It took more than a bit of rain to dampen the spirits of automobile enthusiasts recently at the Fergus Sportsplex.
Enthusiasts from across the region came out with historic vehicles and RVs for the annual Central Region Flea Market and Car Show. Some participants were local, such as Peter Brewster, of Guelph, while others, like Bill Bremner, of Holland Landing, had a bit longer drive.
Brewster’s 1953 Austin Champ was built in England. Those were built for the British Army up to 1956.
The light trucks were inspired by the jeep, but intended to reduce the reliance on American vehicles. Brewster found his particular model in Michigan and brought it home with him. He noted only 15,000 were ever built, and only 500 are left in the world.
“We believe this is the only one in Canada,” Brewster said.
For Bremner, his discovery came at the back of a barn where the truck had sunk two to three feet into the ground.
He said about the only thing he has not done to his 1948 Mercury half ton truck himself was paint it red.
