Downtown Barrie was hit with a blast from the past Saturday as visitors wandered among the hundreds of unique vehicles on display for the inaugural Open Air Dunlop Classic Car Show.
The event, which was hosted in partnership with the Barrie Thunder Classics, took over Dunlop Street and nearby parking lots as visitors wandered and admired the vehicles on display.
Barrie resident Ron Henderson was one of the car enthusiasts who took part in the show, proudly showcasing the shiny, red 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air he purchased more than a decade ago and restored to its previous glory.
Henderson, 78, told BarrieToday he purchased the vehicle in 1992 from a collector out west. At the time, he said, he was working at a body shop, and would work on restoring the vehicle after his shift and on weekends.
“I took it down to bare metal (and) have done all the repairs on it … and picked out the red colour for it,” he said, adding it took him about four months working on the two-door hardtop part time to bring it back to its original glory.
“I enjoyed getting it ready. I took the trunk and the door off, and did a proper job.”
Although this was the first classic car he’d purchased, this isn’t Henderson’s first time behind the wheel of a Bel Air, having owned a black, four-door hardtop, which he described as a “rust bucket” before it was considered a classic.
“It was just an everyday car for me,” he said. “I never thought I would get one (now) and redo it. I never thought I’d get into this hobby back then.”
Since restoring the car, Henderson said he has hit the road quite a bit, noting he and his wife often participate in local cruises and events, but Saturday’s classic car show in downtown Barrie was the first time this year he’s taken it out. Taking part in these events, he added, is a fun way to “remember the good old days.”
Walter Meyer drove to Barrie from Glencairn in his 1932 Ford Coupe, which he purchased eight years ago.
“I just love the hot rod era,” he said. “I was raised with hot rods. It just brings back the old American Graffiti style of cars.”
The classic Coupe, he said, is “awesome to drive” and often gets him quite a bit of attention on the road.
“I get lots of thumbs up. It handles really well and it’s fun to drive,” he said.
Hillsdale resident Mike Beamish also attended the show, showing off his light blue 1955 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday hardtop.
“It came from California and is pretty much all original except for the seats,” he said, adding he simply loves classic cars. “I just love the old ’50s … the old Cadillacs, Buicks, Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs … That’s just my style.”
