Sunday Cruise FeverSunday Cruise Fever

Don Crosby, the owner of a 1954 Mercury Sun Valley coupe which we have featured both here and in the book, “Class of 2009,” recently passed away.  Don was a devoted member of the cruising community, being a regular sight at the Pony Corral’s cruise nights.  He could also be found at most car shows in the Winnipeg area, relaxing on a lawn chair next to his beloved Mercury, chatting up a storm with anyone who was willing to talk.

Don had owned the car since 1964, when he drove it to work at Penner Mazda.  The car would eventually take on camper-towing duties before becoming the car show queen that it was best known as.  Please note that I said “car show queen,” as opposed to “trailer queen.”  Don drove the car to every show he attended, then drove it some more for good measure.

My last memory of Don was a few years ago, at the Pony Corral.  We talked for a while–well, Don talked to me.  He had so many great stories to tell, that the best thing to do was sit and listen to him go on about the good old days.

It was an honour to know you, Don.  We hope you’re in a better place, talking God’s ear off at that great cruise night in the sky.

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It feels like it’s been over a month since anyone has posted here. Mostly because, well, it’s been over a month since someone posted here. And it’s been a week that our latest set of photos has been sitting on an external hard drive waiting to go online. Moral of the story? I’m going to shut up and show some photos from last week’s Cruisin’ for Cheo at the Hazeldean Mall.

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Flake & Flames – Teaser II (California) // Kustom Kulture Documentary from Flake & Flames Film on Vimeo.

Our good friend and inspiration, Dirk Behlau (aka, The Pixeleye), is hard at work on his first documentary, “Flake & Flames.”  From what we’ve seen so far, Dirk and his co-director Jesper Bram have put together what might be the best looking and most thorough examination of oldskool culture.  The difference between this and every other “hey, look at this car!” oldskool doc is that these guys are going straight to the heart of the culture, to the artists and builders who create the style and inspire the masses.  It’s from this point that understanding of the subculture can truly be found, both for outsiders looking into the future of hot rodding, and insiders looking within themselves.

The only catch is that they need money.  Lots of money.  And while Dirk and Jesper probably wouldn’t say no to a big bag full of hundred dollar bills, they’re going to give you some real value for that money.  For a measly $25 donation, you’ll be the first to receive a signed DVD copy of their flick, and a special sticker.  For $55, you’ll get the DVD, sticker and a T-shirt.  And for $65,000, you’ll get the DVD, sticker, T-shirt and Jesper’s custom ’65 Chevy C-10 pickup truck.  No, really.

Click this link so you can find out more about the movie, and throw them a little bit of dosh to make the flick happen.

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The tachometer’s spindly red needle climbed steadily towards the right, dropped back to a safe (and fuel efficient) number, and began climbing again.  As I mashed the pedal harder, the needle suddenly shot back towards the redline, in concert with the screaming of the little car’s four-banger engine.  The glowing plastic piece repeated the performance two more times before our little Mini Clubman would safely make it around an on-ramp, past a group of bigger-engined cars (who wouldn’t let us into traffic), and onto the westbound 417 highway.  And while most Mini owners connect the underpowered super-subcompact’s abilities to their own skill at the stick shift, this particular clubman was all automatic.  And for the first time ever, I was thrilled to be driving a slushbox.

Like most people my age, I first learned to drive on an automatic transmission–a GM TH700R4 4-speed auto to be exact, tucked up underneath an ’86 GMC Wrangler pickup truck.  And while that ugly beige farm truck was great to learn on, it wasn’t until I received my first car–a ’91 VW Fox coupe–that I began to understand what real driving was.  And until my weekend with the Mini, I believed that real driving involved a clutch and a gearshift.

That’s not to say the quick-witted 6-speed automatic was the only good thing about the car; in fact, every bit of the car is amazing.  After a mere two blocks of driving, you can’t help but think that this is the way a car is supposed to be built. The craftsmanship is superb, the steering and throttle response both act with laser precision, and there is a complete lack of unwanted noises or vibrations.  It’s like the bastard love child that a BMW 325i abandoned on a doorstep in London’s east end.  A bastard love child with a hyperactive transmission.

While the shifter spent most of our weekend together in either the “Sport” or “Manual” mode, it wasn’t until we were back on the 417, heading home in plain ol’ “drive” that the little slushbox made its impression.  As the elevated highway bobbed up and down, and I maneuvered between the slow-moving old folk’s cars heading home from church, the transmission started shifting.  6 down to 5, down to 4, back up to 6, down to 5, up to 6, keeping the little 115 horsepower engine at the top of its power curve.  And while the tachometer’s needle was snapping back and forth as if someone had filled the tank with Red Bull instead of gasoline, the Mini cruised smoothly down the highway like one of its larger, illegitimate BMW siblings.

It was in this moment that the metaphorical bullet entered my brain:  I love the automatic.  Or rather, the potential of a well-designed automatic transmission.  This little car proved to me that we don’t need to be stuck with the lazy 4-speeds of yore, trading mediocre highway performance for city driving convenience.  And while that pre-owned Clubman’s “buy it now” price of $32,995 leaves it out of reach of most car owners, we can hope that the mad shifting skills of this bastard love child may someday end up on a doorstep in Detroit.

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Old Mercurys are beautiful, and a great build like this just makes it better.  And while most people in our community insist that only 2-doors make for truly righteous rods, the owner of this beastly led sled simply doesn’t care.

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For the first time in three years, I finally made it to the Kanata cruise night at Hazeldean Mall.  For me, it was a huge improvement over the first one since (a) it wasn’t raining, and (b) I didn’t get rear ended on the way home.  Tonight’s show was both eclectic and awesome, with rides ranging from this shiny new Shelby Mustang to an old 1950 Ford Club Coupe with its original paint.  We even managed to capture what might be the “finishing shot” for an upcoming book.  Y’no, like the previous two books we’ve done.

But, that’s enough drivel for now.  On to the photos!

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We told you about this in May, but here’s a reminder:  The Hot Rod Hijinx Show in Echo Park, Saskatchewan, will be on July 15th and 16th.  There’s an A&W cruise night at Fort Qu’appelle on the Friday, a poker run at 11 am and car show at 2 pm on the Saturday.  Bring your rattiest rod, bring your best girl, and get ready for some wild shenanigans with the wild people of Saskatchewan!

For more info, click here to check out their flyer, or contact Brent Welta at (306) 539-4017

Ontario:

Saturday, July 16th in Ottawa shall be known as All British Car Day.  Loyal petrolheads shall gather at Brittania Beach Park from 10 to 4 to celebrate the craftsmanship, elegance, oil leaks, and faulty wiring that are exclusive to motorcars from the British Isles.  Registration is twelve quid and seventy-six pence ($20 Canadian dollars), while the commoners may spectate for free.  Please do visit their website for more information.

Cumberland Heritage Village Muesum’s 3rd annual car show will be the talk of Cumberland ON on July 17th.  The show will be held from 10 am to 5 pm at the museum, 2490 Old Montreal Road.

On July 17th, Boston Pizza in Rockland will once again open their parking lot to the cruising community.  The show runs from 4:30 to 8 pm and admission & registration is free.  As for the vehicles, this show is open to all cars & trucks that don’t suck.  For more info, contact Larry Way at (613) 446.4717 or larysmway@sympatico.ca.

Alberta:

Double your fun in Strathmore AB this weekend with the FunRunners car club!  The fun begins on Friday with a cruise at 7 pm.  That’s followed by a Show & Shine on Saturday, beginning at 9 am.  To learn more, call Shawn at (403) 901.9303.

Take your Olds to Olds on July 16th, for the 18th Annual “Oldsmobile Rocket Roundup” in Olds, AB.  It all happens from noon to 4 pm at Hildebrand Motors.  For more info, cruise on over to their website.

The Fuel Junkies Car Club of Carstairs, AB might be new, but that’s not stopping them from hosting their first car show this weekend.  It’s called the Beef & Barley days, and happens in Carstairs this Sunday, July 17th.  Registration is from 9 to 1, with voting at 1:30 and prizes at 2:30.  See their website for more info, or email Dwight at info (at) carjunkiescarclub.com.

It’s Easter all over again in Marwayne, AB, with the Prairie Egg Gathering.  It’s a weekend dedicated to the egg-carton shaped fibreglass campers that used to fill the highways during the summer.  These campers, which are also known as “Prairie Eggs” (not to be confused with Prairie Oysters) will take over the Lea Park Campground in Marwayne (30 minutes NW of Lloydminster) from July 14th to 17th.  For more info, check out their website.

British Columbia:

This July 15th and 16th in Cranbrook BC, the Mopars in the Mountains Show & Shine will be having a drive-in movie.  Just for that, we nominate the show’s organizers for an epic win.  The weekend starts with a swap meet on Friday at 5 pm, and the movie at 9 pm.  The show & shine follows on Saturday.  For locations and more info, hit up their website.

PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED AT THESE EVENTS: If you are going to/have gone to any of these shows and have pictures, they could be showing up on our site.  We’re always looking for good photos of cars, people, the occasional detail shot, and more.  If you know which end of a camera is up and don’t mind letting us show off your work, give us a shout in the comments section below and we’ll hook you up with your 15 seconds of internet fame!

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As promised, tonight was the scene of the Carling Avenue Cruise Night at Monkey Joe’s.  There was a great turnout, with everything from new Corvette ZR-1′s to mild custom beetles like the one above.    I would elaborate on how awesome the show was, but you would probably rather just see the photos:

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If you don’t know Kemptville, you don’t know the Highway 43 Car Club cruise night.  Which explains how I got there just in time for everyone to leave.  Thankfully, a few attendants were still around when I finally found the &%$#@! Food Basics parking lot.  Not missing my exit off Highway 416 would probably have helped, too.

For anyone who likes what they see (and wants to get there on time), the cruise runs from 6 to 9 every Friday night at the Kemptville Food Basics.  There’s door prizes and a 50/50 draw as well.  And if you don’t miss the off ramp for Highway 43 (like me) you’ll catch a really great small town car show.

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Unless you really want to stay home and watch Golden Girls reruns, the only place you (and your ride) want to be this Satuday is on Carling Avenue in Ottawa. The Uniglass Plus Ziebart Car Show Series is bringing back the real “Carling Cruise” starting at 5 pm.

Not only will the parking lot at Monkey Joe’s be reserved for hot rods, classics, and other things that aren’t Honda Civics, but people are being encouraged to drive their cars up and down Carling, just like the old days.  Over $500 in prizes are set to be given away starting at 8:30.  Until then, show your ticket for 10% off your meal inside Monkey Joe’s, or visit the Facebook page to print off a coupon for a special deal at the A&W inside the Westgate Mall.

Even if you don’t have a ride, it’s still worth the $3.25 to jump on the city bus charter a 52-passenger limo to the west end to see the cars.  Got a little more than a few coins burning a hole in your pocket?  Put your name down on the greatest eBay Motors auction, ever.  Just make sure you end up with the car, and not the other thing he’s selling….

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