Large crowds go “car crazy” on streets of Amherstburg

By Ron Giofu

Large crowds of vintage vehicle lovers converged in downtown Amherstburg on the weekend to go “car crazy.”

The 17th annual Amherstburg’s Gone Car Crazy show was held on downtown streets and in Toddy Jones Park last Sunday and people turned out in droves to see the old cars, trucks and motorcycles that were on display. The band “British Beat 66” performed in Toddy Jones Park during the show. Approximately 700 vehicles packed Dalhousie St., Richmond St., Murray St., Ramsay St., Rankin St. and North St. and the park, which car show committee member Scott Elliott says was up from the roughly 460 vehicles that came in 2022.

“It’s completely full,” said Elliott. “We had to close the gates at about 12:30 p.m.”

Elliott recalled there being a threat of rain last year, which kept some car owners away, but with rain neither falling or in the forecast last Sunday, it brought the cars out.

“There are a lot of car enthusiasts in Essex County,” he said. “We’ve met a lot of people from out-of-town. People are coming in. We’re getting back to normal.”

Elliott credited the volunteers who helped put on this year’s car show and thanked sponsors and those who came out.

“It’s great for the town. Hopefully businesses are being supported as well,” he said. “I’ve heard good things from the one’s I’ve talked to. That’s encouraging to hear.”

The committee states they had record numbers in attendance, with Elliott stating the number of people from out-of-town participating in the show was also a record.

One of the people that travelled to Amherstburg for the show was Carol Brisseau and her 1949 Ford pickup. She ended up going home with the “Paulie” Award, named for car show co-founder Paul Renaud.

It was the first time her truck ever won for best-inshow, Brisseau stated.

“I was flabbergasted,” she said, when she found out she won. “I was so shocked.”

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The 17th annual Amherstburg’s Gone Car Crazy Show was held Sunday in the town’s downtown core. Committee members Scott Elliott and Mike Bezzoubkin present the Paulie Award for best-in-show to Carol Brisseau of London and her 1949 Ford pickup (above). A crowded Dalhousie St. saw thousands gather to look at some of the vehicles that were on display during the show.

RTT PHOTOS BY RON GIOFU