Piston Ring's 34th annual World of Wheels. Wow. Even my remedial math skills tell me that first show was way back in 1974. Back then I was only six-years-old, and although my mind's eye is totally devoid of any concrete memories that I attended, rest assured, I was there.
How do I know this?
Mater from the hit Disney movie Cars has been recreated in life-sized proportions. He will be on display at Pisto Ring's 34th annual World of Wheels.
Because my dad took me to every single local car show there ever was.
We lived with our mom, but my brother Allen and I spent lots of time with our father Dave. On a typical weekend we worked on cars, talked about cars, read magazines about cars, and went to movies that featured cars.
We also never missed the World of Wheels.
One year when I was about 19 and my brother had already run off and joined the RCMP, it was just me and dad at the show. Even though I was already a working stiff, he gave me a ride to the show, and like always, he refused to let me pay. He also bought me a t-shirt, a hot dog and a big chunk of fudge. We walked around checking out the cars for a couple of hours like we'd done so many times before. I was always amazed by how many people my dad knew at the show. They'd stand around in their respective car club jackets and shoot the breeze, offering their opinion of the show and the cars on display.
Just when I figured dear old dad had enough, and he figured I had enough, we headed for home. Before dropping me off we made a pit stop at his favourite fast-food haunt, the Dairy Whip in St. Boniface for a burger and fries.
Famed local drag racer and paint and bodywork expert Kenny Lang will be displaying six custom cars at the World of Wheels. Lang's lightning-fast Corvette race car, pictured here in 2006, just recieved a fresh new paint job.
Not long after dad dropped me off at home the phone rang. It was one of my buddies and he said the boys were all going to the car show. "We'll be there in ten minutes." Luckily I hadn't washed the stamp off my hand yet.
It wasn't quite as crowded in the evening as it was on Saturday afternoon, and we took our time looking at our favourite cars, and no doubt trying to make time with girls who had no interest in us.
Then, we locked eyes. "Junior, what the hell?" I can still see the smile on my father's face like it was yesterday. He apparently hadn't had enough of the show either, he went home, probably grabbed a nap, looked down at that stamp on his hand, and decided to go back for another round. It took me many years to realize this, but I think that exact moment was when my father finally realized he had passed me the car gene.
In the later years, right up until the cancer caught up with him in 2006, we went to World of Wheels together every year, and we never left until we were both exhausted.
When I get all excited about the World of Wheels, people who don't share my passion for cars often ask what the big deal is. For me it's really so much more than just a car show. It means the streets will be dry in a few weeks. It means the Sunday night cruises will start up soon. It means the outdoor car shows that have put Manitoba on the map as the cruising capital of Canada will be kicking into high gear in no time, and above all else, it means all us local folks who love to kick tires and talk about anything but politics will once again reunite for another fun filled summer of showing, and shining in Manitoba.
By Sunday night, I'm surely going to be exhausted, but sleep likely won't come easily. I'll be laying in bed, staring at the ceiling with a dumb grin on my face totally pumped about what an awesome weekend it was. See you there!
Piston Ring's World of Wheels
Winnipeg Convention Centre
March 28-30, 2008
Show times:
Friday: 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Ticket prices:
Adults: $11.00
Children: $5.00 (6-12)
Children: Free (under 5)
The stars
In addition to all the hot cars, over the years Piston Ring's World of Wheels has also attracted a long list of television and movie stars. This year the Celebrity Showcase, presented by Fountain Tire includes a soap opera star, a popular young television actor, a veteran wrestler and a pair of reality TV personalities. Don't forget your camera!
Saturday only from 1p.m.-4p.m. and 7p.m.-9p.m. the following celebrities will be appearing. Kim Saigh from TV's LA Ink, former Orange County Choppers builder Vinnie DiMartino from TV's American Chopper and Drake Hogestyn (John Black) from TV's Days of our Lives. Jason Earles (Jackson) from TV's Hannah Montana appears Sunday only from noon to 4p.m. Former WWF and WCW wrestling superstar Mike (Virgil) Jones will appear all three days.
The cars
Last year when Lightning McQueen from the hit Disney movie Cars came to the World of Wheels, young and old alike all agreed the accuracy of the recreation of this animated racer was perfect. This year it will be interesting to see the recreation of Lightning's partner in grime, Mater, (as in tuh-mater but without the tuh.) Inspired by a 1951 International Harvester tow truck but bearing more of a resemblance to a mid'50s Chevrolet or GMC truck, Mater is a good-old-boy with a refreshing philosophy: "Don't need to know where I'm going, just need to know where I've been." Sounds good Mater, we can't wait to meet you!
Check out the Winnipeg Free Press Autos display at Piston Ring's 34th annual World of Wheels. This year we've gone all out, with a Hollywood theme to help launch our spiffy new Autos website. Here's the car stars you'll see at our display.
The General Lee
Dave Radey's 1968 Dodge Charger
Nearly 300 1968 and '69 Dodge Chargers were demolished during the production of the original Dukes of Hazzard television series. Originally designed by George Barris, each General Lee Charger was repainted and customized as needed by the studio. This particular rendition is driven hard on Manitoba back roads daily in the summer months. Yee-Haw.
The Bandit
Bernard Harfield's 1977 Pontiac Trans-Am
Second only to Star Wars in 1977, the iconic film Smokey and the Bandit, starring Burt Reynolds, seared itself into popular culture. Thirty-one years later, a black second-generation Pontiac Trans Am still makes us think of CB radios and hauling Coors beer across the state line.
Eleanor
Jim's Classic Corner's 1967 Shelby Mustang GT-500
Eleanor captured everyone's hearts in her reprisal role in the 2000 feature film Gone in 60 Seconds. Starring alongside her leading man, Nicolas Cage, the modern Eleanor was built on a classic muscle car frame that incorporates cutting edge technology with old-school bravado.
In addition to the star cars, Nott Autocorp, located one block inside the north perimeter on Lagimodiere at Bonner. has lent us a sporty Audi TT Roadster to feature in our display. In a hillarious twist, the Free Press marketing marvels have created a free contest whereby the winner will get to take the car on a day long test drive that includes lunch in Lockport and dinner for two at the Grant Park Pony Corral's Sunday night cruise. Why is this hillarious? You have to take me along for the ride.
See you at the show.
PREVIOUS
