This text was originally published on Speedhunters June 27, 2018.
Accurately communicating what automotive culture truly is will be difficult. It goes beyond just knowing about cars and attending gatherings; the culture is deeper – something lived, shared, and experienced.
Many events lack the magic that makes automotive culture special. Often, they seem to be moneymaking ventures for promoters, devoid of the fervour and camaraderie that outline the perfect gatherings.
Great events concentrate on greater than just showcasing cars and meting out trophies. They have a good time community – people certain by a shared love for cars, no matter their differences.
These true enthusiasts are those who’ll bring you a jerry can in the course of the night whenever you run out of gas in your project’s maiden voyage. Any thanks are brushed off with an informal “Yeah, my fuel gauge doesn’t work yet either.”
My most up-to-date experience of every thing that makes automotive culture so special was at Sleds North 2024 – Canada’s only invite-only Kustom automotive event.
Chapter Two: Kommunity
Sleds North is the brainchild of two veterans of the Ontario automotive community: automotive and business photographer Kenny Kroeker and kustom automotive enthusiast “London” Jay Handsor.
Without their shared passion for cars, these two might never have crossed paths. And without their deep appreciation for the people and culture of hot rodding, Sleds North would never have come to life.
But Sleds North is much from a solo effort. Key to this 12 months’s event were Fred Botcher and Jill McIntosh, who generously offered their property because the venue. Jill, a well-regarded automotive journalist – who won’t let you permit with no full stomach – and Fred, some of the real automotive guys you’ll ever meet, form the backbone of this gathering.
Fred, who’d gladly offer you the shirt off his back to make it easier to down the road, also drives a shocking gold ’57 Cadillac powered by a 440 six-pack motor. You’d never comprehend it, though, as his hood stays closed 95% of the time. I’ll get to the rationale why soon.
Kenny, Jay, Jill, and Fred appreciate most vehicles, but their true passion lies with traditionally styled builds.
The turnout at Sleds North 2024 proves they’re not alone in Ontario. Nevertheless, without this event, it’s unlikely all these stunning cars would gather in a single place at the identical time.
More a gathering than a show, Sleds North is about catching up with friends and living the culture. The event spans two days: the primary features shop tours, and the second – documented here – is loosely called the ‘show.’ I say loosely because only a handful of participant-chosen, handmade awards are handed out.
Chapter Three: Presentation Is All the pieces
You’ve probably noticed Sleds North doesn’t resemble a typical automotive show. That is entirely by design.
The layout is harking back to how a toddler might arrange their Hot Wheels collection. Some areas are loosely organized by 12 months, others by style, and the remaining just look cool side by side.
This unique approach is a photographer’s dream. You’re never removed from something visually striking, and there’s never anything misplaced within the background.
The absence of stanchions and the necessity to walk right past one vehicle to admire one other means details that may be neglected at other events are properly appreciated.
Stopping to note a detail – a sticker, a scratch, a scuff – sparks conversation and inspiration.
If the cars were parked further apart and roped off, many incredible interiors would likely go unnoticed.
One in all the few presentation rules stood out: hoods closed. Unlike most shows, where it’s customary to pop your hood and walk away, at Sleds North, if you happen to open your hood, you’re expected to shut it soon after.
Why? Simply put, a field of cars with their hoods open wouldn’t look nearly as good.
On this genre of automotive modification, style takes precedence over performance. You might argue that that is the defining genre where aesthetics trump every thing else – a notion that also ruffles some feathers today.
People can argue all day that a chopped top, Lexan windows, and missing wipers aren’t as secure and don’t make the automotive faster, but those critiques often fall on deaf ears.
So, who’s right on this debate? Well, a display card on Jay’s dash succinctly addresses the matter. Don’t mistake these cars for lacking performance upgrades nevertheless.
Take, for instance, this Mercury, which hides a NASCAR-spec V8 beneath its understated exterior. Much of the suspension got here with the engine, and the one clues are the tire sizing, license plate, and the aggressive bark when the V8 fires up.
Chapter 4: The Same, Yet Different
As I wove through the cars, it was fascinating to see how each took inspiration from the identical era, yet none might be called cookie-cutter.
Traditional Kustoms follow a loose set of guidelines, and even those are up for interpretation.
Pinstriping, louvres, chopped tops, and sectioned bodies are common but not mandatory.
Exhausts will be completely hidden, tucked down the side, or, within the case of this ’56 Ford F-100, run through the bedside and right before the bed rail before exiting on the rear.
Paint treatment varies widely, too. It could be glossy and flaked or satin, heavily faded, or worn away by years of use.
With not a trailer in sight, every automotive here was driven to the event, some from as distant as Michigan. This raises an issue: Is it higher to maintain your vehicle pristine and off the road or to drive it and accept the inevitable wear and tear?
That’s a debate we could have for years.
Chapter Five: One in all One
Before I am going any further, I need to highlight this 1967 ‘Ferguson Super Sport,’ a scratch-built creation by Ross Ferguson and his wife, Blanche.
Ross was involved in Canada’s famous yet ultimately ill-fated Avro Arrow superplane, where he helped create tooling for the turbojet engines. He used this experience to construct his dream automotive at home in his garage for over a decade.
Beneath the hand-laid fibreglass body lies a tube frame reinforced with X-shaped cross members. The automotive features independent suspension front and rear, utilizing MacPherson-style struts and longitudinally mounted torsion bars.
Powering the Ferguson Super Sport is a Ford 289ci V8 crate engine paired with a three-speed manual transaxle.
The locally solid magnesium wheels are mounted via knock-off hubs – complete with a custom socket Ross fabricated himself.
Today, the automotive is cared for by Chris Atkins. For those focused on a deep dive into the construct, an intensive article will be found here.
Being within the presence of something so unique was truly special. It serves as a reminder that there aren’t any limits to what someone with determination can achieve of their garage.
Final Chapter: Greater And Higher
With the fifth Sleds North set for 2025, the plan is for the event to proceed growing 12 months after 12 months, while maintaining its unique appeal.
While the event may be the brainchild of Jay and Kenny, its true ownership lies with the community that fuels it and the culture they represent.
If you would like to be a part of Sleds North 2025, one of the simplest ways is to enjoy your automotive. Jay and Kenny personally hand out physical invitations, so don’t keep your ride under wraps. Bring it out for the world to see, because kustoms are all the time higher whenever you drive them!
Bonus: Cutting Room Floor
This Article First Appeared At www.stanceiseverything.com
