MSRA lends a hand to a very happy little girl

Last Tuesday, the Manitoba Street Rod Association had their annual dinner at Applebee’s on the corner of Regent and Transcona.  Apart from the food and friends, there was an important reason behind this gathering:  it was also the night that a very special little girl would get her first bike.

The girl, named Lauren, has a very rare condition known as Angelman Syndrome.  Doctors know very little about the condition, which makes it hard to diagnose and even harder to treat.  

Manitoba Car Happenings: 4th Week of May, 2008

This Week:

Red River Co-op Speedway is hosting the Street Stock Special this Thursday the 29th, with the green flag dropping at 7:30 pm.  For more info (and directions) check out their website.

If you’re in Portage la Prairie on Friday, May 30th, head over to the A&W on 24th Street NW for their version of “Cruise Night.”  The event is organized by Vintage Cruisers Inc. and sponsored by A&W.  It all starts at 7 pm, and there will be free draws.

If you’re not one for those pesky corner things, check out the bracket racing at Gimli Dragways this weekend.  Test & Tune is on Saturday, May 31, followed by Bracket Racing and Junior Dragsters on Sunday, June 1.  The action starts at 10 am on both days.  For more info, check out the Gimli Dragways website.

On Sunday, June 1st, head on out to Steinbach for the Mennonite Heritage Village’s 25th annual car show.  Registration opens at 7:00 am, with the participant breakfast served until 10:30.  If you’re just there to look, the show is open to the public from 11 to 4 pm, when the awards are given out.  There’s going to be live bands, a burn-out competition, a display from the local fire department, and horse drawn wagon rides.  And, since it’s the 25th annual event, there’s going to be added attractions.  For more info, call Jarrod Bradley at (204) 371-8438, Sam Slobodesky at (204) 372-6815, or Vaughn Bergen at (204) 371-6023.

And don’t forget the cruise nights, this Sunday, June 1:  Cruise Night at the Pony Corral, runs from 6 to 10 pm at the Pony Corral Restaurant at Grant Park.  Across town, Cruisin’ the Peg at Tavern United also runs from 6 to 10 pm.  All antiques, classics, special interest vehicles, and just plain bitchin’ rides are welcome.

Next Week:

This year marks the 100th anniversary of “The Great Race” from New York City to Paris, France.  The race begins on May 30th, and it’ll be rolling through Winnipeg on Monday, June 2nd.  For more info, call Ron Lechman at (204) 222-8492, or check the race’s website.

Brandon’s first Co-op Cruise Night is on Wednesday June 4th, at the Heritage Co-op parking lot (1035 Rosser Avenue).  The show starts at 5:30 pm, and runs to whenever.  For more info, contact Grant Gillis at (204) 726-4382.

If you’re still in the Wheat City on Thursday June 5th, the Brandon Area Car Enthusiats (BACE) presents “Cruisin’ the Dub” on Rosser Avenue from 6th to 13th streets.  For more info, check out the BACE’s website.

And heck, just stay around for Chrome In The Trees, Sunday June 8th at the Westman Communication Grounds.  The show runs from noon to 5 pm, and is organized by the Chrome Addicts.  For more info, email rdayman1948@hotmail.com.

Of course, if you’re stuck in the River City and can’t make the drive, the Fabulous 50’s Ford Club of Manitoba presents the “City Lights Cruise Night” at the Pony Corral downtown (444 St. Mary Avenue) on Wednesday, June 4th, from 6 to 10 pm.  Like the Sunday night event, this show will run every Wednesday from 6 to 10pm for the rest of the summer.  The show is organized and sponsored by the Fabulous 50’s Ford Club of Manitoba, the Pony Corral, and Downtown Biz.

Like what you see?  Any image on this site is available as prints, shirts, or even a coffee mug!  Click Here to order or find out more!

Rained out in Winnipeg

This is what Winnipeg looked like all weekend:

(photo courtesy of Victoria Ward)

So needless to say, there wasn’t much in the way of great cars at Cruise Night this past weekend.  In fact, by the time I finally made it to the Pony Corral, there were only five cars and one motorcycle in attendance.

Greg Bercier was lookin’ cool in his period-correct Monarch street rod, with period-correct leather jacket and greased-back hair.  Just for fun, let’s see this in black white:

“This parking lot ain’t big enough for the both of us…”

Interesting fact about Cruise Night at the Pony Corral:  Neither the show nor the restaurant has received a single complaint from the neighbors or the police in it’s 20-year history.

That’s it for today, but don’t forget about the MSRA’s annual dinner at Applebee’s on Regent Avenue, this Tuesday (May 27th).  Although it won’t be an official show, rumor has it that at least a few ‘rods will show up for the event.  The MSRA will also be making someone’s life a little happier that night–one lucky kid with special needs will be receiving a custom-built bicycle, courtesy of the Manitoba Street Rod association.  Chow time is 6.30 pm.

Like what you see?  Any image on this site is available as prints, shirts, or even a coffee mug! Click Here to order or find out more!

First Cruise Nights of the Season

After a way-too-cold winter and a pretty miserable spring, it’s great to know that Winnipeg’s two organized cruises are finally underway–Cruise Night at the Pony (Pony Corral at Grant Park mall) and Cruisin’ the Peg (Canad Inns Transcona, Regent Avenue).

First:  Cruisin’ the Peg at Canad Inns on Regent Ave.

The ’58’s were out in full-force this night, as evidenced by this Bel-Aire (above) and this Pontiac (below).  Although the Bel-Aire was a bit shinier, there’s something to be said about the original GM “Salmon pink” paint still being intact.

With all the rice-rockets going for black wheels instead of chrome or polished aluminum, the white Cragars on this ‘55 Chevy are a very awesome change.  With the jet-black paint and the minimal chrome trim (or, at least minimal for a ‘55) this car keeps a really tight look.

The wide tires and the stance are the only things that give away this Whippet’s true intentions.  All the original chrome & body work is intact, and even the dial-type speedometer is original.  You can’t see what this car is really up to until you look through the hood louvres in just the right spot and see the small block lurking at the heart of this little resto-rod.

And now, Cruise Night at the Pony:

This Model ”A” roadster pickup will eventually rock a full convertible top, as well as the bright red flathead V-8.  It’s like a rat-rod pickup, but more waterproof!

Was it a real Ferarri F40?  You decide…

The owners of this ‘63 Dodge told me some horror stories about how the poor old thing spent some of its best years–like a tree growing through the engine compartment.  Thankfully this 4-door hardtop is well along in its recovery, as evidenced by the fresh red paint.

That’s it for this week, I’m off like Bo & Luke Duke with Roscoe and Flash hot on their tail.  Don’t forget to come back Monday to catch more great rides!

Like what you see?  Any image on this site is available as prints, shirts, or even a coffee mug! Click Here to order or find out more!

Manitoba Car Happenings: 3rd Week In May 2008

This week:

Speed trap on Bishop Grandin: Yep, it’s still there.

Racing fans are getting it good this weekend: On Thursday, May 23rd, Red River Co-op Speedway is hosting the NLRA Late Model Special, starting at 7.30 pm. And then on Saturday (May 24), the Stock Car Challenge Series takes over the track, with the green flag dropping at 4 pm.

But if you like your racing on pavement, check out the Winnipeg Sports Car Club’s Race Weekend #1 at Gimli Motorsports park, on Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th. For more info, check out the WSCC’s website.

For everyone who remembers the “take a kid to a carshow” campaign, here’s a unique twist: a car show run by high school kids! the Kildonan East Collegiate Show & Shine is this Saturday the 24th from 11 am to 4 pm, with registration & pancake breakfast for registered car owners from 9.30 to 10.30. Entry is only $7 per car, and there’s prizes for everything from best student vehicle to most outrageous vehicle. Call the school or check out their website for more info.

And as always, the Pony Corral on Grant and Tavern United on Regent will be hosting Cruise Night at the Pony and Cruisin’ the Peg, respectively. Each show runs from 4 to 10 pm, and is open to all antiques, classics, and special interest vehicles.

Next Week:

Red River Co-op Speedway will be featuring the Street Stock Special on Thursday the 29th, starting at 7.30 pm.

If you happen to be in Portage La Prairie on Friday May 30th, Vintage Cruisers Inc. is teaming up with A&W to present “Cruise Night” at the A&W on 24th street N.W. starting at 7 pm. On top of the great cars and great root beer, there’s free draws all night.

Cars just wanna go fast–that’s why Gimli Dragways is holding Test & Tune on Saturday, May 31, followed by bracket racing on Sunday, June 1. Check out the Gimli Dragways website for more info.

Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach is hosting their 25th annual car show this Sunday, June 1. Registration opens at 7 am for participants, with breakfast served until 10.30. The show opens to the public at 11 am, and runs until the awards are handed out at 4 pm. There’s live bands, a burn out competition, fire department display, and horse-drawn wagon rides. And since it’s the 25th anniversary, there’s lots more events planned for the day! For more info, contact Jarrod Bradley at (204) 371-8438, Sam Slobodesky at (204) 372-6815, or Vaughn Bergen at (204) 371-6023.

And don’t forget to come back on Friday to see what happened at the first Pony Corral and Tavern United cruise-in shows last weekend. Until then, here’s a few more from last weekend’s South Beach Casino car show:

As much as I love the Dukes of Hazard, I had to thank the owner of this ‘68 Charger for painting his car red. Not that I have anything against General Lee tributes–I actually really like them–it’s just nice to know that this muscle car can be recognized for it’s own awesomeness beyond an old TV show.

This “survivor” rod started life as an Essex sedan. It was dragged out of the bush back in the late 70’s, chopped down to a pickup cab, dropped on a set of ‘30 Chevy fenders, and stuffed with a Slant-6, 4-speed auto, and leftover carpet from Grandma’s spare room, before being stuffed in a barn. It was offered to the current owner, who changed the tires & brakes and drove it to the show.

Like what you see?  Any image on this site is available as prints, shirts, or even a coffee mug!  Click Here to order or find out more!

South Beach Casino Car Show

Yesterday, The South Beach Casino hosted their third annual car show, which has been their largest one to date.  According to rumors circling amongst the show, there were 300 cars on display, and more were turned away at the gate.

Corvettes abounded at the show, from several C2’s to this collection of C4’s through C7’s.  There were so many cars cramped into the show, I had to resort to photoshop trickery just to fit these six together.  Even getting this C2 convertible stuffed into one picture (below) wasn’t easy.

One of Ford’s least known options on the Model-T was the emergency push starting team. These guys jumped in to give a fellow exhibitor a hand getting his old classic started.

Russel’s flamed yellow ‘64 Chevy tractor-pull truck featured a homemade twin-turbo system perched on a 469ci Pontiac engine.  With the turbos pushing through a homemade 15psi wastegate and a Holley 850 carb, this puller develops anywhere from 450 to 550 horsepower.  Why didn’t Russel just buy his parts like everyone else?  “That’d cost money, and I don’t have any of that.”

“Take a picture!” the owner kept yelling at me. After all, the sight of a 1931 Pontiac Roadster is definitely a Kodak moment. The owner, Neal Hoegi, said it took him 20 years to restore this car, and has not come across a photograph of another ‘31 Pontiac Roadster that entire time. Well Neal, this one’s for you!

This one had “Snowball from Hell” written on the trunk–can you see why? I didn’t find out what’s under the hood, but can’t you just imagine it rumbling away with some kind of vintage 50’s small-block?

Tim’s little ‘49 Austin Devant Saloon might look like a classic British restoration, until he flips the one-piece hood to reveal a 355 Chevy small-block.  Tim was always a fan of the old Bobber-style drag racers, so he built his toy over 20 years ago to reflect that.  The front suspension is a combination of Monza and Corvair parts, and the rear axle is from a Chevy Monza, running 3.55 gears.  Tim’s next move is a fresh layer of paint and a new motor–which Tim claims can be done in under an hour.

Finally, the St. James Rotary Club came out with this year’s giveaway car. This stunning Impala only has 15,000 original miles, many of which came from driving around to sell tickets for it’s own giveaway. Although the bits that needed work were lovingly restored, the vast majority is still original, and virtually untouched. Proceeds from the giveaway will be divided amongst three groups: Friends of Bruce Park, Camp Manitou, and Stevenson Brittanica School for Literacy. The lucky winner will spend this summer enjoying the 327-powered cruiser, and the rest of their winters looking for something to bolt onto the car. To get in on this, google “St. James Rotary Club” or just go to the next car event.

That’s it for today, but come back Wednesday for the events calendar, and again Friday for the opening nights of Cruisin’ the Peg and Pony Corral Cruise night!

Like what you see?  Any image on this site is available as prints, shirts, or even a coffee mug! Click Here to order or find out more!

More from the MCAC Swap Meet!

Dear Julie:

(See picture below if you can’t read the sign)

You better have said yes!!

* * *

As promised last week, here’s more from the MCAC swap meet and car show:

This ‘55 Ford was pulling in just as the ‘60 Chev in the background was pulling out. I’ve seen this white-on-blue beauty before–Here’s hoping it’ll be a regular fixture at car shows & cruise nights this summer.

The last thing a bug sees…

Even though there wasn’t space on the side of this chunk of road for a drag race, it’s easy to imagine what would happen if this Boss 302 Mustang pulled up next to this bitchin’ red 396 SS El Camino. Both colourful cars were gathering their fair share of attention at the MCAC swap meet.

One of the most interesting vehicles was this original-paint ‘53 Chevy Suburban. According to the hand-painted lettering on the side, it was originally the property of Canadian Army Recruiting Services.  It even had the crown still painted on the driver side door!

That’s it for this week, but don’t forget about the first official Pony Corral and Tavern United cruise nights of the season.  Each one runs from 6 to 10 this Sunday, and every Sunday until Thanksgiving.  See ya there!

Like what you see?  Any image on this site is available as prints, shirts, or even a coffee mug! Click Here to order or find out more!

Manitoba Car Happenings: 2nd week of May 2008

Daily:

Get your foot off the pedal, or your hands in your wallet–Photo radar stations are still set up around the detours on Bishop Grandin, east of the St. Vital Bridge. I’ve so far seen three separate Dodge products being used for photo radar: a silver Caravan, a dark red Caravan, and a black Durango, all of which are out to get you.

Canadian Hot Rods & Classics is still on the shelves at the Chapters at St. Vital Mall. First person to bring me a copy of the March/April issue at a car show or cruise night gets a $50 gift certificate towards a private photo session (hint: look for a tall guy with a big camera and a small Mazda station wagon)

This Weekend:

FIRST CRUISE NIGHT THIS SUNDAY! FIRST CRUISE NIGHT THIS SUNDAY! FIRST CRUISE NIGHT THIS SUNDAY! FIRST CRUISE NIGHT THIS SUNDAY! FIRST CRUISE NIGHT THIS…..

…OK, yeah, you get the point. On the west side, it’s the Pony Corral at Grant Park from 6 to 10 pm. On top of the great prizes and great cars, local celeb Paul Williamson of Willy’s Garage is hosting the event. And if one show isn’t enough, come on down to the east side of town for Cruisin’ the Peg at Tavern United on Regent Avenue. Both events are open to classics, antiques, and special interest vehicles, so bring down your Sunday best to show off

But before that, there’s the MADD Signs of Summer BBQ and Show & Shine Fundraiser on Friday, May 16th, at the Carman Co-op Parking Lot, Carman MB. There’s a BBQ, live bands, silent auction, and a raffle on top of the car show. All proceeds go to MADD Winnipeg and the Patrick Mowbray Memorial Fund. For more info, call Doug Mowbray at (204) 343-2006.

If you still have gas money left after driving to Carman, head out to Richer on Saturday for the Kustom Klassics Cat Sass Show & Shine. The show runs from 12.30 to 3.30 at the Richer Inn on the Trans-Canada highway. There’s refreshments on site, including a hog roast. All proceeds will go towards cancer research. For more info, contact Trevor at (204) 422.6145, Russ (204) 388.6258, or John (204) 233.0115.

Since you’re already on the road, why not check out the 3rd annual South Beach Casino car show on Sunday May 18th, from noon-4 p.m. There’s great prizes for Casino Choice and Participant’s Choice, live entertainment, barbeque, plus random cash draws throughout the day. And if you’re going to show off your car, come early–registration starts at 9 a.m., followed by a free Tex-Mex breakfast.

However, if you built your car for Go not Show, you might want to check out the bracket racing at Gimli Dragways. Saturday May 17th is test & tune starting at 10 am, followed by bracket races on Sunday and Monday starting at 10 am both days.

That’s it for today–See you on Friday!

Like what you see?  Any image on this site is available as prints, shirts, or even a coffee mug!  Click Here to order or find out more!

MCAC Swap Meet

Yesterday was the annual Manitoba Classic & Antique Club Swap Meet at the Red River Exhibition grounds. Attendance was huge, with almost the entire grounds covered with vendor tables, spare parts, and everything else you could possibly want. And it wasn’t just parts–lots of tables were covered with Hot Wheels, toy tractors–there was even one vendor selling homemade perogies.

The number of stunning rides parked in the vendor area would have out-populated a lot of car shows I’ve been to. There were lots of pickups, a Corvette, and this flaming rare 1938 Cadillac hearse:

There were lots of half-built rides as well, just waiting for the right owner to bring them home and make them howl.

Finally, this ‘53 International pickup was parked next to a vendor booth. Proud owner Wayne Link wasn’t willing to part with it, but he’s got a running ‘52 International that needs a good home. It’s good to see these less-common trucks starting to reappear on the roads. I mean, ‘53 Chevy half-tons are beautiful creatures, but what’s wrong with International, or even Diamond T?

The MCAAC brought out their club car as well: a 1918 Model T, converted for use as a passenger bus. The old Ford was owned and operated by Canada’s first licensed female bus driver, making it one of the more historical machines at the event.

On the other side of the swap meet was the car show. There weren’t any formal rules or requirements to getting in; just impress the old guy holding the gate and find a parking spot. The result was a mix of everything old, new, and in between.

And the award for “best attempt to make it look like we didn’t run out of yellow paint halfway through” goes to this ‘49 Ford. The proud (and friendly) owners have been working on this ride for three years, and the hard work really shows through.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to blow this popsicle stand (are there even popsicle stands in Winnipeg?). Don’t forget to come back Wednesday to see what’s coming up, and again on Friday to see more great rods (like a ‘53 Chevy Canadian Army recruiting truck) and maybe even some parking lot action from Portage Avenue.

Like what you see?  Any image on this site is available as prints, shirts, or even a coffee mug! Click Here to order or find out more!

Leisurely cruise in the Batmobile*

Just for a change, I decided to do a video post today using a Canon SD1100 point & shoot I borrowed from a friend. The cool thing about this camera is that it has a time-lapse video feature, which can compress 3/4 of an hour driving time into this 3-minute video:

That said, it’s looking to be a great weekend for car lovers.  I’m seeing everything from ‘49 Mercurys to 60’s era pickups, to sparkling imports and domestic tuners–and that’s just on the morning drive to work.  If this is what people are commuting in this summer, I can’t wait to see what they drive on the weekend!

*FYI–I don’t really drive a Batmobile, that’s just what my Fiancee calls our new Mazda3 Sport wagon. Sadly, attaching rocket boosters and heat-seeking missiles to the car isn’t allowed under the Canadian Firearms Act, so that’s as close to a real batmobile as I’ll probably get.

One final note:  Don’t forget to pick up your copy of Canadian Hot Rods & Classics Magazine at Chapters St. Vital before they’re gone.  This issue is jammed with great articles on some really great rides!

Like what you see?  Any image on this site is available as prints, shirts, or even a coffee mug! Click Here to order or find out more!