> METEOR RESTORATION A LABOUR OF LOVE FOR STOCK CAR RACER
The car: 1956 Meteor The owner: Ernie Martin, Dwight,
Ont.
The story: During the late 1950s and early ‘60s, I was involved in stock car racing at the CNE, Pinecrest, Sutton, Sunset and Barrie speedways as a driver. The cars we used were all 1955 and 1956 Fords or Meteors, two-door models. We used a prefabricate roll cage. We would cut off the roof, remove the seats, etc., then weld in the cage and replace the roof. It saved a lot of repair work, especially since I rolled five cars during my years of racing.
We were always on the lookout for these specific models. I was delighted when I found one that a neighbour in Bramalea was selling. Although it was in really bad shape, I decided to keep it and restore it. I made a deal with the owner of a local auto body shop, who would work on it when his business was slow. It was there for 2 1⁄2 years but everything was done, including the paint. After that I made a trip (by air) to Edmonton, where my oldest daughter was being called to the bar after completion of her law degree. While there, I drove north of the city where just about every farm had “dead” cars out in the field. I found the model I wanted and was able to remove every chrome piece from the car — script, hood and trunk ornaments, grill work and so-on. I shipped everything back home, sorted out the best parts and had everything replated. It took another four months to reassemble and reupholster to finalize the restoration and nothing has been touched since. This 1956 Meteor is my pride and joy and has never seen a winter as it is always garaged. I have now owned this car for 50 years. It has 63,000 miles on the odometer.
Show us your candy: Do you have a beautifully restored car? Send us your pics, along with a few sentences about why it’s special to you. If we choose it, we’ll run it in Wheels. Email wheels@thestar.ca and put “Eye Candy” in the subject line.