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S| 6 . "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2000 Cross-country in a grand old 1953 New Yorker By Chris Hall Weekend Star An Port Perry area man has undertaken a cross-country trip that will take him from the west-coast shores of British Columbia to the tip of Canada's eastern seaboard. And he's doing it in 1953 Chrysler New Yorker. Joined by his wife Shirley, Paul Baster, 62, is taking part in the Coast-to-Coast 2000 event, which will see more than 200 CARIBBEAN vintage cars travel across Canada, from Victoria, B.C. to St. John's, Newfoundland. CRUISE WINNER After shipping their car out to B.C. the last week of June, the Robert Slack was couple flew west and began their cruise on July 9. the lucky winner of a Joining friends, they headed east for Newfoundland, jour- Caribbean cruise for neying through Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and finally two during a recent back into Ontario and home without any problems whatsoever. company promotion With a few days off before the cruise was scheduled to con- held by Blanchard's tinue, Mr. Baster returned home to work on the car and prepare Supply Co. Ltd., Port it for the last leg of the trip. He was to meet up with the group Perry. Mr. Slack is seen on Aug. 3 in Orillia, where they were to continue their march to b with tore the east coast. above stor "I've seen alot of Canada... I'm so proud of our country. It's owner Joanne ; shame though that we can't stop and see every town and Blanchard (right) and city," said Mr. Baster. Valerie Kane. The group travels between 200 and 250 miles each day, and, with having to drive back from the east coast after the trip is over, Mr. Baster expects to put about 8,000 miles on his car. The odometer had just turned over 94,000 miles when he returned home and took a short break last week. "It's a good car; it's very mechanically sound," he said, not- -ing the cruise is only open to vehicles more than 25-years old. "With the exception of the Imperial, this was the biggest Chrysler of its time. If you like the deluxe model, then this is it." The Basters venture into the vintage car world started five years ago, when they were introduced to the hobby by Arnold and Gail Kerry. "I bought a car that was a work in progress; it probably would have taken me years to get it up and running so we could take part in cruises like this," explained Mr. Baster. Watching the slow progress he was making, Mrs. Baster encouraged her husband to buy something that needed fewer repairs. "It took me about a year to get this going, where | would "have been three or four years with my other one." While he admits to babying his '53 Chrysler, Mr. Baster clear- ly states it's not his only obsession. "When it comes to vintage cars, there's showcars and driving cars; this is a driving car," he said. "I didn't cut corners putting this together and refurbishing it, but it's no showpiece. We really enjoy driving it, not sitting and staring at it." [NORTH RIDGE EXCAVATING ESTEAD FURNITURE & APPLIANCES HARDWOOD & LAMINATE FLOORING o RATTAN FURNITURE... + Custom designed in any + No permanent frdme size work : * Perfect for today's * Hi-tech electronic sun & (forme . cation of - lifestyle wind control system ucad + Self-storing . Beautiful fabrics from Contracting Limited) European designers | Indulge yourself-for much 1 * less than you imagine, you Beautiful added space - instantty, bee | can relax, enjoy each other's maintenance free - never needs | company, and nature's painting, a fraction of the cost of i splendor in your bug-free, conventionally constructed room spadous patio room. additions. A OPPERS Excavating - Grading - Site Work © or or * Expert Custom Installation available + 23 years experience 193 North Street, Port Perry (905) 985-4910 1-800-788-0270 - Sand - Gravel - Top Soil - Triple Mix | | - Septic Systems * SAME PLACE : | « SAME GREAT 90 Vanedward Dr., SERVICE! Port Perry ca... (905) 985-8469 TT