OSHAWA -- Downtown Oshawa hosted a kickoff party for the 19th Annual Autofest August 24. August 24, 2012.
Oshawa This Week
OSHAWA -- Paul Jordans love for vintage cars has gone to the dogs.?? A staple at Autofest since the Oshawa auto shows inception 19 years ago, the long-time Durham residents admiration for everything with four wheels is now rivalled with his love for his family friends with four feet -- namely his pair of Golden doodles.? I love the cars, but I love my dogs. Now, for me, its when the people come to see my dogs, said Mr. Jordan on Saturday afternoon.? Laying at Mr. Jordans feet, where hes sitting in the shade of a tree in Lakeview Park, Buddy and Star are sprawled out on the cool grass, oblivious to the passersby streaming past their masters 1970 Chevelle SS.? Its a real one, not a clone, stressed Mr. Jordan.? A familiar face at the Motor City Car Clubs annual show, Mr. Jordan has traded in his beloved blue 1969 Chevy Caprice for the Chevelle -- a ride he favours over another car, his Corvette, because of the spacious backseat that hold his dogs.? I am a car guy, Ive always been a car guy my entire life, he said. But the dogs have superseded the cars.? Times have changed since Mr. Jordan and his pals would park their cars at a local A and W and compare wheels when they were kids, only to be chased away by cops concerned the impromptu car show would turn into a series of drag races.? Ive been doing this since these cars were new, said Mr. Jordan. Now the cars are older and so are we.? All around Mr. Jordan are vehicles of all makes and models, colours, ages and sizes. The main waterfront park is packed with long lines of cars, gleaming under the shade of the tall trees hovering above.? More vehicles spill out onto the boulevard of the parks main roadway and into neighbouring parking lots where space is shared with vendors of all varieties, selling everything from signs and t-shirts to die-cast models and car parts.? Hoods are raised, showcasing chrome-covered engines, and decades-old music plays in the background as spectators poke their heads through open car windows to get a closer look inside -- always careful to be mindful of the do-not-touch rule.? It kind of brings you back in time, down memory lane, said Derrick Ritchie as he wandered through the park, stopping at nearly every vehicle to take a peek inside.? Hes travelled from Fenelon Falls to attend his first Autofest and is blown away by the size and selection of the show.? I think its great, said Mr. Ritchie. I just have a love of cars and Im here to take it all in.? Nearby, Ken LeBlanc is carefully scrutinizing his work as he runs a wet cloth over the hood of his red 1972 Pontiac LeMans.? An auto appraiser from Welland, Mr. LeBlanc knows his cars.? This is an excellent show, there is some pretty high-end stuff here, said Mr. LeBlanc, a rookie Autofest participant who applauded the choice of a lakeside location and smooth organization of the event.? As hes shining the front of his LeMans, a man stops to admire the car and tells a short tale of how he used to own an exact replica of Mr. LeBlancs ride.? These shows are a real nostalgia thing for some people, he said, laughing. Some people just go nuts for old cars.? Near the main entrance, Doug Riggs is busy shooting the headlights, bumpers and various other parts of cars that catch his eye. The Peterborough photographer is putting together a automotive trivia book which challenges readers to guess the year of vehicles with a small section of the car as their only clue.? This is pretty good, he said between shots. Theres more than enough cars to see in one day.? Robin Kerr has made the drive from the Beaches to attend Autofest. He and pal Gord Robson discovered the Oshawa auto show last year and were keen to return in 2012.? Its pretty amazing what people have hidden in their garage and what comes out in the summer, said Mr. Kerr. ? Autofest will continue at Lakeview Park, at the foot of Simcoe Street by Lake Ontario, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26. Theres free parking and admission is $12.? The car show is also a fundraising event, with proceeds annually going to the Grandview Childrens Centre, which provides therapy services to children with mobility, speech and other special needs.? Last year, about $120,000 was for Grandview at Autofest.? For more information, visit www.autofestoshawa.com.
