When you are at a cruise-in, rod run or car show, whether you are a spectator, participant or judge; what do you look at/for when viewing the cars at the event? *I have just over the last couple years started really paying attention to the detail stuff; in general the overall appearance must catch my eye before I will even really "look" at it. So, what does it take to catch you eye? What does it take to make you go WOW!
to me, the vehicle must have curb appeal and not 'blend' in with all of the other vehicles there. once i start to look at it, i pay attention to details. that shows me how much time and effort someone put into the car. i look at belts, hoses, fasteners, origniallity and creative touches. im not a "purist" by any means, im more into originallity in it's many forms but at the same time i like for everything to go together. you know, like it belongs there as if it was a factory option or something. just my outlook
I'm pretty open to any kind of car/truck. I look at about every car and appreciate it for what it is.
Anything. Every car has a story and some redeeming quality. I typically am drawn to muscle and 50s-60s full size.
Over all stance and personality of the car...It could be in primer or even have visable rust on it... but if its got just the right "Bad Azz" look to it Then it will get my attention every time. To me you can take a piece of junk thats NOT even a pretty body style, and if you put just the right set of tires and wheels...along with the right stance,it can look cool.
Paint and bodywork! If it gets my attention, I always look down the side of the car to see how straight it is. I've looked at tons over the years and I've found that theres a lot more to paint than just color and shine. I also look at alignment,fitment and attention to detail on the car. While I'm partial to muscle cars, theres a lot of other styles that are worth looking at. To me, thats what makes going to cruise-ins and shows so much fun, theres always something for everyone! Scott
I prefer cars that are not belly buttons... meaning not your basic Mustang, Camero, Hi Po stuff in red. I like the true muscle cars, but not the GTO, Road Runner, SS Chevys, etc. Give me a 406 Galaxie, Dodge Granny sedan with a big block. Odd Rods like Packards, Nash and other dead brands or the odd ball stuff like the Mopar Hy-per pack 6 bangers or with rare options like 4 spd 6 bangers or hipo station wagons. Dare to be different. Just like our Mavericks.
The complexity in the sheer simplistic appearance of various parts of a vehicle. For example, I like clean looking engine bays. A lot of thought and time can go into simply making an engine bay look clean and uncluttered. and also, a big one for me is body panel alignment, particularly in the gaps and seams of the body. Is the seam between the rear of the door and quarter panel smaller then the seem between the front of the door and the fender? Does the leading edge of the door stick out slightly more then the leading edge of the fender? Are the gaps even all the way across? Something I see a lot in Mavericks, the hood lip trim will be higher or lower then the matching area of the headlight rings. The center fiberglass piece of a Grabber spoiler will have a larger gap on one side between the quarter panel end caps then the other side, or the tip edge of the center piece will be higher or lower then the end caps.
My thoughts exactly! And if it's in the 80's or newer, it better be something fantastic and just screaming out before I'll even slow down to take a close look. I despise being at a car show with brand new cars entered that look like they were just bought last week. I don't go to car shows to see dealership cars.
I will admit I look over the "other" stuff, but honestly I just tend to spend most of my time looking at the Ford stuff in detail - especially the early to mid 60's Galaxies, Fairlanes, Comets and similar era Ford / Mercs - if there are any. I really love anything Thunderbolt or early Galaxie like. Of course Mavericks / Comets get extra attention. I don't tend to like Street Rods in general (maybe it's the type of guys who build street rods that's the issue) but what I do appreciate about them is all of that custom and clean stuff that they do to engine bays, firewalls, and undercarriages. I'd rather spend an hour looking over how some guy ran his brakelines or sorted his electrical in a cool and clean way than spend 10 seconds looking over a '74 and up Camaro no matter how big a crate motor he stuffed in it.
1.It's gotta be something different.I don't care how spectacular it may be,I rarely ever give Mustangs/Camaros/Corvettes a second glance.I've seen 'em built every way under the sun in magazines/shows since I was a kid.I dig oddball cars,alternate bodystyles of bellybetton cars(i.e.-an F85 2dr sedan or a visa cruiser wagon instead of a 442)and old originals that have,you know,"clean" dirt. 2.Stance/wheels.Put the right wheels on a goobermobile,give it the right attitude(or is it altitude?)and all of a sudden it's a killer ride. 3.Build style.Do a resto,do a Kustom,do a rat,do a '70s reject.But don't do all in the same car,it just don't jive.Pick a theme & stick with it. 4.Little things.I drive junk so I hate to critic someones ultra high $$ ride,but when you look at a car that obviously has loads of time/$$ invested in it,you'd think they would line up the panels a bit better,replace the pitted door handles,make sure both headlights are the same brand/style lense,stuff like that. 5.The "LOOK".Some cars got it(even the bellybutton ones),most don't.You can't really describe it,but you know it when you see it.And it makes you stop & just drool.
ill second that! cant stand for a new car to be at a show or cruise in. if u have a new car, it needs to be (a)the parking lot (b)at home/garage (c) at the dealership
