Amherstburg’s Gone Car Crazy draws roughly 650 vehicles

Bud Bondy of Amherstburg and his 1937 Pontiac convertible won the Paulie Award as best in show and he accepts the trophy from Eleanor Renaud and organizing committee chair Scott Elliott (left).

Amherstburg’s major local car show featured an overall winner from Amherstburg.

The Amherstburg’s Gone Car Crazy show returned to the town’s downtown streets and Toddy Jones Park with Bud Bondy of Amherstburg and his 1937 Pontiac convertible being the overall winner. Bondy and his car captured the Paulie Award for best in show, named for car show founder and former town councillor Paul Renaud. Renaud’s wife Eleanor and car show committee chair Scott Elliott presented Bondy with the trophy.

Bondy said he was surprised to win the award.

“It’s a nice car and everything,” he said, adding “it’s quite a show.”

Bondy said he acquired the car approximately 15 years ago from an estate sale and spent the last three years working on it. He said the people who helped him restore it were the right ones to go with.

“I had the right guys do it,” he said.

The 1937 Pontiac is not his first classic car, noting he had a 1971 Chevelle and his wife had a Chevy SSR.

Bondy said he has won at car shows before.

“I do a lot of car shows and I do win,” said Bondy.

The Amherstburg’s Gone Car Crazy show is at the top of the list of car shows Bondy does.

“It’s the best show,” said Bondy. “Cars come from all over.”

The social aspect of the show and talking to people about his car and other cars was a highlight. He sees a lot of local people and gets to talk to others about their vehicles.

Crowds and cars pack Dalhousie St. Sunday afternoon

Elliott said there was at least 650 cars there, and he said they had to turn cars away due to a lack of place to park them.

“This show was the biggest we’ve ever had,” said Elliott.

The Amherstburg’s Gone Car Crazy show returned to downtown streets and Toddy Jones Park last Sunday.

Some vehicles came in from east of London while others came in from as far as an hour outside Detroit.

“We had a lot of Americans which is good,” said Elliott. 

Many car owners were in Amherstburg for the first time, he added, and he said the show is designed to help local businesses and draw people to town.

“It’s well run by the committee,” said Elliott. “Downtown Amherstburg is just picturesque.”

Aside from a brief bout of mid-day rain, the weather co-operated and Elliott added that British Beat 66 did a good job at entertaining the crowd. He said they have a winning formula and he doesn’t anticipate many changes for next year’s show, which will be July 25, 2027.

Mike Keane from Windsor brought his 1993 Ford Mustang to the show. He said he hadn’t come to the show in about ten years but decided to come out this year.

“It’s pretty good,” he said. “I was in Belle River a couple of weeks ago. This is my second one this year.”

Keane said he will be heading to Detroit in August for another show. He said he has owned the car for 31 years.

When it rained, Keane said he wondered about the turnout but the people still packed the streets.

“It filled out pretty good,” he said. 

Keane will likely return next year, “as long as the weather looks good.”

Mike Souliere and his 1967 Firebird were parked along Rankin St. and wondered how many people were in the show this year, as he recalled more cars parked where he was.

“I know the weather has a lot to do with it,” he said.

Souliere, an Amherstburg resident, said he has been coming to the “Car Crazy” show for at least a decade.

“It’s always a good show,” he said. “I come every year. It’s always well organized.”

Souliere said he liked have the show in Amherstburg, noting there are a lot of shady spots to park in.

“It’s a great town to live in,” said Souliere.

Souliere added he is the original owner, recalling when he lived in Windsor and travelled to Amherstburg to buy the car at Pajot Motors, where Heritage Tire is located today.

“I ended up moving to Amherstburg when all was said and done after I got married,” he said.

John Morgan came in from LaSalle with his 2019 Hellcat.

“We love this time of year to come and look at the cars,” he said, while parked on Richmond St. “It’s nice and always a good turnout.”

Morgan believed the “Car Crazy” is one of the best shows in the area. He said he has been coming for a few years now and plans on returning in future years.

Elliott added they may have to look at expanding the footprint to accommodate more cars. Vehicles were parks on Dalhousie St. from Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 to Toddy Jones Park, along North St. from Laird Ave. to Dalhousie St., on Rankin Ave. from Dalhousie St. to just west of the Richmond Terrace Long-Term Care Home entrance, Richmond St. from Bathurst St. to Dalhousie St., Ramsay St. from Richmond St. to Murray St. and Murray St. from Ramsay St. to Dalhousie St.

Amherstburg’s Gone Car Crazy draws roughly 650 vehicles

By Ron Giofu