Show and Shine; an Antique Car Show Extraordinaire

I didn’t have to be a car enthusiast or an expert to appreciate the 300 or more antique cars lined up for admiring eyes. It was a scorcher of a day. In PEI, 29 degrees is akin to a meltdown. Early arrivals found the shaded areas under the trees to park the objects of their affection. This is the oldest and largest outdoor car show east of Montreal.

There was something for everyone. From Roasters of the 50’s era to VW bugs, vintage trucks, Thunderbirds and swanky Cadillac convertibles. Dashboards frequently held a die cast replica of the antique car on display. Some license plates were personalized and clearly these car buffs had travelled great distances to be in this car show at the old Brudenell Park in PEI.

An eclectic group of proud owners milled about peering under the hoods of vehicles that proudly displayed their vintage trappings. A local body shop has fashioned a replica of the tow truck from the movie “CARS”, and it is a hit with the young and old alike.


A local radio station broadcasts tunes from the fifties and sixties. Strains of “Duke of Earl”, “Pink Cadillac” and “Peggy Sue” prompted people in their fifties or older to smiling with fond remembrance of bygone days. The announcer’s loudspeaker can be heard across the expanse of the Brudenell River echoing back to the crowd. Nobody seems to mind. There were men with long graying hair secured in ponytails and black headbands reminiscent of the sixties. T-shirts and tank tops had logos of all sorts displayed on front and back and an occasional tattoo peeked out from under a sleeve. The only thing missing here were poodle skirts and bobby socks.

It is a 3-day event with awards and trophies presented on the last day. Everyone attending the car show pays a nominal fee and is given a ballot upon entering the gates to vote for your favorite. What is unique is the prize for the ‘people’s choice’ and not based on technical attributes, making it all the more fun. These events are not unique to PEI, but what is clear is the event is a draw for tourists and locals to commune and trade stories of their beloved hobby of restoration, modification and preservation. The vehicles are shiny and well cared for and truly a labour of love.


Ghosts of Cars Past

I truly believe there is memory attached to inanimate objects. Even though they ‘live on’ because someone has taken the time and trouble to restore and maintain them, I can only imagine their original owners are smiling down on them from another space. I can almost see my Uncle Leonard strolling amongst the rows of cars looking for his Roadster, stopping now and again to survey the lot. He would be puffing on a cigar or one of his many pipes, wearing his wide brimmed Panama hat and cuffed baggy pants. Aunt Laura would be in tow exclaiming about something or other in her high pitched fussy voice; cheeks pink and flushed from the heat, all the while being ignored by Leonard.

Leonard and Laura; the first people ever to introduce us to the culture of car collectors. Eccentric they were, but the memory of them still brings a smile to my face.