Car show display ideas??????? Where do you get this made?

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Okay, calling the buff and shine boys out that regularly show their Zs (i.e. Ricky).

I was invited to enter an annual car show at the Navy base here. I have never really done a car show other than one at the local Corvette club in Hawaii and it was very informal. Just detail up the car and open the hood until everyone get bored; I did win 1st place for C4 category but not much competition.

The manager at the auto craft center stated that I need to get a display and he will loan me the barrier poles (I just have to clean up and polish them a little). There will be a little over 100 cars and I heard because it is opened up to the Japanese public, some very nice rides show up.

I do remember seeing some of the Zs with some nice displays at NCM during the Gathering in 2010, but have no idea how to get those made. Some initial searches on the internet leads me to a few websites, but I am wondering if anyone has experience with a good one that is somewhat user friendly. Being creative is not one of my strong points to think of what to put on there, so if there is somewhat a format to follow with designs, etc.

How much do these things cost and how long does it take to make? The shipping will be a little high I know, but I don't think I can find a shop here to make me what I need in English and I can only imagine the "Lost in Translation" along the way.

Sorry, I did not know where this should be posted and thought with the car shows as the most appropriate.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Craig

[DaveK]

My brother made mine for me. He's really swamped with work right now, so I don't know if he'd be able to help.

http://www.vette-dreams.com/temp/daves_panel_sml.jpg

I met this guy in Mn when I visited BobbyHi and he seemed to do good work.

http://www.customshowboards.com/

One suggestion. Check with the people and see if they can deliver the design to you electronically - through email etc. then you should be able to find a local printer to do the printing/mounting. Would save you paying ridiculous shipping costs.

Thanks

Dave

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Dave,

Thank you for your reply and information. I'll check that out. I really appreciate it and great ideas.

Craig

[DaveK]

Hi Craig

I had another idea. If there's a University/College with some kind of arts/design program you may be able to get together with one of the students to get a design done. They're usually always looking for extra cash and projects to extend their portfolios. Might be easier to work with someone you can actually sit down and discuss ideas with.

Good luck.

Thanks

Dave

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Hi Craig

I had another idea. If there's a University/College with some kind of arts/design program you may be able to get together with one of the students to get a design done. They're usually always looking for extra cash and projects to extend their portfolios. Might be easier to work with someone you can actually sit down and discuss ideas with.

Good luck.

Thanks

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the idea, but I would have to find someone that speaks English and I'm sure they are around, just harder to find. For the sake of time, I will have to try to get something done in July. The cool thing about that idea you have is I could have some Japanese language put on too so when I show it with the general public more folks can understand the information. :handshak:

Craig

[DaveK]

Hope it goes well. If I can help at all let me know. :cheers:

[jrd1990zr1]

Dave K,

I have wanted to try and put one together myself. Do you know what software your brother uses?

Thanks John

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Dave,

http://www.carshowdisplay.com/ I was going to get one of these set ups but the shipping was outrageous to my location due to the metal stand, etc.

I ended up order from this guy instead since he can meet my short suspense:

http://www.mac-ink.com/showcardisplays/

I did not go with photos since I don't have any nice ones yet and decided on the pinstripe design. I'm waiting for my proof to approve and anxious to see how he color coordinates everything based on exterior and interior colors.

[bobbyhi]

Craig, too bad you didn't go with Troy http://www.customshowboards.com/

He made mine last year and did a great job. I'm pretty fortunate because he lives here and does most of the shows around here. Pretty reasonable in pricing also. I would highly recommend him for our "waxers"....:-D

[DaveK]

Dave K,

I have wanted to try and put one together myself. Do you know what software your brother uses?

Thanks John

Hi John

He's pretty much a straight Adobe guy - Photoshop and Illustrator. That doesn't mean you can't use any other photo/design software and get great results. He's a pro and that's the software they use.

I've used Photoshop a fair bit and it's good once you get your head around it, though it can be a bit quirky at times. I'm not anywhere as talented as my brother is though.

One thing I did learn from him though was always use the biggest (highest pixel resolution) source material. Shrinking stuff down is fine, enlarging things reduces the quality very quickly.

Good luck with your project. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Thanks

Dave

[DaveK]

Those stands look good Craig, but I can imagine the shipping to you would be crazy. I had mine initially printed out using the Plak-It printing. That gives you a very solid end-result, almost like a wooden plaque. That worked okay on a regular easal with shortened legs but wasn't great in wind.

Usually people have them set on foam core board which is very lightweight. I've seen those having problems in wind too. Which is why I thought I'd try a different route.

At the moment I've had it reprinted as a regular poster and then laminated. Just taping that inside the windshield works well.

Bob. What do you use as a stand? I'm assuming you got the foam core from Troy?

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Craig, too bad you didn't go with Troy http://www.customshowboards.com/

He made mine last year and did a great job. I'm pretty fortunate because he lives here and does most of the shows around here. Pretty reasonable in pricing also. I would highly recommend him for our "waxers"....:-D

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the recommendation and he does very nice work. The only reason I could not go that route is I don't have any nice quality photos of the car yet. Once I get it titled and plated here I will take it around for a photoshoot and eventually try to make a board with photos and details.:handshak:

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Those stands look good Craig, but I can imagine the shipping to you would be crazy. I had mine initially printed out using the Plak-It printing. That gives you a very solid end-result, almost like a wooden plaque. That worked okay on a regular easal with shortened legs but wasn't great in wind.

Usually people have them set on foam core board which is very lightweight. I've seen those having problems in wind too. Which is why I thought I'd try a different route.

At the moment I've had it reprinted as a regular poster and then laminated. Just taping that inside the windshield works well.

Bob. What do you use as a stand? I'm assuming you got the foam core from Troy?

Thanks Dave. The one I am ordering is composite plastic so a little heavy, but I will plan to have it weighted down if windy. I thought about your other idea to have a design sent and done locally, but you would not imagine how expensive everything and anything is here.

The one I chose will ship for $16, but I kind of did like the thought of a PC'd metal stand that is held under the tire and I wanted to customize with something ZR-1 maybe billet from Carter. We'll see how it goes so many nice options out there, but good to get the recommendations from the brotherhood.

By the way, very nice website!!!!!