Waterdown the Early Years.

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

Waterdown the Early Years.

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

Cat in the Hat · BRANTFORD, ONT

Too bad it turned into what it is today

A mess

51 Styline · NIAGARA FALLS, ONT

Great pictures. Waterdown early years were good and less commercialised than this years show.

knuckles · WATERLOO, ONT

man love those pics ...And yes waterdown is a huge disappointment now a days , I heard why/how it happened but sad ...I used to love going now we hesitate ....I haven't been to the Barrie swap meet in years but hope to attend this year...hope its still going strong?...at least spring/fall ones....summer one sucked from what I remember

Fast Elvis · LONDON, ONTARIO

Great pictures Rob.......picture #4 of the double blower set up with the custom grille...this car is still around and has been totally restored. It's an old Wrench Bender members car and the original owner still has it. Thanks for sharing...hope there is more too come.

-- Edited by Fast Elvis on Friday 2nd of January 2015 11:20:18 AM

Bob T · BRANTFORD, ONT

I first went to Waterdown in 1975 and it was great. Some of the cars pictured are still around and some I wish I knew where they are today. Still go to every one but things have certainly changed for the worse and the swap meets at Ancaster seem to be taking over. That being said if its a nice day you will probably see more 'older' hot rods, customs and antiques at the current venue than most other shows.

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

Smokin Joe · ONTARIO

They had a good flea market that I used to vend at. I left Sat. at noon my last year there when they had to work around the soccer fields after the first move. Never went back and no idea how it turned out after that.

will · WALKERTON, ONT

Great pictures Rob. I have never been to Waterdown, but I sure see what I missed. Thanks for sharing.

John

sasquatch · NORTH BAY, ONT

Thanks for posting the great pics! Some sweet rides there!!

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

Ive been going to that swap meet since the early 70 at Freelton.It out grew the Waterdown socker field and moved further north to a large fairground-cant remember the name. Its now at the Rockton fair grounds and I think its better than ever-lots of room-good swapmeet -lots of shade trees-no traffic jams. Doesn't get much better than that.

Smokin Joe · ONTARIO

Thanks for the update I will make a point of going this year and have a look.

58Chev · ETOBICOKE, ONT

hotrod-steve wrote:
Ive been going to that swap meet since the early 70 at Freelton. It out grew the Waterdown socker field and moved further north to a large fairground-cant remember the name. Its now at the Rockton fair grounds and I think its better than ever-lots of room-good swapmeet -lots of shade trees-no traffic jams. Doesn't get much better than that.

Yep, Rockton is where it is. I try to make both the spring and fall swap.

Dick Kirkpatrick · MILTON, ONTARIO

Great pics Rob, thanks.

toomuchjunk · S/W ONTARIO

Rob,, thanks for posting the pictures.
Started going in 1978,,made it to most of them. I always tried to get there early enough to park on the hill.
Went to joe sams park twice and did not like it at all.
Thanks again for taking the time to post..Keep them coming.
TMJ

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

56 Nomad parked beside the yellow 55 chevy was mine back then!!! I can remember seeing most of these cars at some point!!! Sure brought back some memories seeing these pictures. Wonder where all these cars ended up??? I know my old "Mad' is in "STROUD Ont. after being 'flipped" many times since I sold it Thanks pete

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

427CARL · CLINTON, ONT

Thanks for the photos

I was there a few times

Notice how everyone is Young and has Hair ?

Now theres nothing but old people showing up LOL

Iwannagofast · ONTARIO

Wow, what great memories. Thanks Rob. I've got some Kodaks from the mid 70's somewhere around here. Hafta see if I can find them.

DavyJ · NIAGARA REGION, ONT

Some great pics there.Thanks. brings back some great memories, I first went to Lawson park back in the late 60's. it sure grew from there................... Never made it to Rockton yet. might have to make it one of these days.

Bradshaw · NORWOOD, ONT

Thanks for posting your picture ..Awesome..

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

Dana · BUCKHORN, ONT

The Anglia pulling the trailer was my buddy Bob Clarke car from Oshawa .Bob is a member of Motor City Car Club for over 50 years .Back then when you went to car stuff you slept in a tent or pulled a trailer with a Anglia or what ever you where driving . That Anglia was the start of my love affair with them. We last saw the car in Sault St.Marie it had changed it was red so Bob walked over reached under felt some welds said my welds my old car we looked some more and it was . It went south we think . The pictures bring back some great memories . Thanks

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

DavyJ · NIAGARA REGION, ONT

here are a few from a different angle 1977

teejay99 · BELLE RIVER, ONT

Never having been to the Waterdown Show , then or now , what happened ? Looks like it was a well attended show atleast by 1977 standards . Young guys in the pics became old farts but probably still car crazy ( we hope ) .

T

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

Word is Hounsell has pulled out so it will be back to one show....?..... This is just what Ive heard from a reliable source.

Cat in the Hat · BRANTFORD, ONT

That would be great if he did.

it was getting to be a PITA....go early in the rain and cold? or wait 2 weeks??????

If they consolidate to 2 shows.....1 spring.....1 fall ...it will be much better

I still miss Waterdown.....500+ cars and GREAT flea market of JUST CAR PARTS

Wow...im getting old....I remember a ton of those cars....

Best spot was at the gate early in the morning watching all the great rides roll in.....

and listening to the guy's let m' go when they left

flatblack55delivery · PORT HOPE, ONT

Great to see how the styles change, both cars and fashion. We attended many times. Waterdown was fun,,I had a Blue and white 56 Pontiac back then and a lot more spirit of adventure, but I just don't like the trip across Toronto anymore especially in a hotrod. Ed

-- Edited by flatblack55delivery on Tuesday 6th of January 2015 09:50:40 AM

bluechev · PICTON, ONT

Great pics, used to go there in the 80's, if I can find any of the pictures we have I will add them.

Jeff Norwell · PALOOKAVILLE

Great pics Rob,…Memorial Park WAS the only Waterdown. Harold ran a helluva show.

ssphoto1 · ONTARIO

jarvis1 · COBBLE HILL, BC

The brown '29 Ford coupe is still owned by Don P.? in Grimsby.

DavyJ · NIAGARA REGION, ONT

Notice, there are no lawn chairs in those pics. Everyone was wandering around enjoying the cars, not waiting for people to visit them.

teejay99 · BELLE RIVER, ONT

Were lawn chairs invented then ?? biggrin biggrin

DavyJ · NIAGARA REGION, ONT

OOH that is harsh!

Somewhere around here I have a fifteen minute video clip from Lawson Park, where it was an all night party for the weekend!

Riddler · WATERDOWN, ONT

Waterdown swap meet was the best !
thanks Rob for the pictures ,brings back old memories of Wilky's gold T bucket and my Green 32 Ford truck .Wayne Hicks used to vend there , once sold a 33 Ford Chicken Coupe -complete with 2 Chickens .Man we used to have a great time .
John

toomuchjunk · S/W ONTARIO

DavyJ wrote:
Notice, there are no lawn chairs in those pics. Everyone was wandering around enjoying the cars, not waiting for people to visit them.

OR we were all younger then and had kids to chase!! I know my son spent lots of time in that play area by the ball diamond.

Waterdown really was the best!!!!

TMJ

flatblack55delivery · PORT HOPE, ONT

All the rod runs back then were filled with things to do for the family . Most were at some place interesting. We went to the animal safari for a weekender camping. There was Amilesburg with its beaches and a weekend full of car games and tours. We went to Owen Sound weekender that had a great Saturday night dance. London weekender ended up at the story book garden for the kids. Peterborough weekender included zoo passes and a full slate of club activities. Country car club in Cannington had a fox hunt question and answer tour. Camping was included at most of these runs and we pulled a trailer to them with our cars. The family went and there was always something to do or someplace for the rodders to explore, lawnchairs, maybe for they the time we got there morning coffee. Car clubs back then actually went places together in numbers and supported each others runs. The drive over Toronto kinda devides the province now into east and west and there is more law enforcemet in some areas that take the fun out of hotrodding but maybe its time to get the cars out of the parking lots and back onto the streets while we still can. For us eastern guys Waterdown was a decent drive and a full day by the time we got there enjoyed the cars and parts and ate and drove home but it was the perfect start to a full season of runs all over the province. Ed

dualquadpete · BLACKSTOCK, ONT

Cannington car show was put on by my club. got regulated out of existence by Durham region & all their 'stupid" rules & fee's!!!! started out as a 3 day show & ended up a 1day show till we got 'screwed' by Durham & Brock twp on rental fee for park + ins. got out of sight too!!!

wuga · PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, ONT

Cannington was my favourite show of the year. Too bad about all the BS.

Warren

fleet 51 · PORTLAND, ONT

Flatblack 55 : I really like your take on the whole car / family scene -- pretty well says it all - Thanks - LATER -- DON / FLEET 51

Jeff Norwell · PALOOKAVILLE

I bought my truck at Waterdown…. from Don Drywood out of Port Rowan.Just heard Don passed with a strong battle with alzhiemers…. sad…. Time passes way too quick.

Don had a great place on Lake Erie.Had a really nice 34 5 window and a nice 33 roadster .

jarvis1 · COBBLE HILL, BC

Jeff, do you know if Don lived in Hamilton?
I know his name but can't remember from where.
Maybe Piston Pushers?
I see his daughter is married to a Greenhalgh.
Any relation to Jack that built some Studebakers long time ago.
Jack was from the Ancaster area. He still works on cars.