Drool-worthy rides

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/08/2006 (7202 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IF you think the cruising lifestyle is just for nighthawks, think again.

An early start was just the ticket for the 7th annual Show & Shine at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 215, just off the North Perimeter. The afternoon was spent in Altona, as part of the Manitoba Sunflower Festival car show put on by the Legend’s Car Club. The day wrapped up in God’s country (Transcona) at the regular Cruisin’ the Peg gathering. And boy, is my cruise control button finger tired…

Club 215 Show & Shine

Len Deren had no idea how big this was going to get.

Seven years ago, the idea of a small car show was suggested by the former Legion president, the late Frank Holgate. “It was supposed to be just a friendly Sunday get-together, and it just took off,” said Deren. With 60 participants in its first year, the 2006 meet easily exceeded the 400-car mark.

“The gods have shined on us for seven years,” said Deren. “We’ve never had a bad day.” Participants came from as far as Thunder Bay, The Pas, even neighbouring U.S. states. Deren gave a hearty tip of the hat to the large number of volunteers.

“This takes over 100 volunteers to produce. We couldn’t do it without them.”

Proceeds from the Show & Shine go to the Lions Club of East St. Paul, supporting programs such as the Lions Eye Bank and the Cavalcade for Diabetes. Here’s a sample of the drool-worthy rides.

Shane Deslauriers

1999 Chevy Silverado

When it comes to going low, Shane Deslauriers was lucky enough to keep his cash outlay also in the weeds, just like his ’99 Silverado. “I was going to do it to my old truck, but I found this one,” said Deslauriers. “It’s all about saving money, right?”

The Silverado uses a York 209 engine-driven compressor and Contitech airbags for the dip/jump/dive action. The frame was notched a whopping 10 inches, easily viewed by the gaping hole in the truck bed, where larger wheel tubs and a notch cover are coming real soon.

“The tires are just too wide for it,” said Deslauriers, pointing out the massive Boss Motorsports 301 rims. A KP six-link rear suspension is used, and the air gets there with SMC 3/8 inch valves and 1/2 inch lines. Favorite dance moves are picked with a 10 switch box. You’ll usually find Deslauriers cruising with members of Winnipeg’s Drastic club.

Rob Dant

1965 Chevrolet Corvette

Stingray

There’s one question that Rob Dant could do without when folks are admiring his ’65 Stingray.

“It’s ‘Did you buy it new?’,” said Dant. “I didn’t think I looked that old.”

Purists of all things Vette will quickly notice the 396 Turbo Jet badges.

“It was the first and only year,” said Dant. The single quad big block is rated at 425 horses, mated to a factory four-speed. This 80,000 mile survivor rides on original knock-off wheels, and has undergone a complete restoration, except for paint.

“That way I’m not afraid to drive it to work and park it in the parking lot,” said Dant. Future plans include an updated suspension and steering set-up for improved corner wrangling.

Eugene Klym

1977 GMC Sierra Grande

Shortbox 4 x 4

Most friends will give you a ride. A best friend will sell you his ride, like this ’77 GMC Sierra Grande Shortbox owned by Eugene Klym for the past 19 years.

“I bought it off my best buddy, who had it from brand new,” said Klym. The shorty boasts a three-inch suspension lift using Rancho suspension parts, and rides on 17-inch American Eagle alloys shod with TrXus MT skins.’

The 4 bolt main 350 has been slightly warmed over, with improved heads, ceramic-coated headers, and a three-inch Flowmaster exhaust. Winter plans include a 427 big block mill swap.

“I’m going to tear it apart one more time,” said Klym.

(How many times have we all said that?)

Paul Smith

1989 Austin Mini RHD

Driving a vintage Mini is usually enough of an attention getter. You can pretty much double the gawks when it’s a right-hand drive model like Paul Smith’s ’89 Austin Mini. “Everywhere you go, people see the Mini and then they see where you’re sitting,” said Smith, who is currently planning a full restoration. The Mini boasts the larger 1275 cc mill, which was first used in the original Cooper models. The Minilight rims are a common upgrade. The colour conjures up images of Brittania’s favourite village idiot. “It’s just like the Mr. Bean car,” said Smith.

Legend’s Car Club show, Altona

The Manitoba Sunflower Festival has been home to the Legend’s Car Club show for the last 28 years. “The Legend’s Car Club is one of the most active in the country,” said Karl Krebs, the chairman of this year’s show. 195 special interest vehicles made it to the shade of Altona Park. “We get a lot of participation from local business people,” said Krebs, who was up to his eyeballs in silent auction donations.

Harry Dersken

1963 Buick Riviera

Clint Derksen

1967 Chevy Camaro RS/SS 350

If you’re tired of the usual father/son projects, why not consider dual restorations? Harry Derksen and his son Clint have worked together to create two of the finest GM products to appear at this year’s Altona show. The ’63 Riviera came from Florida. “It was a mess,” said Harry, with a non-existent trunk floor, and floorboards patched with aluminum siding. Local Altona car czar Murray Wieler assisted with the restoration, which took a little more than three years. The “Wildcat” 401 nailhead V8 feeds a two-speed Dynaflow, evidenced by the dated PNDLR gate on the floor shift. All of the options work flawlessly, including factory A/C and a rare vacuum-assist trunk release.

Clint’s Camaro started life in Arizona with a big block mill before arriving in the Sunflower Belt. It now runs a 355 Chevy powerplant. “It’s over 500 horses,” said Clint. “We just don’t know exactly where.” A fuel line snafu was discovered while undergoing a chassis dyno at Walls Rod and Custom, which was still good for 409 ponies at the tires. The old Muncie 4-speed has been pitched for a Tremec TKO 600 5-speed, which lowers cruising RPMs to 2100. “You can actually talk to your passenger now without yelling at them,” said Clint. Front brakes have received a Wilwood disc upgrade, while the rear axle benefits from traction bars, as well as subframe connectors for added rigidity.

Conrad Voth

1972 Chevy Chevelle SS

I can never pass up the weird, and Conrad Voth’s ’72 Chevelle SS has plenty of it. “When you look in the brochures for the ’72 Chevelles, black isn’t even in there,” said Voth. Neither is a vinyl top, stripe delete, and especially a white interior. Voth’s research has determined that his SS is one of a handful of special order cars that dealers could spec in practically any configuration. The hood appears to be a Cowl Induction unit, except that the induction guts and hood script never made it. The original 402 big block was given a performance rebuild by Corners Quickly, with a dyno run confirming 415 horses at the flywheel.

Don Elias

1979 VW Beetle Convertible

1989 Speedster Replicar

While the original Beetle design soldiered on south of the border into the new millennium, this 1979 example owned by Don Elias was one of the last models to be officially sold into North America. “Of all the VW convertibles, this is the most collectible,” said Elias. The original Winnipeg-sold car boasts fuel injection, and a mere 68,000 original kilometres. “There was very few options that you could get in those days,” said Elias. This upscale Wolfsburg edition has the optional gas heater. With an insulated top, Elias regularly drives the Beetle into the month of November. A little known fact is the existence of plug-in diagnostics for dealer servicing.

The Speedster purchase was required to remove Elias from the classic marital doghouse. His wife Elfie had returned home a few years back to find that her Mustang GT convertible was no longer in the garage, the victim of a right-figure sale. “She wasn’t happy because she had paid half for it, and I had forgotten about that,” Elias recalled. He quickly compiled a list of twenty cars for Elfie to consider. “I said choose any of those cars and I’ll buy it for you,” said Elias, who found the car near Chicago. Based on the original Porsche 356 “bathtub”, the Speedster boasts a tube frame with fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. The mill is a hi-po 1971 VeeDub 2.0 litre that whips up 140 ponies.

Buffalo Bill’s

Ian Huntington

1986 Pontiac Acadian

There are certain cars where you don’t expect things to be protruding from the hood, and the Acadian/Chevette econobox is a prime example. Ian Huntington’s 1986 Acadian has a 3.8 litre Buick V6 wedged between the shock towers. The hi-rise Edelbrock intake carries a 500 CFM carb. Tight tolerances required the fabrication of custom headers and exhaust. A modified Stage II Turbo 350 takes care of the shifts. “It will leave rubber in every gear,” said Huntington, who guestimates total engine output in the neighbourhood of 175 horses. The stock springs have been cut approximately 2.5 inches at each corner. Be wary of the exhaust tip; it shoots fire! This old school hot rod trick uses an ignition coil and spark plug to ignite the unspent tailpipe gases. “I actually lit a bonfire with it once,” said Huntington. (Sure beats a Bic.)

Vern Hiebert

1948 Chevy Sedan Delivery

Sometimes, the best project vehicle is someone else’s nuisance. Vern Hiebert purchased this ’48 Chevy Sedan Delivery some 10 years back in a state of “dismantle”. “I bought it from a fellow by the name of George Blais in St. Vital,” Hiebert recalled. “He was going to build it, and then decided he wasn’t going to.” Hiebert runs the collision centre for Jim Gauthier Pontiac, so it’s safe to say he knows his way around sheet metal sculpting. He enlisted the help of his son Brad, an experienced painter, who also works at the collision centre. The door handles and drip rails were shaved, and the hood has been formed to a one-piece clam, with unique full-length side louvres. A GM 350 crate engine is splined to a 700R4 automatic. The front suspension receives a Mustang II independent set-up, while a Nova axle is used in the back. To match the VDO gauge cluster, Hiebert pilfered a circular automatic shift indicator from an ’84 Buick wagon. The interior side panels have unique raised lettering formed into the upholstery, courtesy of Jack Krause. Hiebert just got back from a 3800 mile trip to Seattle with the missus. The couple attends between 15 to 20 shows each year. “I didn’t build it to put it on a pedestal,” said Hiebert. “I built it to enjoy it.”

Look for Michael Clark at a Cruising event near you.