Who needs $50,000 in free upgrades……plus more?

[batman]

Guys, sorry if this sounds a little self-serving but I really want to get the word out to a group of guys that I’d like to see win this opportunity. You may start seeing the advertising for an Optima promotion during the next 2 months but I thought I would post it here as well since I think a pro-touring machine needs to at least make it into the finals.

What is it?
The Optima Batteries “Full Ride” contest (the “Contest”) is a mail-in and on-line contest in which an entrant is asked to send us a photo of his/her car and tell us, in 200 words or less, why his/her car should be chosen for a performance makeover and upgrade. No purchase in necessary. Please read the official rules to get details. Click here for more details: www.optimafullride.com (http://www.optimafullride.com/)

Basically, we are looking for the right car to promote Optima. Now, I know that to some of you $50K may seem like a drop in the bucket. However, this is not our first rodeo and I know we can stretch $50K pretty far. And, if your car already has a head start on upgrades then we can help by taking it to the next level. Our intent is to present the finished car at SEMA 2006 (yes, this year!) so we will be overseeing the build to ensure the result is a respectable vehicle. Also, I plan on continuing to show my face around here and at many of the events you guys attend. The build will be featured on Dream Car Garage and it will also be featured in some of our advertising next year. You and your car will get more than your allotted 15 minutes of fame. There are also secondary prizes including four $2,000 prizes. All you gotta do is win.

It starts today so please give it your best shot and enter soon! If one of the member’s cars gets picked for the finals then it will be up to this community to vote on it. Good luck!

[Steve1968LS2]

Hey, I know I'm entering.. :D

[ProdigyCustoms]

Were in, We have the perfect project for SEMA. Can you say Project Empty Nest?

[McssGmachine]

I'm entering. You need something different like a Monte!

Brian

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2006/05/d3c694ae-1.jpg

[Elusive R]

You guys have it all wrong - they're looking for a daily-driven El Camino in Phoenix, AZ with an Optima battery that has lasted over 6 years. I really only need paint, wheels, and some sheetmetal alignment, but I'll let you guys put a new battery in, too :)

Ryan

[harshman]

the submit button isn't working - i think

[alcino]

I would enter, but then I couldn't say that I built the car from scratch myself with my own money.

I do love my Optimas, and If anyone is going to do a photo shoot, you better have a battery that can take the abuse of starting a car 100 times in a day without much charging to move it all over the place to get "the shot".

Wish they came in a smaller, lighter size.

[batman]

the submit button isn't working - i think

I just tested it and it worked for me. If submitted correctly you will get directed to a "Thank you" page. Send me a pm if it doesn't work for you.

[colt zantop]

im in......cool idea.. Im already dreaming 4 link, pro charger, interior! :)

[dropit69]

just signed up thanks for the info..wow ..what could happen with 50k and my ride..whewwwwww

[DJW32]

Oooo, how about a 67 camaro...Im in

[4OfaKind]

I'm in.:jump:

What they need is a really cool Tri-Five. My entry will have all the details; but for now check the concept drawing. :kewlpics:

Mal

[Steve1968LS2]

Have I won yet???

[primate]

i would enter, but even chip foose couldnt have my car done by sema. :woot: :lmao:

[Martin71RS]

If I lived in the US....I would be all over it! Nice advertising stunt Cam!

Martin

[Todds69]

I'm in.

[Beeper]

I entered my truck:cool:

[Andrew McBride]

pretty cool deal.

I hope the winner is a well deserving person. Good idea for promoting a product.

[formula]

I'm gonna flip my sh*t if I win...i seriously will not know what to do with myself.

Yes I will. I'll throw money at my car like there's no tomorrow, then go to sema and watch people oooh and ahh over it, then drive the heck out of it every day all day long!

[Larry Callahan]

Man, I could finally get my car done… If only I were eligible :hand:

[scogin918]

I entered my car. I'm trying to get ready for paint before the baby comes in October. This would be so SWEET! :twothumbs

[fladoans]

Okay, I'm in. I submitted my Chevelle. Maybe my Camaro could be ready for SEMA 2007 but not this year. Maybe by next year I could have a PT Camaro and Chevelle!

[CAMAROBOY69]

This sounds like an event Kevin (Jagarang) should sign up for.

[grand_marquis_gt]

I submitted my mercury for the contest... Since I am probably the only entrant of my kind, they gotta pick me!!

[ProdigyCustoms]

Kevin has all his parts. Actually Kevins bill is paid with us too. I will be asking around if anyone wants his car at SEMA though.

[LoPro67]

Well, I finally got in. Now the crossing of the fingers begins:usa: .

[gEtyOpAPiOn]

i just entered my never ending car project!! lol

[grand_marquis_gt]

I can't wait to see who wins this...

[ProTeal55]

I am all signed up...
Maybe I can finally get a set of 17's for my car :hammer:

[Stupidnewbie]

I entered my basket case. I wonder if they are going for a drastic transformation or taking an already nice car to the next level...oh well, we'll see who they choose.

[Diognes56]

I'm in.

What they need is a really cool Tri-Five. My entry will have all the details; but for now check the concept drawing.

Mal

Hey cool another 4dr '56 (nice project by the way :) ). I think Optima should do a 4dr '56, but it needs to be a Bel Air ;) :p .

David

[batman]

Over 900 entries so far. This may seem like a lot but consider your odds of winning any other contest worth $50,000 plus fame! Come on you guys!

[trapin]

I entered. I gave them my sob story, but I know it won't work. I never win anything.

I'm such a loser. I think I'll kill myself.







.....did I win yet?

[PeteRR]

:fingersx: Did I win yet? :fingersx:

[4OfaKind]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 4OfaKind
I'm in.

What they need is a really cool Tri-Five. My entry will have all the details; but for now check the concept drawing.

Mal


Hey cool another 4dr '56 (nice project by the way :) ). I think Optima should do a 4dr '56, but it needs to be a Bel Air ;) :p .

David

Thanks David
Your project is pretty cool too, even if it is a Bel Air. :poke:

Mal

[2Slow4U]

Submitted with my best sob story:nopity:

[Pro-touring towncar]

I am entering, what would be better that doing a poor students Lincoln Town car. But then again it is a big 4 door sedan.

Tim

[grand_marquis_gt]

I am entering, what would be better that doing a poor students Lincoln Town car. But then again it is a big 4 door sedan.

Tim

I know i've seen you around somewhere...

[nvawgn]

yea i entered too but damm thing is i can't make my digi picture smaller to attach to the web site. i mean what are they thinking that a grown man actually knows how to reduce pixils and cut and crop, it was hard enough learning how to turn this P.C. on with out a remote. any ways here is my picture......

[Matt]

I need to get off my arse and register. Still trying to get the number of words down to a reasonable level.

[Larry Callahan]

Did I win yet? LOL!

[batman]

Not yet Larry.

Who sent in the photo of a car in a garage with a car cover on it? Was that you Larry? I'm kinda creative but I'm having a hard time with that one.

There are only 11 more days to enter. All of you last minute guys need to get your entries in!

[DRJDVM's '69]

My only question... how much input does the owner have about whats done to the car ??? I'd love to have a sponsor pay the bill for my car build, but I wouldnt want someone else building the car the way they think it should be. I like to build my cars they way I want them, not someone else's master plan.

Just like Overhaulin...... its sure is nice to have someone pay the $$ to build it, but its not your vision or exact plan for car no matter how much they ask your relatives what you wanted. Its a beautiful and lucky gift to have that done for you, but in my mind its just not the same

For whomever win is it more like " okay, you have a $50,000 budget.... what do you want to do to the car with that $$ ?, its up to you "

I would only want to win if I had significant input on the overall theme, how the car was built, painted etc etc.

[Damn True]

I went with a different approach. No sobbing, all business.

Did I win yet?

[batman]

DRJDVM's '69,

Are you the kind of guy that when someone gives you a $20 dollar bill, you complain because its not 2 $10 dollar bills? :rotfl:

Actually , you do have a very good question.:twothumbs This needs to be a positive experience for all involved.:grouphug: What good will any publicity be without a coordinated effort between the owner, Dream Car Garage and Optima? However, bottom line: Optima reserves the right to make the final decision. I am concerned as well about the finished product being worthy of sitting in my booth at SEMA. I think our historical representation of vehicles has been of a pretty good standard that just about anyone would appreciate. Chances are pretty good that we will have creative differences if you insist on having a tropical fish tank installed in the passenger seat.........or you'd like to explore the benefits of front wheel drive on your '69 Camaro.:jump: In addition, if you are very picky about using a specific brand of paint, brakes, wheels, tire etc......then you may want to reconsider entering. Timing is also an issue. This will not be a full blown, body off, custom everything street machine of the year contender. Most of the value in the upgrades will be bolt on stuff. We are working with many sponsors and one of the requirements will be to use those sponsor's products. Baer, Magnaflow, K&N, MSD, JBL, Edlebrock, Eibach are the main sponsors but there are more as well.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Batman... I didnt mean to offend anyone. It was just a question that I think most of the guys here would want to know before they would just hand over their car to someone else. No disrespect or ingratitude to you or your company for providing such a generous opportunity for a very lucky person. Its is undoubtedly a fantastic award to some lucky guy.

My point was that there's a big difference between winning a contest to build your dream car and winning a contest to let someone else use your car to build it however they want so they can showcase their products. I know you guys wouldnt even come close to saying "tough sh*t, we're building it how we want it", but I was just curious how much input the car owner had . I just thought it should be spelled out so people are fully informed about what will transpire if they are lucky enough to win.

Once again, I didnt mean to offend you or make it sound like I wouldnt be eternaly greatful if I won. Some of us are just kind of control freaks when it comes to our cars :)

By the way... I use Optima batteries in all my cars :)

[batman]

DRJDVM's '69,

Absolutely no offense taken! On the contrary, I meant it when I said you brought up a good question. I guess I could have put an LOL or a funny smilie next to my first comment since I meant it as a joke. I guess it sounded a little harsh without it....didn't mean it that way.

Anyway, the real point I wanted to make is that the finished car needs to be appreciated by all....and since the owner needs to live with it its very important to me that he/she likes the end result. This will need to be a collaborative effort.

[Larry Callahan]

o.k.. Now did I win? :rotfl:

[batman]

Not yet Larry.....:dunno:

DRJDVM's '69,

Did my smilies help?:yeah:

[DusterRT]

I'm in! I would love nothing better than to graduate and move out west in my Duster rather than this god-forsaken Dodge Neon I've been sporting lately (and then try to figure out how to move a basketcase 2000+ miles!)..if I deserve it or not is questionable, but my poor car does!!

Edit: How involved in the build is the owner of the car? As in the actual building of the car itself? Is it a hand-it-over deal with "only" the owner's input on how it comes out?

[McssGmachine]

Cam, Did you get my car? I just wanted to make sure.:fingersx:

[DRJDVM's '69]

Its all good :)....

[Bob Johnson]

DRJDVM's '69,

Are you the kind of guy that when someone gives you a $20 dollar bill, you complain because its not 2 $10 dollar bills? :rotfl:

Actually , you do have a very good question.:twothumbs This needs to be a positive experience for all involved.:grouphug: What good will any publicity be without a coordinated effort between the owner, Dream Car Garage and Optima? However, bottom line: Optima reserves the right to make the final decision. I am concerned as well about the finished product being worthy of sitting in my booth at SEMA. I think our historical representation of vehicles has been of a pretty good standard that just about anyone would appreciate. Chances are pretty good that we will have creative differences if you insist on having a tropical fish tank installed in the passenger seat.........or you'd like to explore the benefits of front wheel drive on your '69 Camaro.:jump: In addition, if you are very picky about using a specific brand of paint, brakes, wheels, tire etc......then you may want to reconsider entering. Timing is also an issue. This will not be a full blown, body off, custom everything street machine of the year contender. Most of the value in the upgrades will be bolt on stuff. We are working with many sponsors and one of the requirements will be to use those sponsor's products. Baer, Magnaflow, K&N, MSD, JBL, Edlebrock, Eibach are the main sponsors but there are more as well.

a whole $50K and it won't be a contender for SMOY? Damn inflation

[64Comet]

I submitted my Comet! I would probably have a freakin heart attack if i won, but man how cool would it be if anyone from this site won. Good luck to everyone!

[64Comet]

Btw, where can you look through the entries? Are they publicizing the entries?

[Damn True]

Cool Comet!

Looks done.

Or is that a photochop?

[64Comet]

I wish it was done. Its a chop, but going that route. Going to go with different rims and color now though.

[Damn True]

Ah my bad.
I'm viewing on a digital video projector today so the screen resolution is not so hot.

[64Comet]

Its actually a fantastic PS completed by Dark Buddha. he does incredible work. Lots of folks are fooled by it. One of the ones he did of mine and was posted on the forum ended up coming to fruition in someone elses garage, so now i am back to the drawing board. I have some new ideas that will make it stand out even more. Time and money are hard to come by these days though, so I am not really surprised someone beat me to the punch.

[JoshStratton]

I submitted mine. I wont win, but I hope mine acts as support for a 2nd gen to be done.

[bnoon]

I submitted my Silverado SS... I had hoped to use the new World Products 454 LSx stroker motor with their new LS7 based heads... but I guess some of those other sponsors have O.K pieces too...

I have the major sponsors covered with what I would request to be used, other than Eibach... I don't think they make anything for my truck. I hope they won't be offended when they don't get to put any products on the finished product when I win.
:bananna2:

[Dan Sherwood]

I've got 5 optima batteries in 4 vehicles, and one (the 67 camaro) could really use a facelift.

I guess I better get my butt in gear and get something submitted!

[TonyHuntimer]

Man, I could finally get my car done… If only I were eligible :hand:

Hey Cam,

Who else on this board is not eligible? I'd hate to spend time writing a great story and find out I was not eligible. :look:

Tony~

[WhiteNoma]

I entered our 68 Cutlass on behalf of my father. Couldnt have my fingers crossed any harder.

[wantahertzdonut]

I'm in and I can't wait to see what you're going to do with my car!

[teamplex65]

Im entering on Monday after I get some pics of the car this weekend.

[Mark Antrim]

I'm in, after the deadline I want to post what my wife wrote. It was something different and am very proud of what she wrote.

[Larry Callahan]

Hey Cam,

Who else on this board is not eligible? I'd hate to spend time writing a great story and find out I was not eligible. :look:

Tony~

Go for it Tony. I don't see any reason why you would not be eligable.

Cam?

[69CamaroRacer]

i entered the camaro .. it would be nice to win.. I can only dream of what they could do with 50k on my car.. Twin turbo 383 ci ? 472 small block?? who knows ?

[nvawgn]

should i expect the check in the mail any time soon or will i get awoken out of bed at 2am by the media?

[Bob Johnson]

should i expect the check in the mail any time soon or will i get awoken out of bed at 2am by the media?
You just be thankful Fox Granada Chuck is too busy with his family problems to enter his Coug...You'd be on the hind tit for sure then..

[nvawgn]

slurp,slurp, sorry my heffer was a quart over and needed a little relief:cheers: what do you guys think about the name swiss cheese but only if i don't fix the body work?( j/k)
You just be thankful Fox Granada Chuck is too busy with his family problems to enter his Coug...You'd be on the hind tit for sure then..

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

aaaaah the suspense is killing me!!

[teamplex65]

got mine sent in last night. I guess we wait and see. Hopefully someone from here gets picked as one of the 5 finalists.

[Damn True]

Crossing fingers, toes etc. etc.

[bingham72]

Entered my car on Monday. I woke up Wed after the holiday thinking it was the 10th... only a few days til they announce the finalists. I've gotta finish up my wish list...:1st:
It'll be interesting to see how far $50K will go!

[Damn True]

Now I wait until the 10th to see if I made the cut.

[teamplex65]

Optima Battery Contest is posted.

http://www.optimafullride.com/VoteForm.aspx

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

awww..

[batman]

So......

Does anyone recognize any of the cars?

[bingham72]

unfortunately, no.
Also, the beginning of the paragraphs state,
"Reason Why My Car Deserves a $25,000 makeover:"
Did I miss something? I thought it was $50K.

There could be a couple cool cars there. Good job selecting some different autos!

[teamplex65]

Yes the deffinetly got a wide spectrum of cars. Im not sure how a few of them could shove $50,000 into their cars but Im also sure Optima would be happy if it was less (the 25K thing is fishy when it says 50K at the top).

Most of the stories were good some of them played a few cards that i thought was interesting but hey they got picked and i didnt.

Im liking the Chevelle or the Truck.

[nvawgn]

i don't know what to think......

[batman]

unfortunately, no.
Also, the beginning of the paragraphs state,
"Reason Why My Car Deserves a $25,000 makeover:"
Did I miss something? I thought it was $50K.


It is $50,000 and not $25,000. This will be corrected soon.....

[Damn True]

Voted for the soldier. The only one that I felt was deserving.

Odd mix of vehicles. Just out of curiosity, in what way does Optima think the proposed builds would provide an ROI?

[DusterRT]

Soldier got my vote as well. That was an odd mix of cars..a couple muscle cars, a sport compact, a truck, a Jeep..certainly covered almost all the bases. I noticed none of the cars looked bad in the first place..probably smartest, will make the $50k go a lot farther in the end!