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Times Advocate, 1991-08-21, Page 10Page 10 Times -Advocate, August 21, 1991 More than just basic transportation By Ray Lewis and Adrian Harte Some people just aren't content with four wheels to take them from point A to point B. And who can blame them? The 20th century may be best known for powered flight, computers, and men on the moon, but in actual fact, it is the automobile which has put its mark most firmly on this century. The creation of a rapid, personal transpor- tation device - the car - has perhaps done more to affect the destiny of the western world than any other invention. But the car has also become a form of per- sonal expression. It is claimed one can tell a lot about a person just by the kind of car they drive. The purchase of a car is not the same as buying a dishwasher or any other practical appliance. Cars can reflect any personality if chosen wisely. Even so, despite the wide range of new cars available on the market today, there are more than a few people out there who refuse to let considerations like a warranty or the latest in convenience features figure in their decision to purchase that special car. They want something unique, something timeless, something nostalgic. On these two pages are featured the prize possessions of a few local automobile enthu- siasts. They represent only a handful of the many people who make caring for their cars a labour of love. Some drive their cars nearly every day, others hide them away from Moth- er Nature's evils and can only be seen on the most favorable days. But all take special pride in the fact that their cars are true to the spirit in which they were originally made. And all of them were more than pleased to discuss with the Times Advocate the pleasures and pains of owning a classic. Here are their stories, we hope you enjoy them. Don't forget that up to 350 classic cars are expected at the annual Zurich Bean Festival Car Show this Saturday...weather permitting, of course. RAY AND WENDY VENTURIN, Kirkton 1962 CORVETTE engine : 350 cu.in. V-8 colour : red While growing up, Ray had a 1956 Corvette, but hadn't had another old type car until this one. Eight years ago, he and wife Wendy made a trek to Detroit. They found this car with a sound frame and after de- ciding everything else was fixable, made the purchase. "It took us about two years, but we found the one we wanted," said Ray Venturin, referring to his 1962 Cor- vette convertible. As of yet, the Venturins haven't totally restored their car. It doesn't have the proper engine 9t transmission, so it is a classic car but not an original. It is complete with a 350 engine, high compression heads and a four - barrel carburetor, but whenever something goes wrong the couple attempts to replace it with an original part. "It would be very easy to do it all at once, but very costly," said Ray. "So we do it piece by piece." While many choose to build their cars nearly from scratch, piece by piece, Wendy says that would be too much time and money for her liking. Ray does some of the work, but leaves the bigger jobs to. the mechan- , ics. Both noted that there are restoration companies which will do it all for you, but again it takes a long time and a lot of money. A lot of people have their cars done to the point that they are afraid to drive it, but that's not' the case with this one as both enjoy hav- ing it out. Helping the Venturins has been Kirk Blackler of Kirkton. Kirk has always been interested in cars, but when the Venturin's moved into the village, they put a bug in his ear permanently. "We've all had a lot of fun with it," said Blackler. "Especially with the cruise nights." Cruises are designated social events where car own- ers get together and then go for a drive. They leek and just have a good time. Enough interest has been gener- ated in this area, that the trio formed its own yearly cruise night with the help of Paul and Sheila McNaughton. This year, the third annual Kirkton Klassic 'Cruise attracted over 170 cars, despite severe weather warnings. Local businesses chipped in with over 200 door prizes, and almost $200 was raised from a 50/50 draw, which was donated to the Kirkton pool. Asked why most people become involved, Wendy replied that many like the looks of a certain car, but most want a particular model because of the memories it holds. So what's on tap for the Kirkton couple. Rumour has it Wendy has a yearning for one of her own. "Maybe I'll even pick up a hot rod," she laughed. "You never know." The American sports car Right down to the original paint GLEN AND DONNA THIEL, Zurich 1958 BUICK SPECIAL engine: 364 cu. In. V8 colour: robin egg blue with white roof The Thiels are the sixth owners of the car, which was originally purchased in 1958 at King's Gate Motors north of Toronto. When their turn came up, they didn't waste much time. They made their decision to buy in less than fifteen minutes, because someone else was looking at it. "We were fortunate to find one in this great of shape," said Glen. They purchased the car two years ago when a couple from Sarnia had it for sale at the Bean Festival in Zu- rich. The Thiels had been looking at different car shows for a 1957 Plymouth, because that was what Glen had originally driven. Apparently, they are scarce because the bodies of that year weren't good. "Mine was black with high fins and a pink strip down the side," recalled Glen fondly. "A two -door hard top." Their Buick is completely original right down to the spare tire. Not even the upholstery has been touched, and the only paint applied was to the hood because something had fallen on it. It contains stainless steel trim and the most expen- sive grill that Buick ever put in a car, with 160 small RUMS across ita_mse. _The company later changed the design, because insurance replacement costs be- came too high. For options, the car has no power brakes or steering but the owners did go for automatic transmission and lights underneath the hood, trunk and in the glove box. Heaters are located under the seats and the car has bat- tery wipers. And, of course, what would a car be with- out curb feelers. Even the tube radio still works, al- though Glen jokes that it takes a while to warm up. The Thiel's have it licensed as a historic vehicle, which permits them to drive to fairs and parades. It has 40,000 original miles on it, and Glen said they use it quite often in the summer. "We put about 1,500 miles on it a year," said Glen. "And it gets 17 miles per gallon." Last week, the couple went across the border to a car show which had over 500 cars. The Thiel's had the only '58 Buick. "Some people have different hobbies and this is ours," said Donna. "You're always looking and we've had many chances to sell, but we wouldn't sell," said Glen. "What would we ever replace it with?" The classic of classics JOHN AND KAREN COOPER, Hensall 1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR engine: 283 cu. In. V-8 colour: red After toying with Oldsmobiles, John Cooper decided to try his luck with a kit car. He purchased a combina- tion Dusenberg-Auburn which he -built upon a Volks- wagen frame. When that fetish loaned to wear thin, he sold it to a buyer in Quebec and began searchingfor a new project. Not long after, his brother-in-law iSas- katchewan supplied hun with one. "He knew we were looking for a Chevy and found a '57 Bel Air," said Cooper. The car turned out to be in excellent shape and well looked after. The owner was a young girl who had in- herited the car from her grandfather, but refused to sell it until she knew where it was going. "So, in September, out we went and towed her home," said Cooper. With only a new paint job, the car is completely orig- inal and has never had anything put into it. It came right from the factory with power steering, power brakes, four -barrel carburetor, dual exhaust and auto- matic transmission, a package which Chevrolet offered at the time. Although Cooper has done most the work himself, many have had a hand in the car's restoration, especial- ly Bob Erb. "Bob painted the car over the winter while I was in Florida: said Cooper. "And he did more than super The two men then spent the spring reassembling the car. Cooper said that it really didn't take long to get it back together, but admits he spent most of his time on it. As for others, the upholstery was done by CARS of Detroit, the chrome parts were buffed up by Cam- bridge Custom Chrome and the stainless by Ken Kurt,. in Elmira. "Sometimes k costs you a bit of money," said Coop- er. "But when you see the. end result, n's well worth it." Since finishing the car, Cooper has had many offers on but has declined them all. At the moment, he and wife Karen seem content just to travel to car shows. Laughed Cooper, "You've got to get out and run with the best of them."