The Chi-Town Hustler is one of the most iconic Funny Cars from the Seventies and is one of the highlights of the LeMay Collection in Tacoma, Washington.Cam Hutchins This weekend underscores that July is Collector Car Appreciation Month in B.C. The official designation is pretty much Canada wide, and with all the grants going to those buying electric vehicles, its nice to see some support for the collector car culture. The old car hobby is a big deal in Canada and we certainly love our old cars in this province.ICBCs collector plate program has certainly allowed for a lot of older cars to still get used for a reasonable cost, and the care, maintenance and restoration of these old cars is a big business and contributes quite a lot to our economy. Certainly, joining a car club allows you to benefit from all the collective knowledge about your car, but also allows you to meet like-minded carnuts.I probably wont do any car events this weekends as Im travelling across three provinces to visit our son in Saskatchewan. I wont be seeing any Mustangs, Tigers or Barracudas, but I am hoping to see some Bears and Buffalo in Jasper.Last weekend I did see some Mustangs; in fact the mother of all Mustangs to be exact. We went a few hours south of Vancouver to Americas Car Museum in Tacoma, Wash. to see the actual 1968 Mustang used in the 1968 movie Bullitt. This car was actually driven by Steve McQueen in the movie and the sound of him double clutching the big block Ford 390 converted more people into carnuts than any other sound before or since. This car is unrestored and still shows the square tubes under the rockers that were used to mount the camera gear used to capture the iconic car chase sequence. Cam’s younger brother Jeff with the mother of all Mustangs, one of the movie cars used in the long chase scene in Bullitt starring Steve McQueen. Cam Hutchins The museumalso known as the LeMay is well worth the trip. In addition to great collection of cars, there is all sorts of auto-related memorabilia and a huge slot car track.A highlight for me was the actual Chi Town Hustler, a 1972 Dodge Challenger that ran a best ET of 6.56 seconds at 218.97 mph back in the day. Also, one of its three drivers, Pat Minick, invented the long smoky burnout that has become such an iconic part of drag racing.Another standout was the 1960 Rambler station wagon that won the Ridler Award at the 2008 Detroit Autorama. The reason a Rambler wagon won one of the biggest awards in the car hobby is that it has a Ferrari 360 Modena drivetrain behind the drivers seat and a front end modeled after the early-60s Ferrari Lusso!But this weekend there are lots of reasons to stay in our beautiful , from way up north in Dawson Creek to eight events and two races on Vancouver Island. Maybe a ferry ride is in your future this weekend? Have fun and dont forget to take a kid with you!SHOWSJULY 12-14What: Vernon Cruise-InWhere: Polson Park, Downtown VernonWhen: Friday Movie Night; Saturday Back Country Cruise, Car show from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: FreeInfo: Info@VernonCruiseIn.com or 250-542-1477Website: VernonCruiseIn.comJULY 13What: Oliver Twist Show, Shine WineWhere: Oliver Twist Estate Winery, 398 Lupine Lane, OliverWhen: Noon to 5 p.m.Admission: Free, charitable donation being collectedRegistration: 10 a.m. to noon. $25 and cars must be eligible for collector plates to registerInfo: 250-485-0227 or info@olivertwistwinery.comWebsite: olivertwistwinery.comWhat: Wheel O Rama 2019 Festival of WheelsWhere: Began Park Grounds, NanaimoWhen: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 8:30 a.m. to 10a.m. $20 and open to all vehicles.Info: 250-802-9558, 1-877-888-0125 or info@wheelorama.caWebsite: wheelorama.caWhat: Pender Highlanders Show ShineWhere: Karl Hamsons Field, Pender IslandWhen: 11 a.m. following 10:30 a.m. parade from Browning Pub parking lotAdmission: FreeRegistration: By donation and open to all vehiclesInfo: 250-538-8331 or paulhamsonconstruction@hotmail.comJULY 13-14What: Antique Truck ShowWhere: B.C. Forest Discovery Centre, DuncanWhen: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: B.C. Forest Discovery Centre admission ratesRegistration: $10 and open to all trucksInfo: 250-246-3630, olcrab@shaw.ca, 250-743-2213 or onlytrucks4me@gmail.comJULY 14What: Cartel Classics Car ShowWhere: 5327 192nd St., SurreyWhen: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 8:30 a.m. $15 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-649-0477 or aeyton@telus.netFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/CartelClassicsCarShowWhat: Philip Jackman Show ShineWhere: Jackman Park, AldergroveWhen: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.Registration: Open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-897-8433 or tlatter@shaw.caWhat: Galaxie Club Car ShowWhere: Triple Os, 1988 United Blvd., CoquitlamWhen: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 9 a.m. to noon. $15 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-325-6298 or blue428gt@telus.netWebsite: fordgalaxieclub.caWhat: Mile Zero Cruisers Silver
Origin: Big weekend of celebrating classics