Short Tracks: 2010 Langley Show Canceled! Future of Iconic Car Show & Cruise-In - a balancing act.
By Brian Wormald
Riccardo Sestito is a man caught in the balance. As President of the organization that manages the massive Langley Goodtimes Cruise-In, he heads up a committee that would gladly do it all again this year – if the circumstances were right and a couple of issues were resolved.
He had the heartbreaking task of announcing that the iconic Langley Cruise-In would not be happening for 2010 – and perhaps forever. “It’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to do” he said. Given the event’s history, I’m inclined to agree.
The Langley Cruise-In has been a tremendous part of the Vancouver area’s car culture since inception in 1997. It has become a huge event that attracts way in excess of a thousand cars each year and contributes much needed business to the ever-growing Langley district. Not to mention the reason for it all happening in the first place – raising funds and awareness for local charities to the tune of over $1M. It attracts people and support from continental North America and beyond.
Speaking with Riccardo, it is impossible not to get enthused about what his committee has achieved to date. As someone who was involved since the second year (1998), and President for the last five years, he speaks with glowing praise for his fellow committee (and past committee) volunteers. They know what has to be done and they just make it happen. “We have volunteers who just turn up on the day and ask ‘what would you like me to do’ – and they just do it. They are the BEST!” he reiterates.
He also cannot speak highly enough of the event supporters. The City and the residents have always been enthusiastic, the local merchants association ditto, there was tremendous support from the many car clubs, and of course, the RCMP. Through successive committees working with all these groups, they have achieved their goal of having it become a ‘family’ event. Without these groups, it just would not work. So with such enthusiastic support, why is it that the future of the event is in jeopardy?
It seems to be the classic case of a few spoiling it for the greater good.
Although an official statement about the future of the event has yet to be made (as at time of writing), one thing Riccardo was emphatic about, was the commitment of his committee and subcommittees. Although everyone is a volunteer and as such, have day jobs, family and other responsibilities, they are passionate about the event. “It doesn’t just happen” he said; “it takes a year to organize.” He reiterated that the actual workload is not the issue - although at times, the event planning had taken its toll.
The two burning issues at the heart of the matter seem to be safety and greed, exacerbated by the politics that surround them both.
The issue of burnouts on the Friday night has been contentious for some time. The long-standing cruise from Langley to Aldergrove for a show & shine and drive-in movie has become a safety concern with some cars performing burnouts at will. With thousands of spectators lining the route to admire the cars, it is a potentially dangerous situation. The consequences of a car losing control could be disastrous. It also now seems to be a ‘Catch-22’ situation. Some of the public now encourage it as the cars are passing – perhaps egging drivers on further. Riccardo is quick to point out that he believes it is not members of the supporting car clubs that are involved here. It is most likely some individual entrants that get caught up in the excitement of it all. On the positive side, there have been ongoing discussions with the RCMP and local authorities to address the issue. “We met with the RCMP and the Mayor after the last show” Riccardo said “and continue to work with them”.
Riccardo also speaks of some local commercial interests that are not part of the show’s greater organization but are starting to have their own organized ‘events’ on the same weekend. The concerns are that this takes away from the spirit of the event – to raise money for charity – by them benefiting commercially without having to contribute to the event.
It would be very sad to see an event of this magnitude lost due to a few groups upon whom the spirit of the Langley Car Show and Cruise-In has been forgotten. Riccardo concluded by saying that if the event doesn’t go ahead this year, maybe it’s the hiatus it needed – all parties can re-group, perhaps resulting in an even better one in subsequent years.
Chance to own the only Tucker convertible
Although it will be over by the time this magazine hits the stands, a very unique car will be auctioned during the Russo and Steele’s 10th anniversary Scottsdale event on January 20 to 24. It is the only convertible version of a Tucker 48, the innovative rear-engine car that challenged Detroit just after World War II.
The lucky bidder will not only own an extremely rare piece of North American auto history, they will have the distinction of actually being the FIRST (i.e. original) registered owner of the car. This experimental Tucker, with only two miles on its odometer, has never been titled!
You see, the car was only recently completed. I can picture everyone scratching their heads – “how can that be?” Well, it started essentially as a new Tucker 48 that was completed on a special box-wrapped ovular frame, stamped No. 57, that was built by the Tucker Experimental Department for the convertible. There were only 51 Tucker sedans produced, and they remain among the most desirable and valuable of all American automobiles, with prices approaching $1 million. There was only one Tucker convertible ever started – and it sat unfinished until discovered when the factory closed down. It was was completed last year by Benchmark Classics, a Wisconsin restoration shop.
The Tucker Convertible has been authenticated by one of the classic-car industry’s most well-known figures, Al Prueitt, a 50-year veteran and the founder of Prueitt and Sons Restorations. An affidavit of authenticity comes with the car, according to Russo and Steele.
Although most Tucker sedans have been preserved, the automaker’s story was just a historical footnote until being popularized by the 1988 movie hit about Preston Tucker, “Tucker: The Man and His Dream.”
The convertible is painted Waltz Blue, a colour said to come from a favourite dress of Preston Tucker’s wife, Vera. The light tan interior and convertible top look as if they’ve just rolled off the line in Chicago. The chrome is perfect, from that massive prow to the six individual tips on the exhaust.
Out front, you’ll find a Tucker hallmark, the centre headlamp that turns with the steering wheel. And this one works.
In back is the Tucker-specific, water-cooled, 335 cubic-inch Franklin flat-six engine, which puts out 166 horsepower and, astounding for the era, 377 pound-feet of torque. The original Cord-sourced pre-selector gearbox is perfectly calibrated. The Tucker sits on four of the very rare Kelsey-Hayes wheels.
The Tucker includes the “safety-car” innovations devised by Preston Tucker, plus a few examples of Tucker’s well-known parts-sourcing skills. The correct Tucker steering wheel contains a modified Lincoln horn ring and a centre-hub crest that uses Mills jukebox parts. You’ll also find Tucker’s famous vertical factory AM radio just to the right of the steering wheel.
I, for one, will be watching with interest to see how this one goes. Can’t see it being an all-time auction record (like the 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe last year at US$7.5M), but I’m guessing at least 7 figures.
Russo and Steele, a Phoenix-based auction house specializing in sports cars, muscle cars, hot rods and customs, celebrates its 10th anniversary Scottsdale sale at its customary auction site on North Scottsdale Road and the Loop 101 freeway. More than 600 cars will be offered at the all-reserve auction. Refer www.russoandsteele.com
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