Hear "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by clicking this link!
Courtesy of the Milton "Canadian Champion"
We're pleased to report that there will be a 5th Toy Run in 1999! Bill & Angela Davies of the British Saloon Car Club of Canada have committed to act as principal organizers. They have an enthusiastic team, which includes Empire Day organizers Phil Miller & Ken Baker, as well as several Executive members from their club. We thank them for accepting the challenge. We look forward to assisting these people for yet another fine event for charity & the British car hobby!
4TH BRITISH CAR TOY RUN ARTICLE
Will there be a "5th British Car Toy Run" in 1999? We can't say for certain at this point but a few individuals & clubs are thinking about the prospect. All we can say for certain is that the "4th British Car Toy Run" was the final one for founders Fred & Lynn Kuzyk of the Morgan Sports Car Club of Canada. Despite some stormy weather in the morning, the 1998 version of this event was a success. Over 100 cars came to participate and raised over $1000 dollars & many fine toys & other donations for the "Operation Santa Claus" Christmas charity. No rain occurred during the Run & it was warm & windy at the show! Some of the rarer cars included an Aston Martin DB4, a 1930's Morgan Trike, an original 427 AC Cobra, and a one-off Bugatti replica.
Once again, participants gathered at the picturesque Halton Region Museum at Kelso Conservation Area in Milton, Ontario. Vehicles received free entry onto the grounds. The only entry requirement was a donation to the charity. Thanks to the Museum's volunteers & firms such as Miller's Bakery of Georgetown, donated food & beverages were offered at a nominal cost - with all proceeds going to the Museum & the charity. Participants received a free dash plaque, as well as an ample goody bag (which this year included such goodies as donated computer CDs on bed & breakfast establishments in Canada, courtesy of Ottawa MG enthusiast Trevor Boicey).
Land Rover was the Featured Marque this year, as 1998 marked the 50th anniversary of this marque. With the assistance of Trevor Easton & the Toronto Area Rovers Club, Land Rover Canada sponsored the "Chili Bash Awards Party", as well as donating a number of fine door prize items. Commemorative posters were created by MSCCC member Hendrik Rens, which were posted at area Land Rover dealers & local businesses. In addition, a Land Rover "artillery tractor" was provided by the Land Rover Club, as Santa's ride for the driving tour. Santa & his "Christmas Seal commandos" appreciated a vehicle that was unstoppable! The posters were also offered for sale at $2 with all proceeds also going to the charity. The Morgan Club once again picked-up the tab for the dash plaques, awards, DJ, & other incidentals.
The Halton Regional Police once again arrived to escort the convoy. With Land Rovers & Morgans in the lead, the procession slowly made it's way to the Mapleview Mall in Burlington, following a route used the previous year. One Morgan refused to start & sadly was left behind. The media were out again. Apparently, a crew from ONTV television arrived to video the procession - but arrived too late!
At the mall, Jimmy & Susan Lomax & their helpers & elves received the donations. Many cars were decorated in the festive spirit, so the "Most Christmassy Car" choice was a difficult one! Nonetheless, the judges did their best in each category. A real treat occured for some folk when MSCCC member Dave Smith offered to give rides around the mall in his 1930s vintage Morgan Trike for a $10 donation to Operation Santa Claus! Unfortunately, the Trike developed some bearing noises & the rides discontinued. However, MSCCC member Paul Whittaker carriedon said rides in his one-off Bugatti replica. Thanks to these gentlemen for the novel idea of raising additional donations!
After the show at the mall, participants relocated to the third stop, nearby King's Court Hall, for the Land Rover awards party. Jimmy Lomax presented plaques to the Halton Region Museum, Mapleview Centre, Fred & Lynn Kuzyk, & to Hamilton Firefighter Larry Rees - who has played the role of Santa each of the four years. A club donation was made to Jimmy for $300 by the Toronto Triumph Club (which has made such donations each year of the Toy Run). In addition, a large amount of toys were collected this year at the Toronto Triumph's "British Car Day" event, the week before. Isobell & Harold Greenfield of the Toronto MG Club volunteered to conduct the 50/50 draw ticket sales. They presented $227 to an unidentified lady, the other $227 was presented to Jimmy for his charity. A bevy of door prizes were also offered up.
AWARD WINNERS:
Jimmy Lomax's Favourite: Derek Job (Austin-Healey)
Jimmy Lomax's Favourite: Margot Heyerhoff (Morgan)
Santa's Favourite Land Rover: Len Perdic
Santa's Favourite Jaguar: Bruce & Bess Davis
Santa's Favourite Triumph: Heather Wilson
Santa's Favourite Morgan: Glen & Evelyn Nigh
Santa's Choice: Tom Tollefson (Land Rover Artillery Tractor)
Furthest From The North Pole (Long Distance): Bill Leacock (Land Rover from
New York)
Frosty The Snowman Award (coolest car): Dave Smith (1933 Morgan Supersports
3-wheeler)
Most Xmasy Folk: Trevor Easton (Land Rover Club)
Most Xmasy Folk: Russ & Sylvia Balfour (Morgan Club)
We thank all those who came, the contributors, judges, parking lads, & volunteers, media, as well as those clubs who promoted the event over the years. Special thanks to John & Sharon Fitchie for the logistical support with their van, & to Doug Turner & family for pitching-in where needed.
The following is an article regarding the 3rd British Car Toy Run written by Jaguar enthusiast Chris Phillips, which appeared in the US publication Jaguar Driver.
Some of the cars representing Jaguar as the featured
marque were the writer's 120, plus a 150 & 2 E-Types.
AS THE proud owner of 'Santa's Favourite Jaguar' I thought I would submit the following by way of an explanation. Following British Car Day in September someone asked me if I was going on the British Car Toy Run, adding that Jaguar was the featured marque this year.Upon replying that I didn't know anything about it, a flyer was thrust into my hand revealing all.
The event, the third annual run organized by thc Morgan Sports Car Club of Canada, is in aid of a local charity set up to collect toys and Christmas gifts for underprivileged children.As our wonderful Indian summer weather was forecast to continue through the upcoming weekend I suggested to my wife, Karen, that we abandon the kids to their own devices and take the Jaguar on the run. A quick phone call pre-registered the XK and a plum pudding was purchased as our donation to the cause.
I should point out that I am re-trimming the XK currently but as I did not feel the seat backs were something my skill level could handle, I had taken them into a trim shop to be done professionally. The company assured me they would be ready by the date of the Toy Run at the end of September. Sunday dawned with glorious sunshine and warm temperatures but, alas, no seat backs. Undeterred I utilised an armchair cushion for myself and a throw cushion for Karen and off we set.
The initial gathering was at the Halton Region Museum near Milton, Ontario, about 30 miles from where we live in Ancaster. Upon arrival we were directed into a special parking area for Jaguars, which strangely contained a Rolls Royce and a Bugatti replica for some reason. After picking up our 'goody bag' containing route instructions and commemorative dash plaque amongst other things, we wandered off to view some of the more than 100 British cars that had assembled. During this ramble I noticed a gent in a red suit sneaking about the Jaguar parking area obviously intent upon substituting his reindcer with a more potent power source.
Shortly after 1 o'clock we assembled, Jaguars first, and we were led oft by one of the two police cruisers, who would be accompanying us on our run. The drive wound through a section of the Niagara escarpment known as Rattlesnake Point with spectacular scenerv and trees just beginning to show their autumn colours. As the cavalcade passed through little villages, people who had assembled on their front lawns waved and Karen practiced her best E II R response! At each stop sign or traffic light one of our two cruisers would block the opposing traffic to allow us to drive through in convoy. It's a great power rush to drive through a red light and have it sanctioned by the local constabulary.
Canada by September's end is generally experiencing cooler temperatures, however, I was down to a Tee shirt and was casting a wary eye on thc XK's water temperature as the drive progressed. Officer Bob up front seemed to think that British cars cannot go too fast because I was never able to get out of third and indeed spent large amounts of time in second gear. After about an hour aud as the Jag's water temperature nudged 90C we pulled into the town of Burlington and assembled at a large shopping mall, the end of the route.
The Bugatti replica, which had been behind me, pulled up alongsidc me I commented to its driver that I had never driven from Milton to Burlington before in second gear! Still, in the interest or safety I suppose the mean average speed was understandable, this was not after all the Mille Miglia. The cars attracted great attention from the Mall patrons and 'British lnvasion' pop tunes emanated from the mobile deejay as we all stood about basking in the sunlight. Some of the cars sported holly wreaths, mini christmas trees or poinsettias (a crimson leafed plant synonymous with the holiday season here) and one XJ6 owner had even taped a pair of mini antlers to the leaping cat on his hood.
A chili supper followed by an awards ceremony was scheduled, however,
we had to get home to feed our offspring so we left the shopping centre
commenting on how pleasant everything had been. Early the next week I received
a phone call from Fred Kuzyk the Toy Run organiser informing me that Santa
had chosen my XK120 as his favourite Jaguar and could he deliver my award
as we had missed the dinner?
I still don't have the seat backs.
-Jaguar Driver, December 1997
This XJ6 sported antlers on the
Run.
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