I was browsing Facebook recently when the algorithm suggested a private group I might be interested in. With more than 26,000 members, it’s called “Boomer Boards” & Other Terrible Car Show Decorations. As someone who spends a lot of time at and around all kinds of car shows, I was intrigued. And, because the group was private, I had to join to get satisfaction.
If you’re also a car show regular, you can probably figure out what the group is all about. The name is a perjorative nod to the Baby Boomers that make up the vast majority of traditional car show attendees. And the subject of discussions? Well, that focuses mostly on the display boards these vehicle often owners create to share information about their cars. In short, members of the group collectively view these displays as tacky, unnecessarily detailed, and overly self-important.
After diving into countless posts and comments on the page, I quickly recognized a common theme. It’s not that the group of (presumably) younger enthusiasts have any issues with the Boomers’ choice of cars or even the idea of a display board itself. Rather their ire is the result of specific elements that make up a typical “Boomer Board.” In no particular order, here’s their beef.
Visual design – The design of these boards tends to be quite busy, often with an overwhelming amount of text, numerous or hard-to-read lettering styles, and too many photos. The aesthetic can leans towards being unrefined, adding to the perception of tackiness. For example, hand-lettering done in magic marker on a basic poster board usually detracts from the message. Conversely, some are over the top with too much visual clutter to be effective at sharing the vehicle’s story. Do you really need to include a picture of a car in its current state when people are standing next to it?
Overloaded with information – These boards often contain excessive details about the car, including its history, specifications, modifications, awards, and even personal anecdotes. Too much irrelevant information can be overwhelming and cluttered. Is it really necessary to list the bore, stroke, compression ratio, and ignition firing order on a bone-stock engine? Original MSRP might be notable, but current value probably doesn’t matter. Likewise, sharing the original delivery date of the vehicle when you’re the 5th owner isn’t terribly relevant.
Self importance – While the intention of these boards is to showcase the owner’s pride and effort in restoring or maintaining their vehicle, the execution can come across as self-important. One of the biggest points of contention from members of the Facebook group are the use of “1 of XXX examples…” to make the car seem more special than it is. For instance, Chevy made more than 390,000 Novas in 1974. However, explaining that your lovingly preserved example is one of just 37 silver 2-door notchbacks with a rally gauge package built on the 3rd Tuesday in June of ’74 (whew!) doesn’t really add any value to the conversation.
Upping Your Display Game
So how do you communicate the pride and joy for your special vehicle without defeating that purpose in the process? One option, of course, is to tell the online critics to go to hell and keep doing what works for you. No one says you have to make the internet happy, after all. Otherwise, more open-minded enthusiasts can reconsider their displays. Presenting in a more engaging manner by adopting a few modern and minimalistic approaches can help avoid the “tacky Boomer” perception. If it matters to you, here are some suggestions to consider.
Professional signage – Enlist design help to create a professional-looking sign with a clean and simple layout. Reach out to a young designer or student to help you with the layout. Have them use simple, easy-to-read fonts and consistent, complimentary colors to create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing display. Then have the final piece printed on large-format printer at an office store.
Minimalistic approach – Embrace a minimalist design philosophy. Less is often more, and a clean, uncluttered display can be more effective and appealing. Focus on quality over quantity, selecting a few key pieces of information and high-quality images that best represent the car. You don’t have to tell the whole story.
Concise Information – Highlight key details such as the car’s make, model, year, and unique features, but avoid self-important puffery and irrelevant facts. Use bullet points or short paragraphs to make the information easy to read at a glance. Focus on only the most essential information and a couple of high-quality images. Concentrate on your vehicle’s unique story and share your motivation behind building, restoring, or preserving it.
Personal touch (without overdoing it) – Share your most interesting personal experiences related to the car, but keep them concise and relevant. Avoid lengthy and overly detailed narratives. Include a brief “about the owner” section to add a personal touch, but don’t let it dominate the display.
Engage with visitors – Don’t count on the display board to do all the talking. Get up out of your lawn chair; be present and approachable. Talk to interested visitors, share your stories in your own words, and answer their questions. If your display creates just a bit of intrigue and curiosity, you might just have yourself a great conversation about your favorite subject.
The issue you are addressing isn’t with the information provided on the boards. The true issue is with the people that are reading them, not being true and actual car people.