Considering entering my 240D in local car shows... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Stugist · #1 06-03-2012, 06:24 PM

It's not the most perfect, but it has been babied to no end by previous owners. I currently have the rear seat-back out for repair and reupholstering. I've been reading that there aren't very many old german cars entered in these shows, usually. Mostly I want to do it to get to feedback from other vintage car owners.

Any ideas?

It needs waxed and buffed/polished badly, and it has 3 small dents on the rear panels. Runs like a top, though.

barry123400 · #2 06-03-2012, 07:05 PM

On the few occassions I have taken a 250c to an auto show as general transportation. There was not much interest in it. Most car shows are primarily american iron. Something really exotic and european might fare better. This was just my experience ten or so years ago.

bipolardave · #3 06-03-2012, 08:10 PM

I did this yesterday on a lark as my W115 is nowhere near showroom quality.

Despite (or because of) being sandwiched between a '57 Chevy and a custom '69 Roadrunner I had perhaps 8-10 people seriously stop and talk about it over the course of the afternoon. Most of those were of the "my dad/uncle/grandparents used to have one of these and it was the most reliable care they ever had" variety. I took along my high mileage certificate and a few others inquired about that. Unlike most car owners there, I explained that I was actually trying to accrue mileage and get the next badge.

The judges, however, were impressed enough to toss a bone of a trophy my way. As they were grading, I pointed out the leaky front seal and all the bugs lodged in the front (I'd just gotten back from an 1,100 mile road trip over the holiday weekend). They said not to worry that, "they liked drivers". I imagine they see so many meticulously mantained trailer queens that a car that's actually used is a breath of fresh air.

I really didn't plan on getting anything. My intent was to socialize and educate anyone interested enough to listen. So long as you go in with that attitude you'll be fine. But make sure you have a chair, umbrella, and a good book or your iPad, though. Otherwise you might end up flipping through your owner's manual for lack of anything else to do :/

gatorblue92 · #4 06-03-2012, 08:28 PM

I have taken my 240D to Cruisin' The Coast for the past 6 years. I am the ONLY non air cooled foreign car in the event of over 5000 cars. Its always been a fun time and I am going to miss it when we move back north next month.

sassparilla_kid · #5 06-03-2012, 08:29 PM

If I had a fintail mercedes I would take it to car shows, and even if it was far from show quality it would still be the coolest car there!

anghrist · #6 06-03-2012, 10:34 PM

From the Benz-centric world, most of us know just how cool our cars are. Most 'outsiders' haven't a clue and don't really worry too much about it.

Though our youngtimers and timepieces may not be as old or rare, as the concours antiques that fetch high dollars and major recognition, they offer as much a level of comfort (and sometimes more) than we will ever find with some newer cars.

So here's to our driver's cars, our venerable workhorses, the family wagons and commuter tanks which serve us well:

toomany MBZ · #7 06-04-2012, 09:15 AM

Take it, have a good time.

Congratulations bipolar.

Hip001 · #8 06-08-2012, 06:55 AM

I show mine from time to time. It does not draw the attention like a blown 67 Camaro but I do get nice comments and people looking at it.

Air&Road · #9 06-08-2012, 08:26 AM

A few years ago I took my '64 Galaxie to a lot of car shows. For a few years I judged a number of car shows and even though I don't go much any more I still get invited to judge at car shows.

Used to, a car SHOW was a formal event with all chrome, never driven type cars. Now the term fits lots of local, charity fund raising events at the park or the town square.

For the most part TODAY'S car shows are hot rods and classics that old codgers my age buy already built and drive them to the show and for a hamburger. Since I'm one to do all my own work my cars don't measure up to these beauties that might represent some retired guys entire 401K cashed in.

There are VERY few foreign cars of any sort at the car shows I see, and the old codgers think a "MarSayDees" is something that a rich lawyer drives.

I fully expect that you could take the finest, most well preserved, shiniest 123 or 124 MB to one of these events and no more than 20% of the people walking by would so much as walk up and look in the window.

As said earlier in the thread, we MB enthusiasts understand what these cars really are. Most of America has no clue. As far as they're concerned it's nothing more than a Lincoln made in foreign country.

Sad but true.

anghrist · #10 06-08-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

...As far as they're concerned it's nothing more than a Lincoln made in foreign country.

Sad but true.

Well, I still think that they should be entered into the shows. If only 20% take a look-see at the old Benz, that fine. Those 20% who do show curiosity would not have had an opportunity to gawk, if you don't take the car to the show.

Air&Road · #11 06-08-2012, 11:28 AM

I can't argue with that Anghrist. I was merely trying to let him know what to expect.

BTW if those Munich girls seen in the picture will be at the car show, let me know where it is and I'll drive all the way from Texas!

Dee8go · #12 06-08-2012, 11:32 AM

Check out the local section of the MBCA and see what they have. The Washington (DC) Section is pretty active with it's own events and we also participate in events with other clubs. If you can go to a concours, that will give you an idea of how these things are judged.

bipolardave · #13 06-08-2012, 06:04 PM

Regardless of the attention or lack thereof I think it's important to take our cars to shows and to try and educate people. Think of yourself as an ombudsman for Mercedes.

I plan on attending a few more shows this summer. Even if I don't win any trophies I'd like to think that I'm helping people to look beyond cubic inches and loud exhausts. Afterall, if you love cars enough you'll find a reason to appreciate *any* of them at some level.

Air&Road · #14 06-08-2012, 07:24 PM

Absolutely Dave! Taking most any car to a car show is fun. Where else can you be around fellow car geeks?

Don't bet that you won't win anything. Most all local car shows have different classes and categories. Sometimes you will fit into some class where the other cars aren't as nice or maybe there are only a few cars in the class. If your car is nice, depending on the judging criteria, honest judges will be judging based on categories that have nothing to do with whether it's a Mercedes or a GT40.

Good luck and enjoy the experience.

Fulcrum525 · #15 06-08-2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anghrist

From the Benz-centric world, most of us know just how cool our cars are. Most 'outsiders' haven't a clue and don't really worry too much about it.

This is why i've become VERY picky about the types of shows that I go to. I went to one hosted at a college this year. I'll NEVER waste another day doing that again!