Editor's note: While there is no denying that Winnipeg has an amazing car scene, sometimes it's nice to hit the highway and check out what gearheads in other cities are up to. On that note, Willy joined 45 fellow members of the Manitoba Street Rod Association last Saturday on a bus trip to Grand Forks, N.D., for the 26th annual Prime Steel Car Show.
'Hey turkey, don't be late or we'll leave without you." With those words of wisdom from my friend and fellow MSRA member, George Knight, ringing in my ears, it was nearly impossible to find sleep last Friday night. In mere hours we were jumping on a chartered Greyhound bus and heading to the Prime Steel Car Show. The odd thing was despite my fractured sleep, when the alarm clock bellowed it's evil tone at 6:30 a.m., I actually found myself springing out of bed like a kid on Christmas morning. OK, it was more of a slow meander, but rest assured, I was excited.
46 members of the Manitoba Street Rod Association chartered a Greyhound bus and headed to Grand Forks last Saturday for the 26th annual Prime Steel car show.
Travelling to America for car shows is among my favourite things to do. As kids growing up in the '70s, my big brother Allen and I saw the U.S.A. in a Ford that was powered by Chevrolet. Our father Dave's old red 1939 Ford coupe featured a Corvette motor under the hood and rolled on Dayton wire wheels. With the sounds of ZZ Top blaring through the Radio Shack speakers, we kicked some serious asphalt in that car. We hit exotic spots like Tulsa, Okla., in 1976, Columbus, Ohio, in 1978, and more than a few stops throughout the 1980s for the Street Rod Nationals or the annual Back to the '50s shows in St. Paul, Minn. Over the years I've been back to shows like these many times, either on my own, with friends, or with family.
The truth, however, is I've never been to a car show in Grand Forks.
Sure I spent a few lost weekends there in my 20s, who didn't? But for this car guy, Grand Forks is typically only a pit stop on the road back to the '50s.
The bus rolled out of the Pony Corral on Grant Avenue at 8 a.m. sharp. I know because my butt was the last one on it. The car talk started up almost immediately, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. The stories really started flowing when the doughnuts were unveiled just outside of St. Norbert. I haven't had a doughnut in three months, and steadfastly resisted the temptation as rows of hecklers urged me on. The light mood made for a fast trip. Just when I was about to wake up Doug Bedford because he was drooling on my jacket, Grand Forks emerged.
Our final destination would be the spiffy Alerus Center for the 26th annual Prime Steel Car Show, but first we had to make a stop at the Rydell GM Auto Center, a massive Chevrolet, Pontiac, Cadillac, Buick, Saturn and GMC dealership on South Washington Street. While it may seem odd that a busload of street rodders who typically cruise around in pre-1949 hot rods would stop at a new car dealership, we weren't there to kick tires in the new car showroom.
Wes Rydell's stunning 1935 Chevrolet was designed by Chip Foose.
The dealership is an impressive structure, but our attention was focused on an unassuming metal building in the back lot. Appropriately called The Toy Store, this building displays one of the nicest private collections of classic cars and street rods you've ever seen. Wes Rydell, a bona fide car nut who hangs with the likes of Chip Foose and Jay Leno, owns the dealership. To say he has amassed an amazing collection of American iron would be a considerable understatement. Three employees work full-time modifying and restoring classic Chevrolets, Cadillacs and other cool offerings from the General's mighty fleet. Every tool known to man is also neatly arranged in the workshop, where several project cars are in varying states of resurrection. In the showroom there are at least 10 show-quality cars on display, and by show quality, I mean no nut or bolt has been left unturned. Each and every car on display is perfect, and to top it off, there is also an amazing collection of memorabilia and photos that chronicle the Rydell family's obsessive passion for old cars. One car that was conspicuously absent at The Toy Store was Rydell's stunning 1935 Chevrolet Master Sedan. I'll get to that in a minute.
We could have easily spent the entire day at Rydell Chevrolet, and we'll definitely be back, but on this day we had a schedule to keep.
As the bus pulled up in front of the Alerus Center, I couldn't help but feel a little sheepish about my lack of patronage. I've probably driven past the Alerus Center six or seven times since it opened in 2001, but I had never been inside. This impressive arena is owned and operated by the City of Grand Forks and is home to the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux football team. It can seat more than 21,000 people and also plays host to many large concerts, sporting events, and trade shows. Directly adjacent to the Alerus Center is the Canad Inns Destination Center -- a large hotel complete with a waterpark complex that is owned by Winnipeg's own Canad Inns, Manitoba's largest hotel chain.
While not entirely sure what to expect, in no time flat it became apparent that I was the last car guy from Winnipeg to discover the motoring fun Grand Forks has to offer. Before even making it into the exhibit area, I spotted no less than 10 fellow Manitobans who had come down to either participate in, or simply check out the show.
Once we finally made it inside I wasn't disappointed. There were a total of 94 vehicles on display, along with a nice variety of vendors showcasing goods and services aimed at the automotive hobby. Organizers were expecting more exhibitors but there was a big snowstorm in South Dakota that kept 20 cars at home. Thankfully, they were able to call in some local reinforcements and found 10 local cars to bolster the show on only one day's notice.
The show is put on each year by the Prime Steel Car Club, a group of only 12 members who all cruise in pre-1972 cars. The club's president, Todd Hanson, reported on Monday that an estimated 6,500 people attended the show on Saturday and Sunday. Despite the cancellations, he was pleased with the show. "All things considered we think it turned out fine," offered Hanson who added the event is the only indoor car show in Grand Forks. Hanson, who cruises in a 1928 Ford Roadster, was also quick to point out what has kept club members motivated to host the show for the last 26 years. "We are a non-profit organization and 80 per cent of the money we raise from the show goes back into the local community."
Mehdi Moghareh from Phat Ride Customs in Winnipeg showed his 2002 Mazda Protege S to rave reviews.
That money has been donated to numerous charities, including the local homeless shelter, the Boy and Girl Scouts and local high schools. The club also raised enough money a few years ago for their own playground, officially known as Prime Steel Park. In the summer months the club also organizes a weekly cruise night every Tuesday at the El Rocco restaurant and bar in Grand Forks.
Cars wearing licence plates from North Dakota and Minnesota dominated the floor, but Canada was easily in third place with no less than a dozen shining examples of Manitoba metal on display. In an interesting twist, the Prime Steel club actually gives participants gas money for attending the show. Motorcycle collector Ross Metcalfe from Headingley had his beautiful vintage Indian Scout motorcycle on display. "It was only 30 bucks to register," Metcalfe said. "I was pleasantly surprised when they handed me an envelope with 60 bucks in it for gas."
The participants are also treated to complimentary food and beverages all weekend long, and by all accounts the Manitoba folks are always treated like royalty.
In addition to the car show, the club also offers shop tours to participants and folks who pre-register. The club simply rents a fleet of school buses and takes participants on tours of local shops and private garages. "The first stop is always Rydell's Toy Store," said Hanson. "It's like a hot rod pilgrimage." Other stops along the way include club members' garages for a chance to get an up-close look at some local works in progress.
Although we didn't have time for the shop tours, we were at the show for a few hours; just long enough to get a really good look at everything on display. One machine that really caught my eye was Clifford Sauvageau's miniature Willys Jeep. From a few feet back it looked like the real deal, but upon closer inspection it became apparent this little cutie was actually a scaled-down version of a regular Willys that was entirely made out of wood. The body was carved out of basswood using an electric chainsaw, a grinder, wood chisels, rasps and a whole lot of sand paper. The running gear features a 12-horsepower Briggs and Stratton garden tractor engine linked to a three-speed transmission complete with reverse. Even the steering wheel was carved out of wood, along with the chains for the tailgate and the tow hooks. After sharing all the details of his miniscule Jeep with the masses, the most common question was a simple: Why? "I come up with all sorts of crazy ideas," chuckled Sauvageau. "Don't ask me where they come from." Sounds like my kind of guy.
The one car that really stood out among the crowd was the one we were all looking for at the Rydell Toy Store. There, in all its glory, in the centre of the floor was the totally awesome Grand Master. This stunning 1935 Chevrolet Master Sedan was designed by legendary automotive revisionist Chip Foose and was a Ridler Award winner back in 2002, meaning it is among the most-coveted street rods in the world. Foose teamed up with the crew from Rydell to build the car at a cost that is rumoured to be near $1 million. The car was on display here in Winnipeg at the World of Wheels back in 2004, and it still looks as sweet as ever.
Hanson had many kind words for all the Canadians who participated and attended the show. He also mentioned that it's high time he and his fellow members from the Prime Steel Car Club of Grand Forks head north to return the favour. "You guys are a lot of fun and always support our show," Hanson said. "This summer we are planning to come down to Winnipeg and see what this Sunday night cruise you folks have up there is all about."
Right on guys, consider this your official invitation. Despite that border that exists between us, when it comes to classic cars, we are all in this together, and we'd love to show you around.
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