Creating Community AT Manitoba Car Clubs
For car club members, it’s not the type of vehicle that matters most — it’s the people.
By Michael Bettencourt and Sean Deasy | Original photography and videography by Gabrielle Touchette
MCAAC members display their antique and classic cars at the Waverley & Rosewood Retirement Residence in Winnipeg.
For many people, cars are simply a mode of transportation — but for those who love the history, mechanics and iconography of automobiles, what they represent carries an emotional resonance.
Enter car clubs. These groups encourage folks with similar interests to gather, talk shop and show off their wheels to one another and the public via “show and shines” — small-scale shows where owners can display their classic cars — as well as at road cruises and other events. Whether themed by automaker, era, vintage car parts or model, these clubs have the unique ability to bring people together, online and in person. Across the province, they also provide gathering places where friendships are seeded, niche interests are nurtured, and the spirit of giving back to the community is a driving force.
Welcome, one and all: Manitoba Classic and Antique Auto Club
“For us, it’s about the camaraderie of like-minded people.”
(Above) Detail of a 1953 two-door hardtop Ford Crestline Victoria’s steering wheel. (Left) MCAAC members chat cars with seniors at the Waverley & Rosewood Retirement Residence.
Established in 1960, the Manitoba Classic and Antique Auto Club (MCAAC) is devoted to cars and trucks that are at least 25 years old. Unlike many clubs that focus on performance upgrades, president Brian Ladage says that the 192-member group embraces vehicles that are largely unaltered from their original factory condition. “Some of our members are the sons and daughters of club members… and several are driving the cars their parents owned,” he says. MCAAC’s club is open to everyone, whether or not they own a classic or antique car. “Anyone who can appreciate these vehicles is eligible for membership,” Ladage says. “We’ve had several join up [who] may never buy a classic car, but they can still enjoy the social events. For us, it’s about the camaraderie of like-minded people.” Fundraising and community connection are important aspects of participation. In 2024, several women members spearheaded a fundraiser for a local women’s shelter, and MCAAC matched their donation. And every year, MCAAC visits care homes and seniors’ residences throughout the region. This year, the club will visit 20 residences to show off their cars, meet residents and staff — and share a memory or two. During the driving season, the club participates in local and out-of-province car shows, organizes the largest car parts swap meet in Manitoba and coordinates club road trips. It also publishes a monthly digital magazine called The Sidemount Reporter, the name a reference to a time when spare tires were mounted on the running boards of automobiles. To keep members in touch during the colder months, the group holds off-season get-togethers and monthly meetings at Jim’s Vintage Garages Heritage Museum in Headingley, Manitoba. “The Manitoba car scene doesn’t end when the driving season is over,” says Ladage. “It merely slows down.”
cultivating lasting friendships: Manitoba Street Rod Association
(Above) The well-preserved interior seats of a 1962 Pontiac Parisienne four-door sedan. (Right) All smiles at the Manitoba Street Rod Association’s 2025 Rodarama showcase. | PHOTO: (RIGHT) COURTESY OF MSRA
“This hobby is more than just building and owning a nice hot rod. It’s about meeting people and making friends.”
In the world of modernized hot rods, otherwise known as street rods, modifications are common, even expected. You won’t find many factory-faithful vehicles at a typical meet of the Manitoba Street Rod Association (MSRA), based in Winnipeg. What you will find is dedicated fans of street rods and street rod culture. Some members have been with the club since its inception in 1972. MSRA is far more than an outlet for mechanical restoration — it’s a network of automotive enthusiasts united by friendships that extend beyond the garage. “Many of our members enjoy getting together for a cruise, a meal, car shows, game nights,” says club president Bill Toews. “We even have a group that enjoys cruising across the province to visit thrift shops.” That strong sense of community provides a unique support system, as members lend a hand with each other’s projects and stand by one another during life’s triumphs and challenges. “For the majority, this hobby is more than just building and owning a nice hot rod,” says Toews. “It’s about meeting people and making friends.” Beyond local connections, the MSRA leverages its platform to benefit the broader Manitoba community. At signature events such as the annual Rodarama showcase at the Red River Exhibition Park and the fall Toy Run, the club partners with other organizations to support the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation. Proceeds fund custom-built bicycles from Manitoba’s Freedom Concepts to give children their own form of mobility. The club’s impact is perhaps most deeply felt in the time spent at local care facilities, where it hosts car shows that spark joy and nostalgia for residents. By creating an opportunity to share stories and memories about their first cars, these interactions bridge generations. “Our members are generous with their time,” says Toews. “[They’re] not only making new memories but helping folks relive some of their own.”
finding your people: Legends Car Club
“A car club is a community inside of the larger community.”
(Above) The 1962 Pontiac Parisienne’s curved tail light is a striking design detail. (Left) A proud lineup of classics at the 2025 Legends Car Club Plum Fest Show n’ Shine. (Below) A persimmon-and-colonial-white steering wheel and dashboard (plus fuzzy dice) add spice to the interior of a 1956 two-door hardtop Ford Fairlane Victoria. | PHOTO: (LEFT) COURTESY OF LEGENDS CAR CLUB
Founded in 1999, Legends Car Club unites classic car enthusiasts, primarily across southern Manitoba. The club has come a long way since its drag-race beginnings, but its heart remains anchored in a sense of belonging. For members, connecting with fellow hobbyists provides rare validation. “The joy of meeting other individuals with a shared passion [for] automobiles is that you’re talking to someone who understands why you appreciate cars,” says club president Alex Loewen. “To many people, a car is a way to get from Point A to Point B. They don’t [understand] the joy of driving your classic car down the highway and having waves and appreciation from others that you’re keeping this vehicle on the road.” That shared passion fosters deep connections. Members relish swapping stories with a crowd that speaks their language, according to Loewen, and enjoying “a group where you can ask questions or appreciate what others have done.” This culture is shared through three annual regional car shows and weekly summer meet-ups in Altona, Manitoba. Community spirit also drives philanthropic activity, and the club has a long history of fundraising in the Pembina Valley. Building on a legacy of charity racing, it hosts the annual Drive for Cancer cruise, which recently raised more than $27,000 for Manitoba’s South Central Cancer Resource. The event pushed the club’s total donations raised into the hundreds of thousands. “I always find it amazing that we can use what really is a niche interest to raise funds that help those in need,” says Loewen. “A car club is a community inside of the larger community.” While a love of cars may bring people together, it’s clearly not the only thing that keeps them coming back. Across Manitoba, car clubs are far more than groups/organizations devoted to the preservation of automotive history, culture and older vehicles — they’re places where friendships grow, new memories are made, and the wider community benefits. CAA
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Creating Community AT Manitoba Car Clubs
For car club members, it’s not the type of vehicle that matters most — it’s the people.
By Michael Bettencourt and Sean Deasy | Photography and videography by Gabrielle Touchette
creating community at Manitoba Car Clubs
For car club members, it’s not the type of vehicle that matters most — it’s the people.
By Michael Bettencourt and Sean Deasy | Photography and videography by Gabrielle Touchette
Welcome, one and all: Manitoba Classic and Antique Auto Club
Welcome, one and all: Manitoba Classic and Antique Auto Club
(Above, top) Detail of a 1953 two-door hardtop Ford Crestline Victoria’s steering wheel. (Above, bottom) MCAAC members chat cars with seniors at the Waverley & Rosewood Retirement Residence.
Established in 1960, the Manitoba Classic and Antique Auto Club (MCAAC) is devoted to cars and trucks that are at least 25 years old. Unlike many clubs that focus on performance upgrades, president Brian Ladage says that the 192-member group embraces vehicles that are largely unaltered from their original factory condition. “Some of our members are the sons and daughters of club members… and several are driving the cars their parents owned,” he says. MCAAC’s club is open to everyone, whether or not they own a classic or antique car. “Anyone who can appreciate these vehicles is eligible for membership,” Ladage says. “We’ve had several join up [who] may never buy a classic car, but they can still enjoy the social events. For us, it’s about the camaraderie of like-minded people.” Fundraising and community connection are important aspects of participation. In 2024, several women members spearheaded a fundraiser for a local women’s shelter, and MCAAC matched their donation. And every year, MCAAC visits care homes and seniors’ residences throughout the region. This year, the club will visit 20 residences to show off their cars, meet residents and staff — and share a memory or two. During the driving season, the club participates in local and out-of-province car shows, organizes the largest car parts swap meet in Manitoba and coordinates club road trips. It also publishes a monthly digital magazine called The Sidemount Reporter, the name a reference to a time when spare tires were mounted on the running boards of automobiles. To keep members in touch during the colder months, the group holds off-season get-togethers and monthly meetings at Jim’s Vintage Garages Heritage Museum in Headingley, Manitoba. “The Manitoba car scene doesn’t end when the driving season is over,” says Ladage. “It merely slows down.”
“For us, it’s about the camaraderie of like-minded people.”
cultivating lasting friendships: Manitoba Street Rod Association
cultivating lasting friendships: Manitoba Street Rod Association
(Above, top) The well-preserved interior seats of a 1962 Pontiac Parisienne four-door sedan. (Above, bottom) All smiles at the Manitoba Street Rod Association’s 2025 Rodarama showcase. | PHOTO: (ABOVE, BOTTOM) COURTESY OF MSRA
In the world of modernized hot rods, otherwise known as street rods, modifications are common, even expected. You won’t find many factory-faithful vehicles at a typical meet of the Manitoba Street Rod Association (MSRA), based in Winnipeg. What you will find is dedicated fans of street rods and street rod culture. Some members have been with the club since its inception in 1972. MSRA is far more than an outlet for mechanical restoration — it’s a network of automotive enthusiasts united by friendships that extend beyond the garage. “Many of our members enjoy getting together for a cruise, a meal, car shows, game nights,” says club president Bill Toews. “We even have a group that enjoys cruising across the province to visit thrift shops.” That strong sense of community provides a unique support system, as members lend a hand with each other’s projects and stand by one another during life’s triumphs and challenges. “For the majority, this hobby is more than just building and owning a nice hot rod,” says Toews. “It’s about meeting people and making friends.” Beyond local connections, the MSRA leverages its platform to benefit the broader Manitoba community. At signature events such as the annual Rodarama showcase at the Red River Exhibition Park and the fall Toy Run, the club partners with other organizations to support the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation. Proceeds fund custom-built bicycles from Manitoba’s Freedom Concepts to give children their own form of mobility. The club’s impact is perhaps most deeply felt in the time spent at local care facilities, where it hosts car shows that spark joy and nostalgia for residents. By creating an opportunity to share stories and memories about their first cars, these interactions bridge generations. “Our members are generous with their time,” says Toews. “[They’re] not only making new memories but helping folks relive some of their own.”
“This hobby is more than just building and owning a nice hot rod. It’s about meeting people and making friends.”
finding your people: Legends Car Club
finding your people: Legends Car Club
(Above, top) The 1962 Pontiac Parisienne’s curved tail light is a striking design detail. (Above, bottom) A proud lineup of classics at the 2025 Legends Car Club Plum Fest Show n’ Shine. (Below) A persimmon-and-colonial-white steering wheel and dashboard (plus fuzzy dice) add spice to the interior of a 1956 two-door hardtop Ford Fairlane Victoria. | PHOTO: (ABOVE, BOTTOM) COURTESY OF LEGENDS CAR CLUB
Founded in 1999, Legends Car Club unites classic car enthusiasts, primarily across southern Manitoba. The club has come a long way since its drag-race beginnings, but its heart remains anchored in a sense of belonging. For members, connecting with fellow hobbyists provides rare validation. “The joy of meeting other individuals with a shared passion [for] automobiles is that you’re talking to someone who understands why you appreciate cars,” says club president Alex Loewen. “To many people, a car is a way to get from Point A to Point B. They don’t [understand] the joy of driving your classic car down the highway and having waves and appreciation from others that you’re keeping this vehicle on the road.” That shared passion fosters deep connections. Members relish swapping stories with a crowd that speaks their language, according to Loewen, and enjoying “a group where you can ask questions or appreciate what others have done.” This culture is shared through three annual regional car shows and weekly summer meet-ups in Altona, Manitoba. Community spirit also drives philanthropic activity, and the club has a long history of fundraising in the Pembina Valley. Building on a legacy of charity racing, it hosts the annual Drive for Cancer cruise, which recently raised more than $27,000 for Manitoba’s South Central Cancer Resource. The event pushed the club’s total donations raised into the hundreds of thousands. “I always find it amazing that we can use what really is a niche interest to raise funds that help those in need,” says Loewen. “A car club is a community inside of the larger community.” While a love of cars may bring people together, it’s clearly not the only thing that keeps them coming back. Across Manitoba, car clubs are far more than groups/organizations devoted to the preservation of automotive history, culture and older vehicles — they’re places where friendships grow, new memories are made, and the wider community benefits. CAA
“A car club is a community inside of the larger community.”