What type of “Show Car” for casual car show enthusiast?

[mjc]

Some version of a Shelby Cobra would get the job done.

 

[Racey]

Wife drives this couple times a week. Granted I do work out bugs time and time again View attachment 1411579

Would look great towing your Schiada

 

[Not So Fast]

Its a fun hobby that used to be pretty affordable and if you can do some of the work your selve then go for it !!
But be forewarned that the cost to buy/repair/ or make changes has gotten very expensive, VERY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im selling my 90 SS454 Chevy truck which is pretty nice but what it used to cost some years ago is quite different than todays market value
NSF

 

[beertruck]

I had a nice 67 vet convertible resto rod a couple years back. Bought it at a mecum auction, and when I got it home realized it had some build issues.
Found a great corvette guy in Seattle, and brought it to him. I said if this was your car what would you do to it to make it a safe dependable daily driver. One year and lots of money latter I had a great car that was fun to drive. My buddy Mike Lavalle painted his fire on it. Wish I still had it.

 

[C-Ya]

I've been attending car shows since I was in grade school. My dad planted that seed in me. IMO most old dudes have a car that ties into a memory from their youth. It might have been a car they owned or maybe a friend or relatives' car. Do you have any fun car memories from back in the day? That might help you decide what you want.

You don't need to be a master mechanic for any of these cars. All you need is a competent shop (or friend) or a car that was built and or maintained by a competent shop. You can experience difficulty from any drivetrain regardless of technology if it wasn't built and or tuned correctly. These old cars were daily transportation for people when these cars were new. They drove them across the country just like we do today.

Figure out what kind of car you want and then go shopping. I suggest a finished car from a private party. Take the car to some cruise nights and start making friends with those guys. You'll soon value those friendships enough to keep on cruisin' and meeting up regularly. Enjoying the cars while hangin with friends is what it's all about.

Happy hunting!

View attachment 1411602

That is great advice……

Ive owned several Jeeps in my youth. I typed in Jeep Rat Rod…….. and this popped up. I like its headroom. Lol

This popped also popped up. Lol

This too

 

[Gripside80]

It’s all about budget. You can have a brand new turn key old car if funds permit.

Would look great towing your Schiada

As soon as I put the hitch on haha

 

[AZLineman]

When I get tired of my nova (could be tomorrow) I want to build a 55 210 gasser with uncut rear fenders. I've already got a 598 with a 14/71 mag blower that would be perfect for it

 

[Paradox]

Doesn’t have to be old.. My Daughters inherited this CTS-V from their step Grandfather and they don’t want it. As a result, I am buying it from them. Going to put an exhaust/intake and turner on it, as well as some black wheels and beefy tires. I suspect it will fit right in at a car show.

 

[76sanger]

What's your dollar amount. That depends the most on what your looking for. For me, 55 chevy mild pro street!

 

[Fabhouse]

The best part about a car show used to be the drive there and back. I have since learned to avoid the middle part.
Buy a fun car, go places.

 

[Carlos90041]

1963 Chevrolet SS Impala Convertible.

Reasonable offers/ trades considered.

 

[77charger]

Depends on type of car you want. I say nothing over the top and not a jalopy. Have taken a best of show and a couple class trophies.

I got a few shows in the year and like the cruise nights too. Cars on air bags and some day I’ll put a set of 5 spoke am wheels 16 or 17 inch.

 

[Wave Hi]

Put 500k in a bidders account at Barrett Jackson and get your eyes on hundreds of potential cars and get the the one that Chubbs you up....

 

[spectras only]

Had all sorts of collectable US made cars. I have a 1972 Volvo 1800 that's getting a facelift now. The Volvo 1800 is the only car in the Guiness book of records to have a documented miles of 3.1 million, if you're looking for reliable car with good looks.
I may turn mine into a restomod look like the Cyan 1 GT by Polestar like this.

GALLERY | VOLVO P1800 CYAN

www.cyancars.se

super light carbon fiber body, 420 HP 4cyl 2.0L volvo engine

 

[rivrrts429]

I'm not a huge Caddy fan

I have to rethink our friendship

 

[coolchange]

Had all sorts of collectable US made cars. I have a 1972 Volvo 1800 that's getting a facelift now. The Volvo 1800 is the only car in the Guiness book of records to have a documented miles of 3.1 million, if you're looking for reliable car with good looks.
I may turn mine into a restomod look like the Cyan 1 GT by Polestar like this.

GALLERY | VOLVO P1800 CYAN

www.cyancars.se

That’s bad ass!

 

[overdue]

it gets boring winning your class all the time ,,,,,

 

[Havasu blue label]

1963 Chevrolet SS Impala Convertible.

Reasonable offers/ trades considered.

How much

 

[rivermobster]

@C-Ya

If I had money that was burning a hole in my pocket, and lived where you do, I'd be building something for this...

https://www.motortrend.com/events/hot-rod-drag-week-2024-track-announcement/

 

[fat rat]

How about something like this and for sale!

 

[Romans9]

I have my dad’s restored Model A.
I couldn’t care less about Model A’s

I am going to tear it apart and build it into a Monster A with 4 link and one tons no fenders……

My dad bought it with intentions of building a street rod but it was in such good condition he couldn’t bring himself to cut it up.
I will not have that problem.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

@C-Ya

I like BMW's over classic Hot Rods so I have nothing to offer.

Fixed it for you.

 

[Gripside80]

When I get tired of my nova (could be tomorrow) I want to build a 55 210 gasser with uncut rear fenders. I've already got a 598 with a 14/71 mag blower that would be perfect for it

One of my best friends just scooped this up several months back. Going to be his 4 speed manual drag car with a little time.

 

[AZLineman]

One of my best friends just scooped this up several months back. Going to be his 4 speed manual drag car with a little time.

Perfect

 

[sirbob]

American iron is well represented in the suggestions that have been made.

Yours is one of the simplest questions I’ve had to answer in a long time. I would absolutely have an early 70s or late 60s Porsche. They are cool to cruise Coast Highway, very low maintenance and are a blast to drive.

 

[rivermobster]

Fixed it for you.

I'll take...

Who is actually a Certified Master Mechanic, vs. a guy with a camera hanging around his neck, for a thousand Alex?

 

[Sharp Shooter]

I'll take...

Who is actually a Certified Master Mechanic, vs. a guy with a camera hanging around his neck, for a thousand Alex?

Lol!!!!

I'd like to solve the puzzle, Alex. The retired fat guy in the beemer.

 

[Paradox]

American iron is well represented in the suggestions that have been made.

Yours is one of the simplest questions I’ve had to answer in a long time. I would absolutely have an early 70s or late 60s Porsche. They are cool to cruise Coast Highway, very low maintenance and are a blast to drive.

Yes but decent ones are now all well north of $50k..

 

[Paradox]

I love car shows. Don’t know why I haven’t been to one lately other than the local cars and coffee. Perhaps it’s just not as much of a regular man’s endeavor as it use to be.

At one point my car won an Editor’s choice award at a Super Chevy event and a few best Chevelle awards at local shows. It was fairly inexpensive to buy and maintain a decent car some years back. Those days are long gone..

 

[oldman]

1971 Monte Carlo, Late model suspension, They came with a 454, 2 door "sedan" ac, ps, pb, great weekend cruiser, set up right could be a great road car. not flashy, but subtle.

and I've had a couple, wish I had one now.

 

[done]

When I get tired of my nova (could be tomorrow) I want to build a 55 210 gasser with uncut rear fenders. I've already got a 598 with a 14/71 mag blower that would be perfect for it

good luck shoving in it there !

 

[DWC]

Nissan GTR with an 1500awhp package. Good dick magnet.

On my short list of dream cars. Absolutely love them. Every time i point one out to my wife it’s like the first time.

 

[DWC]

Doesn’t have to be old.. My Daughters inherited this CTS-V from their step Grandfather and they don’t want it. As a result, I am buying it from them. Going to put an exhaust/intake and turner on it, as well as some black wheels and beefy tires. I suspect it will fit right in at a car show.


View attachment 1411630 View attachment 1411631

Had a 2010. Tons of fun to drive especially on cool early mornings. Only problem was heat soak and every “Altima” wants to race. Plan was to keep it and mod heavily. Plans changed when I needed a bigger truck.

 

[oldman]

Its a fun hobby that used to be pretty affordable and if you can do some of the work your selve then go for it !!
But be forewarned that the cost to buy/repair/ or make changes has gotten very expensive, VERY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Im selling my 90 SS454 Chevy truck which is pretty nice but what it used to cost some years ago is quite different than todays market value
NSF View attachment 1411614

love those, but that 454 was like 230 HP those years.

great looking truck.

 

[Willie B]

American iron is well represented in the suggestions that have been made.

Yours is one of the simplest questions I’ve had to answer in a long time. I would absolutely have an early 70s or late 60s Porsche. They are cool to cruise Coast Highway, very low maintenance and are a blast to drive.

… Had a ‘60 356B… And yes… old Porsches were certainly fun to drive…
…

 

[DWRAT]

If you have the money ($150K -$200K) I would get the 1,064 hp C8 ZR-1 Corvette.
That will be the baddest bad boy at most any show and you wouldn't have to turn a wrench.

Site Maintenance

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a61692733/2025-chevrolet-corvette-zr1-revealed/

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

If it were me, 1970 Chevelle with the 454 (LS6) and a 4 speed.

Shoot, a 1970 Chevelle Restomod with a newer LS engine and 6 speed by @bonesfab would be sick too.

 

[mash on it]

Karmann ghia. Don't see too many of em anymore. LS is an option.

Dan'l

 

[Paradox]

Had a 2010. Tons of fun to drive especially on cool early mornings. Only problem was heat soak and every “Altima” wants to race. Plan was to keep it and mod heavily. Plans changed when I needed a bigger truck.

This one is a 2012 with 39k on the odometer. Should clean up pretty nice and produce over 600HP when opened up with some easy breathing and a tune.

 

[NicPaus]

Yes but decent ones are now all well north of $50k..

My Neighbor few doors over has over 30 in all stages. Most need full restorations. He builds body kits for them. If anyone is looking for one in particular I can ask him. I know he needs to get rid of a few of them.

 

[TonyFanelli]

How about a 2007-2015 mustang Shelby?

Would a 2017 do?

 

[lakemadness]

Yes but decent ones are now all well north of $50k..

$50k? lol. That’s gets you a rust bucket.

 

[lakemadness]

Cruise around on bringatrailer.com. Sign up for the daily emails, great variety. Surely you’ll find something that catches your eye.

I’m a Porsche enthusiast mostly. Air cooled Porsches are really pretty reliable and have been very good investments over the last several years. At some point I’ll pick up a Cobra replica and maybe a clean ‘32 ford hot rod.

 

[Blue Oval]

Model A’s are simple and fun. Model T is to much like a boat. Working on it constantly. A’s are cheap to pick up and a lot parts available yet. This was my Fathers car. I finished the restoration after his cancer came back. A ton of fun and gets as many comments as some 100k hot Rod. I wired the head lights in this week. It has been almost 20 years since I finished it. No sence rushing it. LOL

 

[Frickstyle]

If you just want to drive it, and occasionally clean it, buy something "stock" that someone else has restored. With as close to stock parts on it as it came from the factory.

Picked this up a couple years ago. Everything else I have ever had has been modified. I am returning to stock format, it saves a lot of time wrenching and provides more time driving (boating too!)

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

Dad and I built these for him I have the 33 now and sis has the firebird

 

[sirbob]

… Had a ‘60 356B… And yes… old Porsches were certainly fun to drive…
… View attachment 1411717

I had those same hubcaps in my 63 Karman Ghia when I was a kid!

What color was your car originally? It looks brown? Or copper?

 

[sirbob]

If you just want to drive it, and occasionally clean it, buy something "stock" that someone else has restored. With as close to stock parts on it as it came from the factory.

Picked this up a couple years ago. Everything else I have ever had has been modified. I am returning to stock format, it saves a lot of time wrenching and provides more time driving (boating too!)

View attachment 1411820


View attachment 1411821

Nice trailer - what brand?

 

[Sportin' Wood]

For me classic cars are not about going to car shows, I do like car shows, I just don't like the Doo wop music they play at some car shows. I like driving them, turning wrenches and researching (finding) parts.

Angie has her 1972 K10 we got from the original owner we daily drive. It is like driving a time machine. We both love driving it. It's been to cars and coffee once.
I'm currently building (restoring) a 1986 CJ 7 that has been sitting in a barn the last dozen or so years. It brings me joy to go out and work on that Jeep for a couple hours a week. No rush to achieve anything.

I'm too hyper to sit next to a cooler at a car show and rub my car with a diaper.

 

[02HoWaRd26]

This belongs to a buddy it’s an older build by a guy that used to play side by side with Chip Foose it’s a rad car. 1953 Studebaker Champion 36,000$