Toronto, Ontario - If you're visiting the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto - which runs until February 24 - you're undoubtedly there to look at new vehicles. But that's not all there is to see; unusual among new-car shows, the Toronto venue also dedicates a fair bit of space to older ones as well.
Most are on the "Classics Concourse", which this year consists of the Cruise Nationals, sponsored by Silver Wheels Insurance Plan, and the Castrol Classics Salon, comprised of the Lamborghini Theatre and "Flames: A Celebration of Hot-Rod Art".
1932 Buick 57-S Special Sedan Deluxe. Click image to enlarge
All are located on the 700 Level, which you'll find as you make your way up or down the escalators between the North and South Buildings of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where the new-car displays are located.
The Cruise Nationals takes almost a year to prepare, and culminates in a display of ten classic vehicles, all locally-owned. It's a contest that celebrates both automobiles and their owners who take them to "cruise nights", informal weekly gatherings that are usually held in store parking lots. At specific cruise nights over the spring and summer, the participants of each select finalists, which then move on to a special event at the Canadian National Exhibition in August. From there, the ten finalists are selected to attend the Toronto Auto Show.
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Click image to enlarge
Leading up to the show, the cars are judged by on-site judges and also online by the public, and on the day before the show opens to the public, the winners are announced. This year's Grand Prize winner was a 1932 Buick 57-S Special Sedan Deluxe, owned by Anita and Alain Cottereau of Mississauga, Ontario; second place went to a 1969 Mustang Mach 1 owned by Carol Bell of Churchill, Ontario, while third was taken by a 1967 Chevelle SS owned by Michael Sitar of Kitchener, Ontario. Each wins $1,000 and a trophy.
Alongside those, you'll also see a 1967 Sunbeam, 1956 Ford Crown Victoria Skyliner, 1955 Chevrolet Nomad, 1930 Ford, 1969 Camaro RS/SS, 1955 DeSoto Fireflite and 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air.
1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS. Click image to enlarge
Move along the concourse, and you're into the Flames display. This popular paint scheme got its start with hot rodders in the 1940s, who sometimes painted stylized flames on their salt-flat racers, as if the engines were on fire. Perhaps much of their current popularity stems from the fact that, unlike some other designs, they can look good on just about any vehicle, from any era. The display includes the traditional 1932 Ford "deuce", but there's also a 1968 Mustang, 1986 GMC pickup and even a couple of pedal cars. The display also shows how different owners like their flames: some are just the general idea, such as the green ones laid over a yellow body on Bob McKerron's 1938 Ford, while the airbrushing on Rodger Water's 1978 Chevrolet pickup looks startlingly realistic. My favourite is Tim Schmidt's 1955 Chevrolet, which features "ghost flames", buried deep in the paint and only visible from certain angles. Take the time to find the blue ones hidden in the back bumper.
Lamborghini LM002. Click image to enlarge
Once you're past those, you'll find a set of doors on the back wall; fasten your seatbelt, and step into the Lamborghini Theatre. There are fifteen on display, believed to be the largest gathering of "fighting bulls" outside of the company's own museum in Italy. They're arranged in two rows against the walls, with a central display of a new Murciélago and Gallardo Superleggera flanking the stunning 2005 Concept S. Among the highlights are the V12-powered LM 002 4x4, one of only two in Canada; the 350 GT, built between 1964 and 1966; a 25th Anniversary Special Edition Countach; one of the 150 Diablo 30th Anniversary Special Editions built and one of only four in Canada; the four-seater Espada; the Targa-roofed Silhouette; and possibly the loveliest Lamborghini of all, the Urracco, built from 1972 to 1979. If you don't walk out of the room ready to buy a lottery ticket, you're just not into cars.
The Classics Concourse is open during all regular Auto Show hours and is free with general admission.
