Pre-War Antique Car

This 1949 Chrysler Town & Country convertible was named
Best of Show at last year’s ACCCC Concours.

The historic town of Port Hope, about an hour east of Toronto on the shores of Lake Ontario, is about to be invaded.
Not by space aliens or a foreign power, but by some of the finest old vehicles in the country.
After many years in Brampton, the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada is moving its annual Concours d’Elegance to Port Hope’s fairgrounds on Saturday, Aug. 8.
This is the ACCCC’s 46th Concours, which makes it one of the oldest vintage car events in Canada – and certainly one of the most prestigious.
And you don’t have to own a classic Packard or Duesenberg to compete. In fact, you never know what kind of vehicle is going to drive off with the Best of Show trophy. In 2007 it was a 1972 Chevrolet Caprice two-door hardtop. Last year, it was a freshly restored 1949 Chrysler Town & Country convertible.
Nor do you have to be an ACCCC member to enter your vehicle. But your car, truck or motorcycle must be pre-1989 and “as manufactured” – no rods or customs. All vehicles also must have a fire extinguisher.
The event is being hosted by the ACCCC’s Great Pine Ridge Region, which on Sunday, Aug. 9 will stage two tours over the scenic roads of Northumberland County. For vehicles 1945 and older, the GPRR will hold its fourth annual Pre-War Antique Car Tour. For faster vehicles 1946 and newer, there will be a Quiz Tour. Both tours will leave from Port Hope’s Agricultural Park at 10 on Sunday morning, travel separate routes and meet up for lunch two hours later. The entry fee for driver and vehicle is $10 (plus $10 for each adult passenger) and includes the barbecue lunch. It’s not necessary to have a vehicle entered in the Concours to participate in these tours. For more information contact GPRR president Rick Morrison at (905) 349-2272 or log on to www.acccc.ca.

Part of last year’s Pre-War Antique Car Tour.

The big change at this year’s Concours is not in the way cars are judged, but in the way awards are handed out. In past years, vehicles competed against each other in one of 13 classifications with awards for first, second and third places.
This year, the ACCCC will be giving multiple gold, silver and bronze awards. All entries that score between 95 and 100 points will get gold; from 90 to 94.9 silver; and from 85-89.9 bronze.
Categories range from Veteran and Vintage up to 1931, Classics 1925-49, Pre-War Production 1932-42, Postwar Production 1946-54, Early Chrome Era 1955-60, Late Chrome Era 1961-66, Mid Production 1967-75, Late Production 1976-89, Motorcycles up to 1989, Early Commercial up to 1948, Late Commercial 1949-89, Survivor up to 1989 and Non-Domestic up to 1989.
Trophies will be handed out for Best of Show (to the car with the most points in judging), Peer Choice (voted on by all participants) and a special Concours Committee award.
Registration is from 8-10 a.m. and judging commences promptly at 10. The awards dinner is at 6 p.m.
You don’t have to be an ACCCC member to have your car judged. Entry fee is $30, or $15 for display-only vehicles. To register, contact Mike Leiss at 905-277-5628 or by email at mhleiss@can.rogers.com.