My GT's First Car Show...

[newman27]

I entered my GT in its very first car show since picking it up last September from Keith. The show was in Monroe, Georgia and billed as the "Memories In Monroe Classic Car Show". I was entry number 110 and by the time all the cars had arrived, there must have been at least 150+ cars there. Judging at the show was done by a professional company PARMCK International. Categories included Best Chevy, Best Ford, Best Mopar, etc. My car was in the Import class with no year designated. That class was won my a 2005 Mazda - What?!? Anyway, unbeknownst to me, since it wasn't on the flyer, there was a "Best Orphan In Show" class and I won that class with my GT! . I was so thrilled when I got to go up to the podium and accept a very nice plaque. I'm not sure how many cars were in my class because I didn't get to walk around much (being continuously swamped with people asking about the car and telling me stories of an uncle / dad / brother / half cousin that used to have an Opel... But, there was another 1972 Opel GT there (talked at great length with the owner but he is not active on this site - his Z28 gets most of his show car money right now) and I saw a very nice Tucker, and what I think (from a distance) were some MGs and Fiats. So, there was good competition I think. Anyway, it was a great experience and I just had to share. Also, I directed a lot of folks to this site that were looking to buy an Opel and even took down a few names and numbers of people that asked me to call them if I knew of one for sale locally. Finally, I've posted a picture of my car at the show and of my entry flyer and award. Note that the award was supposed to be engraved as "Best Orphan In Show" but the trophy store put "Best Orphan 1985 - 2008" . I put some black electrical tape over the year range for now.

Matt

[sawdust]

Where are you going to put all them future trophies?

Can't wait for the show season to start up North.

[gtzero]

Originally Posted by newman27 I entered my GT in its very first car show since picking it up last September from Keith. The show was in Monroe, Georgia and billed as the "Memories In Monroe Classic Car Show". I was entry number 110 and by the time all the cars had arrived, there must have been at least 150+ cars there. Judging at the show was done by a professional company PARMCK International. Categories included Best Chevy, Best Ford, Best Mopar, etc. My car was in the Import class with no year designated. That class was won my a 2005 Mazda - What?!? Anyway, unbeknownst to me, since it wasn't on the flyer, there was a "Best Orphan In Show" class and I won that class with my GT! . I was so thrilled when I got to go up to the podium and accept a very nice plaque. I'm not sure how many cars were in my class because I didn't get to walk around much (being continuously swamped with people asking about the car and telling me stories of an uncle / dad / brother / half cousin that used to have an Opel... But, there was another 1972 Opel GT there (talked at great length with the owner but he is not active on this site - his Z28 gets most of his show car money right now) and I saw a very nice Tucker, and what I think (from a distance) were some MGs and Fiats. So, there was good competition I think. Anyway, it was a great experience and I just had to share. Also, I directed a lot of folks to this site that were looking to buy an Opel and even took down a few names and numbers of people that asked me to call them if I knew of one for sale locally. Finally, I've posted a picture of my car at the show and of my entry flyer and award. Note that the award was supposed to be engraved as "Best Orphan In Show" but the trophy store put "Best Orphan 1985 - 2008" . I put some black electrical tape over the year range for now. Matt

Beautiful car Matt. And congratulations on taking a "Best of..." award at your first show. May this be the first of many.

Take care and have fun,

Manny

[Ricky Slade]

Looks like a great day to have fun at a car show. You took a very good picture of a real nice GT. Congrats on the award. I sure wished my car was finished.

[Aardvaark]

Your GT looks great! Congrats!

[bear's GT]

Hi great job. I saw your car at Keith's it is a car to be proud of.

[newman27]

Thanks all for the kind words and encouragement!

Matt

P.S. Thanks again Keith for a great job - I drive the GT almost every day and still can't get enough driving time in!

[Phoenix]

Congrats. I hope your coming to the Orphan Car Show, to see how the car does there. It's a tough show a lot of very nice cars.

[newman27]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Congrats. I hope your coming to the Orphan Car Show, to see how the car does there. It's a tough show a lot of very nice cars.

Yes, I will be there (I'm bringing the whole family in fact since there will be other things for them to do). I'm looking forward to seeing all the cool cars (but mostly looking forward to getting together with the Opel maniacs!)

Matt

[Johnvan]

Your car looks great! Congratulations on the trophy and I'me sure you will have many more! John

[heimue]

Congratulations Matt! The next chance for the "Best Orphan in show" will be at Snellville !

Dieter

[Cherrybomb]

All throughout childhood my best friend and I would huddle underneath the covered Opel Gt sitting in his front yard. We would imagine how it would be, cruising the streets of our home town, seeing how what the world had to offer through the windshield of our car. we were only 10 or so, but the future seemed bright and full of adventure, and we were not even of driving age. many years have passed, and that opel GT sat undisturbed, until last Wednesday... when I decided that it was worth a second chance. I had owned three cars, and sold them all. I had spent the last year with only a motorcycle to get around, and was ready for a car again. It was destiny that led me to that car, and it was destiny that guides our lives ever so dilligently. I can see now our childhood dreams; driving down highway 60, in my hands of 24 years of age now. Finally living the drean we had as kids, with greasy hands and endless dreams...

there is work to be done, but endless imagination to our disposal.

it has time against it, but our determination for its resurrection.

It is now running well, on the streets of Southern California, and the story is still continuing to unfold.

Kyle, and my childhood friend David.

[Phoenix]

A friend of mine lives in Monroe and says that he saw your car on "Walton World" thier local TV station.

[newman27]

Originally Posted by Phoenix A friend of mine lives in Monroe and says that he saw your car on "Walton World" thier local TV station.

Cool! I wondered if maybe the cars would make the newspaper but had no idea they would put it on local TV. There was a photographer that came around and took lots of pictures. He said the photos were for the Monroe Historical Society archives.

Thanks!

Matt

[igtbruce]

Congratulations on the trophy. The GTs are always popular at the local shows.

[wrangler]

Originally Posted by newman27 My car was in the Import class with no year designated. That class was won my a 2005 Mazda - What?!? Matt

I had a similar thing happen to me the first car show I entered. All imports were judged in one class. It was won by a special edition 2003/2004 Porche. The judging was based on:

1) Paint quality
2) Engine Cleanliness (Which the Porche could not be inspected as they are sealed and only accessible by a certified Porche Mech, but I am sure with the young age, would have been clean enough to eat off of)
3) Interior
4) Additional points (10)
pinstripes (2)
1st Aid Kit (2)
fire Extinguisher(2)
Show Card (2)
Presentation (2)

So, with this type of judging, a 2007 KIA would have a good chance of winning, though many car shows are adding other categories, i.e. uniqueness, quality of restoration, desirability, originality, etc. It all depends on the show you go to and to whom they are trying to accommodate/pacify.
The thing I have found is that it is just fun to go out there and let your GT be seen and enjoy all the attention it garners, regardless of the accolades. That is a prize much better than any trophy!