Victoria Vintage View

Newsletter of the Victoria Chapter

The calendar keeps rolling on and once again we are at the transition point of deciding

what to do with our vintage vehicles. For certain we get more selective in using our

cars and for those who come out to our Sunday runs there will be a higher mix of mod-

ern within the vintage. But one thing is certain in Victoria, the temperate climate al-

lows us to keep up with the option and not having it erased similar to other parts of

British Columbia. So keep up to the Sunday runs remaining this year in October, No-

vember and December. There was just the annual corn roast for September , even in

the rain and as we roll toward the new year there is the annual New Year’s Day run.

Future dates of importance are the choices members make at the October meeting, at

the voting for the Robert Lawrence Memorial Trophy. The annual elections for officers

of the club is at our November 6 meeting. So it is an important time of the year for

our club and it is well worth a strong membership turnout.

Robert Lawrence Memorial Trophy

Voting by secret ballot takes place at our

October General Meeting. The trophy is

presented at our Awards and Christmas

Banquet on December 2.

This trophy is presented to the person or

persons who you believe best represents the

principles of commitment and contribution

to the Victoria Chapter.

September—October 2018 Bill Bouchard—Editor

2

Swap Meet 2018 Another swap meet under the belt, the Victoria Chapter’s 50th Swap Meet. If customer

attendance, purchasing and feedback are the indicators then we’re making it work.

What does make it work more than anything

are the volunteers, most of them from our

Chapter. I say most of them because it now

takes very valuable volunteer hours from

some of the members from the Torque Mas-

ters Car Club and volunteers also from Telus

Ambassadors.

Actually we were fortunate to have our 50th

Swap Meet. You know that John King came

forward to Chair the meet and a team of

members fell into place to assist with the

key areas. A special thank you to John

King.

A perfect Sunday greeted us for June 24,

thankfully not too hot and no threat of the

wet stuff. The field was marked the day

prior by Harvey Sherman and his crew.

This was the last year in this key role for

Harvey, as he is “retiring” after years on the

turf laying out the outdoor space for the

stalls. There is also the indoor stalls, park-

ing spaces and concession to prepare.

We are all set for next year, with the date of

the meet being Sunday June 23, 2019.

That’s one week after Father’s Day and the

Model T run. We’re going for the 51st year.

Volunteers needed!

3

Rest Home Visits I can’t recall the number of years we have been participating in visits to the rest homes

but it has always been very enjoyable and extremely worthwhile. The visits take only a

few hours of our time but to the residents of these homes it is a very big break for their

day. The memories that are generated by our guests are rewarding to the members who

bring out their cars.

Gorge Road Hospital started it off on June 13, where we were joined by a fully re-

stored 1952 Kenworth from the Victoria Fire Department. After the residents viewed

our cars we all came together in the dining hall to enjoy the music of Tom Gough and

dine on the gorgeous fresh strawberry sundae.

Marrion Village was next on the calen-

dar set for June 15. This is our second

year here and the setting is in a court-

yard, complete with a fully supported

musician who primarily plays the gui-

tar. A noon hour event, we got to enjoy

barbecued ribs, delicious potato salad

and additional trimmings.

Luther Court on June 20 was our next

activity and our members don’t waste an

opportunity for a good lunch and before

we were expected at the rest home, we

all met at 1550 restaurant before going

to Luther Court. A fantastic day.

More on next page

4

On June 26, a few days after our swap meet, some of the regulars met at the Sidney

Care Home for a visit. The facility has some entertainment and refreshments as well

as our cars there for the residents.

There is still time to get your car out for our visit to The Priory on September 19. It’s a

beautiful setting and you will be appreciated by the residents in spending a couple of

hours on a Wednesday.

5

Model T Today—June 17 This was Barney Oldfield Sunday honoring the Model T. Our Chapter helped bring it

together through Marc Brown and others. The “others” start with Paul and Liz Taylor,

who brought the fixings and cooked the almost famous Taylor breakfast bunwich.

It was unfortunate that we couldn't have brought together more people and more T’s.

But for those of us who were there it was a lot of fun and a treat to see the Brass T’s

driving through the countryside.

There were five Model T cars brought out by the owners this Father’s Day all of them

Brass T’s. James Kitchener took home the trophy and it will be added to for next year’s

run.

6

Out and Back—July 15 run Out and back pretty well describes it and I think that if I did the run I wouldn’t get

lost!! This run was put together by Harvey and Sue Sherman and the summer weather

was continuing (we know that by now) with the warmth, bringing out the convertibles.

In fact almost half of the vintage cars out on this day were convertibles. These were 18

vintage and 2 modern.

A simple run, quickly to West Saanich and then to Lands End before some turns at

Chalet Rd., Birch, Madronna, Downey, those being the out part of the run. Then the

back was West Saanich to Sassy’s for the obligatory snacks or early supper.

August 19—Sunday Run This Sunday was another good weather day, perfect for the run that was planned by

Gordie and Jane Thomas. Just in case you missed it and a few of us did have other

things to do at this time on this day, the run brought out 17 cars. Of those 17, only

three were modern and 14 were vintage. There were 19 memberships and 33 people

out to enjoy the brief afternoon time, a highlight being the time spent in the cafeteria

at Gorge Vale Golf Course. This was a test for the Awards and Christmas banquet on

December 2.

Coming up ………... Tuesday October 2, General Meeting. Voting for Robert Lawrence Memorial Trophy.

Sunday October 14, Sunday Run. Meet at usual place and time.

Tuesday November 6, General Meeting and voting for executive.

Sunday November 18, Sunday run.

Sunday December 2, Annual Awards and Christmas

banquet.

Tuesday December 4, General Meeting, Member Ap-

preciation Evening.

Tuesday January 1, 2019. Happy New Year and our

first run of the year.

7

Minds in Motion—And Elvis too Elvis was in the building for this event, a themed fifties flashback barbecue gathering for the Alzheimer

Society. Our Chapter was invited to participate with fifties cars, with Heinz Mueller and yours truly

representing our club with a 1954 Chevrolet and 1955 Packard. It was the Victoria Alzheimer Society,

Minds in Motion held at Eagle Beach Picnic Shelter near the rowing club facilities at Elk Lake.

There were about 80 people enjoying the well organized event, with food and fun a priority. Then there

was the Elvis impersonator, enjoyed by him and others! There was barbecued burgers and hot dogs, fresh

fruit and a special cake.

I’m glad that our Chapter was invited and happier that I took a couple of hours of my Friday to show the

cars. I know that Heinz was having fun as well.

8

Ice Cream—Free For All The evening lined up to perfection with top down weather, an attractive shorter car run of

about 25 minutes because of the promise of ice cream at the end of the run. There were

54 people occupying 31 vehicles. Obviously this was a big winner.

The run organized by Paul and Liz Taylor had an easy 6 rights and 3 lefts before ending

at the home and property of Harvey and Sue Sherman. The route was intentionally short-

er than normal due to the treats at the end of the rainbow. The distance was 8.7 miles.

On arrival at the Sherman’s the cars were lined in a neat row.

Ice cream of numerous flavors, sprinkles, special sauces, cake and cherries for the top

were available, bought and brought by Jane and Gordie Thomas. Jane and Sue handled

the distribution and members were the winners.

Paul had invited the President of National Del Holbrook along with his wife Angela who

is the National Data Master. Del spoke during our eating of the ice cream, providing an

update from National and allowing for a good question/answer period.

That’s one more ice cream run under the belt and we can look forward to the 20th annual

run next year.

9

Recent Winners

Norm Tatlow sent this information and these pictures. He noted that these ordinary cars

don’t get much attention. Au Contraire Norm, Au Contraire

Three VCCC Victoria members won awards recently. Peter Scott’s Citroen 4 CV Avant

Traction won best original at Oak Bay. David Pollock’s newly finished Fargo half ton won

Best Commercial Vehicle at WPC. My ‘48 Dodge D24 Fluid Drive won Best Dodge at

WPC. Three pretty ordinary cars that don’t get much attention! Cheers Norm and thanks for

the information and the pictures.

10

Birthday Wishes, Tom Fisher Many members have been to the Fisher Farm numerous times over the years . Tom has

always been very generous about sharing the beautiful grounds and the fantastic hospi-

tality. The farm was a perfect destination for an October run and a Halloween gathering

in the dark, driveway illuminated by Jack ‘o Lanterns, a roaring bonfire and treats orga-

nized in the garages, all put together by The Vinettes. In fact there was a period of years

when we had the green club storage shed on the property. There were many other gath-

erings too. That’s why it was a natural to help Tom celebrate his 90th birthday in August

at the Fisher Farm.