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Suzuki Waku: retro-styled PHEV concept set for Tokyo show

Suzuki will unveil the Waku SPO – a retro-styled plug-in hybrid concept featuring design elements that can be switched according to personal preference – at this year’s Tokyo motor show. The ultra-compact Waku SPO will be joined on the Japanese firm’s stand by an autonomous ‘mobile room’ concept called the Hanare. The two machines are designed to showcase Suzuki’s efforts in developing future technologies. Suzuki’s stand is themed around the concept of ‘Waku Waku’, a Japanese term that means excitement in English.  The Waku SPO is described by Suzuki as an A-segment personal compact PHEV, intended for use by a family to “share fun and excitement”. Suzuki has not yet disclosed any technical details of the plug-in hybrid powertrain. The firm says the model features a ‘Waku Waku’ switch that can customise the car by allowing users to “switch its body shape, front mask and content shown on the dashboard”, so the car “can transform to meet each and everyone’s fun and excitement”. It is not clear how extensive the exterior changes to the car would be. A rendering released by Suzuki shows a small hatch with a long front bonnet and retro-styling somewhat similar to the Honda e. The Hanare – a Japanese term for a small dwelling built to the side of a home – is an autonomous pod-style vehicle designed for an “efficiency-centric future”. Suzuki says the machine would allow users to work or rest during long journeys, with the Hanare capable of being customised for different uses and to the requirements of different users. Suzuki has not yet revealed any powertrain details for the Hanare, but with heavy autonomous technology and the pod-like design, it is likely to be based around a full-electric
Origin: Suzuki Waku: retro-styled PHEV concept set for Tokyo show

Mazda confirms Tokyo show debut for first electric car

Mazda has confirmed that its first electric car will be revealed at Tokyo motor show on 23 October. The model, previewed by the e-TPV prototype, is expected to adopt an SUV bodystyle, which can more easily accommodate an underfloor battery pack. It will use a similar set-up to the prototype, which has a 35.5kWh battery and a single electric motor delivering 138bhp and 195lb ft of torque to the the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. The EV is likely to have a range between 120 and 150 miles, similar to the new Mini Electric but significantly less than more obvious rivals, such as the 279-mile Hyundai Kona Electric. It will be able to accept 6.6kW domestic charging and 50kW public rapid charging.  Mazda will also introduce a modern version of its famed rotary engine in a range-extender variant of the EV. Two years ago, Mazda boss Mitsuo Hitomi confirmed that, rather than being used in its purest form, a rotary engine will be used as an EV range-extender. He said: “The rotary engine isn’t particularly efficient to use as a range-extender, but when we turn on a rotary, it’s much, much quieter compared to other manufacturers’ range-extenders”. The Japanese firm’s range hasn’t featured a rotary-engined road car since the RX-8 went out of production in 2012, but it did produce a rotary range-extender Mazda 2 prototype – which Autocar drove – back in 2013. It has remained interested in reintroducing the technology to production since. The Mazda RX-Vision Concept, which was shown at the Tokyo motor show in 2015, used such a powertrain. Mazda has eschewed hybrid and electric models in recent years, instead choosing to focus on improving the efficiency of its petrol engines. This year, it introduced spark plug-controlled compression ignition to the latest Mazda 3, with the promise that it will “combine the economy and torque of a diesel engine with the performance and lower emissions of a petrol
Origin: Mazda confirms Tokyo show debut for first electric car

B.C. car show season ends with nod to the past

The Datsun 280Z of Robin Liu brought back great memories last weekend at Mission Raceway.Cam Hutchins This weekend is bittersweet for me as it brings to a close not only the car show season for another year, but also this column until the spring. The bright side is that the Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Society is hosting is annual induction ceremony and in my opinion is one of the best events to car-related events that takes place each year in Metro Vancouver.The GVMPS recognizes and records the vast contributions of those who were pioneers of motorsport in this region. The parking lot outside Shannon Hall is filled with cool cars as almost all who attend the ceremony have a passion for driving. An old school mate of mine, Mo Davidson, usually shows up with some cool old hot rod or racing boat.This year many cool Carnuts are getting inducted, including Wes Stinson, Laurie Fraser, Phil Jenson, Joe and Neva Ledlin as well as many others. Jim Flett, who recently passed away, was a larger than life builder of hot rods, customs and an amazing train set. Another mentionable entrant is one of the clubs I belong to, the Vancouver Chapter of the Vintage Car Club of Canada. In my mind the big news is fellow Postmedia journalist Alyn Edwards receiving the Sandy Lovelace Memorial Award for all he has contributed to the auto hobby with his regular features on car owners and their passion for their cars and families. You need not just a cool car, but also a cool story to get featured in one of Alyns stories. Having Alyn write about your car is often the biggest praise and recognition any car owner can achieve.I first met Alyn at the Langley Good Times Cruise-In and photographed his amazing 1968 Shelby GT 500KR convertible. To top it off Alyn gave me a ride home in the car. He regularly has garage tours of his collection for various car clubs (yet another great reason to join a car club). Congrats Alyn!Last weekend I was at the Mission Raceway for the road races and noticed inactivity in the paddocks of the drag strip. I looked online to see they had been cancelled. The weather was finebut soon turned bad, but the road races were great. I had the good luck to shoot beside veteran race photographer Brent Martin who mused that Chris Webb must not have qualified since he was at the back of the pack.Webbs bright yellow number 20 Chevrolet Monte Carlo was never a street car but a purpose-built racecar and shares almost nothing with its street distant cousin. This car is fast and on the second lap it was already past many and almost went off the track at the Greg Moore corner, Turn 2. Webb went from back to second place in one of the Closed Wheel 2 races.The big bad Viper of Doug Seal was a treat to watch and my favourite car was the Datsun 280Z of Robin Liu. The 240, 260 and 280Zs were the cars to own when I was growing up and it is great seeing them of the track. Unfortunately, the rain came out part way through the race, But they still raced hard knowing all the cars had the same weather handicap.There is another race October 12-13 and it is always rain or shine, but the cars really shine in the rain, so plan to bring a kid and not miss the next race.Have a great winter and see you in the spring!SHOWSSEPT. 20-21What: Columbia Valley Classics Autumn Show Shine.Where: The Springs Golf Course, RadiumWhen: Friday poker run 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday car show 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Show admission: FreeRegistration: Friday evening and Saturday at 7 a.m. $25 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 250-346-3222, 250-342-9817 or kvroberts@uniserve.comWebsite: radiumcarshow.comSEPT. 21What: 17th Annual Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Society Induction CeremonyWhere: Shannon Hall at the Cloverdale FairgroundsWhen: Doors open at noon, Ceremony 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: $20Info: 604-682-2631 or byjames@look.caWebsite: gvmps.orgWhat: All Triumph Drive InWhere: Rotary Park, PentictonWhen: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Admission: FreeWebsite: bctriumphregistry.com/ATDI2019.htmWhat: White Post Auto Museum Fall Swap MeetWhere: White Post Auto Museum, 4439A Trans Canada Hwy., TappenWhen: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: $2 Kids under 12 freeInfo: 250-835-2224 or wpam@hotmail.caWebsite: whitepostautomuseum.comSEPT. 22What: Brookswood Secondary School Car ShowWhere: Brookswood Secondary School, 20902 37A Ave., LangleyWhen: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: $3 Kids 5 and under freeRegistration: starts at 8 a.m. $15 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-992-7507 or bsscarshow@gmail.comWebsite: bsscarshow.com COMPETITIONSEPT. 21What: Oval racingWhere: Agassiz Speedway, 5045 Cemetery Rd., AgassizInfo: 604-792-FAST(3278) or agassizspeedway@telus.netWebsite: agassizspeedway.comWhat: DriftingWhere: Penticton Speedway, 2070 Carmi Ave., PentictonWebsite: pentictonspeedway.comWhat: Hydroforce Excavating Championship NightWhere: Western Speedway, 2207 Millstream Rd., VictoriaWebsite: westernspeedway.netSEPT. 21-22What: CMDRA Bike DragsWhere: Mission Raceway Park,
Origin: B.C. car show season ends with nod to the past

Collector nabs Best in Show at Cobble Beach concours second year in a row

A 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K, winner of Best in Show at the 2019 Cobble Beach Concours dEleganceCobble Beach Concours dElegance A one-off 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K commissioned when new by a Swedish Olympian swimmer earned top honours at Canadas most prestigious classic car event this past weekend, the 2019 Cobble Beach Concours dElegance in Owen Sound, Ontario.The Best in Show win is the second in a row for owner Robert Jepson Jr. of Savannah, Georgia, who last year took the award home with a French coachbuilt 1938 Delahaye.Jepsons Mercedes-Benz was deemed the most elegant of the field of roughly 113 cars, and also won the Peoples Choice award. The event included a variety of pre-war cars, microcars, muscle cars, hot rods and Porsches from Ontario, Quebec and roughly a dozen American states.The cars body was built by Norrmalm in Stockholm for Max Gumpel, who won two medals swimming for Sweden in the 1912 and 1920 Olympics. Among the 6,300-lb cars many notable features are a siren; a hood mascot molded after the Roman goddess Diana; and a special split front bench seat widened so he could ride with two women. (Greta Garbo, in fact, was frequently seen with Gumpel in the car.)Gumpel put his significant influence to use protecting the car from harm and government conscription during the Second World War, but sold it in 1955. The car traded hands and was restored and re-restored numerous times before being bought up by Jepson in 2017. He also subjected the car to an extensive restoration, which helps explain its win at Cobble Beach. The three winners of the 2019 Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance Cobble Beach Concours dElegance Walter Eisenstarks 1954 Siata 200CS, one of 11 made and seven remaining, was perhaps the closest rival for the Best in Show title; the South Carolina-based enthusiast took home the award for most outstanding post-war with the Fiat-powered race car.Outstanding pre-war went to a 1917 Locomobile 48 Type M owned by John and Mary McAlpin of Naples, New York. The concours was hosted by Porsche Canada, which showed off dozens of gorgeous old and new Porsche sport cars across two classes and around the Cobble Beach resort; and raised money for the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation, among other charities.The fundraising efforts included the sale of a guitar by astronaut and car enthusiast Chris Hadfield, who performed a cover of David Bowies Space Oddity on the instrument directly before its auction, for $6,000, Saturday
Origin: Collector nabs Best in Show at Cobble Beach concours second year in a row

Thousands protest at Frankfurt car show over emissions concerns

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks at the BMW stand while a Greenpeace activist protests against the auto industry behind on the opening day of the IAA 2019 Frankfurt Auto Show on September 12, 2019 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.Sean Gallup / Getty Thousands of climate protesters marched past the Frankfurt auto show Saturday, highlighting the simmering tensions between the German car industry and the countrys environmentalists.Make love not CO2, read one protesters banner as activists from Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth joined scores of cyclists to demand that Germany take action to cut the number of cars on its roads, with some calling for an outright ban on SUVs and other large vehicles.Organizers claim that more than 25,000 people took part in the event, which came as the chancellor convenes a climate cabinet tasked with cutting emissions from Germanys transport and heating sectors.The automotive industry makes money by destroying the environment, Marion Tiemann, a transport expert at Greenpeace and one of the events organizers, said at the protest. Were in the midst of a climate crisis.Germany has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 55 per cent by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. But by the end of this year, the country will have reduced CO2 output by only 30 per cent, with transport emissions rising steadily.Record-breaking heatwaves, the dwindling of the Rhine river and a series of powerful storms have turbocharged the climate debate in Germany and lifted the environmentalist Green party to second place in election polls.In the last 50 years, storms, hot spells and floods have increased threefold in Germany, Merkel said in her weekly podcast Saturday. We must act. Cars are an obvious target for climate protesters who on Saturday paraded effigies of Volkswagen, BMW, Daimler and Toyota executives with exhaust tailpipes in place of where their sexual organs would be. Other banners called for Clean air for all as a giant, black, inflatable upturned car drifted over those gathered around Hauptwache, a square that borders Frankfurts main shopping street.Our message to the automakers is: Stop selling sports utility vehicles, said Juergen Resch, executive director of Deutsche Umwelthilfe, an environmental group thats brought lawsuits against German cities where nitrous oxide pollution has exceeded legal limits. Theyre climate killers. Demonstrators on bicycles are pictured on their way over the A 648 motorway to protest against the Frankfurt motor show IAA 2019, in Frankfurt am Main Germany, on September 14, 2019. Daniel Roland / Getty The conflict between German environmentalists and automakers sits uneasily with the fact that around 5 per cent of Germanys economic output depends on car companies.Despite calls for calm, tensions have boiled over several times in recent week. Climate change activists met with representatives from Germanys car lobby earlier this month in an unusually hostile debate in Berlin. A fatal accident last week, when a Porsche SUV crashed into a group of pedestrians in Berlin, prompted a local politician to call for a ban on such tank-like vehicles.Some protesters in Frankfurt on Saturday called for the German government to go further and ban all cars from city centers. Theyd also like Germany to invest billions of euros in its rail network and plot an eventual exit from the internal combustion engine, similar to the countrys decision to quit coal-fired power generation by
Origin: Thousands protest at Frankfurt car show over emissions concerns

Frankfurt motor show 2019: Live blog, updates and pictures

Welcome to Autocar’s extended coverage of the Frankfurt motor show, one of Europe’s major motoring events and the place to see an extensive list of new cars make their debut. Traditionally the world’s largest motor show, Frankfurt sees the automotive industry descend on the city every two years to see new metal for the first time. This year is no exception, with game-changing unveilings from, Volkswagen, Land Rover and more.  Electric cars promise to be big news at this year’s show, with the Volkswagen ID 3 having made its global debut, along with the Honda E, Porsche Taycan, Peugeot e-2008 and more all making an appearance. That said, there will no doubt still be quite a crowd gathered around conventionally fuelled new cars – especially the reborn Land Rover Defender, which is almost certain to dominate proceedings. We’re on site in Frankfurt to bring you every single reveal, so be sure to follow along with our live blog, and on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channels for up-to-the-minute news and images. Frankfurt motor show 2019: Live blog 07:15 Tuesday 10th September First announcement of the morning comes from Hyundai, with the 1970’s-inspired 45 Concept. Expected to eventually enter production, the electric crossover uses strong angles and lots of LEDs to make a visual statement while the interior hints at an autonomous future. Even before last night’s big ID 3 reveal, it was clear this year’s Frankfurt show was going to heavily feature electrification. With tough new emissions targets about to be introduced, car firms are having to push EVs and alternative powertrains like never before, argues Hilton Holloway. Environmental protestors have pledged to picket the show for weeks now, and it appears Greenpeace are leading the way this morning at the event entrance in Frankfurt.  Further demos have been pledged throughout the day, with more disruptive protesters having hinted at picketing some of the press conferences. Kudos then to VW Group boss Herbert Diess, who went head to head with one of the protest group leaders in a live web debate on the subject, outlining why he believed a world without personal transport was unviable, how cars like the ID3 can be part of the environmental solution. 07:00 Tuesday 10th September Welcome back to our Frankfurt coverage. The show floor officially opens this morning, and we’ll be there to see all the new reveals. Overnight saw Audi announce the redesigned RS7 Sportback, which shares its 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 and 48v mild hybrid powertrain with the RS6 Avant. In the RS7, it results in a 0-62mph time of 3.6 seconds and 189mph top speed if you opt for the derestricted Dynamic Plus pack. “The beauty and the beast” is how Audi Sport managing director Oliver Hoffmann descries the new RS6 and RS7. Which one’s which, you ask? Anything and everything appears to be on the cards for Audi Sport as part of its expansion plans – even an RS8. “We have the S8, but there’s no decision yet on an RS8,” said Oliver Hoffmann. Nothing has been ruled out at Audi Sport for now. 21:00 Monday 9th September With all the covers at VW’s Group night now removed and all the cars on display, we’re nearing the end of the first day at Frankfurt – but there’s plenty more to come. Make sure to set your alarms as tomorrow morning sees new metal from BMW, Audi and Hyundai. It’s Land Rover that’s almost certain to steal all the attention, though. It is set to reveal the all-new Defender at 9am BST. We’ll have all the details here on the site, and you can watch the livestream right here: 20:30 Monday 9th September News editor Lawrence Allan says he is “certainly impressed by the cabin tech of the ID 3”, but thinks the material quality (traditionally a VW hallmark) doesn’t seem up to Golf standards: “There’s more hard plastics and plain surfaces than I expected – but maybe that’s the price to pay for an EV offering of relative value. Hey, it’s worked for Tesla…”. 20:15 Monday 9th September The Volkswagen ID 3 was the big star of the traditional pre-show VW Group Night, but once the new EV had its starring moment, those in attendance got to glimpse some of the other new machines from the group’s various brands. They included the new Porsche Taycan, which was revealed last week but is making its public debut in Frankfurt. Also on display was the new Audi Sport RS7, which hasn’t actually been officially revealed yet. So while we can show you a picture, we can’t give you full details yet (we suggest you keep an eye on autocar.co.uk for full details soon. 20:00 Monday 9th September Hybrid and electric car customers typically need more support from retailers before they commit to a purchase, according to Mercedes-Benz’s head of sales and marketing Britta Seeger. “While many are very well informed, we take the time to identify if the car really suits their needs,” she said. “These are big changes, and it is right that customers take their
Origin: Frankfurt motor show 2019: Live blog, updates and pictures

Frankfurt motor show 2019 preview: one week to go

The Frankfurt motor show is traditionally one of the biggest events on the motoring calendar, and this year is no exception, with game-changing unveilings expected from Porsche, Volkswagen, Land Rover and more.  Especially notable this year is a heightened emphasis on new electric cars. As well as the Volkswagen ID 3, we’ll also get a look at the Honda E, Porsche Taycan, Peugeot e-2008 and others as manufacturers hit the ground running with plans for universal electrification. That being said, there will no doubt be quite a crowd gathered around conventionally fuelled new cars like the Land Rover Defender, Audi RS7 and BMW X6. We’ve been getting ready for the show, and have compiled a list of all the important models we’re expecting to see when the doors open on 12 September. We’ll be updating it as we learn more, so keep an eye on our complete rundown to ensure you don’t miss a thing: Alpina B3 Biturbo We’ve still got a while to wait until BMW takes the wraps off the G20-gen M3, but tuning specialist Alpina is ready to unveil its M340i-based B3 Biturbo. Expected to make its debut in estate form, the B3 will fill the gap between the regular 3 Series and hot M3 with a 400bhp-plus 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six.  Audi RS Q3 The wraps came off Audi’s new Q3 Sportback last month, and now Audi Sport’s RS-badged reworking is set to break cover at Frankfurt. The Mercedes-AMG GLB 45 rival has been driving around with minimal camouflage ahead of its arrival, and is expected to pack a 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine pumping out around 400bhp.  RS6 Audi Sport’s flagship wagon retains its twin-turbo 4.0-litre petrol V8 as it moves into a fourth generation for 2020, with power upgraded to 591bhp to take on the Mercedes-AMG E63 S and BMW M5. Visual differences over the standard A6 include trademark chunkier wheel arches, larger air intakes and bigger wheels. RS7 Sportback The new RS7 Sportback will be the hero car for Audi Sport’s range of performance models, sharing a 600bhp-plus V8 with the RS6. As with the outgoing variant, power will be sent to all four wheels by way of an eight-speed automatic gearbox, while an 80kg weight loss should bring subtle performance gains.  A3 Audi will introduce the fourth generation of its popular A3 in 2020 and is expected to show off the Volkswagen Golf rival at Frankfurt. Its launch has been pushed back due to Audi’s struggles with WLTP emissions testing and a heightened focus on EV development, but the company promises the new A3 will be the most advanced car in its segment and set new standards of refinement. S8, SQ8 and Q7 facelift  We’ll also get our first in-the-metal look at the S8 performance saloon, one of only two models in Audi’s S range to retain a petrol powerplant, as well as the new SQ8 hot SUV and facelifted Q7 seven-seater.  BMW X6 The recently revealed third-generation X6 will make its public debut in Frankfurt before it enters UK showrooms, priced from around £63,000. The coupé-style high-rider’s looks have been brought into line with the brand’s current design language, and a refreshed range of powertrain options is headed up by a 523bhp 4.4-litre petrol V8 yielding a claimed 0-62mph time of 4.3sec and a limited 155mph top speed. Vision M Next The Vision M concept is BMW’s idea of what a comeback for the M1 supercar of 1978 might look like. Previewing a production sports car tipped to arrive before 2025, the Vision M packs a 591bhp petrol-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain that’s also destined to appear in more mainstream BMW M performance models further down the line.  Cupra  Tavascan Seat’s newly hived-off performance brand Cupra will show off the Tavascan as a concept version of its first EV, which takes the form of a coupé-style SUV based on the Volkswagen Group’s universal MEB architecture. Its rakish roofline, angular front end and distinctive headlight design imply the production model will be a performance-oriented reworking of the Seat el-Born electric hatchback.  Honda  The Honda E electric city car was first revealed in 95%-production-ready prototype guise at the Geneva motor show in March, but it’s finally ready to emerge in its final form before customer deliveries begin next year. Expect little to change in the way of styling, with more than 6000 UK buyers alone having already expressed interest in buying an E.  Hyundai  Electric racer Frankfurt will see the unveiling of Hyundai’s first all-electric race car, which has been developed in Germany and previewed in a series of videos posted to the firm’s Twitter feed.  Details remain scarce, but the new model is likely to be based on the existing i30 N TCR customer racer. Last year, rival firm Cupra revealed early details of the 670bhp Seat Leon-based e-Racer, to enter an upcoming electric touring car race series, which Hyundai is also expected to support.  Electric concept car Hyundai will also show off its new ’45’
Origin: Frankfurt motor show 2019 preview: one week to go

Frankfurt auto show beefs up security amidst anti-car protests

Greenpeace activists protest against climate-damaging cars with an installation with a car set-up upright and banners reading the oil age is ending on the sidelines of the Frankfurt Motor Show IAA in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on September 12, 2017.Tobias Schwarz / AFP via Getty As Frankfurt once again prepares to welcome car-makers and -lovers to what is the largest automotive gathering in the world, the Frankfurt Motor Show, or IAA, organizers are paying extra attention to security. With environmental activists looking to gather people to protest the Frankfurt event on September 14, Germany’s auto-industry association, the VDA, is warning show-goers to prepare for longer-than-usual wait times due to additional security checkpoints. According to reporting by Reuters, anti-auto protests were brought to a climax last week when a vandalism spree at a car dealership close to Frankfurt left 40 luxury vehicles damaged. A group that goes by “Rocks the Gearbox” is being investigated in connection with the crime.In an effort to quell (or at least corral) protesters, the VDA is inviting local Greenpeace representatives and auto-execs from Daimler and BMW to a panel discussion about climate change and what it means for mobility in Berlin on September 5.“We are in close contact with the security authorities just as we are at every IAA. Entrance controls will be tightened, given that there may be spontaneous rioting at the show,” VDA spokesman Eckehart Rotter told Reuters.Protesters or not, the Frankfurt motor show will take place from September 12 thru
Origin: Frankfurt auto show beefs up security amidst anti-car protests

A last show gasp of summer

Steve Leary drove his 1929 Willys Whippet up from Snohomish to attend the Cruise the Shore Car show in his old hometown of North Vancouver.Cam Hutchins The long weekend to mark the end of another glorious summer was one I loved and hated as a kid as I was excited my birthday weekend was here, but it meant summer was over and school was starting. I am no longer in school and I dont look forward to birthdays anymore so this weekend with the Crescent Beach Concours cant come soon enough!Simply put, this is an awesome show in an awesome location! The little park at the end of Crescent Beach hosts a selection of the most amazing cars from B.C., across Canada and the United States. Every year the mix of cars change, but they are always exceptional. One year a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTS 4 NART Spyder from Seattle came up and just before that one sold at auction for well over $30 million. I wonder what wild cars will be there tomorrow?As mentioned in a previous column I photographed the cover photo for the show program that included a Riley and an Intermeccanica Italia. Both cars I knew virtually nothing about and had to go home to read about them. I saw another couple of Italias at the Concorso Italiano in California a couple of weeks ago. But they were not all Intermeccanicas; the other Italia came from Triumphs Italian importer Salvatore Ruffino. The TR3 chassis was rebodied with a design by a young Giovanni Michelotti that featured a hood bulge and a kick up at the back edge of the door. Clearly Triumph was pleased with the design as Michelotti ended up designing the 1961 Triumph TR4. This one owner 1968 Mustang GT fastback was seen at the Mustang show in Langley last weekend. Cam Hutchins This weekend also has the Back to Bradner Show Shine hosted by the Pacific International Street Rod Association, a long-running club with lots of great members and great cars. Another not-to-miss show is the Canadian Falcon Fairlane Comet Club Labour Day event at George Preston Arena, where I ended last weekend at the Mustang show at George Preston Arena and it is a great place for a car show with lots of shade.I also went to the show in North Vancouver benefitting Lions Gate Hospital. On one of the side streets I saw George Pappas and his 1967 Beaumont Cheetah, a rare car from Conroy motors who stuffed the Corvette 427 into the Beaumonts and called them Cheetahs. Sitting alongside his car was a 4 speed 396 1968 El Camino, a 1969 Chevelle and a 1969 COPO 427 Camaro. All big blocks and all sold new on the North Shore. Another North Shore native, Steve Leary who now lives in Snohomish, Washington drove his 1929 Willys Whippet with a 1952 DeSoto Hemi up to the show Looks old school but is tricked it out with power steering and brakes. Four big blocks in a row originally from the North Shore at the Cruise the Shore event in North Vancouver Cam Hutchins So have a great long weekend and whatever show or race you get to, take a kid.and try not to rub it in that school starts in a couple of days!SHOWSAUG. 31What: 9th Annual Crescent Beach Concours dEleganceWhere: Blackie Spit, 3136 McBride Ave., SurreyWhen: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Info: 604-263-3400 or crescentbeachconcours@gmail.comWebsite: crescentbeachconcours.comSEPT. 1What: Back to Bradner Show ShineWhere: Bradner Sports Field, 5305 Bradner Rd., AbbotsfordWhen: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: By donationRegistration: 8 a.m. to noon $20 and open to all vehiclesInfo: 604-220-0542 or tudor32@pisra.comWebsite: pisra.comWhat: Mercedes-Benz Show ShineWhere: Waterfront Park, North VancouverWhen: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: $20 and open to all Mercedes Benz, AMG and Smart vehiclesInfo: tony.millikin@sjrb.caWebsite: bcstars.mbca.orgSEPT. 2What: Canadian Falcon Fairlane Comet Club Picnic in the Park.Where: Langley Civic Centre, 20699 42nd Ave., LangleyWhen: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 9 a.m. to noon $15 and open to all classic and specialty vehiclesInfo: 604-589-2451 or 66gta@telus.netWebsite: ffcclub.comWhat: Preston GM All Corvette ShowWhere: Preston GM at the Langley By-PassWhen: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Admission: FreeRegistration: 9a.m. $10 and open to Corvettes onlyInfo: 604-533-2529 or dbifford@antrimcedar.comWebsite: bccorvetteclub.ca COMPETITIONAUG. 30What: Friday Night Mopac Auto Supply Street Legal Drag RacingWhere: Mission Raceway Park, 32670 Dyke Rd., MissionWhen: Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Racing at 5 p.m. to 11p.m. (weather permitting).Info: 604-826-6315 or info@missionraceway.comWebsite: missionraceway.comAUG. 31What: Oval racingWhere: Saratoga Speedway, Black Creek, B.C.Info: 250-337-5024 or race@saratogaspeedway.bc.caWebsite: saratogaracing.caAUG. 31-SEPT. 1What: Canada 200 WeekendWhere: Western Speedway, 2207 Millstream Rd, VictoriaInfo: 250-474-2151 or denise@westernspeedway.netWebsite: westernspeedway.netWhat: Drift Union Matsuri WeekendWhere: Penticton Speedway, 2070 Carmi Ave, Penticton,Info: 250-809-9117, 250-460-0121 or
Origin: A last show gasp of summer