– by Julian Sale –
With Father’s Day in mind, I ask that fathers take their kids to a car show, and I ask kids to take their fathers to a show. It seems in today’s busy world, some of us forget to stop and smell the flowers – or rubber as it were.
I have taken my kids to the Parksville show in years past, the Deuce Days downtown Victoria, and to all sorts of local, smaller shows. It goes without saying that the cars you’re going to see will be vintage in nature. Granted, a select few of today’s machines are worth ogling over as well. But what a car show does for us is to illustrate history on wheels. It wasn’t many years ago that electric or steam powered cars were the transportation modes of the wealthy. Then came gas, then diesel, then hybrid, now electric again. Only at a car show will you see a hundred year history lesson focusing on transportation, racing, hot rodding, modifications, paint and colour trends, styles, etc.
It’s truly a magical experience to look closely at someone’s possibly-decades long love affair with their car, to witness the culmination of a passion for the automobile. From a First World War Cadillac ambulance to 2,000 horse power drag racers; from old Indian motorcycles to new three wheeled Can-Ams, everyone can find something to love at a car show. Some of my most fond memories revolve around friends and the cars we drove. I can honestly say that when I get together with pals, somehow, stories of the things we used to do in cars always come out of the woodwork!
As a modern society we are deeply connected to cars, bicycles, motorcycles, busses etc, because we all have to get around one way or another. We spend a lot of time commuting, and the way we do it changes over time. The sights and sounds of a car show help us reflect back on what things were like yesteryear. They provide a great opportunity to take photos and get ideas for our own projects and toys, and if you can lend an ear to an old guy and listen to stories about racing at Westwood, do so. It’s important to remember the past and pay attention to where we have been in our car culture in order to understand where we are going in the future, and why.
Visit this website for a great listing of local shows to consider visiting this year. http://cdnclassicchevellesbeaumonts.ca/docs/CarShow_CruiseIn_Calendar_2015.pdf
Happy Father’s Day all!
