R evving engines and roaring horsepower have come to a temporary halt in Calgary as supercars are going to take shelter from the icy grip of the Canadian winter.
The last auto show in Calgary was held on Sept., 10 in Westman Village, Mahogany Gardens, where car owners showed their cars for the final time before they hibernate in their garages.
“I hate winter because it will keep my baby away from me for the next six months,” said Josh Ogrondnick, owner of 2005 BMW 330 ci. “The worst part of winter is that I have to buy something cheap and affordable to drive around in the snow and keep my beamer at my parent’s garage.”
Ogrondnick got his beamer three years ago from Victoria and has only recently begun riding it on the roads this summer. He is upset because he poured a lot of effort into the modification and maintenance but didn’t get much time to enjoy it.
“I’ve done pretty much everything, including wheels, suspension, and exhaust, that took my entire heart, soul and 20 grand,” he said.
The reason for being so close to his BMW is because technically is his first car.
“I had a moped on which I used to ride to go to my university, but I had enough of that and finally decided to have a Beamer which was technically my first car as well and I am never selling it at any cost as it’s my baby,” he said.
Most people like Ogrondnick treat their cars as family and take care of them.
Gian Paolo Honrade, another automobile aficionado, imported a 2005 BMW 330 ci V 12 from Florida during COVID-19. He spent roughly $18,000 on modifications for the paint job, alloys, tyres, suspension, and interior to give it a VIP touch.
Unlike Ogrondnick, Honrade is planning on selling his car as he is saving to buy another car.
“I am the third owner of this car, and it has won 20 trophies so far,” said Honrade. “However, I want to sell this car for 18k, that’s how much I have spent on its modification as I don’t want to make a very big profit out of it.”
During the winter, Honrade frequently drives his Mercedes ML 350, which he uses to take his family on vacation.
“I can only drive my V12 during the car season, which is normally in the summer, and the Beamer is parked in the garage for more than 6 months during Calgary’s winter, and that sucks.” He said.
Winter seems crushing many dreams of car enthusiasts.
Dough Soberium is another car enthusiast who brought his red old classic 1965 Mustang Coop for the display and was very proud of it. He seems to be a big fan of Mustangs as he has another one from the year 2005 and is a convertible.
“I am a big Calgary Flames fan, so I wanted a red car to put my Flames custom plate matching the car, “said Soberium. “I already had a 2005 Mustang but wanted something more classic that I got trailered from Regina last April.”
Most Supercar owners, including Soberium, have a particular sort of insurance designed for vehicles like these.
“My 65 Mustang is affiliated with classic car insurance unlike the 05 as I use it daily which allows me to drive my car only to the car shows and not work but also keeps the insurance down,” he said.
Following his participation in the Mahogany, Calgary car show, Soberium is gearing up to compete in the High River auto show before saying goodbye to his 95 red for at least six months.
I hate winter because it will keep my baby away from me for the next six months
“High River organizes one of the biggest car shows and I am very excited to present my beauty in the crowd before I see it on the road next summer,” he said.
The next guy on the list is absolutely in love with Z cars and he has 4 of those.
Kevin Bruce, the owner of a 1992 Nissan 300zx twin turbo originally from Hamilton which he then brought from Regina on a bus from Calgary.
“I am the third owner of this car which I bought in the year 2013,” said Bruce. ‘I also have a 1987 ZX from the previous generation, a 1982 Datsun 280 ZX, 1972 Datsun 240 Z, I just love Z cars man!”
He claimed that he had some good connections with ‘My Auto’ they invited him to the car show at Westman Village, Mahogany.
“I rented out this car to my auto in last six months quite a few times, and also went to a car show in Maxbell a month go where they invited me in for the car meet,” he said.
Regardless of their age, culture, or automotive preferences, all of the car enthusiasts’ stories have one thing in common, they are all very proud of their whips and would miss them during the winter.
