Wasaga Beach Show & Shine
Written by Keith Fudge

Since the 1920s Wasaga Beach has been the place for sand, waves, and cars!  Located approximately an hour and a half north of Toronto, this resort destination has been host to thousands of vacationers and others who wanted to get away from it all.  While they were there, they had a chance to show off their transportation as well!  Last summer, Dennis Gage and the crew from My Classic Car had the opportunity to attend the Wasaga Beach Fun Run.  All we can say is, “All the good things that we had heard in the past were definitely true!”  Dennis spoke with Event Wrangler, Rick Seip, who told him about the goings on.  Rick said the event was not formally sponsored by a club but rather by a great group of enthusiasts.  He also said that showing cars here became popular in the 1940s and the trend has definitely continued.  Rick went on to tell us that there were cars registered from up to seven hours away and there was something for everyone’s taste with more than 400 cars including street rods, customs, and classics in attendance and on display.  “Anything goes, and we try to make it fun,” Rick added as he and Dennis began to make their way down the strip to see some of these outstanding vintage autos.

The first classic that caught Dennis’s eye was a salmon and turquoise colored 1941 Ford Pickup.  Owned by Gilles Bouchard, this tricked-out truck is really a looker and a step back to a carefree era.  Powered by a stock 305 Chevy small block, this killer ride is a custom cruiser for the long haul.  If you get tired of driving, there is a pair of vintage bicycles mounted in the bed!  But wait, there’s more!  Tagging along behind was a totally restored 1950s era camper!  Painted to match the truck, this overnight sensation was decorated to play the part from its black and white tiled floor to the Betty Boop accessories throughout (courtesy of Gilles’ wife).  Gilles told us that he and his wife use the camper all the time!  How cool is that!  Next, Dennis found Ken Gibson and his sensational 1938 Plymouth Business Coupe.  Ken told Dennis that the car took three years to restore and that it has quite a family history.  Originally, it was purchased by his uncle’s aunt and had been in the family since it was new.  When new the car was painted black (what else?), but now it sports a spiffy custom two-toned gold exterior.  The interior is basically original, and the car is powered by the original flathead 6 engine.  Ken said it cruises just fine, and we have no doubt about it! 

Soon, Dennis found a real “blast from the psychedelic past” when he stumbled onto Rich Bellerby and his swingin’ 1969 “Mod Top” Dart Swinger!  With a far-out patterned vinyl top, this bright green metallic firecracker was one of only 50 that were produced!  This true four-speed car also features the legendary Mopar 340 with a four-barrel carb under the hood, while the standard interior featured such luxury items as a cigarette lighter and a radio.  Rich said that he had restored the vinyl top with NOS material that he found in California and that he has put 20,000 miles on the car since restoring it in 2001.  Finally, Dennis ran into Rusty Marsell and his stunning customized 1948 Ford Prefect.  Originally a four-door car, this cool cat was chopped 7 ½ inches in the front, narrowed by 2 feet, and shortened 1 ½ feet so that it is now a two-door!  Unique from front to rear, the car features exhaust tips fabricated from the shafts of old bar stools, and a pair of ’59 Caddy tail lights are recessed into the fenders.  Rusty said that most people say, “What is it?” when they see the car!  Inside, the car features MG front seats and a customized dash from a Dodge Charger complete with a telescopic steering wheel.  Under the hood is a real surprise: a 250 cubic-inch Chevy inline 6 featuring a high-rise Offenhauser intake manifold and a four-barrel Edelbrock carburetor!  Rusty said that this was his second year to attend the Fun Run and he was having a great time!

We had a blast at last summer’s Wasaga Beach Fun Run, and we bet that you would have too!  This summer’s event is in a few days.  So if you want more information give a visit to www.wasagabeachcruisers.com.  That’s it from Wasaga Beach.  So until our next trip, “Honor the timeless classics.  Happy Motoring!”