It’s that time of year once again! The Annual Thanksgiving run is just two weeks away. This free event raises food and monetary donations for the Squamish Food Bank, while at the same time giving us all one last chance to drive our classic cars together this season. For full details on the event, including meeting times and location, head over to www.classiccaradventures.com/events/thanksgiving-day-sea-to-sky-run/
As I sit here looking through this past weekend’s photos, the rain falling hard in Squamish, it’s hard to believe the weather was so perfect. We awoke on Friday morning, in the Kelowna start hotel, to a few sprinkles of water on each of the cars. I had awoken early, a rarity for me, to quickly wax and clean the car (even more rare) before the start of the 2014 Fall Freeze Adventure. By the time the driver’s meeting had started, it was warm and sunny…a condition we enjoyed for the entire weekend.
Official Declaration
Summertime motoring is in full swing for Classic Car owners, but this year things are a just a wee bit more special in British Columbia. Earlier this year, the B.C. Government proclaimed July as “Collector Car Appreciation Month”, and July 12th as the designated “Collector Car Appreciation Day”. Here at the CCA offices, we felt it appropriate to commemorate the date with an informal gathering of Classic Car enthusiasts.
What: A casual meetup with fellow classic car owners and enthusiasts. Start your weekend off right, and join us this Saturday at the Park and Tilford mall in North Vancouver for a summertime ‘Cars and Coffee’ get together. Enjoy a coffee and the company of fellow car nuts and we celebrate a government declaration we can all appreciate! Open to all Classic, Collector and Retro Cars*, we expect there will be a wide variety of cars to appreciate!
When: Saturday July 12th 2014, 8:00-10:00am.
Where: Meeting at 8:30am in the Park and Tilford parking lot, gather in the South-West corner of the parking lot, or wherever there is parking available. [MAP].
* Now, you might wonder..what designates a “Classic, Collector or Retro-Car?” For an event such as this one, we prefer to leave the interpretation fairly wide open, you never know what sort of vehicles might show up. Certainly if your vehicle is made before 1979 it qualifies as a Classic. If your car was made between 1980 and 1989, and is eligible for Collector plates in BC, it definitely qualifies as a Collector car. “Retro Cars” is our designation for vehicles of interest, which don’t fit in the first two categories. Perhaps you have a modified vehicle which can’t get collector plates? Or perhaps it’s an early 90’s classic, which hasn’t quite made the year range. Truthfully, we’re all car people at heart. If you’re a car-nut like us, we’re not going to turn you away. This is about Collector Car Appreciation, simple as that.
We know some of you have been hitting refresh/F5 all day…but the wait is over! 2014 Fall Freeze and 2014 Rush to Gold Bridge entry information have now been posted. We’ve written all-new Supplementary Regulations for each event, and ask that you please be sure to read through the document. It will clear up any questions you have about each event, and fill you in on a few details we’d like you to know. Dave will be working away in the Classic Car Adventures’ shop tomorrow, so if you planning on driving an entry up you’ll get to check out our latest projects. Is it a VW motor in pieces, or something new?!
I’ve been living in BC for about nine and a half years now, and have had the pleasure of driving many of the great roads in this province. Between our own Classic Car Adventures’ events, coaching Mountain Biking or rallying with the West Coast Rally Association…I sometimes feel like I’ve seen it all. I’ve been as far North as Smithers, all the way to Tofino and as far East as the Alberta border. I once tried to highlight all the roads I’ve driven on a Provincial map, but it simply ended up soggy with ink and unreadible. Despite all of this, there are still roads untraveled…and it’s driving me crazy!
Some of my “must try” roads are going to require a significant amount of pre-planning. I’ve always wanted to drive to the Yukon, why? Just to say I’ve done it. I’ve heard the road to Bella Coola and back is incredible…but that’s not exactly a day trip from Squamish. My ultimate adventure is a story for another time, but lets just say I haven’t tried it yet for fear of having to leave a Beetle buried deep, VERY deep, in the BC backwoods. So while some of the roads on my list are perhaps overly adventurous, some are just a morning away.
Case in point: The Highline.
This potential gem links the community of D’arcy (North of Pemberton) with Seton Portage, a community about 25km West of Lillooet. Officially named “The Douglas Trail Road”, it was finally ruled a Provincial Highway in a court decision back in Feb 2013. I’ve been paying close attention over the years on Motorcycle forums, to figure out when the best time to try the road is, and this is the year! From the un-confirmed reports I’ve read, the road is quite a bit better than previous years, smoother then the Hurley, and should be doable in a classic car. Since adventures such as this one are more fun, and safer, with friends…I’m inviting you along!
Vehicle Eligability
I’m bringing my classic car, but feel free to bring your modern day vehicle if you like. I already know we’ve got a Ford Focus & an approaching-classic Honda along for the trip. I think we can be open to Adventure bikes as well, but would like to discuss mixing cars and bikes with the riders first to ensure we’re as safe as possible.
Important Note:
Please note that this is not an official CCA event, but just a group of friends getting together for some back country road exploration. There will be no sweep, and instructions will be a sheet of Google Map directions (if Dave remembers to print them off).
Packing List
If you’re planning on attending, you’d be nuts not to have the following with you:
When
– Saturday June 14th, email the link below for timing and schedule.
Lastly, to ensure that we don’t leave without you. Please email Dave to confirm you’ll be meeting in Squamish at the North Petro Canada on Saturday morning.
Our latest newsletter has just gone out to the CCA Mailing list. If you’ve managed to miss the mailing, we’ve included a copy of it here. If you want to add yourself to our mailing list, simply use this easy form. The newsletter is sent out roughly six times a year, and is only used when we’ve got important things to tell you about. The mailing list is the best way to find out about when registration for our various events is opening.
If you’re like us, the time between Spring Thaw and the next automotive adventure seems too long! Our classics are washed, waxed and just itching to have their legs stretched. Whether you’re looking for a 3-day adventure like our Fall Freeze, or something free on a weekly basis…we have it here. Below is the list of events we’ve marked off on our Calendar, perhaps you’d like to join us?!
We’re doing our best to only email you when we’ve got a lot of important things to say, so for regular updates on entry opening or other information, be sure to watch the CCA website and/or Facebook page. Here’s the information from our current newsletter:
The Fall Freeze is our 100% tarmac event which features fantastic destinations, more stops together as a group and our signature take on “great roads”. This year we’ll be meeting in Kelowna for the start on September 19th, and running to September 21st. Registration forms will be uploaded to our website June 15th. Further event information can be found on the info page.
The Classic Car Adventures Rush to Gold Bridge is our mixed Tarmac and Gravel event. While the route book will follow our choices for the best of both surfaces, the included supplementary maps will highlight some Tarmac alternatives, where available. The Rush to Gold Bridge is open to 1989 and earlier classics. 1980-89 vehicles simply need organizer approval. Registration for the R2GB will uploaded to our website June 15th. Payment for Fall Freeze, if you’re doing both events, can be offset so the car budget isn’t hit too much this summer. Event information page.
Mark your calendars, and keep the date free! B.C. Legislators have designated July as Classic Car Appreciation month, with July 12th being designated as the official “Classic Car Appreciation Day” for 2014. We’re busy working away on a Classic Car related event which you won’t want to miss! Details of this Vancouver area event will be announced in the next few weeks. Details will be announced on our Facebook page and here on the CCA website.
Our good friend (and fellow Classic Car Nut) Bruce, runs a great rally event every September with the Classic European Car Club. This isn’t a high speed or math-intensive TSD rally, and it’s 100% on pavement. Registration is only $25, and it’s a hoot of an event. The event is limited to 25 cars, and registration is now open! http://classiceuropeancarclub.com/rallyedechilliwack.html
We’ve heard rumours that there is a great gravel road hidden North of Pemberton, with a restaurant roughly mid-afternoon. Dave intends to find out! Curious to join him for a little road exploration? There’s no cost, we’ll all get to drive the Duffy…and theres a good chance of getting lost once or twice. The perfect adventure for a Saturday! Mixed tarmac and gravel roads, open to any car, truck or jeep (modern included). Meeting in Squamish at 8:45am, with return to Squamish estimated at 8pm including stops for food and breaks. Check out the information page and email Dave for meeting time and location.
Every month during the summer, in Vancouver at least, Weissach Cars and Coffee happens down at the Spanish Banks Park. We’ll do our best to post up a reminder on our website and Facebook page every monday before the event. The last few events have seen a great mix of Classic Cars, many of which were brought by our CCA friends. 2nd Saturday of every month, 8am to 10pm. Map to the Location
The Jellybean Autocrafters Car show and Canada Day Celebration is back on July 1st! Open to cars, trucks and motorcycles of all types…it’s a HUGE event which goes from 10am to 3pm. This free to enter and attend event features live bands, barbeque and tons of great cars and motorcycles. Details for the event can be found here.
Alright, so modern day imports and supercars might not be our regular flavour, but these meets have grown to become the biggest weekly happening in Vancouver. We’ve noticed this year that quite a few classics have started to appear on a weekly basis as well. If you love all things automotive, they’re definitely worth checking out. Undercover police presence is high – So you’re protected against hooliganism, and should avoid doing your own burnouts. They meet every Thursday Night at Burnaby’s Market Crossing shopping center (Marine Way & Bryne Road). 8:30pm to the wee early hours! Map to Market Crossing
Mailing List
Do you have a friend or a co-worker who tells you they wished they had known about our event registration dates? This mailing list is the way to get all the top-secret early notice. As always we’ll do our best to keep them to just needed-information timed with events, and we don’t share your information with anyone else. The mailing list sign up form can be found here: https://classiccaradventures.com//mailing-list/
Trying to pass the time at work? How about sliding over to our Facebook Page? A chance to connect with other enthusiasts, see photos from events and keep up to date on what’s going on. www.facebook.com/classiccaradventures
This morning, while recovering from Jet-Lag, I figured a little catch-up around the internet would be a great idea. Following the jump, you’ll see a fantastic video about the daily use of a ’53 Porsche 356. True, snow and classics might not be for everyone, but the owner sure makes some valid arguments about driving the car year round. While you may not be ready to order a set of European studs for your classic, the video is at the very least inspiration for all of us who feel locking up a classic is a crime. Take the time to view (4.5min), and then head out for a quick evening spin in your classic.
-Dave
Video created by Will Rogge (http://www.willroegge.com/blog/), and originally featured on Speedhunters.com