I Stayed Home...

...because I didn't want to start an argument. or say something in front of a lot of people that could cause bad feelings. Why you may ask. Because I don't agree with certain aspects of this controversy on Special Interest.

Now having had experience in organizing a very large Show for many years, including being the top dog in charge for 3 years running, I know that putting on a show is no easy task. Uptown Kruizah's did one hell of a job putting on the Show on Sunday past.

My opinion of Special Interest is this. Of the entries in that class technically only 2 belonged in it. The Fire Truck and the Federal Truck. On the logical side only the Crapo Van and Motorcycle should have been asked to leave completely and the drag truck (s-10) should have been put in Modified 2wd Trucks. The Mini Cooper back in Imports.

Oscar and the 62 Galaxie did not belong in a 60's class. The reason, Custom. It doesn't belong with stockers. A logical and reasonable result would be where it was, in Special Interest. RedSled, the 51 Ford, same reason with the same result. With other Cars running into trouble at other Shows, in the 50's class due to the Modifications made, they to need to be in Special Interest.

You see a Customized car does not belong in a stock class. If there is a custom class, then it belongs in that class. If there isn't a class for a fine specimen of craftsmanship, some would have us believe they should be turned away. I myself see room for latitude in the Special Interest category, because it is unique, because it is one of a kind and only one was built. No 2 Customs are identical. Talk to the Kings of the Lead Sleds, George Barris, Gene Winfield and Bo Huff and they'll tell you exactly that.

As far as the debate on Style or Theme its all semantics. Surf Woodie has a Theme but lacks style as so many PT's are readily available for customizing, whereas RedSled has style, IE a Lead Sled that is not readily available at the local used car lot and it does have a theme, The 1950's way of building a car or if you will allow me Old School.

The one thing we must remember is that car shows are supposed to be fun. As of late there seems to be less and less fun and way to much other crap, like focusing on the faults in the show and the organizers. If your style is to point fault and your theme is to cause hard feelings with controversy and a closed mind, then the whole argument lacks class.

We need to get back to the fun.