Article 3 - Days 6 & 7
by Frank Colgoni

This article is dedicated to the memory of Jean Fleming, one of our Canadian Hot Rod Tour family, who passed this past week.

Day 6 – Brandon, Manitoba to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

A regular part of my routine on the Tour was to make a quick spin of the parking lot before grabbing breakfast. You would always find people hanging out, shooting the proverbial, organizing their “stuff” (love that George Carlin routine), giving their rides a bit of spit and polish or perhaps just exercising the nervous energy associated with the prospect of the day's drive and activities. Oh, and despite the early hour, it was HOT.

As I rounded the right end of the parking lot in front of the hotel, I spotted someone sitting on a curb up ahead. I didn't recognize him as being someone who was travelling with us. As I got closer, still no clue. We weren't travelling with someone in a leather cowboy hat. I glanced at the car beside him, then it's licence plate. Bingo - the long lost Don Stachewicw (from Buffalo, New York). Gee, did he looked bummed. While we had expected Don at our launch in Vaughan days earlier, we had heard through mutual buddy Clarke Pringle that Don had come up against some snags that were either going to hold Don back or prevent him from coming along at all. Turns out that Don had overcome the snags and had driven virtually non stop to catch up with us. Dedicated to making this trip? You could say that. Unfortunately, while en route, Don broke the rear transverse spring on his '32 5-window and had driven all night with NO SUSPENSION. As I am known to say, Dear Mother of God! This was definitely the first hard luck story of the day.

There were a bunch of local car people at the hotel that morning to see us off and, despite their best efforts, they weren't able to fix Don up with a local solution in Brandon. So, plan “B” went into effect. That is, (and with great thanks to The Trailer Shop of Jordan, Ontario) we put Don's '32 on the trailer and Don in the truck and down the road we went. More on Don and his '32 later.

Things will get better Don.

Thanks again to the Trailer Shop

Our itinerary was for a pit stop at the A&W in Virden then for a lunch stop in Indian Head hosted by the Flatland Cruisers, a tour through the Qu'Appelle Valley then on to Moose Jaw for the evening/night.

By the time we left the A&W in Virden (only about an hour west of Brandon), it was becoming obvious that this was likely to be the hottest day so far. By Indian Head, it was sweltering.

Frank and the gang form the A&W Virden
Between Virden and Indian Head, the second hard luck event took place – nasty but could have been nastier. Specifically, Barry & Vicki (from Belleville / '73 Nova), while on the Trans Canada Highway at speed, were struck almost dead centre in the windshield by a large bird (fowl?). You can only imagine the shock from an event like this. While somewhat caved in, the windshield held and was taped up with clear packing tape until repairs could be made. Fortunately, they were able to find a windshield.

How's that for a nasty blow - and frightening
The Flatland Cruisers had arranged to meet us at the highway in Indian Head and lead us into the location of the lunch at the Dominion Experimental Farm. For a tiny club, they really rolled out the red carpet for us. At the lunch site, goody bags were waiting for everyone, which included a beautiful Indian Head pin. In the adjacent gazebo, the club laid out a buffet luncheon of staggering proportions. Once again, like Terrace Bay, we were overwhelmed by the hospitality of the car people from small town Canada.

Thanks again to the Flatland Cruisers - Indian Head, SK

After lunch and a visit with the club we were led, parade-style, up the main street of Indian Head and then escorted through the Qu'Appelle Valley ultimately saying goodbye to the Flatland Cruisers as we made the turn towards Regina. Unfortunately, some of the bumpy roads on our siteseeing trip took a toll. More on that later.

Before getting back on the Trans Canada Highway, we pulled over for gas. While waiting to fill up, Bob Helland (who had joined us from local Assiniboia) suggested contacting some people from the Majestics Car Club in Regina about Don's spring issue. He did and Don was delivered to Regina for an overnight stay courtesy of the Majestics and a new spring by Spring Service the following day. Thanks to Bob for that suggestion and to the Majestics for the overnight lodging for Don's car.

Arriving at the Heritage Inn - Medicine Hat


Vicki and Barry with their "award" for most impressive destroyed windshield by a bird
Upon arrival in Moose Jaw, the Renegades Car Club welcomed us at the Heritage Inn . With lots of local cars on hand, we had an impromtu car show in the hotel lot. Meanwhile, remember the bumpy roads mentioned above? Well, our buddy Grant in his “Lemonice“ '37 pickup had taken a bad bump that was at the root of an air leak problem with his air springs – hard luck story #3 of the day. This precipitated a repair in the hotel lot – first of a few I'm sorry to say.

Our thanks to:

  • A&W Virden
  • Flatland Cruisers
  • Majestics Car Club
  • Pat & Diane O'Connor
  • Renegades Car Club
  • The Heritage Inn.

Day 7 – Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to Medicine Hat, Alberta

It was a beautiful morning in Moose Jaw as we readied ourselves for the charge to Medicine Hat. Once again, it was obvious that it was going to be another hot one. As it would turn out, that would be an understatement. Our itinerary for the day would be lunch with the Eliminators Car Club of Swift Current and then on to Medicine Hat for a visit to the Pioneer Village and an evening courtesy of the Medicine Hat Vintage Vehicle Club.


Leaving the Heritage Inn for Medicine Hat - Ken and Jean Fleming in the '34 Sedan. It was our great pleasure Jean.

By the time we got to Swift Current it was insanely hot. It was 42C (about 108F) without the humidity factor. And, there was humidity in Swift Current. We were experiencing some vehicle hiccups in that heat. In fact, my electric fuel pump was howling and I was having starting difficulties (a precursor? to Calgary - next article).

Despite the heat, it was pretty cool in the Eliminators quonset hut/clubhouse. Also despite the heat, they lit the barbeque and treated us to lunch. Thanks Eliminators.

The Eliminators cooking in scorching heat -assisted by Pat O'Connor at right. Thank God for shade.
Unfortunately a number of repairs were in order: A new alternator for Clarke and when Jamie and Stacey rolled in with the support truck/trailer, “Lemonice” was on board again with continuing air fitting issues.

Time to digress and talk about “Comrodderie”. The term was coined right here at Canadian Rodder and is, obviously, a play on the word camaraderie defined as “ a spirit of friendly good-fellowship”. The spin is, of course meant to imply the specific good fellowship between hot rodders. Well, we had big time Comrodderie that afternoon at the Eliminators Car Club. The club offered the full extent of the space and resources to get Grant &Barb (Lemonice) back on the road. And, Grant and Barb's Hot Rod Tour friends couldn't wait to get under the front end to help with the necessary repairs. It was truly inspiring to see the likes of Jerry, Tom and Wayne (among others) in and under the front wheelwells of the car in intense heat and sun. Everyone went down the road under their own steam that afternoon.

When we got to Medicine Hat and met the local club, I made an "executive decision" and cancelled the outing to Pioneer Village. I figured it would be about a thousand degrees in the old wood buildings. I think the local clubs were also relieved. After winding down, checking in and chilling for a while, we were escorted to a Kincoulee park for a reception and dinner. A big thanks to the Medicine Hat Vintage Vehicles Club and Cypress Rod & Custom.


Kincoulee Park Medicine Hat
A short time after arriving back at our hotel, the sky started to look like there might be rain and the wind picked up – really picked up. In the event of rain, Judy and I decided to put the cover on the roadster and the cover nearly took off. I moved the car to the other side of the hotel and parked between cars and tied the cover down with bungees. We then took a hike to a local watering hole for some beverages with some of the group. While we were there, it rained BIG TIME with a light show that rivalled anything I had seen. That's how Day 7 ended. Next day, it's off to Calgary.

Our thanks to:

  • The Eliminators Car Club
  • Gary Meininger
  • Medicine Hat Vintage Vehicle Club
  • Cypress Rod & Custom
  • Holiday Inn Express.

Don't leave before checking out the slideshows from days 6 & 7 below

Slideshow for July 22, 2007 - Brandon, Manitoba to Moose Jaw, Sakatchewan is HERE

Slideshow for July 23, 2007 - Moose Jaw, Sakatchewan to Medicine Hat, Alberta is HERE
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