Car show a feast for the eyes

Over the past two decades the North Bay Cruisers has built a reputation for showcasing some of the most sought after and unique vehicles around.

Its annual car show draws people from around the province, and this year was no exception.

“We have people here from as far away as Timmins, Cochrane, Sudbury, South River and Barrie,” said Bernie Charron Car Show Committee Chairman.

“Our policy is we don’t care what year it is, bring it. Some clubs have a year restriction, some want them at least 25 years old. We don’t have a restriction. We have a bunch of the young guys with their tuner cars, and we encourage them always to bring their cars.”

The car show offered a wide range of makes and models.  

“We have everything imaginable. We’ve got a Model T to the new Corvette ZR1. And it is getting better every year,” said Charron.

“Walking around you can hear people saying ‘Oh we used to date in that car. It is so nice to see people appreciate these cars because there is a lot of work that goes into them.”

Owners will tell you these vehicles are meant to be driven, not left hidden away in a garage somewhere.

“These vehicles are in better condition than some of the ones that come out of the factory. Our old cars are built solid. It is good honest metal in there. They were made to last.”

Cochrane’s Calvin Chapleau drove his 1996 F250 to North Bay, the same truck he brought to the 2017 SEMA show (Specialty Equipment Market Association) in Las Vegas.            

“We went to a couple of the shows after that in Texas. We took home best of show at the one in Daytona in 2018,” said Chapleau.                  

“People like the custom-built frame. It is the first frame built in the world, custom built. It was built out of RYD Motorsports in British Columbia. I get all kinds of reaction. People comment about it being a ’96 older school truck with a modern look with the bigger wheels, the higher lift. It’s a ’96 but it is pretty much a 2018, with the newer suspension and what not. I drive it around Cochrane a little bit, but it is mostly for shows. I do all the shows around the states. This is my first one up north. I came here because being so close to Cochrane, it is like being home to me.”

Clayton Gomoll is lost in thought as he slowly walks around, checking out all the vehicles.

Gomoll is the proud owner of a ’62 corvette.

“It’s a white one. It’s over there. I bought it brand new, so I’ve got lots of memories with that car. I bought it in my twenties. I’m in my eighties now,” grinned Gomoll.

“It was rebuilt in 1987, frame off, body off. I drive it just once a week now. I go to the North Bay Museum with it every Tuesday night with the North Bay Cruisers. I noticed that there’s more and more cars here at this show every year. I like them all. They’re special to everybody that owns them.”

Ron Michaud shines up his windshield after driving in from Wanapitei just east of Sudbury.

He is the proud owner of a 1972 Dodge Demon.

“It is really rare. I wanted one when I was young, but my dad wouldn’t allow it because it was too fast. So now I’m old and I’ve got one now,” laughed Michaud.

“I’ve had it about six years now. I did the whole car myself. I did the body work and the engine work and the interior. I had lots of fun doing it because I’ve always wanted this kind of car. I just happened to find this one in Coniston and it needed a lot of work, so I did what needed to be done. I’ve had lots of fun. I really enjoy every minute of it. Anywhere I can go with it, I drive it.”

North Bay Cruisers are at the North Bay Museum every Tuesday night, weather permitting.

“This is our 20th anniversary. Right now, we have about 220 actual paid members, and we have a drawing list of about 400 cars in the area. So, on a cruise night downtown we’ve been averaging about 120 cars. We’re the museum from 5:30 p.m. until dusk,” said Bernie Charron Car Show Committee Chairman.