Members of the Nelson Road Kings may have been drawn into the world of classic cars and hot rods because of old memories, but this weekend they will be making new ones as the Queen City Cruise pulls into town.
“I had a shaggin’ wagon van with murals, crushed velvet interior, mirror above the bed and all the toys. We went to California in that and that was a lot of fun,” said Road Kings vice-president Stan Brost.
Brost is currently the owner of a bright orange 1928 Ford hot rod.
“It’s funny even little kids in their strollers will stop and point at my car. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the bright colours, but they seem to enjoy it. And the older people seem to enjoy it because it brings back memories of their cars,” he said.
For Brost a lot of things that drew him to the world of classic cars.
“I like the style and look of them,” he said.
In addition to the “shaggin’ wagon,” Brost said he’s always had a lot of fun cars, but it was the Queen City Cruise that pulled him back.
“I’ve been involved in the car show for six years. I like the camaraderie,” he said. “My favourite part of the weekend is seeing people that you’ve met in the past that come back to town year after year, or the new people that you meet and contacts for cars that are similar to yours and other events. It’s just nice to meet people.”
A couple of the founding members of the Road Kings, Frank Anderson and Tom Yasek, are also looking forward to the weekend’s events.
“I really look forward to the fellowship that you generate over the years with the people that come in and they tell their friends and friends tell their friends,” said Anderson.
Anderson and Yasek along with a half dozen other car enthusiasts, including current Road Kings president Mike Keegan, founded the Road Kings as they are today.
“The club was actually started by a bunch of local Nelson boys in the ‘60s, and when we all started settling down, of course the club sort of disbanded,” said Anderson. “And on a car club venture to Spokane, Tom and I and Mike Keegan and some others stopped for a little refreshment along the way, and we said with our heritage city we’d be the best backdrop for a car show. So we said let’s bring the Road Kings back to life. We got together and decided that. We had about half a dozen members and we have over 100 today.”
Anderson owns a ‘55 Thunderbird, and has six cars altogether.
“But I’m retired now and the beat goes on, I built a four-car garage and now I have six so I have two cars farmed out. It gets in your blood,” said Anderson.
The Queen City Cruise starts on Friday with a parade through downtown. Other events include a rooftop dance, the soap box derby and the show-and-shine on Saturday.
For more information about the weekend’s events visit nelsonroadkings.com