hot days. Another thing to bring if it’s hot is coolant and extra motor oil. Finally, don’t forget the folding chairs, a cooler, and cold beverages.
Bring Props
Signage with the car’s history is a nice touch.
Open the windows and leave them down. It prevents the interior from getting hot, and it makes your car look inviting. Avoid locked doors, rolled-up windows, and signs warning people not to touch. They send the wrong signal.
Plus, you want people to see all that work you did on the interior. So don’t leave anything on the seats. Any clutter is a big-time rookie mistake.
Owners who go to a lot of shows bring specially made posters with photos and a history of the car’s restoration. eBay sells sign holders for just this purpose.
Classics at the Japanese Classic Car Show. Notice the shaded canopies?
The original window sticker is a nice touch, either attached in its original location or in a frame. In addition, period license plates can be attached at the show.
A youngster at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
These extra efforts bring the story of your car to life.
In the end, cleanliness and originality score high points with judges and the public. But the most crucial thing at car shows is to enjoy the camaraderie of auto enthusiasts who will love to see and talk about the car you brought to the show.
