My daughter and I are about to make the nearly 4 hour trip to Detroit to take in the Detroit Autorama. I believe that it's one of the oldest and biggest rod and custom shows in the country. Nothing like it here in Canada, as far as I know. Toronto shows pale by comparison. I grew up in Windsor and my dad use to take me just across the river to see this show. Some some of history's most famous customs as they were introduced to the world...El Matador, Mysterion (numerous Roth, Alexander Bros, Gene Winsfield, Bill Cushenberry and Barris cars), a few years worth of Ford Cusom Caravan cars, Deora,. Can't wait to get there!! John B
I went yesterday (Friday), awesome show as usual, that Sandy Elliot Comet was there (Red with white stripes) Lots of girls to looks at, $6 Beers, $4 Hot Dogs, but I'll need to take today to rest.
Glad to hear that you're getting out and about, Johnny Bee! Especially taking on an 8 hr round trip combined with a lot of walking in betwixed. Let us know how it went.
I think it really sucks that: (a) Autorama is the same weekend as Performance World which is in Toronto and although not as big as the Detroit show, still pretty decent. (b) Some of us need to work Friday and Saturday; (unlike Mr Boyer) (c) I could have bought the former Sandy Elliott/Barrie Poole Comet about 12 yrs ago for a great deal less than it's worth now. whine,whine,whine....is it spring yet, move the clocks ahead, I need my car back; way too much thinkin' goin' on !!!
I was working..., working the girls at the tire booths I forgot about Toronto, oh well London's is at the end of the month. (I heard a rumor that the guy that ran the Toronto show went broke??) As for that Comet...Didn't Don Henderson build it? I remember it in the late 80's...plus it has a Maverick dash in it, look at the serial number
I'll ask Barrie, he always had a hand in the Sandy Elliott team cars. I believe they used Wolverine Chassis in Michigan as the preferred shop for suspenson work. They may also have converted the car from a Maverick shell. It would have been appropriate as Sandy ran a Lincoln/Mercury dealership back then.
Just got back from Detroit! (8:30 pm). Had a reat day, but my legs and feet are killing me! Sure is a big show. Got some pics of the Sandy Elliott car that I'll post when I'm not so bushed; tomorrow hopefully. It sure was nice to see it restored. I had heard that it had been destroyed in a crash. I got the owner's name, and met a friend of his there too. I plan to contact him, if I can, and ask him if he has any articles on the car that he could scan for posting here, or other info that might be of interest to guys who crave Maverick/Comet details and stories. Thanks for the support Rick. It was a bit of a full day for me, but I was very motivated!!! Had some great bonding time with my daughter who is a great enabler of my car addiction in that she gladly goes on pilgrammage like this one with me any time I express the desire to do so. By the way, only one more chemo treatment to go. Later guys. John B
Excellent follow-up post, John. Doing what you did today would take a lot out of a lot of people! Great news about the chemo treatment, too!
John, Glad to read your posts again and hear that you and your daughter had a good time. I'll be in touch soon.
