As hot rod and kustom kulture enthusiasts our spectrum of the automotive world is blessed with a high frequency of car shows. From national street rod events to rockabilly rooted festivals, all the niches out there make for a full calendar of events throughout the year. We’ve compiled a couple tips for the avid show goer to make the most of your experience. Take it from us, we at Rod Authority live by these as well!

#1 Bring A Camera-Log Your Own Memories

This is perhaps the best tip we could start off with because it facilitates a majority of the tips that follow.

When you go out to these shows there’s always a chance that you’ll run into your favorite hot rods and kustoms you’ve read about in publications. Snap some shots of that bumper swap that caught your eye or the gauge cluster that left your mouth wide open.

#2 Strike Conversation With The OGs And Car Clubs

When you attend these events don’t forget that what you’re walking into is a library of knowledge, experience and know-how. Old-timers and car clubs who have lived and breathed this stuff for years are there to share their experiences and roadblocks.

Don’t be a afraid to approach a car owner and ask them about their ride it may just be the key that you need to figure out why your Flathead’s overheating or how to properly lay a lace paint job on the roof of your traditional kustom.

#3 Note Cars For Inspiration–See Tip 1

This is yet another reason to bring a camera to an event. Aside from being surrounded by years of experience and know-how shows are a real-world gallery of inspiration. Snap shots of cars with custom touches or engine work that you want to research more about when you get home.

There’s no reason to wonder about what color that paint was or which taillight that Buick had. Log this stuff and build your record of references at each show!

#4 Bring Cash–Not Everyone Runs On Plastic

To prevent a detour in your itinerary prep a cash expense for the show you’ll be attending. Parking, food and beverage, and vendor spending are your biggest costs that would benefit from a pre-show visit to your ATM.

That would be awful to come across a vendor with some merchandise that you dig only to find out they don’t have a card scanner on hand.

#5 Make An Annual Calendar Of Events You’d Like To Hit

We create an outline of events we’d like to hit at the beginning of each year. The normal show goer can benefit from this because it gives ample time to save up money for attendance costs and more importantly, prepare the time off at work well in advance!

We hope these tips help your show experience as much as they help us. What are some other tips that you can think of that would benefit others? Comment below!