Ms. Opel earns TOP 50 "NATIONALS" award

[greenopelgt]

This award surprised nearly everyone, including me. Out of 2,889 registered cars and trucks all 1970 and older (stock, modified, customized) Ms. Opel closed out her "major" car show agenda for 2007 with a Top 50 (one out of every 58 registered) award at the Pumpkin Run Nationals in Owensville, Ohio this past weekend. To me, given the massive competition, this was Ms. Opel's finest hour of her show history.
The keys to this recognition was LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION - a clean Opel car and doing the things I didn't do last year at this event.

I entered Ms. Opel last year but we ended up out in the show field where it was HOT, HOT, HOT and dusty. We didn't take it to the people last year, we were just there as a number last year, we didn't let people sit in the car and take pictures (honest to God - one farm boy was 6'5" and weighted 385 pounds who finally got both feet in and grinned like a possum for the cameras), we didn't wear our Opel shirts and hats proudly, we didn't LISTEN to the people and their stories and we talked too much too fast about our car. I am proud to say we worked the crowd this year and maybe motivated a half a dozen people to fix up that Opel they already have or buy an Opel and join us next year. In other words, I did here this weekend what I had planned to do at the Route 66 show ....I had me some FUN - catheter,
arm cast, broken ribs and repaired bladder and all.

This year we found us a tree with shade and a spectator traffic pattern.
to display Ms. Opel. If you don't think this is a big event = they had 2 split the pot drawings = 1 lady won $11,314 and today a boy from my hometown of Flatwoods, Kentucky won the split pot for $12,589.

Finally, I had one Show Official come up to me and say " We have watched your car for 2 days now and you need to know that it is by far the most photographed car here on the grounds." That unsolicated comment was worth the entry fee alone.

And to think that there among all the various car clubs, all the real expensive cars and truck - stood Ms. Opel representing the North American Opel Association. She did good and I'm proud of her!

[OPELSUN]

I like to hear stories like this. So often I go to cruises and events and see owners sitting back like they own the universe because their car is getting attention and acting somewhat aloof because of it. Its fun when someone comes up as this happened today when I was getting gas, a fella came over and started talking to me because he also had car like mine and that he had not seen one in years (Datsun 510). He complimented me on my restoration and I also found out he has a Mustang that he enjoys. This is what makes all the hard work restoring our cars enjoyable.

[opelnut10]

Originally Posted by greenopelgt This award surprised nearly everyone, including me. Out of 2,889 registered cars and trucks all 1970 and older (stock, modified, customized) Ms. Opel closed out her "major" car show agenda for 2007 with a Top 50 (one out of every 58 registered) award at the Pumpkin Run Nationals in Owensville, Ohio this past weekend. To me, given the massive competition, this was Ms. Opel's finest hour of her show history. The keys to this recognition was LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION - a clean Opel car and doing the things I didn't do last year at this event. I entered Ms. Opel last year but we ended up out in the show field where it was HOT, HOT, HOT and dusty. We didn't take it to the people last year, we were just there as a number last year, we didn't let people sit in the car and take pictures (honest to God - one farm boy was 6'5" and weighted 385 pounds who finally got both feet in and grinned like a possum for the cameras), we didn't wear our Opel shirts and hats proudly, we didn't LISTEN to the people and their stories and we talked too much too fast about our car. I am proud to say we worked the crowd this year and maybe motivated a half a dozen people to fix up that Opel they already have or buy an Opel and join us next year. In other words, I did here this weekend what I had planned to do at the Route 66 show ....I had me some FUN - catheter, arm cast, broken ribs and repaired bladder and all. This year we found us a tree with shade and a spectator traffic pattern. to display Ms. Opel. If you don't think this is a big event = they had 2 split the pot drawings = 1 lady won $11,314 and today a boy from my hometown of Flatwoods, Kentucky won the split pot for $12,589. Finally, I had one Show Official come up to me and say " We have watched your car for 2 days now and you need to know that it is by far the most photographed car here on the grounds." That unsolicated comment was worth the entry fee alone. And to think that there among all the various car clubs, all the real expensive cars and truck - stood Ms. Opel representing the North American Opel Association. She did good and I'm proud of her!

I guess this quilifies you and Billy Ray Cyrus as Flatwood's two most famous natives

[wannaopel]

Congratulations Tom, This is a very impressive win, given the caliber of competition you were up against. I know the DJ that was at this event and I will be attending a Show this Friday that he will be sponsoring. There is another great car show this coming weekend(Oct 13-14) at Fort Boonesborough, KY. It's called the Boonesborough Boogie Nationals. They are expecting 1000+ cars to be there. If you are interested in attending I can send you some more information.

Terrific win for your Opel.

Wayne

[tomking]

Congratulations Tom and MsOpel! Way to go for sure. Thanks a lot for not only telling us this remarkable event, but also for inspiring several to go out and restore that first car-Opel they likely had as a kid. This is just a tremendous community of which I am proud to be a part of. Keep up the good work and Good Opeling.

[Phoenix]

Congratulations! It's always great to hear about little Opels triumphs over more popular cars. It's all advertisment for the sport.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by greenopelgt Finally, I had one Show Official come up to me and say " We have watched your car for 2 days now and you need to know that it is by far the most photographed car here on the grounds." That unsolicated comment was worth the entry fee alone.

Trophies are nice, but WHAT A COMMENT/COMPLIMENT!!!

Congrats,
Harold

[Wolf Spyder]

Way to go!!!!!

[Yabo]

I got comments all weekend long about your car at the pumpkin run. It seemed as if every hour someone was calling me Saturday telling me that there was an awesome Opel up there that I must see. I must say it is a very nice ride

[newman27]

Congrats Tom! Good for you and Ms. Opel and good for Opel enthusiasts everywhere. Also, glad to hear you are on your way to getting better!

Matt

[opel kid]

congrats Tom!
it's nice to see i'm not the only one with the green/buckskin interior,our cars are both the same except you have the 1.1L engine. i look at your pictures a lot to figure things out...as you can see in my pics on here that my poor car's firewall and many other things were cut because previous owners were going to put a 350 engine in it...haven't seen many GT's like ours

[BQS4]

Way to go Tom!!! Glad you are keeping your spirits up about your injuries. Hope to see you soon!
Gene

[namba209]

Congrats Tom, to both of you. You and Ms Opel are fantastic ambassadors of the Opel marque. This weekend at the Coronado Speedfest, along with the usual comments, I kept hearing," you don't see too many of these anymore" and they're surprised to hear there is actually a lot of them out there, we belong to an Intermational Community, and, yes, occasionally there are some up for sale at reasonable prices, plus there is a worldwide network of parts suppliers. I even had an fairly large, elderly gentleman ask if he could sit in Willit?. He was seriously thinking about getting one, but was concerned he wouldn't fit. He was surprised at how easy he could get in and that is was comfortable, with everything in easy reach. There were even some folks that had an Opel and were not aware they could be repaired and brought back to life. Having my project book there, with the before and after pics of Willit? possibly got them to reconsider sending theirs to the recycle yards. I sure hope so. We all have the opportunity to be Goodwill Ambassadors of the Marque, it just takes a little bit of effort as you have shown here. Congrats again.

[heimue]

Originally Posted by greenopelgt And to think that there among all the various car clubs, all the real expensive cars and truck - stood Ms. Opel representing the North American Opel Association. She did good and I'm proud of her!

And we are proud of you, Tom. Congratulations!

Dieter

[Ooooner]

Good job Tom and Ms. Opel! I knew you had it in you all along! I think people have a better appreciation of our Opels now than ever before. Having people out there like you, Tom, helps our cause! Glad you seem to be getting better!

[hrcollinsjr]

Tom, I just want you to clear up this rumor that the main reason for the catheter is to cut down on the trips to the bathroom when you're visiting the local bars. I say it is so you won't miss meeting and greeting people visiting with Ms. Opel. Who's right?

Hope you're feeling better. Holler next time you're down my way.

Harold

[69whitegt]

Way to go Tom!!! Glad to see they recognized a Opel a big show like that one.

[greenopelgt]

We should all know that "THE" major competitive car show OPEL winner in the last 3 years that I am aware of was the "BEST OF SHOW" win at the Fall 2005 AutoFair at the Lowes MotorSpeedway by the famous Yeller SPYDER owned by that movie maker "Mr. Dallas" from Atlanta, GA. They have a whole bunch of quality cars and trucks at the Speedway each Spring and Fall meet.

[slick7272]

I saw the car personally and got to talk with Tom for the first time. It was a great show and I'm glad I went. I told Tom that I would have my GT done by next year (better get moving). Tom you had the best spot in the whole show I walked in the gate looked around and thought to myself, I am never going to find him in all these cars. Then I look right in front of me and there he is. Hope to see you soon again. Get better

[timemachine]

Way to go Tom! You make us all proud.

We're all anxious for you to be fully healed and back on the circuit.

Jim