B. C. classic car owners thaw out for annual event
Pre- 1979 touring and sports cars embark on three- day 1,200- km adventure
How often does a historic vehicle event come along that is not only amazing fun for the participants but also great PR for the hobby?
An event that promotes and celebrates the joy of owning historic vehicles while attracting others to the historic vehicle community by demonstrating exactly what these vehicles can do?
And to top it off, an event that’s right here in British Columbia?
The annual Hagerty Spring Thaw Adventure is just such an event.
Billed as a budget- minded driving adventure through British Columbia for pre- 1979 touring and sports cars ( no trucks or motorcycles), the Hagerty Spring Thaw Classic Car Adventure kick- starts the B. C. classic car season April 25- 27.
Organized by Squamish Classic Car Adventures, this threeday, 1,200- kilometre ( 750mile) road trip has grown in popularity so quickly that there is a waiting list to join the field of 60 participants.
In past years, most drivers have come from Alberta, British Columbia, Oregon and Washington, but some have travelled much farther.
John Calvin and his daughter Megan made the 2,000- mile ( 3,219- km) round trip from Salt Lake City in a 1978 BMW 635 CSI Alpina. Another participant flew in from Florida, having had his car shipped to Seattle, and then drove to B. C. to participate in the event.
The Spring Thaw is not a race, but it’s still an adventure. For starters, the only information given before the event is the time and location of the starting point, and a detailed route book is distributed to drivers 15 minutes before the field departs on Day One. This year, the event starts in Squamish and concludes in Hope.
Spring Thaw drivers come from all walks of life, but they share a passion for driving historic vehicles.
This was clearly evident last year; among the amazing collection of vehicles that participated were a 1953 Aston Martin DB2, 1956 Porsche 356, two 1959 Alfa Romeos, a 1964 Porsche 356 Carrera 4- Cam and an array of “practical classic” marques such as BMW, Fiat, Lancia, Lotus, MG, Opel, Porsche, Saab, VW and Volvo, as well as at least five North American cars and a $ 1 million Bentley Continental Coupe.
How to best describe the energy and fun of the Hagerty Spring Thaw Classic Car Adventure?
First, try to imagine an annual reunion of some of your greatest car- nut friends. The vibe is welcoming and the adventure is exciting from the word go. Just pick a point on the map and drive.
Are you starting to get the picture?