The Business of the Car Show

        I recently went to a very small car show.  It was part of a small-town festival full of vendors and crafts, and of course, fun for the entire family.  Many times, events like this will feature a car show having more than ten cars, but less than about twenty-five or thirty.  They are often more of a social event for the townsfolk who grew up together or have lived in the same place for a long time.  Naturally, there are always a few standout guys who bring the car you have never heard of because of their proximity to the event.  This show was a little bit different, though.

       There were indeed the typical, homegrown, older gentlemen sporting their Oldsmobiles, ’69 Camaros, and their mustangs from all eras.  There were also not one, but two, Hyundai Velosters.  I even thought it strange when I saw them.  Thinking that they were a little out of place in a parking lot full of American muscle, I went and talked to the owners who were simply proud of the cars they had.  Both owners were ecstatic to be there.  They were excited to see everyone else’s ride, but they also weren’t so excited that they brushed me off when I asked about their lowly, turbo, four-cylinder toys.  In other words, they were there because they love cars, but they were there more because of the experience of loving cars and showing others what they had.

          Now, that seems to be what a car show is all about… right?  Well… yes, that is correct, but if you look around a typical car show, you don’t see the joy of the experience.  A couple years ago, I went to a charity car show in the car that I owned back then:  A stock 2012 Civic Si.  To me, that car was like the key to all things automotive.  It would allow me into the “car guys club”.  I was proud of every detail of that car, yet when I entered the show, quite frankly, I received the cold shoulder from many others in the show.  I do understand why; however, I truly believe that I was the single happiest person at that event.  It wasn’t that everyone else didn’t have a good time, but I was on cloud nine.  It was my first car show!

            The more people at a car show that are just glad to be there, the more contribution to the positive atmosphere you are going to get.  It seems simple, and it is.  Don’t get me wrong… I love seeing the antiques, classics, and rare cars that people bring.  I also love the meticulous care that goes into prep the cars for the show.  The true flavor of the show usually doesn’t come out until cars that you wouldn’t think should be there, are there.

          Since the time that I had my Civic Si, I have moved up in the world.  I now own a Hyundai Genesis Coupe with 350 horses under the hood.  It is a more purpose-built sports car.  On top of that, they don’t build the car anymore, and it’s not a rare car, but you definitely don’t see one every day.  Despite this, I’m still hesitant to enter my car in an event like this, because of the atmosphere and the dirty looks that I might get because “you have a Hyundai???”

          As I think about this, and look back on the two people that I met at this tiny weekend car show, I am inspired by them.  I think back to when I entered my Civic into the car show for the first time.  It was a fantastic experience even though nobody really wanted to ask about my car.  The people I met at this show kept asking why my car wasn’t in the event.  I didn’t really have an answer, even though I gave the typical, “I didn’t have time to clean it up” excuse.  That being said, the next time a car show comes around, I will be ready.

–SWF

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