The Skyliners of America Club invaded the Sea to Sky Corridor this week, causing heads to turn as they travel through the Sea to Sky in their unique classic cars.
The club's members collect the rare Ford Retractable, a sleek late 1950s era shaped convertible defined by its solid, mechanically retractable roof.
The group, which consists of eight chapters spread out throughout the Western United States and British Columbia, held their national convention in 麻豆社国产this week, bringing with them 40 cars and 80 members.
According to group representative Rick Sladen, it's a rare opportunity to see the classic vehicle.
"This was a car that was only made for three years in 1957, 1958 and 1959," Sladen said.
"They were great cars, but because of the roof they were very expensive and thus weren't too popular."
Sladen said only 50,000 were made, with about 5,000 still on the roads today, mostly thanks to car enthusiast groups like the Skyliners.
He said the designer of the Ford Retractable, Ben Smith, is in his late 80s but unfortunately couldn't make it to Squamish.
"He's still proud to see all of his designs," Sladen said. "He says it was the crowning glory of his career."
A number of current car companies like Mercedes and Lexus have gone back to the hardtop design and even consulted Smith on their projects, said Sladen.
The Skyliners arrived for a welcoming party at the Executive Suites Hotel Monday (Sept. 13).
On Tuesday (Sept. 14), they drove down to the Britannia Beach Mining Museum to give the public an eyeful while taking a tour of the facility.
Tuesday also saw A&W host a "Cruise In," in keeping with the chain's long legacy of hosting classic car clubs.
"A&W was really the pioneer as far as drive-in restaurants go," he said. "They started back in the '50s and still today they sponsor a number of classic car related events all over."
The West Coast Railway Heritage Park also hosted the vehicles, also giving their owners a tour.
"Quite a few of us are old and we like old things like trains," laughed Sladen.
On Wednesday (Sept. 15), the group visited Whistler and concluded their stay in 麻豆社国产with a show and shine at their hotel parking lot on Thursday (Sept. 16).
The B.C. Skyliners of America chapter hosts the club's national convention once every eight years, and Sladen said the next time it comes to the province, Parksville is the frontrunner to host.
