Williams Lake was bustling as people came out to enjoy the Lakers Car Club Show and Shine on Sunday, May 28.
There were a record 230 entries for the 27th annual event, said club president Paul Christianson.
“I was really happy to see so many entries from Williams Lake,” he said.
Vehicles lined two blocks along Oliver Street, two blocks on First Avenue and the parking lot of Spirit Square as the public milled about, some people chatting with the owners.
From the half-scale home-built all-steel cars to a row of big rigs, and everything in between, there were many beautiful vehicles to peruse and owners eager to share information and stories about the vehicles they’d brought to the show.
Bruce Newbery entered with his 1929 Ford Model A Ford Business Coupe modified that he purchased about 30 years ago.
A retired heavy duty mechanic, who worked at Finning for 31 years, Newbery moved to Williams Lake in 1976 from Canim Lake.
He said it was a ground-up restoration done by himself with help from a “bunch” of his friends.
“It originally had a Model A Ford engine in it but it did not have what I needed so I put a Toyota 22R engine with a five-speed transmission and I have air conditioning and power brakes and it is a real nice car to drive,” he said.
Nearby Brady Phillips, who was born and raised in Williams Lake, entered his 1986 Chevrolet Scottsdale C30 he has owned for four years and is slowly trying to restore while doing an apprenticeship as a Telus linesman.
“I finished up most of the stuff in the interior, did the seat, recently put in my sound system and ordered a new dash,” he said.
Next he plans to work his way to the exterior and redo the whole frame.
Originally from Hope, the truck was sold to Phillips from someone in Williams Lake.
Marty Mahovlich of Lone Butte and the 100 Mile Cruzers Club is the third owner of his 1956 T-Bird that has less than 10,000 miles.
It was the car of his dreams, as a young man. Ten years ago he noticed it was for sale in Powell River and he happened to be going there for a retirement party.
From the owner he learned the car had been purchased in California, but because the owner was stationed overseas in Germany, the car sat in a garage for 40 years.
He instantly loved the T-Bird but could not afford the asking price.
However, as he was driving to the ferry the owner called and asked him to make an offer.
The offer was accepted and Mahovlich said he got a very good deal and has had it ever since.
Ray Jobbagy of Williams Lake was not new to the Show and Shine with his 1967 Mercury Cyclone, which he has owned since 1999 and his travel trailer, his since 2008 that he has decorated in Coca Cola paraphernalia.
When asked if he drinks cola, he said he has been known to, but he drinks other varieties of sodas also.
Williams Lake has been his home since 1967. He was living in the Lower Mainland and came to visit his parents who were running the store at Chilko Ranch in Hanceville.
“I hated it here and went back down to the coast,” he recalled.
Eventually Williams Lake grew on him and he stayed, where he and his wife Hazel raised their four sons Roy, Rory, Ryan and Russ here.
During the 2017 wildfires, he and Hazel evacuated with the trailer. They went to Chase first and then to the Tk’emlups pow wow grounds.
“Someone even came around collected laundry once a week,” he recalled as an example of the hospitality at the pow wow grounds.
Christianson said Monday he was contacting the raffle winners who were: First prize, return trip for two to Vancouver plus $500 cash donated by Central Mountain Air: Len Kosolofski, second prize, gas-powered pressure washer donated by WL Forestry Products: John Twan and third prize, portable barbecue donated by Cariboo Propane: Joe Schellenberg.
Leading up to the show there is lots of stress, he said, but when it is all over and has been a success, it feels great.
“The business community has been wonderful at supporting us. I really appreciate that about our town.”
2023 Judged Award recipients
Best General Motors, sponsored by Cariboo Chevrolet Buick GMC
Stock: Greg Greenfield, 1970 Buick GSX, Mount Vernon, Wash.
Modified: Josh Geensen, 1967 Acadian Canso, Williams Lake
Best Ford
Sponsored by Lake City Ford
Stock: Richard Bouchard, 1964 Ford Fairlaine 500, Quesnel
Modified: Mark Fletcher, 1956 Ford F-100, Abbotsford
Best Mopar, sponsored by Gustafson Jeep Chrysler
Stock: L’donna Lynds, 1958 DeSoto Firedome, Duane Johnson, Prince George
Best Other, sponsored by Return-It Depot
Stock: Lisa Kraus, 1968 Vauxhall Viva, Likely
Best Other, sponsored by Don Brown and Son Plumbing
Modified: Trevor Todorowich, 1968 Jeep Gladiator, Williams Lake
Best Asian Import
Stock, sponsored by Heartland Toyota: Karen Rogers, 1991 Nissan Figaro, Williams Lake
Modified, sponsored by Ranchland Honda: Jordyn Brazeau, 2006 Infinity G-35, Quesnel
Best European Import
Stock, sponsored by Ranchland Honda: Michael Koens, 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle, 100 Mile House
Modified, sponsored by Heartland Toyota: John and Silvia Brown, 1961 VW Dune Buggy, Williams Lake
Best Tuner, Travis Hallem Memorial, sponsored by Poppy Home: Corbin Carrier, 2019 Subaru STI, Williams Lake
Mayor’s Choice, sponsored by Grosso Precast:Norm Fellows, 1938 Plymouth, 150 Mile House
President’s Choice, sponsored by Williams Lake and District Credit Union: Edward Beeton, 1968 Dodge Coronet 500, Terrace
Best Motorcycle, sponsored by Karamia’s Donair: Mike Lynnes, 1973 BMW, 150 Mile House
Best Survivor, sponsored Marshall’s 150 Mile Store: Mike Way, 1966 GMC Suburban, Williams Lake
Best Truck, sponsored by JTA 4X4: Mark Fletcher, 1956 Ford F-100, Abbotsford
Long Distance, sponsored by New Wave Pool and Spa: Bruce Stewart, 1970 Ford Mustang, Prince Rupert
Hard Luck, sponsored by DMC Transmission: Terry and Karla Hill, 1970 Ford Mustang, Mt. Vernon, Wash.
Best Trailer, sponsored by Burgess Plumbing: Rick Parent, 2003 car carrier, Mackenzie
2023 ballot awards
1939 and older
First place, sponsored by Jason Noble: Dave Heppner, 1934 Ford Coupe, Quesnel
Second place, sponsored by Marilyn Martin: Kevin Bourdon, 1928 Dodge Brother Victory 6, Williams Lake
1940-1949
First place, Anita Crosina Memorial, sponsored by Crosina Realty: Harold Wheeler, 1946 GMC truck, Quesnel
Second place, sponsored by 150 Centre: John Shepherd, 1945 Dodge pickup, Vernon
1950-59
First place, sponsored by Bare’s Paint and Bodyworks: Mark Johnston, 1952 Ford F-1, 150 Mile House
Second place, sponsored by Caribou U Brew: Marty Mahavolich, 1956 Ford T-Bird, Lone Butte
1960-69
First place, sponsored by WL Forestry: Murray Hoffman, 1966 Ford Cobra, Williams Lake
Second place, sponsored by San Jose Logging: Lisa Kraus, 1968 Vauxhall Viva, Likely
1970-79
First place, sponsored by Allcraft Kitchen En Counters: Michael Koens, 1971 Volkswagen Super Beetle, 100 Mile House
Second place, sponsored by DMC Transmission: Marvin Doherty, 1970 Dodge Coronet Convertible, Prince George
1980-1989
First place, sponsored by Timberland Holdings, Kim Jensen, 1982 Chevrolet Camaro, Williams Lake
Second place, sponsored by Cariboo Shavings: Christine Schmid, 1987 Pontiac Firebird, Lone Butte
1990-1999
First place, sponsored by Bob Lowen Transmission: Karen Rogers, 1991 Nissan Figaro, Williams Lake
Second place, sponsored by United Floors: Dustin Franklin, 1992 GMC C-10, Williams Lake
2000-2009
First place, sponsored by Kal Tire: Jordyn Brazeau, 2006 Infiniti G35, Quesnel
Second place, sponsored by Comer Beer and Wine Store: Mayeva Hordiuk, 2001 Chrysler Prowler, Williams Lake
2010 and up
First place, sponsored by A&W Williams Lake: Ernie Hawkins, 2017 Ford Mustang, Williams Lake
Second place, sponsored by Mainline Roofing: Brad Potter, 2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat, Williams Lake
Tractor, sponsored by Grassland Equipment: Sean Hadley Oshaughness, 1973 Freightliner Cab Over, Williams Lake
Kids Ridem Car
First place, sponsored by Parallel Wood Products: Tenley Richardson, 1920 Reddie Car, Williams Lake
Second place, sponsored by Brandy Trucking: Oaklyn, 2021 John Deere, Williams Lake
North American Motorcycle
First place, sponsored by Smith Timber Works: John Shaw, 2023 Ubilt Trike, Williams Lake
Second place, sponsored by Josh’s Repair: Brent Bradshaw, 2002 Harley Fatboy, Williams Lake
Import Motorcycle
First place, sponsored by Stampede Glass: Colin Kelly, 1972 Norton Commando, Williams Lake
Second place, sponsored by Chilcotin Guns: Chip Schick, 2002 Honda VTX 1800, Williams Lake
Participant’s choice - Ben Stephen Memorial, sponsored by A&W Williams Lake: Mark Johnston, 1952 Ford F-1, 150 Mile House.
READ MORE: Lakers Car Club gearing up for annual spring roundup, show and shine, Williams Lake May 27, 28
On Saturday, May 28, some of the vehicle owners participated in a poker run, a cruise through Williams Lake and a dinner.
monica.lamb-yorski@wltribune.com
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