I'm starting this tread to let people know what is happening in the state around the time frame of the nationals.
Post an event or a location that may be of interest that I might of have missed.
I am not affiliated with this event in any way.

EAA Air Venture is going on the week of the show.

Car Craft Street Machine Nationals are being held at State fair park the weekend before.

The Wisconsin Dells is a interesting tourist destination with many waterparks.

This may be open during the nationals and is only a short trip west of brookfield.http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...82001339,d.aWw

Harley Davidson museum is worth touring.

Miller brewery tours and Sprecher brewery is another plus we have a few distilleries that are open to the public.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...82001339,d.aWw

 

What day is the cook out @ yo crib?

 

I was going to take the ferry to Milwaukee, but damn, it's pricey! It will take twice as long to drive, (5-6 hours) but at a fraction of the cost.

 

And with gas being reasonable driving is a little more sensible.

Mike did you get your invite?

 

I'll say!

Ferry: 2-1/2 hours plus loading/unloading, $139 RT per person, $169 RT per car.

Driving: 4-1/2 hours, as long as you avoid Chicago rush-hour.

Plus, this won't happen. Hoegh Osaka car carrier, sunk over the weekend off the Isle of Wight.

 

Taking the ferry from Texas is going to take a damn long time.

 

We are hoping to attend this year, work permitting.

I enjoyed visiting Taliesin @ Spring Green but now that we have young children I doubt if we'll go there unless we do go to the Dells.

My most memorable meal was a Fish Boil up in Door County, we'll definitely try to make it back up there.

We will definitely not be returning to "House On the Rock", I enjoy "stuff"
but that place was over the top.

Could you please post the dates of the Nationals, end of July, right?

Great idea to post attractions and events!

 

House on the rock is definitely an interesting collection of stuff.

 

It must be lost in the mail.

 

Yea it must have. Keep waiting by your mail box for it.

 

My wife and I are really looking forward to going this year. We would like to check out Wisconsin Dells but I think we are just going to lounge around the entire time and not do much of anything. How close are the Dells to the show?

 

National Railroad Museum in Green Bay. Nice collection featuring a couple of really large steam locomotives.

 

They have one of the UP Big Boys there. UP is restoring one and going to put it back in full service. I am excited to see it when they get it done.

 

The Dells are about an hour and 45 minutes away.

 

The last time I went to Milwaukee it was 5 hours taking the Dan Ryan, but since then I've gone to Chicago twice, and it took 4 hours (never used to), damn traffic! I will probably take 294 and pay the tolls.

 

Thanks to all for posting things to do and see during the OCA Nats. I will be in the area the weekend before and stay a few days after. If you go to the Dells do not go on the weekend or Monday or Fridays. Tuesday through Thursdays usually is the best time with less of a crowd. Also, Six Flags (I think it use to be called Great America or I got it backwards?) is not far and a really great amusement park, especially the roller coaster rides.


After a few requests from members, yes, I will bring the 70' F-85 W-31 to the Nats. I haven't shown the car since 2011! Show only, as I am all done with the judging thing and the ineptness of some of the uninformed judges they use. They want perfect fit of sheet metal panels, perfect this and that, etc. Olds did not build "perfect cars". I think/feel they really want to see "over restored cars" only. I did not spend my hard earned $$$ to do that. I wanted to prove a restored car "that looks like it just rolled off the truck at a dealership" could win major awards. Well I did it! When I won "Best Restored Stock Car" award at the week long 2011 Hot August Nights car show. There were 438 cars of various makes entered and judged by the 5 permanent judges from the Reno, NV. Harrah Car Collection Museum. Those 5 judges knew more about what a 70' F-85 W-31 was/should be than any Olds judge, even more than those tube making guys!


Sorry for the rant and highjack!

 

I'm sure I'll think of a few other things to do and see in the area in the next 6 months.
I'm kinda looking forward to seeing your car as I've seen it in pics but never in person.

Road America July 16 vintage races. I have been to this and you can't believe the way they pound on million dollar cars. Good time will be had be all and the burnt racing fuel fumes can't be beat. Also historic Can-Am car are featured could an Olds Can-Am show up? It has happened in the past.
http://www.roadamerica.com/buy-ticke...tage-cars.html

 

Hairy Olds: Hope you will not be disappointed. It is not "as crisp" as it was back in 2010 and 2011. Some parts that are supposed to be "natural finish" have a small amount of rust. I haven't even waxed it in the last three years! Still looks good though as it is covered and stored in a climate controlled garage. Reason why I am bringing it is you just don't see many of these and some Olds friends asked me to bring it. Plus my relatives in Chi-town want to see it in person!

 

Careful Dave, I was called a whiny cry baby for barking about the judging at last years national! I can be critical because I am senior judge and these people don't always know what they are doing they are going against the sheet and only certain amount can be deducted for correctness.

I don't pick my class, it's done for me! At least last year I had 10 days to study up as best as I could, but thankfully I usually have someone that is an previous owner or someone that has not brought a car in that class.

Pat

 

I am looking forward to seeing your car Dave. Sounds like an incredible car. I am not big into the judging thing and we are not sure if we will enter our W-30 to be judged or not. I may just for the fact I will have just finished it and like to see what they have to say. I could care less what I get. I don't have the resources to make it a perfect factory restoration.

I just can't grasp how cars are judged. Someone explained it to me one time but I guess I am not interested enough to understand. On our local car shows they judge for a winner but somehow at the nationals there can be several first place cars and several best of class cars? How can there be a best of class and a first place also. Wouldn't that make first the second place? I just can't get into it. I just love looking at and driving Oldsmobiles and heck with the points.

 

BOC goes to the car with most points. Then First Place cars have a certain amount of points. Then it's second on down. I'm not familiar enough with the judging points to quote what it takes but BOC is just a term used for the best car in the class. It's kinda like a car show with several classes with first place cars and then there's a best of show car. The problem with OCA judging is,there's really no set of standards. They will tell you there is but it reality,it's a group of judges doing the best they can. How can a guy who has a 55 Olds possibly know what's correct on a 70 W-30 car and that's what you get with OCA judging. I'm not bashing the judges,they just do their best and according to some car owners,it's not good enough. If you don't want your car judged and have it for show only so we can see your car,that's what I would do. I've seen guys so upset @ the results they were @ stroke level and it's not worth it.

 

Hey Hey lets not hijack the thread I have enough trouble keeping on track without youse guys steering in a opposite direction.
Although it is bringing the topic back to the top.

 

If there's sufficient interest I may be conducting guided tours of my childhood stomping grounds, the week prior to the Nationals, up in Madison. It will be a "must attend" event if it happens and will cover many important events in the history of Madison.

 

Sign me up,I'm all in.

 

Driving through Chicago is a veritable crap shoot. One never knows. Best to avoid weekday rush hour periods. Even then, no guarantees.

There are 2 ferrys: one in Milwaukee (high speed) and one in Manitowoc (2 hrs. north of Milw., coal fired and slow-4 hrs.?). Expensive, yes. But might be worth avoiding the hassle.

As for going either through or around Chicago by car, far cheaper if one has an I-Pass, EZ-Pay or whatever device. With one the tolls are cut in half and there is no stopping at toll booths.

 

I know, it stops here, about two miles from my home. Between the ferry prices and one night Hotel stay, it will be pushing $500.00. The ferry in Ludington is a 4hr trip, plus 1:15 hr drive there, two hours south to Milwuakee. I may look at a puddle jumper to fly over.

 

I haven't had a problem going thru Chicago at about 6 or 7 in the morning and I take 94 all the way thru during the week. It may slow down a bit but I haven't been stuck in morning traffic, knock on wood.

 

We always take I-294 around the city. It's only a few miles longer than taking the Dan Ryan and the Skyway. If you go through in the middle of the night, or on a Sunday when there is no ball games, then that's usually not too bad either. Other than that, Chicago is one long rolling rush hour that only lets up for a little while during mid-day or on some holidays. If you have an EZ Pass, or I-Pass, be sure to bring it. It saves time, and toll money. Check both routes for construction, though.

 

This would be my first time going to the Nationals. I'm about an hour away and my car is decent but not show worthy. What should I expect? Can I park close to the show or would it be in general parking? Are there cruises or activities away from the show? Is this something that would be best to spread over two or more days?

Thanks for any help.

 

Go to the Oldsmobile club of america site. If not a member you will have to join to do any of the club organized activities! Now that does not mean you can not drive there and park somewhere near and look.

Pat

 

Sign it up! The OCA has a greatly improved magazine, worth the price of membership.
You don't have to have your car judged. I'm entering a couple of cars that are drivers, just because I live here, and to support the WI OCA chapter.
We are also entering my son's '77 Toronado. He'll be on a learner's permit by July, and is very excited.
There are cruises, meals, and tours but you can pick and chose.
It's worth the price for preferred parking.


Cheers, Jerry~

 

I am going to olds nationals but I am curious how parking works. I am not in the olds club, but can I still park my car at the show?

 

Only cars that are registered can be on the show field, you must also be a current paid member of the Oldsmobile Club of America to have your car in the show.

Greg

 

Avoid tolls if you can , so stay away from Illinois ( I know I will from know on )

You all pretty much said it already . The house on the rock , cave of the mounds , and the dells are the only attractions when your coming from the south . Check with various hotels before you book with the dells . They have deals this time of year at the water parks to get people to come there . You may find they're just as cheap as the regular rooms this time of year .

 

The non OCA member overflow parking is @ Hairy Olds house.

 

Okay. So I would have to join the OCA and then register? Do i register it under a certain class? Do they have a patina class? Just curious otherwise I will just park somewhere. Its not a show car.

 

Yes, you will have to join OCA and then send in a registration. If its not a show car just put it in the correct class and check show only then it will not be judged. If it is a unrestored original there is a class for that too.

Greg

 

Okay thanks for letting me know. It doesnt need to be judged but I just want it parked next to a bunch of other oldsmobiles.

 

Save this info for your trip. There are alternate routes I will touch upon in June. The freeways in the Milwaukee are easy to negotiate.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/traffic...295507951.html

 

I'll be at the Car Craft Street Machine Nats with my '70 Olds as well as my son with his Pro Street '70 Olds. We'll be staying at the Crowne plaza 2 nights for the event (Watertown Plank road & 100). I expect many Oldsmobiles will be in Milwaukee during that week long period. It should be nuts!

Keep in mind the Milwaukee Zoo is just up 84th street from the CC Nats! Probably the best Zoo in the Midwest.