A number of impressive cars showed up for The Big One but nothing stopped me in my tracks quite like an exceptionally rare 1973 Buick Apollo, brought to the show by the mayor of Rush Lake, Stacey Beisel. Built on GM’s classic Chevy Nova platform, these Apollos were produced in tiny fractions compared to their bowtie cousins, making a car show appearance virtually unheard of. This particular survival story is extra special as it was purchased brand new by Stacey’s grandfather at Ed Look Pontiac Buick in Swift Current and only has 27,000 miles on the odometer. Stacey pulled up with two of his grandkids in tow, making for a delightful chat about keeping a family heirloom on the road.
The window for pleasant weather may have been narrow, but Saskatchewan delivered right when it counted for Swift Current’s The Big One car show. When I arrived at 2 pm, the clouds were dissipating and the sun was peeking out. A hundred vehicles already were parked with dozens more rolling through the gates by the minute. The good weather lasted until 7 pm when it started to rain.
Another massive crowd-pleaser didn’t boast shiny paint or a roaring V8. It wasn’t even a traditional car or truck. Tucked among the classic cars and hot rods was a historic Universal Carrier, famously known as the Bren Gun Carrier. Holding the title as the most-produced armored fighting vehicle in history with over 113,000 units manufactured, seeing one of these tracked military legends up close was an absolute treat for history buffs and gearheads alike.
Huge thanks to organizer Dustin Vipond and the tireless crew of volunteers from Rogue Cruisers for putting together an unforgettable event.
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