I agree with the last five post. It's all about having fun with cars.
Hodrodpaint said "I don't remember a single show ever being judged on the total of their cash receipts!" It's funny you say this because I have seen many try to win a show by dropping names and the $$$$$$$$ they spent.
I have judged the Detroit Autorama since the 80s and it's amazing that the level of craftsmanship and dollars spent keeps going up.
As Dave said there's much more expectation from the owners and more pressure on the judges when the guy spends 350,000.00 trying to win a trophy.
Check this out for what I would consider some fine Ratrods and other Hotrods.
http://www.cruisin-usa.com/det07/index.html