Vintage cars retrace Sunshine Highway Run

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/07/2024 (427 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A group of Manitoba history enthusiasts is set to revive a piece of provincial heritage with the Sunshine Highway Relic Run next Tuesday.

Organized by a committee comprised of Alan Melvin, Charlie Baldock, Bill Sandercock and Mike Webber, the event aims to celebrate and recreate the historic Sunshine Highway Run that first took place on July 23, 1921.

Baldock told the Sun the Sunshine Highway, which once stretched from Sioux City, Iowa, to Brandon, was a significant thoroughfare in the early 20th century.

He said it connected various towns and cities, facilitating travel and commerce.

“We like to recreate the history — they did this 100 years ago, so we decided to try it this year,” he said. “We’ll start the 120-mile drive at the U.S. border at 8 a.m. at Crystal City. From there, we’ll go up through Avery Park at Rock Lake, following the original route as closely as possible.”

From the park, he said, the group will head to Glenboro for lunch and ride the Stockton Ferry as a novelty. Then they will continue through Wawanesa and Rounthwaite and enter Brandon from the southeast side, ending at the Dome Building, where Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett and a group of people will meet them.

Participants will have the option of two routes: one that includes some gravel roads and another that sticks strictly to paved roads. This flexibility is designed to accommodate the diverse range of vehicles expected to join the event, Baldock said.

The Sunshine Highway Relic Run is expected to feature an impressive lineup of vintage vehicles, including a 1920 Overland 4, 1922 Ford Model T, 1924 Ford Model T, 1926 Hudson, several 1928 Ford Model As, a 1928 Opel, 1930 Nash, 1934 Chevy Coupe and a 1935 Ford truck.

“We hope to have 15 cars, but we want to have 30,” he said. “These cars, many of which are nearing or surpassing the century mark, are a testament to the durability and charm of early automotive engineering.”

He added the main challenge for vintage car owners is sourcing parts.

“For Model Ts and Model As, there are reproduction parts available from various suppliers in the U.S,” he said. “Some enthusiasts have also bought out old dealerships and saved their parts, creating a network of resources and support. We help each other out through our own network.”

This sense of community is a significant aspect of the Relic Run, he said, noting the event not only honours history but also brings together like-minded individuals who share a passion for vintage vehicles and local heritage.

The Sunshine Highway Relic Run is more than just a drive — it’s a celebration of Manitoba’s history and the enduring spirit of its people, Baldock said.

“Most of us are elderly, but we have one chap who is 93 or 94 and just had a pacemaker installed. He plans to join us again this year with his own car.”

The event promises to be a memorable experience, “combining the thrill of vintage cars with the rich history of the Sunshine Highway.”

The Sunshine Highway was officially opened at a ceremony in Crystal City. Mayor George Dinsdale of Brandon and the mayor of Woonsocket, S.D., who was also the president of the Sunshine Highway, accompanied by 75 officials, took part in the ceremony.

With encouragement from Arthur Coates (Ace) Emmett of the Manitoba Motor League (today’s CAA Manitoba), the group developed motoring routes that included the Sunshine Highway from Brandon to Sioux City, Iowa.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola