Car events and gatherings

[Rondor]

I have noticed for over 50 years that car gathering ,( shows rallies etc. ) always have more "critics " than cars.

[DavidA]

That may be with other car gatherings, but I honestly can't think of a single critic at a TBN event.

[birdfan]

There are a few shows I like to go to, both with a car and as a spectator, and I have found it seems to depend on the type of people/owners it attracts. T-bird related shows usually have people that appreciate the cars and are interested in looking at them. Another brand I have that has a joint show with a related brand has large attendance and also seems to have very interested spectators.

However, there was recently a national show for a very popular car that I went to (first time national meet was in the northeast) and everyone seemed to be a critic picking apart everyone else's cars. This particular model has a large muscle car segment and lots of customized cars and it seemed like the customized owners were only interested in saying how much better theirs was than everyone else's. My son has one of this model that he is very proud of and once took it to a local chapter show of the club and all everyone said was, 'it is only a six cylinder, you shouldn't even have it here'. Needless to say he no longer has interest in that club.

But, my best car show experiences is when I see a car that might not be the most popular model of that brand, but obviously is pampered by its owner, to ask the owner about the car and spend time listening to their stories. I have never met anyone that wasn't delighted to tell you all about their car (as I expect we all would) and I always leave with interesting facts, a fun story and a happy owner. My son has picked up this "talk to the owner" habit and now sends me stories he hears when he goes to shows as a spectator.

And this is why I think you all have so much fun at TBN shows/tours - because it is about the people and stories and the cars are just the reason to get together.

[Rodeo Joe]

Most of the shows I go to are with the local Mustang club because they have (had) a Ford Family class and a lot of the TBN guys are there. Most of the nitpicking isn't in this class but with the Mustangs, mother of God!

Joe

[clenet]

My experience with local car shows and cruise nights, is that the retro Birds are always welcomed by most everyone except the owners of 1961 thru 1966 Thunderbirds. Those people have said awful things to me about my retro Bird. I do not understand what their problem is. They might be mad that spectators would look at my car and pay no attention to theirs or what? I just don't get it.......we are all Thunderbirds made by Ford Motor Company?? We should be friends.

[11TH GEN]

There are a few shows I like to go to, both with a car and as a spectator, and I have found it seems to depend on the type of people/owners it attracts. T-bird related shows usually have people that appreciate the cars and are interested in looking at them. Another brand I have that has a joint show with a related brand has large attendance and also seems to have very interested spectators.

However, there was recently a national show for a very popular car that I went to (first time national meet was in the northeast) and everyone seemed to be a critic picking apart everyone else's cars. This particular model has a large muscle car segment and lots of customized cars and it seemed like the customized owners were only interested in saying how much better theirs was than everyone else's. My son has one of this model that he is very proud of and once took it to a local chapter show of the club and all everyone said was, 'it is only a six cylinder, you shouldn't even have it here'. Needless to say he no longer has interest in that club.

But, my best car show experiences is when I see a car that might not be the most popular model of that brand, but obviously is pampered by its owner, to ask the owner about the car and spend time listening to their stories. I have never met anyone that wasn't delighted to tell you all about their car (as I expect we all would) and I always leave with interesting facts, a fun story and a happy owner. My son has picked up this "talk to the owner" habit and now sends me stories he hears when he goes to shows as a spectator.

And this is why I think you all have so much fun at TBN shows/tours - because it is about the people and stories and the cars are just the reason to get together.

This has to be the most ambiguous threads I have seen in quite sometime. Brand, Related brand, popular, particular model, Sure works the imagination though.

[carntz]

When I have had my Mustangs in a car shows if anybody said anything negative about my car they were immediately beat with a wet noodle.

[CROW]

Up here in Canada, in the area of Southern Ontario, the local Birds never seem to pick on any other Birds. There have been discussions on improving or requests for improvement/repair but no evidence of critical down playing. The attendees vary from 55s thru to 2005s and all have their likes and dislikes, but I have never heard any negative responses.
I would believe any poor comments come from people who do not own a car and are jealous. Easy to attack than praise.

[birdfan]

11th gen:
I was purposely ambiguous because I did not want to offend anyone who might think I was bashing a car they have and therefore including them by default.

Lets just say the other "brands" are Buick, Pontiac and Mustang. You can figure out which fits where if you want.

[11TH GEN]

11th gen:
I was purposely ambiguous because I did not want to offend anyone who might think I was bashing a car they have and therefore including them by default.

Lets just say the other "brands" are Buick, Pontiac and Mustang. You can figure out which fits where if you want.

Gotcha....sort of like a fill in the blank puzzle.

[2K2BIRD]

And this is why I think you all have so much fun at TBN shows/tours - because it is about the people and stories and the cars are just the reason to get together.

Exactly. We've never had a serious car show at any of the dozens of TBN events I've been to. If we ever become like the other T-bird groups thaf revolve their activities around a car show where the "winner" pulls his museum piece off of an enclosed trailer for its few hours in the daylight this year, then it will be time to move on to more fun activities.

[Frank Dreano]

That's not my experience at all and I've been going to car shows for many decades, there are always a few critics but I just gaff them off. In fact at Old Tow in Kissimmee there are people from all over the world attending every Sat night as they supplement their theme park visit and they pretty universally like the old cars.
I went there nearly every Sat night with pals for 10 years with my Mustangs, Chevelles and Corvettes.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Tomorrow I'm going to the Mecum auction in Kissimmee about an hour south of The Villages. First time for me and I'm going with Ralph who has a peacock blue '56. We golf in a foursome this morning...aha the life!

[11TH GEN]

Tomorrow I'm going to the Mecum auction in Kissimmee about an hour south of The Villages. First time for me and I'm going with Ralph who has a peacock blue '56. We golf in a foursome this morning...aha the life!

Nice to see you are living well Greg. The Villages are pretty well known for their foursomes.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

There is a noticeable drop in Snowbirds this winter..many Canadians..golf isn't overcrowded..