2024 Leslie Ford Classic Car Show

[DukeCanBuildit]

The other day, I heard an ad on the radio for a Ford Classic Car show in a nearby town - the Main Street would be blocked off to showcase classic, collector, and specialty Ford and Mercury vehicles. It was a one-day event in downtown Harriston, Ontario, which is a one-hour drive from the cottage, so I decided to look it up online for more details. It was running from 9am to 2pm on Aug. 10 (today) and folks could register their vehicles online. I half-jokingly thought of entering my Ranger as a “specialty” vehicle but convinced myself, it didn’t really qualify. Besides, I would have to be away the entire day and I have Mrs. DukeCanBuildit to take care of.

I was surprised at how big the event was when I got there and by how many cars were on display. I didn’t get a picture of everything but there were…..

Hot Rods

and Rat Rods…

a lot of Mustangs, even some rare ones…

some Mercury Cars and Trucks…

some Older Cars and some Fast Cars…

some Cars that wanted to be Trucks and some Trucks that wanted to be cars…

some Old Trucks…

and some Newer Trucks….

There were hardtops, coupes, sedans, muscle cars, race cars, work tucks, slammed trucks, lifted trucks, even some retractable hardtop Fairlane Skyliners. I missed getting a picture of a Crown Victoria in Fairlane trim and its Canadian twin, the Rideau.

The weather was good and there was a lot to see but I couldn’t get my head around this…

and if this truck below qualifies for the show…

next year, I just might enter my Ranger. ?

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[OFC Ranger]

Don't bother entering a modern car in any car show where the majority of entries are classic cars. The winners are pre-determined because the hosts and select car owners all run in the same social or business circles.

Classic car shows seem to always devolve into a cliche circle jerk of good ol' boys, most of which never restored anything with their own two hands.

Some of the absolute worst are law enforcement charity car shows hosted by local businesses (usually body shops).

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

You’re bang on Jack. I remember my friend’s Corvette club shows and another friend’s bike shows being exactly that way - it was always the same group of 60s Vettes or vintage Harley’s and Indians being cycled through as “winners”.

This is strictly a show - no prizes but, as could easily be predicted, the same group of “old guys” that hit every show in the county were sitting in their lawn chairs behind their cars.

There will be a smaller show in my hometown on the Friday night of the Labour Day weekend. I guarantee many of the same cars will be there, complete with the same old guy sitting in the same lawn chair, wearing the same black classic car t-shirt he wore today. ?

 

[KJRR]

I notice a theme of the photos you took.
I agree that a lot of shows will have predetermined winners and you will see a lot of the same cars/guys that are part of a club. Often there is a club associated with the show which helps out with organizing the event.
I never enter a show with the intent of winning anything since my car is a driver and probably has bugs plastered all over it, but rather raise funds for the charity or share my vehicle witch isn't your typical Ford, Chevy or Mopar you see at every show.
Have had lots of great conversations with people, let kids sit in the car for pictures and even a few adults. That's how you keep interest in the hobby.
The show I was at today had categories for modern cars, they were all bought, not built. Yeah anyone can buy a Mustang, Camero, Corvette or pickup and slap some Amazon purchases on it. But there are others there that put time and effort into thier rides and it's great to have discussions with them.
The shows are all in what you make it.

 

[OrangeStreak]

The other day, I heard an ad on the radio for a Ford Classic Car show in a nearby town - the Main Street would be blocked off to showcase classic, collector, and specialty Ford and Mercury vehicles. It was a one-day event in downtown Harriston, Ontario, which is a one-hour drive from the cottage, so I decided to look it up online for more details. It was running from 9am to 2pm on Aug. 10 (today) and folks could register their vehicles online. I half-jokingly thought of entering my Ranger as a “specialty” vehicle but convinced myself, it didn’t really qualify. Besides, I would have to be away the entire day and I have Mrs. DukeCanBuildit to take care of.

I was surprised at how big the event was when I got there and by how many cars were on display. I didn’t get a picture of everything but there were…..

Hot Rods

and Rat Rods…

a lot of Mustangs, even some rare ones…

some Mercury Cars and Trucks…

some Older Cars and some Fast Cars…

some Cars that wanted to be Trucks and some Trucks that wanted to be cars…

some Old Trucks…

and some Newer Trucks….

There were hardtops, coupes, sedans, muscle cars, race cars, work tucks, slammed trucks, lifted trucks, even some retractable hardtop Fairlane Skyliners. I missed getting a picture of a Crown Victoria in Fairlane trim and its Canadian twin, the Rideau.

The weather was good and there was a lot to see but I couldn’t get my head around this…

and if this truck below qualifies for the show…

next year, I just might enter my Ranger. ?

Really like the style and looks of the 55-56 Mercury's!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Really like the style and looks of the 55-56 Mercury's!

There were more than I posted pictures of, Paul. I wish I could have spent more time there and got a picture of everything. For a small town with less than 2,000 residents, it sure was a large show and most of the cars were from the same, or neighbouring county!

There’s a smaller show in my hometown in a few weeks - maybe there’ll be a Mercury or two there. I’ll try to get some pictures.

 

[KJRR]

I never enter a show with the intent of winning anything...

And just like that, I get a trophy!
It was a sponsors trophy and surprised the heck out of me. I've been going to this show at the church/grade school I attended as a kid, for about 7 yrs and maybe got 1 door prize. Not part of any group there and didn't even know anyone at the show besides my dad. I had the only foreign car which isn't unusual at the shows I attend. I did put a smile on a lot of kids faces by letting them sit in the drivers seat. I asked one dad if his kids wanted to sit in the car and he says sure and climbs in. I said, I meant your kids. Thing on the steering wheel did creep out one mom and her kid. She asked if I had any other body parts in the car. I told her don't look in the trunk.
I'm on a roll here as the last 3 shows I've won a 50/50, a door prize and now a trophy.

 

[OrangeStreak]

And just like that, I get a trophy!
It was a sponsors trophy and surprised the heck out of me. I've been going to this show at the church/grade school I attended as a kid, for about 7 yrs and maybe got 1 door prize. Not part of any group there and didn't even know anyone at the show besides my dad. I had the only foreign car which isn't unusual at the shows I attend. I did put a smile on a lot of kids faces by letting them sit in the drivers seat. I asked one dad if his kids wanted to sit in the car and he says sure and climbs in. I said, I meant your kids. Thing on the steering wheel did creep out one mom and her kid. She asked if I had any other body parts in the car. I told her don't look in the trunk.
I'm on a roll here as the last 3 shows I've won a 50/50, a door prize and now a trophy.

I've always been intrigued by the VW "Thing" and wanted one of these classics but it never worked out. Great win!

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