24
take5.ca
AUGUST 2025
kinds of different genres and people ebrate hot rods. “The Deuce is a 1932 that are interested in cars that were Ford, and they’re generally considbuilt in 1955 or cars from the forties ered to be the ultimate in the hot rod or fifties. The cars that were hot-rodworld.” ded in the 1950s are totally different While Fred enjoyed the drive down from what was done in the eighties the Island, some people were shipor nineties or today. That nostalgia ping their cars internationally to era of the sixties – that’s the one that attend the event. “There was someinterests me the most because I grew body who brought a car from New up in the sixties, and I can remember Zealand. There was one gentleman those times.” with a 1932 Ford sedan who drove it The sedan has only recently been from Vermont.” restored to a drivable state. A few The classic cars he owns are a months ago, it was little more than a Deuce pickup and a two-door sedan. He bought the pickup over forty Before photo of Deuce pickup taken in 1981. Bell paid husk and a frame. Now it looks powerful. He’s kept the original paint years ago and restored it slowly, but $150. Photo: Fred Bell job – a matte red with lots of scrapes the sedan he’s had for less than two from its years of disrepair. It’s easier to drive it, he said, knowyears. “I got some help on the second one because one of the ing that he’s not going to chip the paint. things that I’ve come to realize in life is there’s a difference He said he likes the sedan because the backseat allows him to between being capable of doing something and being capable fit his grandchildren into it and take them for a spin. The memof getting it done.” ories he made of working in and being around cars with his The pickup is fully restored, with gold paint and a sparkling father is something that he hopes to share with his grandkids. trim. The drive stick is nothing short of excessive and is highHe will be taking his cars to the upcoming Rod Run and er than the dashboard. The engine coil is housed in a Lucky Show ’n’ Shine in Ladysmith. The Rod Run, on Friday, Aubeer can. It’s details like that make restoring and keeping these gust 15, is a route for the registered hot rods to drive, windclassic cars a joyful experience for Fred. “I get more questions ing through the town of Ladysmith, down Chemainus Road to about the beer can than anything else,” he said. the roundabout at Henry Road and then back to the A&W just The restoration process – and staying close to the original – north of Ladysmith. is important to Fred because of the nostalgia. “So, there’s all The Ladysmith Show ’n’ Shine, on the following day, Saturday, August 16, is an opportunity to see these classic cars up close. It all starts at 10 am and wraps up at 3 pm. Registration begins at 8 am at the north end of First Avenue. The popular car show is hosted by the Ladysmith Lug Nuts Society, known formerly as the Ladysmith Show & Shine Society. You can still register but hurry. For more information and how to volunteer or participate please email showandshineladysmith@gmail. com “If you want to walk up and look at them and ask questions, pretty much everybody’s receptive to that.” It’s also an opportunity to appreciate all the hard work that has been put into refurbishing and restoring these cars. It’s truly a labour of love. “I hope people enjoy seeing them as much as we enjoy working on them and driving them. If you see them on the road, try and give them a little bit of room.”