Amazing what turns up in Fleetwood country
1911 Locomobile
You never know what you’re going to find at Steve Plunkett’s annual automotive extravaganza, the Fleetwood Country Cruize-In.
Held at Plunkett’s 102-acre estate on the outskirts of London, Ont., the event brings together more than 12,000 car enthusiasts and 2,500-plus classics, hot rods and special-interest vehicles for a two-day automotive love-in that last year raised $184,000 for 23 charities.
This year’s event was held June 5-6 and the turnout was bigger than ever under the bright, sunny skies that always seem to materialize for Plunkett’s annual event.
It all started six years ago, when he invited 60 other car lovers over for a small car show at his farm.
“I enjoyed it so much we ended up hosting the Auburn Cord Duesenberg get-together for Canada the next year,” said Plunkett, adding the event has continued to evolve and grow from there.
What makes Fleetwood so different is it’s not just another car show.
“There’s so much going on, that’s what makes it so unique,” said Plunkett.
“There’s no event in North America like this.”
For example, spectators at Fleetwood this year were treated to an afternoon air show with vintage aircraft performing acrobatic manoeuvres, and Miss Supertest III, the fastest unlimited hydroplane powerboat in the world during the late 1950s and early 1960s was on display.
Throughout the grounds, vintage
trailer homes, tractor-trailer units, fire engines and other interesting vehicles were interspersed among the cars and pickup trucks.
American Graffitti actors Bo Hopkins and Candy Clark were there to sign autographs, as were legendary custom-car designers George Barris and Gene Winfield, along with some of their creations.
In the evening, Tommy James and the Shondells entertained under the big top (during a dinner show, performing their hits such as Hanky Panky, Mony Mony, Crimson & Clover and Crystal Blue Persuasion.
But the real stars of the event were the cars themselves, including as many as 1,500 Mustangs, gathered for a 45th anniversary display of the iconic Pony car.
Near the pond on a small golf course in the middle of the estate, several German-built Amphicars dating back to the 1960s showed interested onlookers how they were equally at home on land and water.
Among the thousands of cars on display at the event, however, one stood out over the others.
It was a 1911 Locomobile, a car from the “Brass Era” that lasted until the start of the First World War when brass became unavailable or too costly.
Shown by Randall Longfield and his son Michael, this particular Locomobile with its gleaming brass lanterns, trim and other accessories was on public display for only the third time ever, since a five-year restoration was completed in 2005 by Randall and his father Maxwell, now 88.
A true “barn find,” this Locomobile was one of only 300 Seven Passenger Touring models built in 1911 in Bridgeport Conn., the first year a six-cylinder engine was used.
Locomobile made steam cars from 1899 until 1904 when they made the switch to gasoline powered engines.
Prior to 1911, all Locomobiles had four cylinder engines.
Longfield said the car was “stripped down to nothing (for the restoration) but all the parts were there.
“This was the first big car we ever bought,” he said, adding they had restored a couple of Model T Fords previously.
They did the mechanical and much of the paintwork themselves, while the top and leather interior was farmed out.
The restoration was such a success that in its first public showing, Longfield’s Locomobile won the Magnificent Brass Era Class at the prestigious Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance in Michigan over 40 or so other cars from the era.
“It was the right combination of colours and everything,” said Longfield modestly about the Meadow Brook honours.
“Any car there could have won.”
Longfield said he has another Locomobile, a 1909 model, under restoration at the present time and admits it’s easy to become hooked on brass cars.
His was the only brass car I came across, but the variety and scope of models at the event is unlike anything I’ve seen, with the possible exception of the annual Woodward Dream Cruize, which regularly draws 35,000 to 45,000 classic and collectible cars to a one-day event in the northern suburbs of Detroit.
For Plunkett, his Fleetwood Country Cruize-In is a labour of love — and he devotes countless hours organizing each event.
He doesn’t have a public-relations and business team handling the logistics — he’s the main man.
In fact, the event is open to pre-1985 vehicles only (except for the special 45th anniversary Mustang display) unless you get special permission from Plunkett himself to bring your vehicle.
This year, 19 charities will benefit from proceeds of the event.
Philanthropy is something Plunkett knows well as he is president and founder of The Plunkett Foundation, started in 1997 in honour of his parents. Plunkett’s father, Dr. Earl Plunkett, was an internationally know physician, fertility authority and teacher.
The foundation supports a variety of health-related organizations.
Steve’s personal passion is Cadillacs of 1930s and he has more than 40 of them in his collection, all pristine, shiny and ready to drive when he gets the urge.
This year, he has been busily working with contractors on a new project — the Fleetwood Salon— a 55- by 130-foot two-storey garage (14,500 square feet) to house a few of his prized possessions.
It is almost finished and was open to the public for the event.
It is designed to resemble a French coach house and is built with the same stone and slate as his main house and guesthouse.
Inside, it is done up to resemble the ballroom of New York’s famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where high-end Cadillacs of the 1930s were introduced to the public.
It would be hard to top this year’s Fleetwood Country Cruize-In, but Plunkett is always on the look out for new attractions.
He’s even talking about the possibility of doing a full-fledged American Graffitti reunion next year. Stay tuned!
For more information go to
Dead Mans Curve DVD
