I got some sponsorhsip for my current '70 Cuda build. I put together a nice resume of the car (rendering, specs, show plan, previous car exposure etc) and talked to alot of people at SEMA. I was honest with the build schedule and the intentions of the car.
Basically you can consider it a job interview. If you present a detailed plan, in a professional way, people will take you seriously. If you just ask for free stuff and are unprepared, forget it. You may talk to dozens of companies and only get few bites, but thats the way it goes. You dont always get the job.
Basically 99% of the sponsorship I've gotten is discounted stuff, not free, and I'm not going to order anything until the car is pretty far along and I really need the parts. That way the sponsor can see I'm on track before I formally enact the deal by ordering the parts. Most of the parts will be at cost or dealer prices, so the company is covered if something goes wrong. They cant really lose $$. I prefer not to get free stuff..... that way they dont "own me" for alot of $$.
I'm very commited to projects and would only bail if I had no choice, and if I did I would live by my word and take care of the sponsors no matter what. When all is said and done, my name and reputation is more important to me than a car (and I'm just a private builder, not a pro)
It is kind of like "selling your soul" allittle, but I see it as allowing me to take the car one level higher than i could do myself. Believe me, I'm gonna still dump a ton of my own $$ into the car, but sponsorhsip is gonna allow me to go a couple of step farther.
I was also very honest with my show schedule. I'm only going to do west coast shows and shows I'm probably gonna do anyway, so travel is a mute point as far as I'm concerned. I'm not gonna do big long distance hauls that I wouldnt do anyway, just to get some cheaper parts.
I also have an advantage as I'm building a custom Mopar...there just arent as many out there. Its alittle more unique and a more open market for companies. If you plan on building a 1st gen Camaro or a Nova or Chevelle etc, you had better be something special...the bar is so high for those cars, its really hard to set yourself apart unless you are a big time builder with a huge budget.
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