Collector Car Festival is sure to shine

When Bill Botting went to Garagellenium this spring, he wasn’t expecting to buy a car.

But when he saw a 1938 Standard Flying 8 Tourer sitting in the driveway of a homeowner taking part in Oak Bay’s giant community garage sale, Botting knew he had to have the British-made car.

“This is the only one on Vancouver Island, probably the only one in B.C. and I imagine there are only two in North America,” he said of the four-seater.

It took a bit of wrangling with its previous owner, but the Standard – the automaker was a predecessor of Triumph – is now ensconced in Botting’s Beach Drive garage.

Stripped of its seats, door and floor panels, which are currently being re-upholstered, it’s hard to imagine the car’s potential. But then few saw potential in a derelict 1969 Jaguar XK-21 Botting picked up eight years ago. It took Botting, now 85, five years to restore the Jag to a gleaming, bright red immaculate beauty.

Next weekend, Botting will drive the XK-21 to Oak Bay Avenue, as one of more than 300 collector car owners taking part in the 10th annual Blethering Place Collector Car Festival.

Along with Botting will be car owners like Saanich resident and Thunderbird enthusiast Betty Balmer. A fixture at the car show, Balmer and husband John show up in their colour co-ordinated 1955 T-bird and matching Boler trailer.

Also fans of Betty Boop – “Everything she stands for is sort of what I’m like,” Betty says – the Balmers have the 1930s cartoon character painted on the side of the bright red Boler.

Select items from Balmer’s Boop collection, including a one-metre statue, will be displayed inside and outside the trailer.

As well as eclectic projects, the festival features cars in all shapes and vintages, said organizer Ken Agate.

“Anyone can arrive: 1910 will likely be the oldest, but if there is something super-interesting that might be a year or two old, that will be welcome too.”

As well as lots of British roadsters, there will be a “nice contingent” of 1950s convertibles, as well as 1970s muscle cars. Victoria and Oak Bay police and fire departments will also bring out their vintage vehicles.

“Cars don’t have to be in showroom condition,” Agate said. “Shiniest doesn’t always get the most attention. Often a car that has been kept and used does.”

Tongue-in-cheek prizes such as the policemen’s, mayor’s and firefighter’s choices will be handed out.

Entertainment will be provided by 50s cover singer Johnny Vallis. This year, shop-clerk-turned-singer Nathalie Karine will also perform.

With his Standard renovation in mind, Botting will be on the lookout at the show for anyone who might help him find two trafficators - manual turn signals - for the Flying 8.

“They’re rare, but someone out there must have them.”

The Blethering Place Collector Car Festival runs Sunday, Aug. 16. The first cars arrive around 8 a.m. and the event ends at 4 p.m. Oak Bay Avenue will be closed to traffic from Monterey Avenue to Mitchell Street during that time.

vmoreau@saanichnews.com

Cars on the avenue

• This the 10th year the Blethering Place has staged the collector car festival.

• The show annually attracts upward of 300 cars of various vintages and makes.

• Oak Bay Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monterey Avenue to Mitchell Street.