By Rev. C.J. Barry Kentner
With the Number of Car Shows in this part of Michigan and Ontario, it is sometimes difficult to get different dates. That is one reason why the Old Auto’s Show in Bothwell Ontario and the WAMBO in Wallaceburg are mostly on the same date. That makes it difficult to take in two shows in one day.
The Old Auto show in Bothwell is really for old automobiles…and Models T’s and A’s, as well as many other long-forgotten makes and models, stretch the fields to their limit. In Wallaceburg, the WAMBO tends to have many of the l930-and-up cars…and many of these have had extensive and expensive upgrades. When you see a l936 Ford with automatic transmission and a four-barrel carb, you’ll know what I mean.
But WAMBO stands for Wallaceburg Automobile, Motor Cycle and Boat Show. There are a few people who take a boat to the WAMBO from the Port Huron, Sarnia, and Windsor areas, because both Motorcycles and Boats are welcome as well.
Some boats that have appeared over the years at WAMBO include the Dippy…a “disappearing propeller” boat that has found favor with fishermen. particularly from the period of the “2 0’s to the 50’s ” of the last Century.
The preservation of Boats, Motorcycles, and Cars takes time and money, and in recent years, parts are a real problem. Getting the right ones sometimes takes years. Just a for instance: trunk handles, nameplates, trim, and chromed parts are sometimes impossible to get and if you can get them the price is often unreasonable.
I love to go to as many car, boat, and motorcycle shows as I can….but every time I go to a show….I get these ideas. Maybe that’s why I go, I don’t own anything…and when I get the urge to splurge these ideas come to mind. Better to enjoy the show.
