Speedsters at car shows

Just wondering---who all has had their Speedster replica in a car show? What category did you put it in? German? Replica/kits or what.

What did you use as a description?

I have been asked a couple of times to enter my VS but have always been traveling --now there's another show in a week and I thought about entering.

Who has won a trophy with their Speedie?---Jack

I inadvertantly put mine in a BugOut (Manassas, Va.) show a year and change back. It would have fit into several categories, but I figured "Radical" was the best one for me.
They had a bunch of different VW-based kit and replica cars there, along with Manx dune buggies and Bus variants.
Wolfgang, Dale and a few others from these parts were there, and I think it was Wolfgang who told me it was only a few dollars more to enter than it would have been to park. What the heck, right?
And I won a plaque, ugly as she is. Third place in the category; the judge apparently told one of the guys it would've been better if it was painted. (I was on the track when the awards were being handed out.)
Heh, heh.

I put mine in a church car show. People liked it but didn't know what it was. It was kinda boring. Me thinks car shows are not for me.

Last summer I entered my Beck Speedster in a car show at a private school and won 1st place in the "European Sports Cars" category. I did not know that cars would be judged in specific categories and was going to leave before the close of the show but the officials suggested it would be worth my while to stay for the presentations. I listed my car as a Beck reproduction, but the judges placed my car in the "European Sports Cars" category on their own. I wasn't going to complain when I was awarded a 2 1/2 foot tall first place trophy!
Ironically, I hadn't even washed the Speedster.

In a Concourse replica's are usually not allowed, and if they are, it would be "special interest" catagory...

Other types of shows depends on who is putting them on to do as they please, I used to show MR356, but only because I have friends with old cars who show them and I joined in. Wife doesn't want trophies in the house so I will put a sign on the car "not Judged" along with the description showing it to be a replica...

My Ghia of course is a different story altogether....I will show it off occasonally...It will be in some benefit "for our troops" show this weekend in Palos Verdes....but still no trophy allowed in the house....

hey vince
guess u aint no trophy in your wifes eye :)

Just a couple of months after I got mine I entered the local Oktoberfest VW show at one of the local dealers. Only knew two folks there (Kevin Haskins and Gordon), but met several folks who have since become good friends that day. Also took the "Best Paint", "Best Custom" and "Dealer's Choice" trophies. It was a very good day.

I told my wife that she is a trophy wife, so I guess she can't come in the house

Most of the shows I have entered were not judged, but in one of those, EuroSunday, they did select a car as the featured car of the month for their website and they selected mine over several Ferraris, Lambos, Ford GT40s, and several $100k to $200K Porsches. That one was my first "award" and it was also the most exciting for me.

In the other judged shows, I won an award in 3 out of 4. The one I didn't win in was really a hot rod show and I didn't really fit in there. Also, the judging was by the hot rod owners club who sponsored the show and guess what, all the winners belonged to the club!

It seems to me that if the show is awarding a trophy for a category that is judged by the public who attend the show, its almost a shew-in. Also, if the local TV station cameras are there, my car is usually one of those that make it on the air that night. I also had a 1.5 X 2.0 inch photo, taken at one of the shows, appear in the July issue of Classic Motorsports magazine. Not exactly the cover or a featured car like many on this site have enjoyed, but fun and exciting non the less.
Troy

My Speedster has been entered in four car shows, and was honored four times.

2006 Cool Classic Nights: 2nd place in 50

Still haven't finished building my Speedster, but I have entered my Sebring (A-H clone) in six car shows over the last 4 years. All six shows were open to all types of older cars and had numerous catagories. I always entered mine in a "special interest" catagory, and registered it as an Austin Healey replica. I've received four best in catagory and two best in show trophies. They reside in the garage, not in the house.

Few years ago, I was at the Litchfield Ct. show just attending. I was was watching the judging for the custom/semi custom/replica kind of class while the judge was looking at a REALLY sweet Speedster.

So nice in fact, that he mentioned to his partner that it was real and shouldn't be in this class at all. I had to intrude (and you KNOW how shy I am) and explain just what it was.

A back handed compliment for sure, but like a good lie or a successful counterfeit, should you be looking for compliments or accept the slap.

Living near Dale B, my success at car shows was very limited, near fleeting!

I entered Butch in various shows;
The Replica Rendezvous sponsored by the Northern California Kit Car Club

Something something Autofest for Porsches in Ventura

Parts Obsolete Camp Out in McMinnville

A bunch of us Replicants showed up at the North Meets South Porsche- thing one year and were invited not to come back

A few local Oldie and hot rod shows here in Benicia.

Butch won a few trophies and I saw ideas I'd steal, but mostly it was an opportunity to meet other car nutzzz and at one time, swill some beer and swap lies with friends. I don't drink anymore, I still lie and Butch is gone.

Hope all of you are well and your speedsters never leak!

I have always been very upfront about my Speedster.On every entry form that I have filled out, I list the car as a 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster Recreation! Car has trophied in every show that I have entered,taking "Peoples Choice", "Judges Choice", and "Best In Show". Car was featured at the Indoor Invitational Show at Carlisle this Spring. Few if any shows have a class just for Replica Cars! Usually they lump it in with the Foreign Car Class, or the 1950's Car Class!

I thought about listing my VS as a "Vintage '57 Porsche Speedster"

I just don't want to say "kit car or replica" and wionder if that listing would be too deceptive?

I am not surprised about all the "peoples choice" and Judges choice" awards for these cars. Just parking it and watching folks walking by shows how people go crazy over it.

Last week we parked it beside a new yellow Corvette. Very high-doillar car, I'm sure. From the lack of attention it got compared to the VS it might as well have been a 10 year old Impala!

My registration and insurance papers describe it as a Vintage Porsche Speedster".

So what about listing it as "Vintage '57 Porsche Speedster"?

---Jack

"Vintage" implies it is real....very deceptive....but that's your choice...

Here's the plaque from last VW Bug event I entered.
They had a kit car class.
Greg

I always tell folks it's a replica - partly to see their reaction. Almost without fail it's been "I don't care. It's beautiful."

I have entered mine in quite a few shows and have won 1st or 2nd in almost all of them. I list as "356 reproduction" and explain it is a close as can be made to the real thing. No one has ever given me a hard time about it except for one "gentleman" who I later learned was driving a rusted 15 year old pickup. Just show it and explain why it is good by itself. (I always like to ask "What's in YOUR garage?".

Happy Trails,
Dusty

PS
Vince, I like the reference to you "trophy wife". I put mine on a pedestal, too! Ahhh, but you knew that!!!!!!

Jack -

Whenever I drive my VS into a car event/show I always put a placard on the windshield (one of those blue plastic jobs with white letters engraved). It reads;

1957 Porsche Speedster Replica
Manufactured in 1995 by Vintage Speedster
1835cc with Dual Kadron / 28mpg hwy
Front Disc Brakes / No Rust / Reliable Daily Driver

This takes the wind out of the comments from 'all the experts' that jump at the opportunity to appear knowledgeable in discerning a 'real' Speedster from a 'fake'. As can be told on here, sometimes even the 'experts' are fooled (typically by an IM).

Anyway, to those who appreciate the appearance of your car, the designation as a 'replica' won't matter. To those to whom it does, what's left for them to say?!

...I'm just saying...

Jim--that's what I was looking for. Thanks!

So interesting to read of all the wins at car shows for Speedsters.---Jack

Jack, I totally agree with my brutha from a different mutha here.. Jimbo has it on the nail.. My plague says the same basic thing.. it real take the wind out of those wanna be's who think they know everything about cars and its fun for those who just enjoy looking and saying nice car dude! ...

Speedster "D"

I just write "OUTLAW" I like attitude over trophies!!

Jack - Post a picture of the trophy you win at the show! Good Luck!

Paul - I've told Dale that I pity the cars parked next to either Dale's or Jim Ward's (RIP) cars at any car show because the other guys didn't have much of a chance in winning! Hope all is well with you!!

Peace - Out!

To Jim's post, Anyone know what happened to Jim Ward's car?

To Jim Ignacio's post, Anyone know what happened to Jim Ward's car?

It's funny that you should mention that, Gordon. For some reason I was thinking about that over the last few weeks. I hope the car is with someone who loves it as much as Jim did. Hope they take it out regularly for road trip adventures...

angela

Paul, BS dude. I can't count the times our cars were parked next to each other and when you propped open the trunk lid, displaying all the art work, I might as well have put the cover on my car.

Don't worry about "Ruby", the ex WARD car. All is very well.

Jim, I'm right there with you, "Speedster Replica".

Under YEAR I usually enter, " Depends on which exact part you mean. Varies 1971 to present."

I usually say something about, "More go than show", to explain the less than perfect engine compartment.

Car shows are for me to see what they others have done. If they don't like what I got, F _ _ _'em. And if it gets really uncomfortably hot - like this years Knott's - I just leave.

The former owner of my car entered the German Autofest 2002 in Ventura. The car became first in the replicar class. Dale, you were there....

Looks good Mart, and congrats on the ribbon for longest picture title.

I believe that Jim's car in in good hands and is an object of affection for its new owner.

Howsabout 1st place, people's choice(the only class there was) at the PCA picnic in September? Hudson Valley region, NY state. I do have a 911 that I am working on, and registered w/PCA.

We go to car shows here and there - don't care if we win or not - it's all about hanging out with motor-heads. In the big Medford Cruise there are no classes. The award sponsors just picks whatever strikes their fancy. Actually, that's kind of cool. We've been put into "specialty" "sports and imports" "foreign" etc.

A "Best Engine" award at a show largely populated by V8 powered Cobras was my personal favorite honor. Take THAT water pumpers!!!

angela

I must go to the wrong shows 8>(

Mostly go to Hot Rod shows with a vast mix of mostly American iron, or original Porsche shows (where I've never had any trouble from the "real" owners) so those other cars usually get the trophies. I always put up the usual sign on the windshield telling everyone it's a replica. Then again, my idea of preparation and "detailing" is more than a little lax....if there isn't any bird dropping on it, I'm fine with the rest.

What seems to happen with my car, and I can only attribute it to the Pearl White paint, is that it draws women, of all ages, like a magnet, as well as gnarly Biker guys who usually tell me that they work in auto body shops and appreciate the effort needed to paint with Pearls.

While I could do without the latter group, the attention of the ladies is nice

;>)

You guys have all inspired me to take Speedy to the next local show (may have to be next Spring with the weather up here!) I was supposed to get the quote that Jay Leno had about replica/reproduction cars printed out and laminated ~ and just leave it on the dash. He said something to the effect that reproduction/replica cars have the heart & soul of the original models but have all the fun of actually driving them!
But can I find that statement now???? No! I think it was in an Octane magazine from a few months back. I'd love to still come up with something, though. (any suggestions?)
Marc has said that he wouldn't bother putting any of his 'real' Porsches in a 'shine&show' if I take Speedy... because, of course... Speedy will ALWAYS get more looks, comments, and SMILES!!! But since he's my tech guy and loves the car as much as I do ~ I don't think he'll mind trying her out at a few shows! Weather permitting... SO jealous of you SoCal bunch!

3rd. place AHA Knott's Berry Farm 2005

I have collected a few second place trophies. Second to a Beck Spyder at a local VW show (Kit car class). Second to a restored WWII vintage Jeep (special interest class). Last year second in a local car show to a Cheetah and this year second to a Superformance Cobra (Custom built class).