The Show Car…

By Robert Snowden

I've been a part of the Chevrolet collector car hobby for many years, during that time I've had the privilege of meeting some great people from all corners of the world. Some of these people are real characters. This months View is courtesy of a real gem! Every now and again Don begins to philosophize and express his views on life, this month I invite you to sit back and enjoy, The Show Car.
Robert

Show cars… long on beauty, devastating to the pocketbook, and short on durability. A show car only has one day of perfection, after that, it's all downhill. Having a freshly finished show car is like marrying  a mail order bride; you'd better enjoy it that day, because it ain't never gonna look that good again!

Show cars demand their own space. A show car doesn't like a kid on a bike; or kids in general for that matter. It hates a Harley, or a four-wheeler. It can't tolerate a rake, shovel, broom, or anything that leans against a wall. It's nix to lawnmowers, and nay to birds or dogs, and especially cats! It's also negative to snakes, rats, beetles, flies, spiders, roaches, bees, or wasps. No to direct sunlight, it loves the dark. It is intolerant to temperatures over 70 degrees or under 70 degrees. With the show car it's no open doors, no wind, no rain drips or drops of any kind. A relative humidity of 0 percent is a must. A true show car is far more ill-advised than a mistress; and far more expensive and demanding to maintain. Does there seem to be something wrong here? Yes, it's everything! There is no rest for the owner of a true show car, it requires 24-hour vigilance. It sounds like a real pain, doesn't it? Yes it is, and it can be a very, very expensive one.

I've been selling Chevelle and Chevrolet restoration parts (mostly used) for over 35-years, and a week never goes by that I fail to have a customer who thinks he owns the Chevy  that's going to be the worlds best show car. A positive attitude is great, and we all should set our goals high, but never leave out a heavy-duty ingredient called reality. What is the aim when people set out to restore a car? Do they intend to do it for their own satisfaction, or do they set out to impress others? A bad example in judgment could be described as a guy who spends $70,000 in quest of winning a $14.00 trophy. More in line with reality is someone who spends a meager amount to achieve a quality driver car that they can afford and use. A Chevy that you can't use is a waste of time and space.

Only a few can afford a top quality show car, and it's better to leave it that way. The average guy will do fine with a special interest Chevy that can be used and maintained within a budget. Remember, the sensible object of owning such a car is to please yourself.  
Don Hughey
Hughey Auto Ranch