People hide their identity when they travel. Have you noticed that? Once in Italy we unknowingly ate dinner with a high ranking official in the US Military. We know this because a week later in Paris we saw him giving a press release on CNN for the Joint Chiefs. So you never really know who you’re going to meet on the road and I think that’s one of the lovely freedoms of travel.
I took these photos at the info booth on the PEI side of the Confederation Bridge mostly because my eye caught the BC plates. The pretty coloured cars caught my attention too and since I know next to nothing about cars – especially old ones, I really didn’t pay much more attention to these mechanical beauties. That is until; we kept seeing these three cars, everywhere, and always together. Last night they pulled into a motel near our campsite so I set out to get the low down on their story. Here it is:
John, Bonner and Winston are all from Blind Bay, BC, which is near Salmon Arm. They call themselves “Rodders” and are serious into modifying and restoring old vehicles. Apparently, you’re usually into one or the other – personal philosophy dictates – but these guys have experience across the board. John’s bright yellow ’55 Mercury pick-up, which is a modified farm truck, was featured in a hot rod magazine. He extended the cab and “dropped” in a Corvette engine, just for fun, and John negotiates the car’s value with ICBC in order to settle on an insurance price. It’s easy to see, even for a newbie like me, that there is no replacement dollar value on this vehicle.
Bonner bought his 1966 Mustang from a friend in Michigan and mostly restored (beautifully, I might add), somewhat modified it (disc brakes and larger 6 cylinder) so he could keep up with his two buddies on this trip (tongue-in-cheek!). Bonner worked in Toronto during the Black Stallion film in the 70’s organizing all the period cars. Vintage cars came from far and wide just to be in the film and were paid $100 for their stage presence, which was a lot of cash in those days and if they drove the car, they were paid an extra $25. Car owners often taught the actors how to drive, Bonner explained. Mickey Roonie, for example, had no idea what to do with a clutch. Oh, and Bonner’s other car? It’s a Packard.
Winston found his ’49 Ford in a field, modified it all by himself, including its striking Aqua finish. That sounds simple enough but it’s been a 14 year labour of love. Crossing Canada was always a dream, he told me, and now to do the trip in this car is just great. As for a highlight; a young reporter interviewed the trio for an article in the Superior Chronicle (superiorchronicle.com). Winston and his buddies met through their hobby about 10 years ago and continue to encourage young guys just coming up. They spoke an entire language that I found quite foreign but they assured me it was indeed English. The women who love them are serious hobbyists themselves in another genre (quilting!) and a deal was struck on this trip to attempt to accommodate everyone. They seem to be having a ball in the 6th vacation week and we wish them Happy Hot Rodding and a safe journey!
What a great story! Thanks for posting it!