Thousands of people streamed through the downtown streets of Amherstburg Sunday afternoon for the biggest car show ever.
The 18th annual Amherstburg's Gone Car Crazy Show saw upwards of 730 vehicles on Dalhousie St., Richmond St., Murray St., Rankin Ave., North St. and in Toddy Jones Park with vehicles from different eras and different styles represented. Car show committee member Scott Elliott said vehicles came from Michigan and around southwestern Ontario for the show.
Elliott said the show turned out to be “excellent” this year. He said the number of vehicles was slightly more than last year.
“It's been a great turnout, great weather, great volunteers and great band,” said Elliott. “It's a record year.”
Steve Heinrich of Beverly Hills, Michigan captured the Paulie Award as best-in-show this year. Elliott said Heinrich's 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air was a finalist for a Ridler Award at the Detroit Autorama earlier this year, the first time a Ridler finalist had ever been up for an award in Amherstburg.
“Car guys know the Ridler Award,” said Elliott.
Elliott added that organizers know that people came to town early for the car show.
“People were coming in for the weekend,” he said. “That's what you like to see. They were staying at airBnB's.”
Heinrich said he has owned the classic car for about four years but it has been in his family for much longer.
“My father bought it in 1959,” said Heinrich. “It's been in my family since then.”
The car has seen extensive work to restore it, including stripping it and dipping it in acid. A new chassis was put onto the vehicle to allow it to drive and operate more like a modern car. He was at the Amherstburg's Gone Car Crazy show last year with a different car with this year's car only recently going into shows, including Autorama.
Heinrich said he likes the people at the Amherstburg show and praised organizers for putting it together.
“I have friends that live in Amherstburg and some in Windsor,” he said. “We make it a point to come every year.”
Noting he loves walking the streets, getting ice cream and looking at all the vehicles, Heinrich added he believes the show is very well organized.
“Thanks go to them for the show,” said Heinrich, adding his gratitude to Motor City Solutions in Taylor, Michigan for their work on the car.
Bill and Janis Ball of Amherstburg and their 1934 Plymouth were on hand for the show, something they do every year.
“It's a great show. It's nice to visit with people we haven't seen in quite some time,” said Janis. “It's a beautiful day in a beautiful town.”
Bill said they average about four car shows per year and enjoy the car crazy show the most.
“This is it,” he said. “You talk to anyone from anywhere and they'll tell you Amherstburg has the best show.”
Ron Stephen brought his 1955 Ford Thunderbird to the show while Lee Curti brought his 1966 Corvette. Both men are from Windsor.
“I love it,” Curti said of Sunday's car show. “Amherstburg has it right. I come here almost every week on my bike but this is my first time in the car show. I like to share the car with everyone.”
Curti said he was encouraged by Stephen to enter his car in the car show. Both praised the amount of cars, crowds, vendors and entertainment.
“This is the best show around,” said Stephen, who was in his third car show.
Ed Uebele of Essex said it was his time showing his 1953 Chevrolet Sports Coup in the Amherstburg's Gone Car Crazy show.
“There's a lot of great people, a lot of interest in the car,” said Uebele. “There is good food and good music. It's been great.”
Uebele believes it's one of the area's best car shows.
“I come for the people,” he said. “There's more people than any of the other shows.”
Uebele added he will “definitely” be back in the future.
“It's a great show.”
More photos are available on the River Town Times' social media.
Winners included:
BEST IN SHOW (PAULIE AWARD) - Steve Heinrich, Beverly Hills, Michigan - 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible (Award sponsored by Amherstburg Chevrolet Buick GMC)
BEST FORD - Mark Dimilo, Leamington (Award sponsored by Joe Meloche Ford)
BEST MOPAR - Lloyd Fields, Tecumseh - 1970 Plymouth Satellite (Award sponsored by Racicot Chrysler)
BEST GM - Paul Thiessen, Leamington (Award sponsored by John Oltrop)
BEST CORVETTE - Greig Zimmerman, Windsor - 2019 Corvette Grand Sport (Award sponsored by AMA Sportsman's Association)
SEXY SIXTY - Rick McGregor, St. Thomas - 1967 Mercury Comet Caliente (Award sponsored by Burger 67)
BEST TRUCK - Bo Dagenais, LaSalle - 1955 Chevrolet pickup (Award sponsored by G.L. Heritage Brewing Co.)
SWEET SEVENTY - Geoff Clement, Chatham (Award sponsored by Robson Bodyworks)
BEST ORIGINAL - Terry Limanek, Woodslee (Award sponsored by Mid-Century Classics
NIFTY FIFTY - Jason Gignac, Windsor - 1959 Ford F1 (Award sponsored by Canadian Tire Amherstburg)
SPECIAL INTEREST - Dave Dean, LaSalle (Award sponsored by Kyle Lucier RBC Mortgage Team)
MAYOR'S CHOICE - Bill & Janis Balk, Amherstburg - 1934 Plymouth (Award sponsored by Speck's Restaurant)
COOLEST RAGTOP - Frank Moauro, Leamington - 1969 Pontiac GTO (Award sponsored by the Waterfront Ice Cream Parlour)
MEMORY OF DINO GOBBO AWARD - John Moauro, Leamington - 1969 Pontiac GTO (Award sponsored by the Bob's Leather)
CLASSIC CRUISER - Chuck Grandbois, Windsor - 1949 Mercury two-door (Award sponsored by Greenwood Auto Creations)
Car show craze continues in record year
By Ron Giofu
(An earlier version of this story was edited with corrected information on award sponsors.)
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