WHEEL PRIDE

For many, the May long weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. With the warmer weather, drivers — both of classic and modern vehicles — are ready to take their rides out on the open road. We asked some Wheels readers to share with us what makes their vehicle special to them Stingray affair

“My father was in the automobile business all his life, and from the 1960s until his retirement in the late 1990s he was the general manager of Addison Leasing of Canada. I had the wonderful privilege of growing up driving cars that were not only new, but also different makes and models. Customers back then would replace their leased vehicles every two years. One customer in particular always leased a brand-new Corvette. Of all the cars I got to drive, I fell in love with the 1960s and early 1970s Corvettes, especially the Stingrays. Eleven years ago, I had the opportunity to relive that time in my life by purchasing and restoring my own 1966 Stingray in Nassau blue.” Dave Lawless, Stouffville

Turbo charged

“I’m a 22-year-old university student that loves all things cars. I just received this 2021 Mercedes E53 AMG Coupe in late August of last year. The car is quite rare, and I have upgraded the sound system and added dual-tone bucket seats for racing and a track pack. Best of all, there is no B-pillar, meaning all four windows in the coupe can be lowered so it looks like it has a floating roof. The car also has an inline six hybrid (engine), which makes up for any turbo lag.” Kylie-Allison Catherine Cheung, Toronto

THESE READER COMMENTS HAD BEEN EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY. ALL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE VEHICLE OWNERS UNLESS NOTED.

Modified wheels

“My 2020 Honda Civic Type R is a promotional and aftermarket per- formance parts testing and devel- opment car for my shop, Unity Per- formance in Mississauga. Even in stock form, it’s regarded as one of the best driver-focused cars, and tastefully modifying them brings out even more character. The exte- rior has British racing green vinyl wrap, and it contrasts really well with the aftermarket bronze wheels. The car also has upgraded braking, cooling, engine-performance and suspension components that I test to provide my customers with real-world feedback on improvement and long-term durability.”

Humza Imran, Mississauga

Porsche pleasure

“I bought my Porsche 911 during the lockdown last winter. It certainly broke up the monotony I was experiencing. As a 71-year-old widow it gives me so much pleasure and en- joyment. I just love hitting the road in it — and I can take my 95-year- old mother for a ride. I have a cot- tage and that is my favourite place to drive my car. Cottage roads are perfect for going out and about in my little 911 with the top down.” Debbie Chant, Toronto

Military ride

“I am proud of my first military vehicle, a 1953 M37 with the same running gear as the Dodge Power Wagon. The M37 is at my cottage on Oxtongue Lake now. I originally bought the truck for a 200-acre farm near Washago where needed a 4x4 vehicle to access the property because there were no roads, just a rough trail and large rocks. I sold the farm, and the M37 was too large to store in Toronto, so I took it to the cottage, where it is great for getting firewood.”

Bill Vanclief, Scarborough

Motorcycle diary

“I first learned to ride motorcycles in 2012 while living in Rio de Janei- ro. Ten years later I am grateful to say I ride a 2014 Ducati Monster 1200 S that I call ‘La Dozzina.’ I now live in Mimico, but still try to ride all season, mostly for hiking adven- tures, visiting friends or meeting for coffee in Hamilton. In the warmer months, I’ll travel to Muskoka or up to Sudbury to spend time with fam- ily. Over Easter, some friends and I trailered our bikes down to explore the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. This season I’m planning a ride to Quebec to see Mont-Tremblant and perhaps will make it as far north as Timmins.”

Gavin E Thwaites, Mimico

Chevelle love

“It would be understandable to forget a warm, sunny Friday afternoon in late October 1968, but this day was special. A couple buddies and I skipped college classes and, on the way to a local bar, I fell in love. Walking by a Chevy dealership, I saw they were unloading a beautiful, orange convertible that caught my eye. I remember the guys went on for a beer, but I was smitten and stayed behind. I waited until the car was on the ground then checked out every inch of a stunning 1969 Monaco orange Che- velle SS Convertible.

“Fast-forward to 2017 and, after several years of looking, my search took me to Washington state after hearing about an estate sale of similar cars. I immediately contacted the seller, and, after a long conversation, the deal was done. I finally owned my dream car and soon had it shipped to Canada.” Jack Notman, Morrisburg, Ont.

Lifelong ride

“This is my 1953 MG TD, which I have owned for 66 years. In 1956, I was just 16 years old and worked all summer in construction. I spent every dollar I earned to buy this car for $750 — my father nearly disowned me (for paying that much). There were 30,000 miles on the dial when I bought the car and there’s now 190,000, so that gives you some sense of how I have used it. I drive it regularly throughout the summer. I believe New Mexico and Alaska are the only U.S. states we have not visited with Snoopy, as he is affectionately called.

“I’ve marked a lot of significant life events with Snoopy, from high school through now. My wife Lynn and I were engaged in the car, and we raised two children who never turned down the opportunity to ride in the back.”

Bob Mills, Collingwood

Street legal

“This is my Mini Cooper. It is a grey-market import that I got from Japan seven years ago this month. It has a 1,275-cc engine that produces 56 (alleged) horsepower. It has 10-inch wheels and weighs less than 1,450 lbs. I love driving this street legal go-kart because it handles so well and is such an engaging driving experience. Also, it is such a cute-looking car that others can’t help but smile when they see it. It’s great to drive something that brings joy to others — and park anywhere you like.”

Sam Comisarow, Toronto

Thumbs up

“My first Celica was a 1972 coupe that I bought used in 1975. I was 21 at the time and drove that car until late 1976, when I came across a black 1977 Celica Liftback from a local dealer on display at Bayfield Mall in Barrie. I called the dealer and the next day I traded the 1972 coupe for the Liftback.

“I drove it until around 1985. When I bought a new car, I parked the Celica in the backyard with the plan of restoring her one day. When it came time to build an addition to the house, the car had to go. (Years later) while browsing online car auctions, I came across this 1977 Toyota Celica GT Liftback. I talked to the owner before buying it and had it shipped from Texas to Buffalo, where a friend and I brought it across the border. Rarely seen these days, it gets plenty of smiles and thumbs up every time it gets out.”

Neil Reid, Orillia

Dream car

“I bought my 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet from a dealer in Montreal in 2017 after searching online for months. Fortunately, I found it within minutes of it being posted for sale, and I called them to I place a deposit without even seeing photos — knowing that I didn’t want to lose this opportunity. Before I knew it, I was taking my first ride driving it back home and satisfying a lifelong dream to own a 911. My dream car in my dream specification: Lapis blue over a natural brown interior, and of course a manual transmission. This was taken on a day trip to Kimberley, Ont., last fall for a chance to see some (autumn) colours at the Old Baldy Conservation Area.”

Matthew Robertson, Vaughan