By Bryan MacKell

Note: Photos follow article

Canadian Rodder’s "Big Nickel" Tour got off to a successful launch on Thursday July 28th at a restaurant gathering in Whitby. Expectations were high as over 70 people gathered for a meal and a prep talk on the weekend’s events.

Friday July 29, 2011
Friday morning dawned grey and wet, yet undaunted everyone set off for Lindsay, the first of many designated A&W stops. The skies opened up for over an hour and by the time the tour drove down Kent Street, the shopping centre parking lots were flooded as was the thoroughfare. Never-the-less, hot rod parking was accommodated around the shores of the newly formed Lake Lindsay whose gentle waves were lapping at the curbs in front of Marks Work Warehouse and the “Dub restaurant. As the area was declared a ‘no wake zone’, cars were not encouraged to drive through the water, although a few tried. Wake boarding was out of the question, but one sport rolled up his pants, put a beach umbrella over his shoulder and, with fishing rod in hand, was casting about in search of the big one.

With additional cars joining the Tour at that point, everyone then set out on a cross-county run taking us through Minden for the next scheduled stop in Bracebridge. Again as the car compliment swelled it was a direct and leisurely drive north on Highway 11 to the Holiday Inn in Huntsville. More rides meet up there and the Tour cars were cleaned and washed, socializing was encouraged and at the prescribed hour the 90 cars headed off to a local GM dealership where a fund raising BBQ was underway. Tour organizer Frank Colgoni drew names for some automotive-related door prizes including a much coveted, four drawer mechanics tool box adorned with the Montreal Canadiens blue, blanc, rouge colors and famous jersey logo. A great prize indeed; tabernouche.

Saturday July 30, 2011
After Saturday morning’s briefing, we were off by 8:00 am heading up Highway 11 to North Bay, driving past the communities of Burks Falls, Sundridge, South River and Powassan. After rolling across Highway 17 the north shore of Lake Nipissing with some stops to take in the breathtaking scenery, the group arrived in Sturgeon Falls for the next scheduled A&W stop and to rendezvous with the local car club.

As folks gathered for food and in some cases fuel, one rodder was intercepted by a group of stern, yet well meaning, locals who informed him that he had neglected to pay for the gas fill up down the street. The accosting lady calmly explained that her daughter was the cashier at the gas bar and that she, her mother, and her accompanying husband and her son and the girls uncle were there to ensure that the “gas ‘n dasher” returned to make financial restitution. As this was unintentional, the driver returned, paid the outstanding bill and returned to the ‘Dub secure in the knowledge that, in Sturgeon Falls they don’t call 911; they just call Family! :)

With Frank noting a printing error in the directions, turning left onto a continuing road and not right into a field, the Tour then continued on to Sudbury and to the host Holiday Inn. With time on our hands before the big cruise, many took the opportunity to do some sight seeing in the city and to visit the tour patron; The Big Nickel!

We then mustered up and drove as a group over to a mall on the north east side of the city, in New Sudbury, to form up for the 2011 Claude Dufresne Memorial Cruise. Over 200 cars left the site following two distinct routes to meet up at the Grand Opening of a new A&W restaurant on the other side of the city. After more door prizes, celebratory cake and ‘burgs, everyone headed out to Cooter and Brenda’s in nearby Copper Cliff. For the uninitiated or ‘newbies’ this was an event that one has to experience. The ‘Cliff’ is a quiet little community that probably rolls up it’s sidewalks on any given night, but on this night it was inundated with over 150 hot rods, classic and cruisers. Apparently this is an annual event because many of the local folks were enjoying the warm evening sitting out on their front lawns taking video of the parade and talking with car folks as we inched our way 'past the dairy that is closed’ onto our host’s street.

Cooter’s place could be the subject of an entire article but suffice it to say it’s a large shop, well appointed with a hoist, tools and equipment, lots of land around it and a mezzanine ‘man cave’ to die for; complete with big screen, couches, a bar, wall art, a shower and a toilet. He and Mike hosted a two hour luck of the draw that saw countless tools, wrenches, drill bits, socket sets and associated garage equipment given out to almost all in attendance. And if you didn‘t win anything that night, not to worry as there would be an almost equal amount of much of the same equipment given away the next day at their car show.

Sunday July 30, 2011
Sunday’s main focus was to have a leisurely breakfast, fuel up and drive back to Copper Cliff to the show venue in the park. The day-long event sponsored by the Sudbury Classic Cruisers and Sudbury Street Rod Association featured an automotive related product vendor’s area and the usual food fare of burgs, hot dogs, spiral deep fried potatoes and ice cream. Food was collected for the local food bank and donation jars were generously filled by the visitors. The music and commentary was supplied by Rewind 103.9 fm, Sudbury’s Greatest Hits radio station. They had a 1965 Mustang Coupe on display and it was to be drawn for as part of the closing ceremonies later that day. The winner was not home when contacted by phone, so Cooter left a message that no doubt caused a lot of excitement when heard by the lucky winner. By mid afternoon, Cooter and Mike commenced the car show award presentations for picked cars in various categories then they continued on with the luck of the draw giveaways of various items and automotive tools. Once again very few of the participants went home empty handed.

That evening, the Big Nickel Tour Banquet was hosted at the Holiday Inn with a full house of car folks feasting on an elaborate main course buffet and a wide array of desert sweets. The after dinner speeches featured Frank identifying the previous years ‘tour’ rodders, and centering out the ‘newbies’, and thanking all for participating in this years event. John, the visiting transplanted Kiwi/Aussie (editor's note: what a combo!) enjoying his third tour spoke for a short time, but unfortunately a translator wasn’t in the house; therefore no one understood a word he said, but the sentiment was there...

Following that, Frank started the award ceremony with the International Long Distance Award. Despite the fact that everyone thought it might be John, it went to his "mate" Gary who was from (are you ready for this?) Oakey, Queensland, Australia. A mere 24,530 kms.!!

The Canadian Long Distance Award recognized a repeat award winner, a couple, Iain and Janet, who, on a family vacation, drove 3,908 kms. from Coalhurst, Alberta.

Door prizes, based on the luck of the draw, were given out and they included an array of metal nostalgia signs from the RJ Vintage Garage, original hot rod themed artwork from Brightwork Auto Art, eight $100 gift certificates from Horton Hot Rod Parts and an original painting done by participant Michele Bertin. A&W, presenting sponsor of the tour, gave away a neon clock, two folding director’s chairs and a very cool table and bar stool set. The host also recognized sponsor Silver Wheels Insurance and the Sudbury Classic Cruisers and Sudbury Street Rod Association for the Saturday night cruise, the party at Cooters place and the Sunday car show in Copper Cliff. The Sudbury clubs then drew for their sponsored $500 cash prize.

Recognition was given to David Brown as support vehicle driver, David and Tom McFadden for their help in setting up that evening, Paul and Wayne for their roadside assistance and to Jan Lynas and Carole Labutte for the ladies' gifts. Last but not least, Frank recognized his wife Judy for her never ending support and hard work with endless organization tasks (and for letting Frank have so much fun).

From all of The Big Nickel cruisers; thanks and well done Judy and Frank!