On the Road: 55th annual World of Wheels show in Calgary

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During Covid shutdowns, many automobile, truck and motorcycle enthusiasts spent their time tucked away in shops and garages working on projects. Now some of those finished builds will be seen for the first time from March 31 to April 2 at the 55th annual World of Wheels at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park.

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According to Calgary show chairman Bill Knecht, the event will be one of the best yet. “(Covid) restrictions didn’t allow us to have shows in 2021 or ‘22,” notes Knecht, who has been involved with the World of Wheels since the early 1980s, first as a volunteer before becoming show chairman in 1991. “So, what’s happened because of the shutdown is a lot of people had vehicles ready to go, but the cars and trucks just sat in the garage for two years. With projects finished, a lot of people turned their attention to the displays, getting carpet and drapes or building scenes as backdrops for their vehicles – and the quality of the vehicle builds is through the roof this year. It’s the best I’ve seen in a long time.”

One builder waiting to show off a finished project is Calgary’s Robert Rees. He likes his Buicks and is looking forward to displaying a rare 1953 Skylark convertible. However, “I’m not putting the car in the show to get an award or seek accolades,” he explains. “I’d rather just promote the marque, and have people see a ’53 Skylark, because I’d wager 95 per cent of the car enthusiasts in Calgary have never seen one.”

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Buick’s Skylark was brand new for 1953, built as a commemorative car to celebrate the automaker’s 50th anniversary. The story behind the Skylark is interesting, as it originates with Buick’s head designer Ned F. Nickles. He was customizing his own 1951 Roadmaster convertible and had sketches for the car spread out on his drawing board. In passing, General Motors head of design Harley Earl saw the concept and was so pleased by it, “He decided that this should be the basis for an exclusive car to celebrate the anniversary year (1953), and consequently the Skylark was born,” Rees says.

Unique to the ‘53 Skylark is the four-inch drop in roof height. Also, the front fender ports — something Buick called ventiports — are gone. Front and rear wheel wells are opened up to show off the Kelsey Hayes chrome spoked wheels and wide white wall tires. The body’s waistline has also been lowered to give the car something of a European sports car profile. Equipped with GM’s brand new 322 cubic-inch ‘Fireball’ V8 engine mated with a column shift Twin Turbine Dynaflow automatic transmission, the Skylark also featured a 12-volt electrical system and a host of power amenities, including brakes, steering, windows and antenna.

Only 1,690 Skylarks left the assembly line in 1953, making them a rare and desirable model. Rees found his 1953 Skylark in Fresno, California in April 1997. “It was stuffed in a run-down shed,” Rees recalls. “It had been parked since 1965, and while it hadn’t seen much rain and was rust-free, there had been a lot of heat and everything else was perished.”

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Rees purchased the car and had it trucked to Calgary where he pushed it into his own workspace. Then, he spent close to 20 years accumulating correct new old stock parts, finding many on the Internet and by attending antique car swap meets. Having finished restoring several other Buicks, in 2018 Rees began working on the Skylark by separating the body from the chassis. Rees says he acted as a general contractor, cleaning, detailing and rebuilding while professionals looked after machining, chrome plating, body working and painting.

“All was done locally,” Rees says, and credits Rick Pikulski for laying down the stunning Carlsbad black paint, while Mike Szuch stitched the leather upholstery and installed the interior. The Skylark was ready to debut in 2021, but it will finally make its appearance at the World of Wheels this year.

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Show chairman Knecht says a number of new vendors are ready to take part, including the Bolt Supply House with their Rolling Red Zone trailer filled with Milwaukee power tools. Forever Two Wheels is new and is sponsored by Calgary Harley-Davidson. Guest appearances include respected customizer Chip Foose (Friday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.), wrestling legend Sting (Saturday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.), and Calgary Flames hero Lanny McDonald (Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

With 150,000 square feet filling halls D, E and F at the BMO Centre, Knecht says there will be something for everyone, and adds, “It’s good to have the show back after missing two years. It’s always good family entertainment.”

IF YOU GO

Auto Value Auto Parts 55th Annual World of Wheels runs March 31 through April 1 and 2 at Calgary’s BMO Centre at Stampede Park. Hours are Friday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Discount tickets ($18 general admission and $7 children 6-12) are available at Auto Value stores. At the gate, tickets are $20 and $8, respectively.

Greg Williams is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Have a column tip? Contact him at 403-287-1067 or [email protected]