Thunder Bay—If you’re thinking about a trip to the Thunder Bay area, make it the weekend of July 21-23. Fat Guys Auto Parts will be hosting its 6th annual Car Show at their Memorial Avenue property—a great display of local and area vehicles, parts suppliers’ demonstrations, prizes, and food provided by local vendors. The show runs Saturday, July 22 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit fatguyscarshow.com for more details.
At Current River Park on North Cumberland Street, the Lakehead Antique Car Club (LACC) will be holding its annual Car Show and Shine, with a wide variety of vehicles: antiques, vintage cars and trucks, sports cars, hot rods, rat rods—you name it. This show runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., also on Saturday. There will be a bake sale, craft table, food vendor, awards and prizes.
Both shows have free admission to the public and car registration is also free this year.
In conjunction with LACC’s 60th anniversary, they are hosting the Canadian Cruisers on their Canadian Coast to Coast 50th Anniversary Tour. You’ll have a chance to see some rare vehicles, such as a 1948 Chevrolet Panel ambulance owned by the Coaster’s wagon-master, Fraser Field. He’ll be leading the Coasters on a 9,500-mile return trip from Victoria, B.C. to St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The inaugural Coasters Tour was held in 1967, Canada’s Centennial year. That year, Pete Gagan drove a 1928 Model A Ford Roadster; and Bill Sauder had his father’s 1914 Ford. At age 15, Jean Mulloy traveled with her parents in their 1929 Chrysler Sedan. Fifty years later, Gagan, Sauder and Mulloy all plan to be part of the tour. It’s a great opportunity to talk to these long-time car buffs and hear their stories.
Out of this first tour came the formation of the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada (NAACC), an organization to unify antique car clubs in every province. LACC is a member of NAACC and is happy to celebrate Canada 150 and Ontario 150 with the Cruisers.
“Our tour is a wonderful way to discover Canada and its people. This is when you become aware of the power that antique vehicles carry with them, everywhere you go,” said Field.
Overnight stops are usually in campgrounds—Trowbridge Falls Campground is their Thunder Bay location. Numbering more than 200 (including the drivers of 100-plus antique vehicles and their passengers), they enjoy visiting local museums and special attractions. They will no doubt drive through Marina Park, stop at the Terry Fox Lookout or Hillcrest Park, and enjoy all of Thunder Bay’s natural beauty from Mount McKay to Boulevard Lake.
For more info, call (807) 623-5413.—Lorna Olson