Mississaga Street was packed Saturday as the annual Downtown Orillia Classic Car Show made its long-awaited return.
Organizers estimate more than 400 vehicles lined the main street from Albert Street to Front Street. Almost all of the vehicles on display come with a unique story, especially the 1958 European Volkswagen Beetle owned by Biff MacCormack, of Barrie.
“This was only made for the German people,” he explained. “There is no chrome at all on it. It is painted with German tank paint.”
MacCormack acquired the vehicle more than 40 years ago when he was stationed in Germany with the Canadian military.
“We were on operations in Northern Germany and were looking for places to put our armoured vehicles,” he explained. “This car was sitting in a barn. We pulled it out and made a deal with the farmer to buy it off him.”
MacCormack had the military ship home the classic car for him, and it’s a memento of his military journey.
“This is the only car in Canada like it,” he said.
The veteran travels Ontario for car shows and says the Orillia event is one of his favourites.
“I like the way they section off the street,” he said. “It’s well controlled.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MacCormack says he missed the Downtown Orillia Classic Car Show.
“It’s nice to see all the people out again,” he said. “It’s about getting out, talking to people, and enjoying the hobby with others.”
Nick D’Alimonte made his way to Saturday’s event from Creemore in his 1971 Dodge Challenger RT.
“I bought it in 1987 in Burlington,” he explained. “I restored it in 2007.”
D’Alimonte bought the car after losing in a race to the Challenger in his Oldsmobile.
“That’s what drew me to it,” he said. “I thought, ‘I need to find myself a Challenger.’”
He hadn’t been to the Downtown Orillia Classic Car Show in six years, making Saturday’s event a special occasion for him.
“It’s really nice how they close off the roads here,” he said. “The atmosphere is really good.”
Of all the car shows D’Alimonte attends in Ontario, he says Orillia has one of the best.
“It would rank up there with the other top shows,” he said. “It’s good to be back here. It’s a beautiful day for it.”
