Cams favourite car on the planet, a first generation Acadian, Pontiac Canadas answer to the Chevy II.Cam Hutchins Want proof the car show season is hitting top gear? There are no less than 19 events this weekend, along with a couple of unconfirmed events that didn’t make my roundup. Not exactly sure of my plans this weekend but Friday’s slalom in Pitt Meadows seems like a no-brainer, and as I’ve yet to make it out to a Friday night street car race this year that should be on the list too. As I’ve written may times, the B.C. car community is the best in the world, and last weekend that was proven again to me. My niece’s Grandpa isn’t doing well, and when asked if he had any last requests all he wanted was to go for a ride in a convertible. Since our Healey is a bit small, I put the word out and in less than 20 minutes I had lots of cars and their owners available. Needless to say, I am humbled by and grateful for the response. Last weekend’s 50th annual Coastal Swap Meet was crawling with all kinds of carnuts, one being Tom Spouse who built and raced a homebuilt ‘Skoda Special’ at the old Abbotsford Airport road race course in the Fifties. Tatras and Skoda used to be sold in Vancouver before the Iron Curtain dropped. But it was a car that had me dropping to my knees at the swap meet. A white, two-door, first generation Acadian, the exact car I had looked for before getting my classic Chevy truck. And there was no shortage of cool old cars for sale, including an Edsel, a 1940 Ford Deluxe and a dilapidated 1964 Chevelle that ‘runs and drives.’ Inside vendors were offering all sorts of cool stuff, and I grabbed a few magazines featuring stories on the early days of Bonneville Speedweek. August of 1949 was the first running of the famed event for hot rods as they were delegated to the hottest week of the year. But they proved tougher than the big budget streamliners who ruled the salt up until then. This year marks the 70th anniversary of Bonneville Speedweek so I encourage all of my carnut friends to think about this for a great summer road trip. You will not be disappointed, especially if you take a kid with you! SHOWS MAY 31-JUNE 2 What: 17th Annual Saanich Firefighters Rock Roll for Little Souls Invitational Car Show Where: GR Pearkes Recreation Centre, Victoria When: Friday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: By donation Website: rockforlittlesouls.com What: Cactus Jalopies Desert Wine Tour 2019 When: Friday: 6 p.m. Welcome Reception at Gyro Park. Registration, Garage Tour, Wine Tour and Poker Run, Garage Tour all starting at host hotel, Watermark Beach Resort. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cactus Jalopies Show Shine at Gyro Beach. Sunday: Wine Country Racing Assoc. Drag Racing at Osoyoos Airport. Gates open at 9 a.m. Time Trials at 10 a.m. Racing at 1 p.m. Info: 778-870-7012, morgan@serenapr.com or cactus.jalopies@gmail.com Website: cactusjalopies.ca or winecountryracing.ca JUNE 1 What: Burnaby Hats Off Day Show Shine Where: Hastings Street between Gamma and Willingdon When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: Free Registration: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Alpha Secondary (Alpha/Parker). $20 for vehicles, $10 for motorcycles, with proceeds donated to Burnaby Community Services. Open to all classics, hot rods and motorcycles. Info: 604-294-8899, 604-802-0490, bonnie.game@gmail.com Website: hatsoffday.com What: Jaguar and Friends In The Meadows Show Where: Harris Road Sport Park, Pitt Meadows When: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission: Free Registration: Early bird registration fee is $25 for first car, $15 for second car. On site registration fee is $35 Info: 604-465-7244, silver007@telus.net or jsmethurst@uniserve.com What: 6th Annual British Invasion Car Show Where: Douglas Park, Langley When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: Free Registration: All British car welcome but space is limited. Pre-registration is required. $15 with proceeds to the Langley Food Bank Info: 604-240-1847, g.parkinson@eastlink.ca, 604-838-2145 or milesfamily@telus.net Website: oecc.ca/vcb What: Clinton Auto Swap Meet Admission: Free Info: 250-319-8289 or pioneerservice@bcwireless.com What: Canal Days Cruise-In Burn Out Pit Where: Canal Flats, Columbia Valley When: Car Show Noon to 4 p.m. Burnout Pit 5 p.m. Admission: Free Registration: Car Show $20 per vehicle. Car Show/Burnout pit $25 per vehicle, Burnout Pit $10 per vehicle. Open to all types of vehicles Info: 250-919-2104, sjacpronk@hotmail.com or 250-341-5209 What: 10th Revelstoke Mountain Paradise Show Shine Where: Downtown Revelstoke When: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: Free (no dogs or bikes please) Registration: 8 a.m. $15 and open to all vehicles Info: 250-814-7087 JUNE 2 What: 31st anniversary Model A Sunday Where: Farm Museum, Fort Langley When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission: Free Registration: Drop in after 9 a.m. Open to Model As and Ts and any make older than 1932 Info: 604 856-9796 What: Hefley Creek Show Shine
Origin: B.C. car show scene hits top gear