Muscle cars, Street Rods and Hot Rods - oh My!
On September 17 2023 Canada’s most prestigious car show, The Cobble Beach Concours d”Elegance, was held at the shore of the spectacular Georgian Bay. Even though for the first time in 9 years there was about an hour delay due to inclement weather – award ceremonies were held in beautiful sunlight.
The Best of The Show title went to 1929 Cord L 29 owned by Gregg Ornazian of Troy, Michigan. Outstanding Pre-War title was won by 1935 SS Cars Limited SS One Airline Saloon; Jim and Lisa Hendrix of Chesterfield, MO, and Outstanding Post – War was awarded to 1958 Buick Roadmaster Limited Convertible; Vernon Smith, Swift Current, NL.
There were altogether 20 classes of cars and one class of motorcycles. The most interesting classes were Class 11 – American Post – War performance; Class 14 - Custom Street Rods Pre 1972 and Class 15 – Traditional Hot Rods Pre 1951
The process of judging involves looking at authenticity and quality of workmanship, proper fit and finish. Each vehicle will be started by the owner and all the lights, gauges and electrical components etc. will be checked for functionality.
The judges will use a 100-point deduction system, which is divided into categories such as body and paint finish, bright work upholstery and so on. The judges may not be absolute experts, (though some are), on certain makes and models, they will know what is appropriate for certain time frames. Per example electric cooling fans were not used in “Antique” cars, and that the certain types of nuts bolts and fasteners were used in very specific time frames.
Each judge will have 5 discretionary points to add to their final score. They are based on the judge’s interpretation of elegance or the presence of the vehicle. Class winners will be determined by an average of over aa score. Each class is judged by three judges and awarded first, second or third provisional place. The vehicle in question must start and make its way to the award podium under its own power or it will not receive the honors. Only the class winners are eligible for the Best of Show award.
The participating vehicles in American Post – War performance category were
1967 Beaumont Sport Deluxe 396, owned by Michael Giroux of New Lowel, Ontario
1969 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds, owned by Ron Kenney of Sarnia, Ontario
1970 Plymouth Cuda 440 – 6; Donato Ciaccia of Burlington, Ontario
1970 Buick GSX; Randy Lutz of Stittsville, Ontario
1970 American Motors Corporation AMX; Jeff Spratt of Port Perry, Ontario
1970 Plymouth Superbird: Jacob Mirvish of Toronto, Ontario
1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible; Andy Schmidt of Walkerton, Ontario
Third place winner was 1970 Buick GSX. In 1970 Buick produced 678 GSXes in either Apollo White or Saturn Yellow. This is one of 278 produced with Stage -1 configuration.
Second place went to 1970 American Motors Corporation AMX. This AMX is finished in Big Bad Green with a Shadow Mask black out hood treatment. Dealer installed Sidewinder exhaust, Rally Pac gauges, tinted windows, tilt steering, T10 four speed Hurst shifter with 3.54 twin gripper rear end.
The first-place honors went to 1970 Plymouth Cuda 440 – 6. One of the most desirable Chrysler’s muscle cars, with 1755 V -Codes built in 1970. (02 were four – speeds and 853 were automatics. This car is number 153 of the automatics built in VIN sequence for 1970 V – codes. It has also been documented and certified as a true numbers – matching 1970 V – code, including its complete drive train.
The participating vehicles in Class 14, Custom Street Rods Pre 1972 were:
1963 Buick Villa Riviera by George Borris Kustom; owned by Jeffrey Goldstein of Warwick, Rhode Island.
1956 Mercury Monterey 64C; John St.Germain of Goodwood, Ontario
1954 Mercury Meteor Rideau Skyliner; Ron and Brenda Passer of Tottenham, Ontario
1949 Chevrolet Fleetline; Jason Handsor of London, Ontario.
The third-place winner was 1949 Chevrolet Fleetline, which was made to resemble 1950’s style tail – dragger kustom. The Fleetline’s top has been chopped 3 inches in the front and 4 inches at the rear. The trunk has been narrowed and fenders have been bobbed to match the trunk. Custom features include ’56 Chevrolet taillights; “55 Cadillac hub caps; lengthened ’50 Corvette grille and teeth; ’59 Chevrolet Impala steering wheel; Buick portholes and frenched headlights with nosed, decked and shaved exterior. It also rides on four – wheel independent air – ride suspension.
Second place went to 1956 Mercury Monterey 64C. This vehicle was built using the best parts of Pre – 1957 era cars. The automotive artwork includes most eye-catching parts from Cadillac, Lincoln, Oldsmobile, Packard, Mercury and Chevrolet.
First place winner, 1963 Buick Villa Riviera by George Borris Kustom has been re-customized to George Borris original form. In 1964 it appeared in the movie “For Those Who Think Young”, as well as in “Perry Mason” and “Outsiders” television shows. Over the year the car had evolved, as the subsequent owners made changes to the vehicle. Since then, with help of original photographs by Goerge Borris Kustoms, it has been brought to its original configuration.
The Class 15, Traditional Hot Rods Pre 1951 had three participants.
Third place went to 1932 Ford 5 – Window Coupe, owned by Rob Morrison of Dunnville Ontario. This five – window coupe was first hot rodded in 1955 – exactly as it is today. By 1997 it had Chevrolet powertrain with body work finished in primer. In 2006 It was transformed to its original 1955 configuration. The flat – head V8 went back in, and bodywork painted in ’55 color.
The second place went to 1930 Ford Model A Coupe, owned by Allan Ward of Ilderton, Ontario. This “Carlyle Coupe” was originally purchased by Mr. Ward’s parents and has been in the family since. To restore this “post – war style” hot rod, parts that had been collected on the family farm for many years were used.
The best in class was 1932 Ford Roadster owned by Larry Hill of Oro – Medonte, Ontario. This all-steel roadster is built of old and new parts showcasing traditionally built hotrods of the era. Powered by Chevrolet Corvette motor with plenty of high-performance parts. The interior is hand crafted, finished in distressed tobacco – leaf leather.
