St Thomas Dragway, Ontario -- The sun was shining full blast. The pungent aroma of burning rubber lingered in the morning air, and the sweet sounds of the countryside mingled with the delightful roar of high horsepower and squealing tires. Is there any better way to spend a balmy summer's day?
Well, actually yes. You could mix all the fun of the drag strip with a fine array of "personalized" GM compact vehicles, and the Canadian unveiling of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe.
Welcome to GM's J-Body Bash, and Compact Car Show!
Show and shine
I arrived shortly after the gates opened, and yet there was already a field full of vehicles, whose owners were eager to show off their pride and joys.
These young GM enthusiasts devote endless amounts of time, and money, to produce, what can only be described as, "personal automotive creations". They then bring their amazing vehicles to events like this to, well basically, allow others to marvel at their workmanship. In a nutshell, it's all about strutting your stuff and showing off. Then again, whenever young people and automobiles gather, that always seems to play a role somewhere.
This is probably where I should be adding, it was all different in my day, but the truth of the matter is... it wasn't. I can still remember back when my generation did pretty much the same thing. That was in the 70's and 80's, when jacking up the rear end of a vehicle and fitting huge rear tires was looked upon as being the ultimate in coolness, and yes, we really did have those fluffy dice!
Boy! How things have changed!
Of course, in my day it was a lot simpler. A nice set of wheels, jack-up bars, tinted windows and the obligatory furry dice and you were on your way. Today, you basically need a degree in mechanical engineering, and possibly one in computer electronics. At least, that's how it seems to me.
Electronics and computer wizardry plays such a huge part in customization nowadays, that it boggles my brain as to how these owners manage to cram it all into what are really rather smallish vehicles. I guess it a case of where there's a will, there's a way.
Well, actually yes. You could mix all the fun of the drag strip with a fine array of "personalized" GM compact vehicles, and the Canadian unveiling of the 2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe.
Welcome to GM's J-Body Bash, and Compact Car Show!
 |
Show and shine
I arrived shortly after the gates opened, and yet there was already a field full of vehicles, whose owners were eager to show off their pride and joys.
These young GM enthusiasts devote endless amounts of time, and money, to produce, what can only be described as, "personal automotive creations". They then bring their amazing vehicles to events like this to, well basically, allow others to marvel at their workmanship. In a nutshell, it's all about strutting your stuff and showing off. Then again, whenever young people and automobiles gather, that always seems to play a role somewhere.
This is probably where I should be adding, it was all different in my day, but the truth of the matter is... it wasn't. I can still remember back when my generation did pretty much the same thing. That was in the 70's and 80's, when jacking up the rear end of a vehicle and fitting huge rear tires was looked upon as being the ultimate in coolness, and yes, we really did have those fluffy dice!
Boy! How things have changed!
Of course, in my day it was a lot simpler. A nice set of wheels, jack-up bars, tinted windows and the obligatory furry dice and you were on your way. Today, you basically need a degree in mechanical engineering, and possibly one in computer electronics. At least, that's how it seems to me.
Electronics and computer wizardry plays such a huge part in customization nowadays, that it boggles my brain as to how these owners manage to cram it all into what are really rather smallish vehicles. I guess it a case of where there's a will, there's a way.
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