Has Covid-19 Killed off Car Shows as we know them?

Just as the 2020 Car Show season was about to explode, the dreadful Covid 19 (Corona Virus) hit the streets of America and overnight seemed to shut everything down. Six feet social distancing, late night curfews, stay at home mandates, and teleworking became commonly used terms in the blink of an eye. We watched as life as we know it began to shut down and everyone was stuck at home and encouraged to not participate in any activities with more than 10 folks. At first it did not seem like a big deal and we thought that it would blow over and end soon, but as the weeks and months passed, it would get worse before it got better.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the car show scene was on a fast track and had gained in popularity from 2019. Each of the past few years, the car show circuit had been seeing more and more of the younger crowd starting to discover the passion of cars and they gravitated to the shows to hang out with others who love the car scene as well. 

As the hobby grew, during the peak season for shows (April - September), each weekend had multiple events and makes the choices harder than ever to decide which event you would attend. As someone who hosts and coordinates multiple shows each year, it had also been very difficult to find the perfect weekend to choose a time/date to have a car event. 

Due to many county, city, and state regulations, many of our favorite car shows and events began to postpone or get cancelled. Although it was sad to see so many shows to get cancelled for the 2020 year, it was understandable due to how serious this was and how many folks were being diagnosed with Covid-19. 

However, as the months rolled on, some of the car clubs and groups found creative ways to participate in events. Some clubs had car cruises (driving events) where everyone stayed in their vehicle and drove to a designated area along some amazing roads. If your group or club are not already doing these type events, they are a great way to get out and enjoy driving our cars. Other groups were allowed to have small events by following very specific rules and guidelines, but it did take a bit of creativity to pull it off. 

Cars and Coffee events and Cruise-In's have also been another very popular event because you are only walking around looking at vehicles for a couple of hours.....no judging, no trophies, which allows for more social distancing. 

As we move forward and get back to having some form of typical car shows, will they be different or will the host and organizers have to follow so many rules and guidelines that they drop them all together? Some of the larger events that we all know and love have already cancelled for 2020.

For example, the 2020 Woodward Dream Cruise and all of the spin-off events will not happen. This includes the memories show at the Dearborn, Michigan (World Ford Headquarters) which draws 1000's of Ford Mustangs every year. 

My thoughts are that the damage has been done and some of the 2020 shows that have been cancelled this year may also suffer from the financial standpoint, I know that some events had already spent a lot of money for promotions/advertising and sponsors will not be happy about the loss. Only time will tell if the Covid-19 outbreak will have lasting effects on the car show circuit as we move back into whatever our new normal is. I would hope that the folks who are passionate about their vehicles will find a way to show them off and be creative enough to come out of this in better shape.

I also know this.....there are two things that bring people together and allow for the social, economic, racial, and age barriers to fall, that's Cars and Music. So my recommendation is, let's turn up the tunes and have a car show!!

See you down the road.....Joseph P. Scott

55 Hot-Rod Chevy

I recently had the pleasure to interview a good friend of mine and his wicked 55 Chevy……I wanted to share some photos and a video with you and hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.  The best part is Joe drives his car to all the shows including the Cruisin' the Coast event at the Mississippi Coast for the last 15 years!

Its great to see a young guy who enjoys taking his classic hot-rod on the road and sharing it with other classic car fans.  I also like the fact that he modified it to fit his taste but also kept the classic look of the 55 Chevy.  Joe the paint on your ride may be 20 years old, but it looks GREAT!!  Keep it between the Ditches my Friend and thanks again.

1955 Chevy (2 door post) owned by Joe Laxson (Athens, AL)

·         Engine:  Corvette LS1 V8, Dyno @ 425 HP, tuned by Shane Culbert from Guntersville, AL

·         4L60E automatic transmission , Aluminum radiator with twin electric fans

·         Vintage Heat and Air

·         Tubular upper and lower control arms with QA1 coilovers front and shocks rear ,1"1/4 sway bar on front

·         373 posi-gears rear end

·         18 gallon stainless gas tank

·         20" wheels on rear and 18" on front

·         chrome tilt column with chrome steering wheel

·         Dakota digital dash instruments and clock

·         5 1/4 " touch screen pioneer stereo with pioneer speakers and amp

·         full custom leather interior by David Lewellen from Cleveland, TN

4 wheel disc brakes and power steering

Enjoy the Video: (Courtesy of ZTV-11)

More Photos:

Car Show vs. Cruise-in...what’s the difference?

I get this question all the time, so I decided to fill you in and then you will know what to expect.

A cruise-in is a more laid back type of event where you just drive your ride in and park, there is no fee to park and show your ride, there are no trophies given, and it is typically held on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon/night.  These cruise-in events are sometimes called “Show & Shine” because that’s all you do-shine your ride up and show it off.  There is sometimes music and door prizes but it’s just a little more easy going that a full blown car show.  Typically the cruise-in will only have 25-50 cars/trucks where everybody just wants to stroll around and see the vehicles and chat for a while.  Most of the time a cruise-in is held near or in the parking lot of a restaurant or business, that way the women can shop or the family can eat while they are there enjoying the rides.  Cruise-in’s typically only last 3-4 hours.

(Cruise-in a Dreamland BBQ in 2013)

Car shows are typically a lot larger in size and offer more for the serious car guy or gal.  The major differences are that there is usually a cost or entry fee to show your car and they usually judge the cars/trucks in some type of classes and give a few trophies at most shows.  A car show will also typically have vendors selling food/collectibles/parts/etc to help draw in a larger crowd. 

Most of the time a car show will attract more folks who just come by to see and admire the vehicles, as where a cruise-in is mostly just the folks who bring their rides.  At a typical car show, participants will arrive early to get their car/truck registered and then begin an hour (or longer) process of detailing their ride.  They will setup their chairs to relax in later in the day, but upon arrival they spend a good bit of time putting the final touches on the car/truck to make sure it’s ready for the judging.  A car show will typically last from 8:00 am till 3 or 4:00 pm.  The registration ends and judging begins at most shows around 12 to 1:00 pm.  Door prizes and other giveaways are always an attraction at car shows…….in fact a few of the larger show across the country give away an engine, a $5000 tool chest, or even a nice used car to help attract more folks.  Another great bonus to these events is that many shows are now charity events where most if not all of your entry fee is given to a local charity for a very worthy cause.

(Car Show in Somerset, KY in 2011)

Car show season is in full swing now that the weather is finally turning warmer, so now you have no excuse not to know the differences in car shows and cruise-ins.  The only question is now…….which one are you going to attend and when??

Joseph

It’s almost time for car show season!

Warmer weather will be here before you know it and you will see local car shows and cruise-in’s everywhere.  Are you plugged into your local car show scene??  If not you might be asking what’s the big deal with car shows and why would I want to go to one?  Local car shows are always a great family friendly way to get outside and see some remarkable classic cars and trucks as well as the late model muscle cars of today. 

Going to car shows is one of the most fun memories I have spending time with my dad.  We would walk around and I would listen intently as he reminisced about the cars and hearing stories of which ones he had owned.  I would not trade those day with my dad for any amount!

These shows usually offer some great music and good food to enjoy as you stroll back in time and relive what my dad calls “the good-ol-days”.  Many times the local cars shows are raising money for a local charity or organization and they offer a great way to support your community.  It is wonderful to see money raised to help clubs or organizations in your town when in need.

A few years ago you had to search far and near each month to find a good car show to attend, but now days its hard each weekend to decide which show or cruise-in you are going to go to.  Sometimes there are multiple shows to attend the same day…….can you say road trip?

So if you have a classic car or truck get it shined up and ready to hit the shows and if you don’t, grab the wife and kids, get out and take in the sights and sounds of your local car show scene.  Kids are so into video games these days, it will be a great change for them to get out and experience an up close look and sounds of an American V8 engine as it fires to life!  It is such a wonderful site to see a family at a car show with the little boy in tow with his dad and the mom pushing the baby stroller and everyone having a great time as they enjoy the classic cars and trucks at a local car show………are you making plans to attend one now?

Are you “Car Crazy”??

I’ve been called many names in my lifetime but most folks would say that I am “Car Crazy”!  Over the years I have found others out there who are like me and sometimes they don’t even know it.  If you are worried that you may have this disease, let me give you some of the major symptoms.  It usually starts with the eyes; you are always looking for a sweet ride everywhere you go……your eyes are drawn to any hot rod or custom vehicle with a shiny new paint job.  You seem to be able to spot car shows and local cruise-ins from almost any distance.  Your wife will usually be able to tell you are suffering from this disease even before you know you have it.

If your symptoms have gotten worse, then you may already be suffering from the next step in the progression of being Car Crazy.  You will begin to plan family outings or even weekend trips around where you secretly know there is a car show…….after you arrive at your destination, your wife says, “hey there sure are a lot of old classic cars and hot rods here in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge this weekend, are you sure the big car show is not this weekend?”  To which you say…..”I have no idea. That would be cool if it was”.  Another thing you begin to do is to ignore the family calendar of events and activities and then when your wife or girlfriend says, “don’t forget we have a wedding to go to this weekend”, you reply, “but honey you know I have been planning my trip with the guys at the big car show this weekend”……That one never ends well.

Okay, by now you can see how this disease can be very dangerous to your health, because after you have pulled a few of these stunts, you may need to be treated for knots on your head!  Now guys I’m not saying being car crazy is fatal, but let me suggest that if you think you are coming down with it and your symptoms are becoming easy to spot, then I have some friendly advice.  Try your best to see if you can give it to your wife or girlfriend because if you both have it then it makes living with this disease so much easier.  On another note, you can also try and let it rub off on your son or daughter at an early age and then your wife will be out numbered.

If you are car crazy then most likely you already know where the best shows in your area are, but if not, then search the car forums or local blogs that will put you in touch with other car crazy folks like you.  You can also locate a local car calendar that will keep you informed of the shows and cruise-in's close to you. 

Thanks, Joseph

Have you been to a car show lately?

Have you ever turned on the radio and hear a song and it immediately takes you to a place in your mind, a place back in time?  Was it when you were young or maybe a special time with your family?  It’s a wonderful feeling and it usually makes you feel good inside as you reminisce of days gone by.  The old past time of taking a Sunday drive is dying fast, in fact I’m not sure younger kids these days even know what that’s all about.  I remember it and it was most always filled with fun times.  Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Life is a journey, not a destination” and that’s so true, it did not matter what our destination was, it was all about the journey getting there.  For some folks a vehicle is just a tool that gets them from point A to B, but for others, it’s much more than that.

Car shows and cruise-ins have been going on across America for years, but it seems the younger generation is becoming more active in this scene.  If you attend a car show or a cruise-in these days you might see an older guy with his 1957 Chevy parked next to a 19 year old in his 2010 Mustang GT.  Here is the funny thing; you will find them talking and sharing stories like they were old friends!!  You might ask, “About what??”  Well they will be talking about their cars and the life journey (however long or short) that has driven their passion for cars.  Once again it’s like that song that you hear, going to a car show transports you back in time to driving your first car or riding to town with your Dad in his old truck to get ice cream.  So load your family in the car and take them to a car show to share in the sights and sounds as you relive your younger days or explore some of those new hot rides.

A few years back Ford Motor Company had a slogan, “Have you driven a Ford, Lately?” and the reason they asked that question was to inspire you to test drive one of their new cars because they knew you’d be surprised how good it was, well, I’m asking this same question today…….Have you been to a car show lately? 

Thanks, Joseph