Without the Kent Historic Auto Club, there might be a RetroFest but to president Bob Filby, and longtime member Len Langlois, it’s all about sharing their love of classic cars.
“It’s a lot of work but we’ve been doing it long enough that we have a pretty good plan,” Filby said. “Our members help out and we have a saying that if you don’t have a job to do, hang on for a minute and we’ll find one for you.”
Langlois, a member of the club since its inaugural year of 1971, said when he sees downtown full of cars and people, “it means a lot.”
“RetroFest is a great chance to show off our community,” he said. “It’s something we can really be proud about.”
The auto club has 92 members and has seen a strong influx during the past decade.
“For years, we had about 40 members but we’ve been growing a lot,” Langlois said. “We thought young people wouldn’t be interested in classic cars but they really are. It’s an active group.”
Filby is the owner of a red and white 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air and a 1969 white Dodge sport Fury convertible.
Among Langlois’ vehicles are a black 1949 Dodge eight passenger sedan and a black 1952 DeSoto eight passenger “sedan-bulance”, a vehicle that can be converted into an ambulance.
Both men said southwestern Ontario’s classic car hobby is extremely strong.
“We’re the only official car club in Kent,” Langlois said, “but we could be at a show or a gathering within 75 miles of us every weekend.”
The club will be selling t-shirts and hats at its Fifth Street booth during RetroFest to help defray expenses.
In addition to the hundreds of classic vehicles taking part in the competition Saturday, the Friday night OLG cruise is also part of its activities.
The cruise staging area is at the parking lot of the John D. Bradley Convention Centre. Prior to the event, cruise participants are invited to visit a 1941 OPP cruiser and vintage police motorcycles as part of the OPP retirees’ display.
