Ten Thousand Gather to See Thousands of Collector Cars at RM's 25th Anniversary
Chatham-Kent, Ontario - This sleepy little town between Toronto and Detroit has named itself the 'Classic Car Capital of Canada,' and no one is arguing after last weekend's extravaganza.
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| The collection of classics included a 1934 Ford V8 Special Roadster (Edsel Ford's personal vehicle) and blue 1958 Buick Limited Convertible among others. The Southwestern Ontario Heritage Village was the destination of the RM 25th Anniversary Road Tour. (Photo: Paul Fleet, Canadian Auto Press) |
Thousands of people lined up for miles (three kilometers, actually) to see over a thousand collector cars in what was one of the most impressive collections of antique autos ever gathered in this country.
The renowned restorer of antique and classic cars, RM Auctions, held its 25th anniversary celebration in its hometown with a driving tour on Friday, a massive collector car show on Saturday, and Concours exhibition on Sunday.
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| 1928 Mercedes-Benz SS in Tecumseh Park. Valued at $4-million, this freshly restored beauty was the highest priced vehicle at the Canadian Concours d'Elegance in Chatham, Ontario. (Photo: Paul Fleet, Canadian Auto Press) |
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a flawlessly restored 1930 Duesenberg Model J, worth roughly a million dollars, actually being driven down the highway with twenty other classic and vintage automobiles.
The Duesy was following a 1941 Chrysler Newport with an open dual-cowl body by LeBaron that paced that year's Indy 500 Mile Race. Only a few of these cars were ever built as a showcase for the manufacturer and body builder, making its current value priceless. A 1936 Cord Model 812, a car that pioneered front-wheel drive, an aerodynamic body style featuring hidden headlights and no running boards, was remarkable for its unrestored yet still-running condition.
The rolling stock drove 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Chatham to Kingsville, where the owners and other passengers toured the Southwestern Ontario Heritage Village and Transportation Museum.