The Classic Car Catastrophe

Collector car culture can sometimes become a little too polished. Perfect lawns. Perfect paint. Perfect weather.

This weekend a group of us went the opposite direction. We pointed vintage cars toward gravel roads, mud puddles, water crossings, and seasonal roads north of Washago just to see what would happen.

The result was one of the most fun drives I’ve been part of in years. Dirty cars, black flies, dust clouds, and a reminder that old cars are far more interesting when they are actually used.

Here’s the story behind the Circle Back Social “Classic Car Catastrophe.”

Most classic car owners I know likely spent this Victoria Day weekend at cars and coffees, car shows, or polishing chrome in the driveway. Their socials are filled with spotless cars gleaming in perfect weather, carefully parked on manicured grass and nowhere near a gravel road or mud puddle.About this time last year, Tom and I decided we wanted to start the season differently. Instead of planning another scenic cruise on perfect pavement, we mapped out a route designed specifically to challenge both the cars and the drivers. Dirt roads, gravel, mud, rough sections, water crossings, and plenty of uncertainty. The kind of roads most sane collectors wouldn’t dare point their freshly detailed cars toward, let alone drive hard enough to coat them in dust from top to bottom

The original route which explored challenging gravel and dirt roads along the way to Victoria Falls, located north of Washago, was cut short last year after the ice storm left many roads closed and impassable. We promised ourselves we would make it there this year.

This year, after checking to see that the seasonal road to the falls officially reopened on May 15, we immediately set May 16 as the date for what is now our officially named the “Classic Car Catastrophe.”

The drive began at the Flying Squirrel Moto Cafe in Creemore before heading north through gravel concessions and back roads toward Orillia for a stop by the lake. From there we continued to Cooper’s Falls where the black flies arrived in full force. The final stage into Victoria Falls was exactly what we hoped for. Dirt, dust, muddy puddles, loose gravel, and classic cars being used the way they rarely are anymore

At several points we passed groups of side-by-sides and off-road vehicles, and the reactions were priceless. You could see the double takes immediately. Wide eyes, confused smiles, and phones coming out as a convoy of muddy vintage cars bounced past them down a road normally reserved for ATVs and trucks. Seeing collector cars completely filthy and covered in dust seemed to break people’s brains a little.

By the time we reached the falls, the cars were filthy and everyone was smiling. Mud splattered up the sides, dust packed into every wheel well, and absolutely nobody cared. We set up for a late potluck lunch before eventually surrendering to the black flies and heading home. The overcast weather may have made for a perfect driving day, but it also created ideal conditions for every black fly in Ontario.

What stood out most was the mix of people. Some of our regular tour participants returned, but we also met several new enthusiasts who understood the appeal immediately. Old cars become far more interesting when they are actually used for adventure instead of treated like fragile museum pieces.

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us, and especially to Larry Strung for capturing the day with some fantastic photos.