We left Bolton, just north of Toronto, on Saturday morning around 8:00 Am. In tow is our 1953 Belair convertible. It's 1200 kms, or 740 miles to Bowling Green. Crossed into Michigan at Detroit around 12:30. They've had 6 years to fix the interstates in Michigan, but have done nothing but move the cones around! Our original plan was to stay overnight around Dayton, but Abby started asking if we were there yet about 30 minutes into the drive! I told her we'd be driving ALL day, then again the following day. She wanted nothing to do with that. We phoned the hotel and extended our stay by a night, and I told her we'd drive all in one day... provided she stopped asking "how much further?"!! It worked!! We arrived in BG at 9:45pm. Already a bunch of cars there from the Central meet that weekend.Met new people, and mingled with old friends. I hit the lot for some late pictures of the cars rolling in. Great times...
Last edited by brewster; 08/07/2207:12 PM.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
Sunday morning saw lots more meeting and greeting. The field entrance checks started at the Sloan Conference Centre. We ran the trailer over to the parking at the Corvette Museum Racetrack. Abby hit the pool for the first time. Jane spent some time putting the baskets together for the basket raffle. Had dinner with the Staples and Ansell's. More cars rolled in all day.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
Monday Morning... and cue the heatwave! I was on field entrance checks out at the racetrack. It was hot and super humid! Abby was with me, as Jane was busy running the Ladies Luncheon with Debbie Cufr. According to the attendees it was a hit, with a wonderful guest speaker that talked about women in the automotive industry. Abby ran her scooter through field entrance and got a pass. Also got the photo. Later it was the welcome event in the banquet hall. Out in the lobby was an excellent display of 1931 accessories which was set up like a photo from a GM show room. Tim & Robin Reinke (father & son)did an amazing job on it. We were entertained by the likes of Dave Minor, Dave Cufr, Don Williams, and more. A special welcome to the Australian contingent, as well as members from Canada, Denmark and Sweden! What an international group we have!
Last edited by brewster; 08/07/2207:32 PM.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
Excellent summary Brewster. This is the most complete overview of the Meet that I've seen. I was having withdrawal from not going, but this helped me feel better. Great Photos.
Bill Barker Previous VCCA CHAT Administrator (VCCA Member: 9802)
I agree with both of you though the facebook postings have a lot of other postings between where Brewsters posts are in a group. No matter how I look at these or the facebook posts it is obvious there was a lot of very nicely restored and possibley (though I havent noticed) some still in a survivor condition. A big credit to the owners just the same. Tony
As a participant and judge, I can assure you that the vehicles brought to the 60th Anniversary Meet were top notch. Our team judged 10 1941 - 1954 and not one scored under 950 out of a 1000. The Best of Show competition was very difficult to determine. If you weren't there plan on being at the 65th in 4 years. It is a rolling/driving better than museum quality show.
Adding more years and models has thinned out all the classes. I think we get just as many cars, more high quality restorations, just spread out over way more years. Also, having Hpocf and drivers class means cars of the same years are parked in different areas of the field. I would prefer if they parked all the years together regardless of which judging class they are in. Even the DNJ cars should be in by year. We talk about being inclusive and welcoming to new members, and I think the first negative feeling they get is when they are told to "Go park over here with the DNJ cars". It almost feels like you're being asked not to show near the show cars. I know feeling, as I've displayed in DNJ before...
Last edited by brewster; 08/08/2211:57 AM.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
After the show, It was back to the hotel for a much needed swim. Abby hit the deep end of the pool for the first time. It was such a thrill as a parent to see her swim across the pool without touching the bottom for the first time. We were in swimming lessons back home, but Covid had shut that down for 2 years, so this was the first time in a pool in quite a while!
Afterwards, it was out to dinner again, at the local Cruise Night at Bruster's Diner. We surprised the local cruise night guys by showing up with 30 or so cars for them to see. There was lots of nice local iron to check out too.
Then it was out to the lot for more hanging out with the guys. One of these nightly hangouts, we went out to Mel's trailer and checked out his latest acquisition... a spare V-8 engine for his Series D V-8. What a rare treat to see!
Last edited by brewster; 08/08/2209:35 PM.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
Wednesday morning the fun started! We were up early for an 8:30 parking lot meeting of all the '53's and 54's present. Thanks to Dan Groman for organizing this photo opportunity.
Next it was of to the NCM racetrack for some hot laps around the track. There were 3 classes we could choose to run the track at... 35mph, 65mph, or 100mph. My lack of seat belts limited me to the slower class. We ran 4 cars to a group, following a pace car around the track. In true 1953 form, I managed to throw a hubcap off part way through the second lap. It landed in the centre of the track, but cars after managed to avoid it. I had it back about an hour later.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
After I was done picking up the parts I littered the track with, we left for a quick trip through the National Corvette Museum. We'd been through it a few years back, so didn't spend too long there this time. Interesting display of the Sinkhole Corvette and the Corvette In The Wall...
The afternoon saw us off onto one of the suggested local tours to Lost River Caves. It was a neat boat ride down a river into a cave below the city of Bowling Green. Some relief from the heat of the day! The evening was filled with another swim, and then a ride in Andy Jurski's 1915 Baby Grand. That was fun!
Last edited by brewster; 08/08/2209:32 PM.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
Thursday morning was another of the suggested self guided tours over to Jackson Orchards. Abby did some tree climbing, and Jane did some shopping. We weren't sure if customs would allow a basket of fresh peaches over the border, so we spent the next two days eating them as fast as we could! They were great. No mention of fruit was made at the border! Barry and I posed the cars again at the farm, because that's what we do! Jane mapped us a really nice backroad drive back to the hotel through the countryside. It was beautiful!
Back at the hotel that night (after the required swim) we went for a ride in Frank Hug's 1933 phaeton. Frank has been looking for an original set of side curtains for the car, since he didn't have any. He was quite surprised when we found him some... stored properly behind the rear seat cushion! Cheers to Bruce Deford for knowing where to look!
Last edited by brewster; 08/09/2202:11 PM.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
My goodness your little girl is growing up. Last time I saw her was at Perrysburg, Ohio. Thanks again for all the pics and comments on the BG Meet. Do we know where the big meet will be in 4 years ??
Thanks Brewster for the great reporting, pictures, and stories !!! I drove down from Ohio, ( in my daily driver ) stayed in Cave City Monday night, went to NCM and checked out all the fabulous show cars on Tuesday. Had a great time. Thanks to everyone for organizing and participating in such a great event. I hope everyone enjoyed and returned home safely !! Cheers !
Friday morning is plaque tour day... and we woke up to solid rain! You can't win them all! I ran over to the track to pick up the trailer and bring it back to the hotel for later in the day loading. When I got back to the hotel, all of the owners that realized their Chevrolets weren't made of sugar were lining up to head out into the rain. What a bunch of troopers! We ran 30 or so miles to a Shaker Village Museum. A bunch of it was outdoors, and we were at the bottom of our American money so we headed off to the next stop in the village of Franklin. There, the tour hosts were handing out the tour plaques and stamping tour passports. We stopped for a snack at a local bakery, and did some window shopping.
Last edited by brewster; 08/09/2207:38 PM.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
On the way home we stopped for lunch at Abby's new favourite restaurant, The Steak & Shake. Then it was back towards the hotel to load up, and comb my hair for the big banquet.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
Friday night was banquet night. It's always kind of a bittersweet feeling at the closing banquets, as we relive the week of good times, and say the goodbyes until next time. The dinner was delicious, and the entertainment fantastic. We enjoyed the work of comedian Scott Long, with a guest appearance by Don Williams. Awards from show day were handed out.
Best of Show, 4 Cylinder era... John & Marianne Tress, 1916 H2 1/2 Royal Mail Roadster
Best of Show, 6 Cylinder era... Karen Bergan & John Le Roy, 1935 Standard Roadster
Best of Show, 8 Cylinder era... Donald & Julie Cox, 1957 Belair 2dr Sport Coupe
Best of Show, Commercial... Daryl & Teresa Wix, 1972 Cheyenne pick up
Best of Show, Hpocf (All original unrestored vehicles) Brett Tower, 1961 Impala SS Sport Coupe
Last edited by brewster; 08/10/2206:08 PM.
Those accustomed to the finest...find it in Chevrolet. 1953 Belair Convertible 1951 2dr Deluxe Sedan 2015 GMC SLE 4X4
Thank you for taking the time to post your experience and I am guessing you made it home safe. If you had to comb you hair you must have more than me. Tony
