News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By Cailin Cousins

At first glance one might think that Joe Olson brought his car to the 9th annual Laker's Car Club show simply to show off the fancy green paint job or customized hood emblem which used to read 'Festiva' but now says 'Joestiva', but on closer inspection there is so much more to this project car.  

(Photo:  Joe Olson and son, Joey, from Williams Lake in front of  their 'Joestvia') 

Joe explained that this is the fifth Ford Festiva that he has owned and has seen so many people customizing imports that it inspired him to customize his domestic Festiva just o be different.  He got online, found some other Festiva fans in the United States, and began ordering hand-made custom bumpers and other parts, while he went about shaving the door handles, customizing the door panels and relocating the fuel filler door -- now hidden behind the left tail light.  "I still have some work to do, like finding driving lights that fit and I'm going to put an air suspension kit in, too," said Joe.  "I've been looking for a Mazda V6 to replace the stock engine, but they're hard to come by."

Tyler Blackwood's purpose-built rock crawler drew a constant crowd of curious onlookers. Tyler, a welder from 150 Mile House, explained that he worked on his 'buggy' nearly every day for three years straight and there is no 'real vehicle' under it. "It is 100% custom built from the ground up," he said.  The buggy is powered by a small block Chevy 325 on propane.  When asked why he chose propane, Tyler explained that he gets the same power on hills with the constant fuel delivery, if you happen to go over there is less chance of leaks plus it's a bit cheaper to run. 

Tyler has entered a couple competitions with the rock crawler, most notably the 'Rumble on the Rocks' in Kelowna in 2009, where he placed 6th.  "We can't race this season because of the fire hazard, but I get out in the back forty where I live and get to play there," he beamed.  There are only nine buggies like Tyler's in British Columbia currently. 

Ted Hlokoff's sapphire blue Dodge Viper was a popular stopping point for the crowds at the car show, especially when they heard Ted say, "It has 900 horsepower."  The local race cars of Bob Lowen and Marius Dunford from Thunder Mountain Speedway were among some of the most-photographed cars in the lot.

There were 39 participants in the Lakers Car Club Canadian Tire show this year, some from as far away as Nimpo Lake and Lillooet with a variety of vehicles for the revolving crowd of car enthusiasts to enjoy.  Canadian Tire generously provided plenty of draw prizes. 

At the end of the day Ken Beck of McLeese Lake was the fan favourite, taking home the 'People's Choice' trophy with his 1968 Chev pick-up and the 'Best in Show' was awarded to another local, Rod Froberg of Cariboo Street Rods, with his bright red 1957 Chev 3100 4x4.

The Lakers Car Club's next show is on August 19  at 7:00pm at the Williams Lake Seniors Village.  For more information, visit their website at www.lakerscarclub.ca

Crowds enjoying the car show

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