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Last Updated: Dec 29, 2011 - 2:18:31 AM |
Nassau, Bahamas - In August, 1986, The Kiwanis Club of Cable Beach held its “first ever” Antique Car Show as a new fund raising event. The show was small with about one dozen vintage vehicles participating, but more importantly, it brought together Don Aranha, Charles Johnson and Murray Forde. The three men began discussing the possibility of starting a vintage car club and were to become the three founding members of a new organization in The Bahamas. The Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas became a reality in July, 1987 with six members interested in the hobby, when the founding members were joined by Lenny Brozozog, Richard Chestnut and Alonzo Rolle. The new club’s first show was held a mere seven months later, in February, 1988 at Tyreflex on Wulff Road.
Charles Johnson 1953-2009, Founding Member of the Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas. The Club's Antique Auto Show and Steak-Out 2010 is being held as a Tribute to his Memory. His 1972 Mustang, now owned by his son, will be on display.
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From those simple beginnings the club has now grown to about 50 members from all strata of the population with upwards of 125 vehicles between them and has been incorporated as a non-profit legal entity. Likewise the shows have grown in size and stature, last year being the biggest to date with about 65 cars and trucks and a couple of motorcycles. Club members are hoping to do even better than last year and would like anyone with an older vehicle or who knows of one to bring that vehicle to the show. There is no need to be a member to show, but there is a small entry fee. Membership in the club is open to anyone who has an interest in the vintage vehicle hobby. Owning a vehicle is not a pre-requisite.
Club members at the Bilney Lane Children's Home, recipient of part proceeds of the 2009 Antique Auto Show; L-R; Richard Blake, Vice President, Murray Forde, Secretary, Peter Armstrong, President (2009), Janet Brown, Administrator, Bilney Lane and Brendan Foulkes, Club Member (now Chairman for the 2010 Show)
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The Club’s 23rd. Annual Antique Auto Show and Steak-out will be held, as usual, at the Arawak Cay Cultural Centre on Saturday the 13th. March, 2010 from 12:00 noon until 5:00pm. This year the show will be a tribute to one of those three founding members, Mr. Charles Johnson who, sadly, died suddenly last year. The Club’s Directors felt it only fitting that the first show following his death be dedicated to Mr. Johnson in recognition for the work he did for the club. His 1972 Mustang, now owned by his son, will be on display.
Each year the club elects a children’s charity to be the recipient of the proceeds raised, primarily from the steak-out; for 2010 the members, elected to nominate two very deserving organizations, the Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled on Dolphin Drive and the Progress Academy on Jerome Avenue. Last year’s proceeds were split between the Every Child Counts all-age school in Marsh Harbour, Abaco and to the Bilney Lane Children’s home, here in Nassau, where some infrastructural work, started the year before, was completed.
Presentation of part proceeds of the 2009 Antique Auto Show at Every Child Counts School, Marsh Harbour, Abaco L-R; Murray Forde, Club Secretary, Lyn Major, Administrator, Valentina Duvra, Student and Marsden Lawley, Senior Teacher.
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The 2010 Show, in addition to the competition/judging in Eight Classes (depending on age & originality) will again feature the Popular People’s Choice Awards and the “Project Car” section, where owners can display vehicles that are being worked on, in hopes that they will be ready for next year’s show. In addition, the show will also again feature an art contest for the children, raffle prizes and other attractions.
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