Search

My Account

Subscribe

A Heads-Up on Hoods-Up

Keith Martin

I have a pet peeve at concours. It’s owners who insist on leaving the hoods of their cars open all day long. It’s hardly the way designers would want their cars seen. Further, the hoods jutting upwards are a jarring contrast to the elegant setting of a concours field. A few weeks ago, I wrote…

Keith Martin Avatar
Keith Martin
Keith Martin has been involved with the collector car hobby for more than 40 years. As a writer, publisher, television commentator and enthusiast, he is constantly on the go, meeting collectors and getting involved in their activities throughout the world. He is the founder and publisher of the monthly Sports Car Market, now in its 37th year. Keith has written for the New York Times, Automobile, AutoWeek, Road & Track and other publications, has been an emcee for numerous concours, and had his own show, “What’s My Car Worth,” shown on Velocity. He has received many honors, including the Lee Iacocca Award, the Edward Herrmann Award, was inducted into the Concorso Italiano Hall of Fame, and more. He has served on the board of directors of The LeMay Museum and Oregon Ballet Theater, and was formerly the chair of the board of the Meguiar’s Award.

One response to “A Heads-Up on Hoods-Up”

  1. Phil Lampman Avatar
    Phil Lampman

    Keith, we’ve not always agreed on everything, but we certainly do on this one: hoods up.

    I can understand when engine compartments are being judged at a concours, but does that mean the hood must be raised all day long? At the risk of offending many of the enthusiasts who do not show their cars at, say Amelia Island I have a few pet peeves of my own, Especially at certain local shows featuring marques that I can better relate to. (read actually afford)

    Why do some not only have to have their hood up, but seem to enjoy displaying a scale model of their car on the air cleaner? Do the judging sheets allow for this sort of thing?

    Why do so many owners feel compelled to place expensive professionally-made signs (often with a photo of the very car I’m viewing) letting everyone know that their (say, Camaro or Mustang) produces over 750 HP and then sit alongside the car in a lawn chair in case we don’t recognize the fortunate owner listed at the bottom of the sign)

    For that matter, given a casual event like a show and shine do people sit next to their cars and not socialize with one another? Isn’t that what these events are meant to be?

    What’s the significance of giant stuffed animals in the back seat of convertibles?

    Who made a fortune producing those large stuffed dolls who appear to be leaning over and peering inside the car?

    Gotta love those ceramic Cobra sculptures that must come with every Mustang with even the slightest reference to Carroll Shelby?

    Why do so many nice 50’s cars need to be displayed with a A&W Drive-in tray hanging off the driver’s window? Usually with Coca Cola memorabilia?

    Okay, I feel better now. I’ll settle for just having the hoods down at shows so I can get some better snapshots.

×