THUNDER BAY – Tony Gillies was one of more than 100 classic vehicle owners that showed up for the 32nd annual Rendezvous on Friday at the Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park.
He purchased his 1955 MG TF 1500 roughly eight years ago – in 35 cardboard cartons.
“A previous owner had bought it and decided to completely restore it,” Gillies said.
“Took it apart to the last nut and bolt and then unfortunately passed away.”
Driving a classic car that he has put together himself gives Gillies more confidence.
“A number of people that buy an older car are nervous to drive any long distance because somebody else has looked after it mechanically.
“But if you've put it together, you're not too worried if some small parts should fail that you can get it back on the road,” he said.
Gillies is a member of the Thunder Bay Vintage Sports Car Club. He said participating in the club is all about the camaraderie.
“It's not just driving the cars – it's like-minded people. Everyone has such different backgrounds so the conversations can be very diverse.
“But the one common element of course is the interest in classic cars,” he said.
Whenever he goes anywhere in his MG, it turns heads. If it's a 15-minute drive he has to allow about 45 minutes because people want to ask him about it, Gillies said.
Glenn Burton is a member of the Thunder Bay Vintage Sports Car Club and vice-chair of the Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park.
Burton said the lunch was one of many events that will happen this weekend with the Vintage Sports Car Club for Rendezvous.
“Everyone showed up last night. We had a meet and greet at the Northwester, our host hotel," Burton said, adding that he’s expecting 115 vehicles – with several people coming from the United States.
“Today they’re doing a rally and a scavenger hunt as well as a tour of the Heritage Park.”
Members of the Vintage Sports Car Club and friends will be at the marina on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. near the play area to give people a chance to check out the unique vehicles, which is free of charge.
Jean Mayo, the park's curator, said Rendezvous is only one of the exciting events happening at the Heritage Park this week.
“Not only do we have the Thunder Bay Vintage Sports Car Club today, but Saturday and Sunday we have Quilts of the Village – a display of various types of quilts.”
Quilts will be for sale and you can learn how to sew them.
“They're just beautiful blankets that I've seen in the shop. You would hang them on the wall, put them on your bed. They're just spectacular,” Mayo said.
Quilts of the Village will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $8. Children 10 and younger are free. More information is available here.
