Car Show Essentials Checklist: What to Bring to a Car Show

For a car show, pack four things: a quick detailing kit (waterless wash, microfiber towels, tire shine, glass cleaner), a display setup (info board, drip pan, wheel chocks), comfort gear (chairs, canopy, water, sunscreen) and the basics people forget (registration confirmation, cash, a jump pack and a small tool kit). If you're just going to look, bring a chair, water, cash and a phone with room for photos.

We hit cruise-ins and shows around Northeast Florida, and the difference between a good show day and a long one is usually what's in the trunk. Here's our list.

Detailing kit

• Waterless wash or quick detailer spray
• A stack of clean microfiber towels (more than you think)
• Glass cleaner
• Tire shine and an applicator
• A soft duster for the drive-in dust
• Patina car? Skip the polish and bring the wax or oil you already use (see how to preserve patina)

Display gear

• An info board or printed card: year, make, model, engine and the story
• Photo album or build book (people love before-and-after shots)
• Drip pan or cardboard, especially on grass
• Wheel chocks
• Hood prop or mirror for under-car shots, if that's your thing

Comfort gear

• Folding chairs
• A canopy or umbrella, since Florida sun doesn't let up
• Cooler with water and snacks
• Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
• A hoodie for cold morning roll-ins (the BUILT BROKE hoodie was made for this)

The stuff people forget

• Registration confirmation and entry fee
• Cash for 50/50 drawings, food trucks and the swap meet
• A jump pack or charged battery tender
• Small tool kit, zip ties, duct tape and a fuse assortment
• Fire extinguisher, required at some shows
• Phone charger

Going as a spectator?

Bring a chair, water, cash and an open mind. Ask before you touch anything, and ask the owner about the build. That's where the good stories are. Find a meet near you in our Northeast Florida car show calendar.

Show up looking the part

Every builder at the show is wearing something that says what they drive. Pick yours from our car show t-shirts, grab a Flying Eyeball trucker hat for the sun, and put a weatherproof sticker on the cooler.

Frequently asked questions

What should I put on my car show display board?

Year, make and model, engine and transmission, notable mods and a sentence or two about the build story. Keep it short enough to read in 20 seconds.

Do I need a drip pan at a car show?

Many shows ask for one, especially on grass or at indoor venues. Even if they don't, it's good manners for an older car.

What should I wear to a car show?

Comfortable shoes, a hat and layers. Mornings can be cool and afternoons hot, especially in Florida.