2008 Fernie to Victoria Tour

AUGUST 23, 2008: Vancouver Island

Today's Statistics:	Travelling from Burnaby to Duncan
Distance: 75 km	Driving Hours: 2.5h	Weather: Beautiful!	Temperature ... Min: 14 Max: 23

The final full day of the 2008 Fernie to Victoria tour saw the group heading over to Vancouver Island. The morning's drive was a scenic run through Richmond and Ladner to the Tsawwassen Ferry terminal, headed for Duke Point. It was quite a lineup to have 50 pre-war cars parked in the belly of the Queen of Port Alberni.

Upon arrival at Duke Point the cars followed the Cedar Point Road south toward Ladysmith. There they were welcomed as special guests at the 6th Annual Ladysmith Show and Shine.

After a two hour stop in Ladysmith the tour headed to Duncan, where the group celebrated the week's accomplishments with a delicious banquet at the Travelodge Silver Bridge Inn. At the banquet special recognition was given to Ken & Chris Findlay (oldest car to complete the trip), Mike & Mary Reid (longest distance travelled), Dan Findlay (youngest driver), and Vern Wellburn (only car not to finish).

Other banquet highlights included Vern Wellburn and Paul Bolam sharing memories from the early days of our hobby and Josh Smienk's anecdotes about the early days of motoring in the Kootenays. As a surprise Jim Macdonald presented a DVD of CBC news clips from the 1958 Fernie Tour. The entire evening was a memorable one and the group is now preparing for the final leg into Victoria.

The cars lined up in Richmond before heading through the Massey Tunnel. The Highways Dept. was good enough to close off the right lane of the tunnel while the cars passed through.

The ferry lineup was not quite as boring as usual.

Rows of vintage cars lined both sides of the lower ferry deck.

The traffic out of Duke Point looked like a scene out of the thirties.

The drive along the Yellow Point Road was scenic and relaxing.

Pete Seward's 1938 Cadillac was purchased by his parents over 50 years ago.

The tour cars were welcomed as guests at the Ladysmith Show and Shine.

The Show and Shine was a mix of old and new.

The whole tour was parked in a line down the centre of Ladysmith's main street.

Dave Proctor brought out his 1910 REO today. This car was on the 1958 Fernie Tour driven by Buck Rogers.

A highlight of the show was the chance to see the Zust. This car was the Italian entry in the 1908 New York to Paris race. It has been painstakingly restored to its race appearance.

Geoff and Pat Hopps joined the tour today with their 1941 Chrysler.

Roadside Repairs ... How to fix a leaky Model A carburetor -
1) find a stick
2) whittle it to fit the drain plug hole
3) push it in hard

John and Marny Peirson dressed for the banquet.

Ken Findlay drove his 1911 Ford all the way from Fernie to Victoria.

Vern and Pat Wellburn. Vern reminded us all of the early hobbyists who blazed the trail that we follow.

John and Bess Reilly celbrated their 56th Anniversary this week. Here, Teresa Findlay presents Bess with a medal of honour for her 56 years of putting up with John.

Jim Macdonald presented tour coordinators Peter and Teresa Findlay with a beautiful framed and engraved copy of the tour book cover.

Looking back ...

1923 Franklin

2008tour@vccc.com