Unique Muskoka August
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This 1959 Chevrolet Impala is among the many classics that hold a special place in Mel Smith’s custom garage.<br />
“If something catches my eye and I can see it finished,<br />
then the challenge begins.”<br />
he’s ever purchased and will be one of the six<br />
vehicles on display at the <strong>Muskoka</strong> Road<br />
Show, a fundraising event being hosted by<br />
the South <strong>Muskoka</strong> Hospital Auxiliary on<br />
<strong>August</strong> 13.<br />
The tour will feature four locations in the<br />
Bracebridge area where private collectors will<br />
be opening their personal treasury of antique<br />
and classic cars, trucks, boats, machinery and<br />
memorabilia. Tickets for the event are $20<br />
and a guide containing a map of the tour will<br />
40 UNIQUE MUSKOKA <strong>August</strong> 2016<br />
be provided to participants. All funds will go<br />
directly to the hospital auxiliary and will be<br />
allocated to help pay for a digital<br />
mammography machine.<br />
Smith has never shown his collection in a<br />
tour before but the General Motors fan is<br />
happy to have his hobby on display for a good<br />
cause. Joining the ’59 Impala in the custombuilt<br />
garage are 1965 and 1967 Chevrolet<br />
Corvairs, a 1986 Pontiac Parisienne, a 1988<br />
Corvette, and a fully restored 1977 twotonne<br />
truck.<br />
Having owned a trucking business before<br />
retiring, Smith couldn’t resist getting the<br />
truck for a project to work on with his son,<br />
Danny. Unfortunately, Danny passed away<br />
suddenly, but Smith completed the<br />
restoration as a tribute to his son. The project<br />
took two years and Smith rebuilt every<br />
component of the stake body truck, painting<br />
it Honduras Maroon Metallic, the colour of<br />
his company trucks.