25 Years of RetroFest: A Celebration of Classic Cars
The 25th annual RetroFest event in downtown Chatham was a resounding success, attracting thousands of visitors who came to admire hundreds of classic cars on display. The Kent Historic Auto Club, a long-standing partner with the Historic Downtown Chatham BIA, has garnered significant recognition through RetroFest, according to club president Ed Charron.
“It’s one of the first shows of the year, and everyone likes it being in the downtown,” Charron said, explaining the event’s popularity. “There’s been some sweet stuff come through here over the years,” he added, referring to the impressive vehicles showcased.
The cars on display weren’t just visually stunning; virtually all of them came with fascinating stories. Ron Sinclair from Chatham typically brings his 1957 Chevy, but this year, he showcased a 1957 International Model 110 pickup truck. The truck was built at the former International Harvester – later known as Navistar – truck assembly plant, once the dominant manufacturing facility in Chatham.
When asked about the rarity of the International pickup truck, Sinclair said, “You don’t see a whole lot.” He discovered the truck advertised on social media in Lethbridge, Alberta, while visiting his daughter in Calgary. “I saw it came from Chatham and thought, ‘You know, it should be back in Chatham,'” Sinclair explained. Apart from fixing a headlight wire, Sinclair noted that the truck was “all done.” He recalled working at International for about nine months when he was 18 and experiencing a strike at the plant in 1973, which prompted him to leave.
Sinclair considered selling the vehicle to a former International worker or collector, but as a long-time RetroFest participant, he continues to enjoy the event. “It’s nice to see the people you haven’t seen in a while and seeing nice cars,” he said.
Chatham resident Chad Ripley, a first-time participant, had attended RetroFest as a spectator for years before deciding to enter his newly acquired 1969 Pontiac Firebird. Ripley, a former Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner, purchased the Firebird on May 14 and was excited to showcase it at RetroFest. “Just the look of that car caught me – the color, the wheels,” he said. “It’s the first car I looked at, and I never looked at anything else.” Ripley arrived at 5:30 a.m. to secure a premium parking spot downtown and was thrilled with the experience.
“This is just awesome,” Ripley said. “So many people have been looking at it, asking questions. I just love it.” He plans to use his new ride as a daily driver as long as the weather permits.
Pat Tribou of Chatham proudly displayed her 1928 Ford Model ‘A’ Touring car, which she had driven to high school with her sister when they lived in Fort Erie, Ontario. Tribou’s father, the late Blair Harber, purchased the vehicle in the 1950s or 60s. She recalled, “My sister (Judy) and I used to drive it to high school.” Tribou still takes the car out for occasional drives, being selective about where she goes to avoid parking lots. She enjoys bringing her Ford Model ‘A’ to RetroFest, where she shares its history with children who sit in the vehicle.
“So, it’s not a hands-off car,” Tribou said, smiling.
Charron noted that RetroFest attracts classic car enthusiasts from across Ontario and into the United States. The Piston Pushers Car Club of Brantford, with over 100 members, was among the participating groups, with 27 members attending the event. Dan Bratina, the club’s past president, said they enjoy attending various events to support local organizers and appreciate seeing different cars at RetroFest.
As RetroFest continues to celebrate its legacy, it remains a significant event for classic car enthusiasts, showcasing not only impressive vehicles but also the stories and histories behind them.
