Three coats of gold base.
Eight coats of tangerine candy.
Five coats of clear finish.
That’s how Russell Jenvey of Ladner created the deep “orange glow candy” on a 1933 Chevrolet Coupe he rebuilt more than two decades ago.
Three years ago, Coquitlam’s Rick Marchand, a classic car enthusiast, bought it off his friend who asked him to unload it.
“I couldn’t see it go,” Marchand said. “I really wanted it.”
Since then, the utility systems control supervisor for Metro Vancouver has taken the 91-year-old vehicle out for a spin any chance he can get.
And he’s even won awards at car displays in B.C. and Washington State, including first place at the 2022 Downtown Port Coquitlam Car Show (his truck, a 1990 GMC custom, also won and was sold at the show).
On Saturday, Aug. 17, Marchand and his wife, Wendy, will be cruising around Port Coquitlam in the 10th annual evening cruise, with hundreds of other classic, vintage and muscle cars that will be on display at the 18th annual Downtown Port Coquitlam Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 18.
Raised in Burnaby, Marchand said of all the show ’n shines he goes to, Port Coquitlam’s his favourite: It’s the one with the biggest draw and the most variety, he said; it’s also well-organized and in a nice setting.
“I’ve been going to it for at least 10 years and it’s always the best," he told the Tri-City News on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Lions Park.
Downtown Port Coquitlam became a museum of motor vehicles, hot rods and even some wacky automobiles this past weekend. 🚘 https://t.co/Kjw9YOk3Ym
— Tri-City News (@TriCityNews) August 21, 2023
Marchand said he likes to talk with attendees and point out the features on his rare vehicle: the Corvette 350 engine, the “33” etched on the interior and window, the original headlight brackets.
The father of three also enjoys talking about the history of the car, which was first built with wood, because “there’s not many of them around anymore.”
“The car show is a teaching and learning opportunity,” Marchand said.
“It’s not a time to touch the car or to get inside because that can do a lot of damage. Even the kids’ fingerprints leave a lot of marks […] The show is not a car dealership lot.”
After all, his son, an auto painter in Abbotsford, reminds him that a full repaint would set Marchand back $55,000 today.
Sunday car show
More than 400 classic and custom cars will fill downtown Port Coquitlam on Sunday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., for the car show that typically draws tens of thousands of visitors.
With Leigh Square currently under construction, the site layout for the show will be adjusted with main stage and beverage garden in the parking lot north of Wilson Avenue (south of the old Elks Hall) and the kids’ zone south of Leigh Square.
Car displays will be set up along these closed streets:
- Shaughnessy Street
- McAllister Avenue
- Whyte Street
- Donald Street
- Wilson Avenue
Marketplace vendors will also be along Marpole Avenue and Leigh Square Place, as well as Veterans Park (west of city hall).
The line-up for the main stage is:
- 11 a.m. = The Coyotes
- 12:15 p.m. = Joe Fernandes Band
- 1:30 p.m. = Bad Moon Risin’ (CCR tribute band)
- 2:45 p.m. = Steve Sainas Trio
- 4 p.m. = awards
- 5:15 p.m. = Eagle Eyes (The Eagles tribute band)
Saturday car cruise
The night before, on Aug. 17, and in promotion of Sunday’s car show, classic vehicle owners will start rolling from downtown Port Coquitlam at 6 p.m. to take part in the 10th annual cruise.
The loop from the city’s southern to northern ends — and back to Leigh Square — takes about two hours (check the route map attached to this article).
For more details about the Port Coquitlam car cruise and car show or to volunteer, you can visit the website.
