CAR SHOW DREAMIN’:
Treat dad to a dose of iron today, or at any of this summer’s top 10 Vancouver-area auto shows
Reports of car culture’s death are greatly exaggerated.
For proof, look no further than parks, closed-off downtown streets and recreation centres across Metro Vancouver on weekends throughout the summer as car shows and swap meets draw thousands of participants and spectators.
Some come in the sentimental spirit of nostalgia, others to stoke the passions that chrome machines inflame, while others just to see some cool cars and maybe do a little Lotto Max dreaming.
While Father’s Day isn’t the official start of the car show season, today certainly marks a shift into high gear, with a number of show & shines attracting dads and their kids, often in multi-generational groups. Better still, the vast majority of these shows are free and are typically set in locations that take advantage of Vancouver’s spectacular scenery.
For lovers of the classics, there’s the Old Car Sunday in the Park at Mission’s Fraser River Heritage Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Like so many local car events, there’s a charitable component to this show, which is hosted by the Mission Fire Fighters Charitable Society. Admission is free but showgoers are encouraged to donate at the show.
Another big charitable Father’s Day show is Dueck GM Richmond’s Corvette & Classic Car Show, which includes a pancake breakfast and door prizes. Hosted by the Riverside Corvette Club, the show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Richmond dealership and features ’Vettes spanning the generations. Proceeds to the Special Olympics.
Speaking of generations, the Greater Vancouver Motorsports Pioneers Society includes a who’s who of B.C. car heroes and heroines.
Many will be rubbing fenders at Burnaby Heritage Village today for that organization’s annual Father’s Day car show. The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Italian Car and Motorcycle Show
Proving that the car culture brings people of different backgrounds together, today’s Italian Car and Motorcycle Show at North Vancouver’s Waterfront Park is a Father’s Day tradition for many North Shore families and others from across Metro Vancouver. In addition to a stunning lawn full of beautiful Italian sports cars and motorbikes, recent years have seen the inclusion of French vehicles, as quirky as their Italian counterparts are exotic. The past few years have also seen the establishment of a historical display of Italian and French road racing bicycles. Running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., this is an absolute fantastic setting for a car show.
When: Sunday, June 18, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park, North Vancouver
Website: themotorcyclehub.com
Jellybean Autocrafters Canada Day Show
A Canada Day tradition, this show attracts the hottest hot rods and street rods from the Pacific Northwest. The show is hosted by Jellybean Autocrafters, a renowned Resto-Rod shop that does restorations on classic and vintage vehicles for a worldwide clientele. The Langley-based business is one of a number in that area that have given rise to the Metro city being dubbed “the hot rod capital of Canada.” When: Saturday, July 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Jellybean Autocrafters, 19425 Langley Bypass Website: jellybeanhotrods.com
B.C. Vintage Truck Museum Show ‘n’ Shine
Trucks have played a key role in the history of the province’s natural resource sector for a century, and this third annual show pays homage to those internal combustion workhorses. In addition to showcasing the museum’s fine collection of restored-as-new trucks, the event features an eclectic display of private collectors’ vehicles, from classic big rigs to military vehicles and the ubiquitous pickups. When: Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: B.C. Truck Museum, Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Surrey Website: bcvintagetruckmuseum.org
Bob & Dan’s 20th annual Canada Kustom & Hot Rods Show
To most, it’s simply Charlotte Road in North Van. For gearheads, it’s Hot Rod Alley. And for one Saturday each July, that moniker is in fullblown display thanks to Bob Larson and Dan Belanger. The casual show sees the handful of hot rod, racing and custom shops on the 400-block of Charlotte throw open their shop doors and roll out their chrome creations for the entire world to see. What’s even more striking than the cars is the hot rod fraternity. That was very apparent at last year’s show, as Dan died in the spring, turning the show into a heartfelt tribute to his memory. When: Saturday, July 15. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: 400-block of Charlotte Road, North Vancouver
BCHRA Hot Rod Sunday
Vancouver was right there during the nascent years of hot rodding in the Fifties, and that culture still thrives thanks to the efforts of the B.C. Hot Rod Association. It was formed in 1957 by “young men and women interested in unifying the rapidly increasing number of hot rod enthusiasts.” That spirit lives on six decades later, and this show celebrates much more than just the cars of the era. There’s live entertainment, food and exhibits sharing space with the hot rods, classics and antique vehicles. Bust out those poodle skirts, bobby socks and saddle shoes! When: Sunday, July 16. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Downtown Cloverdale Website: bchra.ca
Langley Loafers Old-Time Drags
A weekend of wheel-spinning wildness, this event not only lets you look at some incredible classic dragsters — you can hear them in all their violent glory, too. Featuring a wide variety of pre-1973 drag cars — in categories ranging from Nostalgic Gas to Street Rod to Outlaw — the three-day event is a mix of racing, car shows and camping. The Loafers, like the BCHRA, date to 1957, and have celebrated and helped preserve B.C.’s motorsport history for the past 60 years. More than 8,000 spectators typically attend this event, making it one of the best-attended events of the summer. When: Aug. 4-6 Where: Mission Raceway, 32670 Dyke Rd., Mission Website: langleyloafers.com
West Coaster Daze Car Show
The always dazzling display of muscle, classic and antique cars, motorcycles and even boats at this show is rivalled by the waterfront setting at picturesque Semiahmoo Park in White Rock. There are no less than 32 categories of vehicles spread through the park, and attendees are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. The theme of this show is ‘It’s a sin to squish old tin,’ and for 15 years the passionate efforts of car restorers and collectors have underscored that sentiment. When: Sunday, Aug. 6. 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Where: Semiahmoo Park, White Rock
Burnouts in the Sky Show ‘n’ Shine — Bradley McPherson Memorial
Brad McPherson’s lifelong love of all things cars began, like so many, with a Hot Wheels car. That life came to a far too early end on Christmas Eve in 2011 when he was shot and killed at a house party in Surrey. Eight months later, his family and friends organized a car show in his honour, and this year marks the fifth anniversary. In 2013, a scholarship fund was set up in Brad’s memory, and all proceeds from the show go toward it. To date, eight scholarships have been given away. Just as Brad loved all kinds of vehicles, this show features an eclectic mix of cars, trucks and motorcycles. When: Saturday, Aug. 17 Where: Cloverdale Fairgrounds Website: burnoutsinthesky.wixsite.com/burnouts-in-the-sky
Crescent Beach Concours d’Elegance
This curated show began life on the cobblestone streets of Gastown 15 years ago, and for the past half-decade has been held at scenic Blackie Spit in Crescent Beach. A panel of jurors select up to 80 vehicles to be displayed, many of which would be right at home at the famed Pebble Beach Concours event. Organizers are keeping tight-lipped about this year’s lineup, but we do know there will be a 1947 Bentley MK VI coming from Seattle, and a super-rare 1930 Bugatti Type 44 Cabriolet. And for the first time ever, there’s a Ferrari exclusive class. Tickets are available online and at the show. When: Saturday, Sept. 2. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Blackie Spit, Crescent Beach Website: crescentbeachconcours.com
Luxury + Supercar Weekend
Purists might scoff at the idea of a car show that encourages car owners to not open their hoods to reveal the engines, but this show isn’t exactly your garden-variety car show (though it is held on the verdant lawns of the city’s famed botanical gardens). Billed as “Canada’s premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event,” the show celebrates the finer things in life, from cars to fashion, from food to wine. In addition to new models from the likes of Rolls-Royce, McLaren and other high-end manufacturers, there’s a healthy dose of the past, including pre-1953 Woody Wagons, pre1961 Corvettes and pre-1968 VW vans and pickups. General admission tickets are $75, while a VIP pass — that includes complimentary food and adult beverages — is $125. When: Sept 9-10. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (both days) Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden Website: luxurysupercar.com