This article was originally published on Speedhunters June 27, 2018.
Accurately communicating what car culture truly is can be challenging. It goes beyond just knowing about cars and attending gatherings; the culture is deeper – something lived, shared, and experienced.
Many events lack the magic that makes car culture special. Often, they seem like moneymaking ventures for promoters, devoid of the passion and camaraderie that define the best gatherings.
Great events focus on more than just showcasing cars and dishing out trophies. They celebrate community – people bound by a shared love for cars, regardless of their differences.
These true enthusiasts are the ones who’ll bring you a jerry can in the middle of the night when you run out of gas on your project’s maiden voyage. Any thanks are brushed off with a casual “Yeah, my fuel gauge doesn’t work yet either.”
My most recent experience of everything that makes car culture so special was at Sleds North 2024 – Canada’s only invite-only Kustom car event.
Chapter Two: Kommunity
Sleds North is the brainchild of two veterans of the Ontario car community: automotive and commercial photographer Kenny Kroeker and kustom car enthusiast “London” Jay Handsor.
Without their shared passion for cars, these two might never have crossed paths. And without their deep appreciation for the people and culture of hot rodding, Sleds North would never have come to life.
But Sleds North is far from a solo effort. Key to this year’s event were Fred Botcher and Jill McIntosh, who generously offered their property as the venue. Jill, a well-regarded automotive journalist – who won’t let you leave without a full stomach – and Fred, one of the most genuine car guys you’ll ever meet, form the backbone of this gathering.
Fred, who’d gladly give you the shirt off his back to help you down the road, also drives a stunning gold ’57 Cadillac powered by a 440 six-pack motor. You’d never know it, though, as his hood stays closed 95% of the time. I’ll get to the reason why soon.
Kenny, Jay, Jill, and Fred appreciate most vehicles, but their true passion lies with traditionally styled builds.
The turnout at Sleds North 2024 proves they’re not alone in Ontario. However, without this event, it’s unlikely all these stunning cars would gather in one place at the same time.
More a gathering than a show, Sleds North is about catching up with friends and living the culture. The event spans two days: the first features shop tours, and the second – documented here – is loosely called the ‘show.’ I say loosely because only a handful of participant-chosen, handmade awards are handed out.
Chapter Three: Presentation Is Everything
You’ve probably noticed Sleds North doesn’t resemble a typical car show. This is entirely by design.
The layout is reminiscent of how a child might arrange their Hot Wheels collection. Some areas are loosely organized by year, others by style, and the rest just look cool side by side.
This unique approach is a photographer’s dream. You’re never far from something visually striking, and there’s never anything out of place in the background.
The absence of stanchions and the need to walk right past one vehicle to admire another means details that might be overlooked at other events are properly appreciated.
Stopping to notice a detail – a sticker, a scratch, a scuff – sparks conversation and inspiration.
If the cars were parked further apart and roped off, many incredible interiors would likely go unnoticed.
One of the few presentation rules stood out: hoods closed. Unlike most shows, where it’s customary to pop your hood and walk away, at Sleds North, if you open your hood, you’re expected to close it soon after.
Why? Simply put, a field of cars with their hoods open wouldn’t look as good.
In this genre of automotive modification, style takes precedence over performance. You could argue that this is the defining genre where aesthetics trump everything else – a notion that still ruffles some feathers today.
People can argue all day that a chopped top, Lexan windows, and missing wipers aren’t as safe and don’t make the car faster, but those critiques often fall on deaf ears.
So, who’s right in this debate? Well, a display card on Jay’s dash succinctly addresses the matter. Don’t mistake these cars for lacking performance upgrades however.
Take, for example, this Mercury, which hides a NASCAR-spec V8 beneath its understated exterior. Much of the suspension came with the engine, and the only clues are the tire sizing, license plate, and the aggressive bark when the V8 fires up.
Chapter Four: The Same, Yet Different
As I wove through the cars, it was fascinating to see how each took inspiration from the same era, yet none could be called cookie-cutter.
Traditional Kustoms follow a loose set of guidelines, and even those are up for interpretation.
Pinstriping, louvres, chopped tops, and sectioned bodies are common but not mandatory.
Exhausts can be completely hidden, tucked down the side, or, in the case of this ’56 Ford F-100, run through the bedside and right before the bed rail before exiting at the rear.
Paint treatment varies widely, too. It can be glossy and flaked or satin, heavily faded, or worn away by years of use.
With not a trailer in sight, every car here was driven to the event, some from as far away as Michigan. This raises a question: Is it better to keep your vehicle pristine and off the road or to drive it and accept the inevitable wear and tear?
That’s a debate we could have for years.
Chapter Five: One of One
Before I go any further, I want to spotlight this 1967 ‘Ferguson Super Sport,’ a scratch-built creation by Ross Ferguson and his wife, Blanche.
Ross was involved in Canada’s famous yet ultimately ill-fated Avro Arrow superplane, where he helped create tooling for the turbojet engines. He used this experience to build his dream car at home in his garage for over a decade.
Beneath the hand-laid fibreglass body lies a tube frame reinforced with X-shaped cross members. The car features independent suspension front and rear, utilizing MacPherson-style struts and longitudinally mounted torsion bars.
Powering the Ferguson Super Sport is a Ford 289ci V8 crate engine paired with a three-speed manual transaxle.
The locally cast magnesium wheels are mounted via knock-off hubs – complete with a custom socket Ross fabricated himself.
Today, the car is cared for by Chris Atkins. For those interested in a deep dive into the build, a thorough article can be found here.
Being in the presence of something so unique was truly special. It serves as a reminder that there are no limits to what someone with determination can achieve in their garage.
Final Chapter: Bigger And Better
With the 5th Sleds North set for 2025, the plan is for the event to continue growing year after year, while maintaining its unique appeal.
While the event might be the brainchild of Jay and Kenny, its true ownership lies with the community that fuels it and the culture they represent.
If you want to be part of Sleds North 2025, the best way is to enjoy your car. Jay and Kenny personally hand out physical invitations, so don’t keep your ride under wraps. Bring it out for the world to see, because kustoms are always better when you drive them!
Bonus: Cutting Room Floor
