I'm still at the shop.. was going to go, but the folks I was going to deliver/pick up parts for emailed/called me last week, and said they were not going. Love to have the vacation, and hang out with the crowd, but that's not in the cards this summer.. too much work to do here. Have fun! JW
Well Seeing as how I need to be a GSCA member to bring my car, and I can only attend one "away" event this year, I'm gonna wait for the BPG event I keep hearing so much about.........
I am still drying my car out from last year. don't want a repeat of the rain. No really finances prohibit my attendance this year.
So far a little rain and overcast, but nothing nasty (yet!). We did miss a big thunderstorm with hail and strong winds, we just got the edge of it. However, this IS Bowling Green! (if you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes!) :laugh:
Everybody that did'nt come missed a good one.:grin: It was warm and only sprinkled a couple times and that just delayed things about an hour each time. Hope we are not "SWEATING BULLETS" at the BPG nats. Nowdays HEAT slows or stops me more than Rain. You can still bench racep Peace WildBill
Event Attendance Ok, here I go stepping up on my bully pulpit and delivering a message that could get me flamed.........yet I remain undetered and, as my wife notes, continue to insert foot into mouth and chew vigorously. Regarding the Nats and any other show right now, there are several factors I believe that figure into attendance. 1. Timing - If an event is held DURING school, particularly a time when Proms and graduation preparation stuff are ongoing, this will affect attendance. This is one thing that prevents my wife from attending the event with me. 2. Weather - This is somewhat related to timing/date of the event. The weather in BG in May is ALWAYS unpredictable, except that rain does usually occur at least one day of the event and usually more often than that. Bad weather predictions will keep attendance down, even if it turns out to be wrong or not as bad as predicted. Lot of planning and effort are necessary to go to such an event and expectation of bad weather makes it seem not worthwhile. 3. Lack of Reproduction Parts - The skyrocketing costs of parts (NOS and used) and the lack of reproduction parts MUST be a consideration. I know that I get concerned about driving my car with the knowledge that certain pieces are almost irreplaceable at any cost (take 71 GS Grilles for instance). So, if I have a 71 GS would I drive it to the show and risk damaging (rock, wreck, bird, road gators, idiots, etc.) an irreplaceable part or one that would likely cost between $1,500 and $2,400? Hmmm.......probably not. Its really sad that this is happening, but unless I had a lot of spare parts stashed, I'd have to take this into consideration before heading out on a long road trip. Sheet metal can be straightened or repaired, but most plastic items can't as the damage is usually too great. I'm wondering if a lot of GS owners aren't considering this and either not attending events or going without their cars. 4. Economy - Add to the expense of replacement parts, a bad economy where money is tight and the risk of losing an expensive part figures in even more prominently. Plus, there's the cost of gas and other trip expenses to factor in as well. And you can't sacrafice the family vacation to attend a car event or the wife and kids might well prove to be formidable adversaries. Alan
Right there with ya Dave. I was looking at weather channel.com and the National Weather Service website right up to the day I left. No way I was risking another repeat of last year. The car show this year was absolutely sad. Just plain sad. What was there, 25 cars? They could have judged 2 classes easily. I sure hope the BPG comes up with an alternative, because compared with what the Nationals used to be, this was a joke. I know alot of people put alot of work into the Nationals, but baby when it ain't working it ain't working. I personally like Bowling Green, but rainy May is ridiculous. And I don't want to hear about the racers needing the cool weather either. Anyone look in the staging lanes? Where were all these racers that love this cool weather? Must've gotton lost along the way to Kentucky, cause they sure as heck didn't go to the Nationals. You could sit and watch the same 15 gran sports race over and over and over and over. Wow. What incredible action! Marvelous times! Super sixteen, try super six. I know its easy to complain, but this cannot be the best it can be. If it is, I for one am out. Done. Finished. Richard and Ol Blue can enjoy themselves, all by themselves, in Bowling Green next monsoon season in Kentucky. And yeah, I know it didn't rain nearly as bad this as last year, but darn every weather forecast said the opposite, and some of us, APPARENTLY ALOT OF US plan ahead and will not sacrifice our cars for a "National Event" Based upon what I saw running down the track, or more to the point, what I didn't see running down the track, it wasn't just show car owners, IT WAS RACE CAR OWNERS right along with us. Wow, now there's a rant for you. Robert Rennick
Robert, We have... see this post: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18776 Won't you come and join us?
Only 2 '66's....... There were only two 66 GS's at the show. If I had brought my car in primer, I think I could have gotten a trophy. I think the attendance was about average, and I found a few parts for my Stage, but the parts selection was kind of thin. All around, I had a great time, and plan on going back now that I'm settled. I hope to bring one of my GS's next year....either the 4spd or the auto convertible. By the way, Mike Garrison's car is a pleasure to watch.....Beautiful and makes a sound like nothing I've heard under a GS hood before. I was amazed at the times turned by VERY quiet cars. Dan
Hey Dan, just make sure you don't modify your GS at all or you'll be kicked out of the GS class and bounced into the catch-all "Street Machine" class. Been there, done that,won't be going back...:af:
"Street Machine" I like them original. Unfortunately, it takkes a long time to scrounge up the parts to do it. I have a collection of speed parts, but they are not going on the car....I just like to look at them. Dan
Just curious - What constitutes modifications? How about an X-pipe, or a 2.5'' mandrel bent exhaust system? How about a taller (14x4) K&N air filter? Anyone know? o No:
Thanks Brad. I definitely wasn't referring to concours. I enjoy driving my car too much to trailer :laugh: Convertibles were made to let the wind whistle through your hair :TU: I really, really like to rack up the miles on my car, although in the 5 years I've owned it I've only put on about 15K I'm just talking about the general car show. My GS will never be concours, but I'd like to keep it as close as possible to 'stock', with minimal upgrades to enhance the driving experience. Current Modifications - - Straight bench replaced with notchback bench (1970 pattern) - Aluminum radiator (painted black on the sides) - Halogen Headlamps - Pertronix Ignition - 1971 800 CFM carb (original 7040246 on shelf) - Ported exhaust manifolds (originals on shelf) - 2.5 mandrel bent exhaust system - 14x4 K&N air filter - A/C converted to R134a (extra fitting on compressor) Would these above modifications put me in the 'street machine' class?
As far as "Where is Everybody" here is my view: I know at least 6-10 people locally who have GS's that I see on cruise nites etc on a regular basis. BG is 850+ miles from Long Island, NY....approx 16-17 hrs including sanity-break stops but basically driving straight through NOT ONE OF THEM would seriously consider filling up the tank and heading out to BG in their GS. There are alot of reasons why....Mostly being that they dont want to run their cars for that long....that hard. Other reasons include eating up all of their "classic car" insurance miles, The idea of breaking down that far from home.....and a few others. Me ?? Maybe Im a bit less "sane" than them but my attitude is "Lets Roll!!" I think as the years add on, alot of people are thinking the same way: I'll go to the Nats.....but not with my car. I'll look at Everyone elses though" Well.....I wasn't there this year, but from what i've heard it seems like its reached the point were people almost dont have cars to look at anymore !!! BRING OUT THE CARS FOR THE BPG NATIONALS !!!! You have OVER 1 YEAR to whip that machine into shape !!!! With Quaker City less than half the distance and time from my home, I plan on Twisting some arms come next August IM GOING !! WITH My GS !!! --------------------------------------------------------- Marco - I believe the GSCA judging allows 3 "modifications" before you are yanked from your class.....but IMHO its been pretty wierd how these rules are enforced In my particular class a gentleman with an outstanding convert has won or placed several times that I've been there - with quite a bit (as in alot more than 3) chromed underhood pieces. A couple of times my car was questioned before the "Street Machines" catch-all class was introduced....for having more than 3 mods (Intake, carb, and 1,2,3 guages makes 5 mods o No: ) and I just said "Hey, Man....I dont care about a trophy - I just think my car should sit with its brothers and sisters every once in a while" I dont think your "X" pipe will get noticed by many.....the Bench seat will be over looked.....very few cars have 4xt4 headlight bulbs anymore...Pertronix is hidden.....If the air cleaner is on No one will see the bigger carb #'s......and no one's peaking inside your exhaust manifolds or inside your AC lines
