You could say they don’t make them like they used to …
The parade of classic models in Barrhead on Saturday was a collector’s dream: 1927 Fords, Buicks, a 1936 International Harvester Pickup, 1938 Nash, Firebirds, Chevrolets, Minis and Volkswagens. And those were just a few.
Close your eyes to the shops either side of Main Street, and you could have imagined yourself in the 1920s, ’30s or any other decade when elegance seemed to be everything. Or is style something that accrues with age?
The annual Antique Car Run drew hundreds of people downtown to look and admire lovingly restored vehicles.
Glorious sunshine brought a gleam to silver chrome and newly painted bodywork. These old beauties were looking their absolute best.
Among the older cars on show was Wayne Jager’s 1927 Ford Model T, one of the last of its kind to come off the production line.
It is generally regarded as the car that opened travel to middle-class Americans.
Jager has spent thousands of dollars on doing up the car, hoping it would now sell for a lot more. Like several others, he found his vintage car on the kijiji website.
“I came across it by accident,” he said. “I was pleased to get it because 1927 was the last year for the Model Ts.”
The 25-mile road rally had started with a pancake and sausage breakfast at Fort Assiniboine Museum before the cars proceeded to the traditional “Show and Shine” in Barrhead where they parallel parked in Main Street.
Hot dog stands were set up in the middle of the street and there was live music at the nearby gazebo.
Sponsored by the Barrhead &District Historical Society and others, the event this year celebrated the Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of the Queen.
To commemorate the occasion the featured car was a 1952 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe, owned by Dale Bentz. An image of the car was on the souvenir pin offered for sale.
Cindy Bowie, director of Recreation Services for the Town of Barrhead, said 95 cars were on display – just four short of the record.
She said car owners had come from as far afield as Edmonton, Mayerthorpe, Clyde, Drayton Valley, Swan Hills and Westlock.
One of the rare cars on show was Vern Muth’s green 1938 Nash, which he acquired through a friend, but not in one piece.
“I got it in bits and pieces and had to put it together,” he said. “It’s a very rare two-seated car.”
Muth, from Thorsby, Alberta, and his friend, Marvin Oppegaard, took three years painstakingly restoring it. They now drive it quite regularly.
Originally, the car cost $795. One of its special features is its overdrive transmission floor shift.
Perhaps the youngest person taking part in the rally was 16-year-old Matthew Myrehaug.
His pride and joy is a yellow, slightly rough looking 1972 Westfalia Volkswagen van – the type of vehicle suited to a travelling rock band of that era.
Matthew mowed lawns and shovelled snow to raise $550 to buy the van two years ago. He now has three similar vans, the other two dating back to 1961 and the late 70s.
“There’s something special about them,” he said. “They bring a smile to everybody’s faces.”
Vernon McFadzen, from Onoway, bought his 1951 Pontiac in Red Deer about ten years ago. It cost him $3,000.
The Canadian-made car has recently been appraised and valued at $24,500.
“It’s a very rare car,” said McFadzen, adding that its big engine could take it to speeds of 70mph. Another of McFadzen’s cars, a grey 1937 Chevrolet, was also on display.
“This is my favourite,” he said.
Bowie was delighted with how the day went: the weather, the large crowds, and eye-popping cars combined for a memorable event.
“I thought today was a great success,” she said.
The success was particularly welcome since rain marred the 2010 run. See next week’s T&C for more coverage.
