Were Have All The People Gone?

By Robert Snowden

In my April 2010 editorial “Where Have All The Chevys Gone” I brought up the fact that I was very concerned with declining numbers of collector Chevrolets attending Chevy Classic shows in recent years. I closed my article by asking members to give me some feedback. In the June issue I shared just a few of the responses I received. When I say just a few, I received dozens upon dozens of emails and letters from many longtime members. In review here are the most common issues; in most cases I’ve given my personal thoughts and responses.

I’M JUST GETTING TO OLD TO ATTEND SHOWS This was hands down the leading contender for reasons not to attend a Chevy show. It’s sad but true we’re all getting older. In response to this age issue, I have just one question. Who are you passing the enjoyment of owning a collector car on to? If you’re not encouraging your children or grandchildren to become interested in Chevys, now’s the time!

TO EXPENSIVE TO GO TO SHOWS Coming in second was the cost factor, and today’s economy. Many members said that by the time you figured in hotel, gas and food it was just too much. Many members felt that the registration fees for shows have gotten out of hand, and several members brought up the issue of having to pay not to judge! I guess I knew money would be right up there as a reason not to attend Chevy Classics shows. Sorry but housing, fuel and food are a given expense; all we can do is attempt to get the best hotel rates possible. Several members stated that Eckler’s was out to make money, that’s why it cost so much for registration. Trust me, registration fees don’t come close to covering show cost. As for members having to pay not to judge, if this policy were not in place we would never have all the needed judges for 1,000 point judging.

TIRED OF SAME OLD THING Before you head for the show it’s clean, clean, clean; upon arrival it’s get in this line, next fill out this paper work, oh you don’t have that paper work, you can’t go any further until you have it, then it’s over there for photos, and you have to attend this meeting the list goes on and on, then it’s more cleaning. I’ve often found myself asking “why would a person go to all this effort year after year”. It’s easy for me to see how a member could get bored and lose interest in the hobby. My response here is easy, after having your Chevy judged 3 or 4 times, that should be enough. From then on it should be entered in the show as display only. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t say “don’t bring your Chevy” I feel you have a responsibility to the hobby to display your car. The new hobbyist should have the opportunity to attend a show and see all Chevys at there best!

SHOWS NEVER CLOSE TO WHERE I LIVE This issue more than any other has made the local cruise in so popular. Dozens of responders stated that they loved the fact that at this type of show they can arrive at any time, stay as long as they want and can still be home in a matter of minuets. This flexibility is impossible with a 1,000 point event. Currently finding a host club in a new show location is not an easy task. This tends to having repeat shows in the same locations.

DISSATISFACTION WITH 1,000 POINT JUDGING-HIGH DOLLAR CARS ALWAYS WIN For the members out there who used this as an excuse for not attending Chevy Classic shows I have this to say, “Get A Life”! Yes, it’s often that the high dollar cars win most of the awards, it’s only natural, these are the cars that everyone is flocking around, checking them out. Do we always get the best qualified judges in every class; no, occasionally we’ll have a team of judges in a class that are not as knowledgeable as we would like. The Chevy Classic 1,000 point judging and classification program is still the hobby leader in validation of show Chevys for correctness and quality of restoration or modifications. I continue to stand behind our current 1,000 point judging and classification system as the best in the hobby.

NO PARTS AT SHOWS This is by far the easiest concern to justify. A few years back it became very obvious that there were new tax laws coming that prohibited us from taking parts to car shows. As a mail order business, we could find ourselves liable for taxes in any state where we sold parts at a show. This tax liability would not only be on parts sold at that show, but could also extend to all parts sold in that state for up to the last 7-years. The risks way exceed the reward!

Well, there you have it, a few of the most common reasons given for not attending today’s Chevy Classic shows. I read and re-read each email and letter trying my best to find a common thread; it seemed each member had their own reason for not attending shows any longer. Then it hit me; it’s not the Chevys that are missing, it’s the people!

The Chevys are still out there; somehow it’s the people that we need to get involved again with shows. We’re going to do everything in our power to make your car show experience a great one; we invite you to bring your Chevy to the next event. We’ve heard your concerns and will be address the ones we have control over.

We may never see another 750 car show, but we can do everything possible to assure every Chevy Classics show is the best possible. I’ll still be looking forward to seeing both you and your Chevy at our next show.