Local man places first at Motorama car show in Toronto
MOUNT FOREST – Local resident Jorge Ramos was awarded first place in two categories at the recent 2026 Motorama car show held in Toronto.
Ramos brought his 1950 Chevy Bel Air and his 1965 Harley Davidson motorcycle to the event March 13 to 15 and both were named tops in their class.
“The car won first in its category as a classic vintage bomb class ... where everything was time period correct, including the custom paint job and everything,” said Ramos. “I also put my 1965 Harley in the show and it won first for best motorcycle.”
The Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo, an annual event held at the International Centre in Toronto, features everything from custom cars and hot rods to trucks, motorcycles, racing vehicles and more.
Ramos’ love for vintage vehicles began at an early age.
“I’ve been doing it all my life, since (I was) a young kid,” he said. “My father was into it, and my older brother ... so I don’t remember when I got started, probably [when I was] old enough to hold a wrench.”
Ramos is also the president of the Mount Forest chapter of the Hellions Car Club and the national president of all Canadian chapters.
“We’ve been around since 1968; we originated out of the United States, and we’re actually an international Car Club,” said Ramos. “We have members in ... England and all over the U.S., and we’ve been here in Canada for 12 years now, with five existing chapters.”
The club is involved with various car shows all over the United States and Canada, at which it collects donations for local and international charities.
“We do a lot of big car shows for charity,” Ramos told the Community News.
The club is currently gearing up to host its 20th annual Unfinished Nationals Car Show and Swap Meet on June 7 at the Flamborough Speedway.
“We we raise money for Jumpstart for kids along with Canadian Tire,” said Ramos.
The club will also be raising funds for Halton Women’s Place, a shelter for women and children in Burlington.
“All our shows are charity events; we try to donate back to the community as much as we can,” said Ramos.
The Mount Forest Hellions chapter is currently eight members strong and always welcomes new members.
That being said, the club is somewhat exclusive, as prospective members undergo a review period to ensure they are a good fit for the club and its mission.
“We don’t just say ‘here’s a jacket, you’re in the club’. We try to find quality over quantity – good standing members that represent the club accordingly,” said Ramos. He added it’s important members are “representing us well to the community.”
Those interested in the Hellions Car Club can visit its Facebook or Instagram pages.
