Cruising on the Q welcomes Canadian Coasters
Queen Street again became a car enthusiast’s haven.
However, this was not your average Cruising on the Q as about 200 cars from the Canadian Coasters filled the downtown Sunday, as well as other classic cars from around Niagara.
Queen Street became the stage for the Coasters to show of their pride and joy as they continue to travel from coast to coast in celebration of the club’s 50th anniversary.
Organizer Ron Charbonneau said it was a rare opportunity for the region, and he was “thrilled” the Coasters decided to come to Queen Street.
He said the event allows the downtown business improvement association, Celebrate Old Downtown and surrounding business owners to “strengthen the Queen Street vibe by bringing the community together.” Sunday’s event also featured live music, games, prizes, vendors and a 50/50 draw in support of Heart Niagara.
Bill Meredith is one of the Coasters, having driven his 1950 Chrysler all the way from his home in Prince George, B.C., to Niagara Falls.
“It’s pretty well all original, or been built to original. It only has about 80,000 original miles on it,” he said.
“This is the biggest trip it has ever been on.”
Meredith said he has had the vehicle for about four years, and is the fourth owner.
He left his home June 29, and is expected to conclude his trip in St. John’s, N.L., Sept. 1.
“Then I have to drive it back home again, plus I’m towing a small trailer.”
Meredith’s wife, Brenda Wheele, flew in Friday night and joined her husband for the Sunday stop in Niagara Falls.
He said the vehicle has been “very good” so far on the trip, “other than it’s a little hard on gas.”
“I had a little head gasket problem when we first started because of the extreme high heat. In British Columbia we were having 39-degree weather. Other than that, the car has been performing well.”
Meredith said the Coasters have enjoyed stopping in small towns, and off secondary highways.
“The people have just been awesome.”
Bill Knox, of Fort Erie, brought his 1973 Dodge Challenger to the event. He has owned the car since 2009, and has won showcase awards for it.
“I’ve taken the car down to the Chrysler nationals in Carlisle, Pa., to Norwalk, Ohio, to different car shows. I also have a ’64 Chrysler 300 that I’m re-doing.”
Knox said he would “love” to join the Coasters one year for the trip.
“Just the open road, and just driving from coast to coast — it has to be fun for these guys. Some of the cars, it’s amazing they drove all the way from B.C. That’s quite a drive.”