A GLIMPSE INTO THE EARLY BEGINNINGS OF OUR OKANAGAN CHAPTER
The start of the Okanagan Vintage Car Club (formerly Okanagan Chapter of the Vintage Car Club of Canada).
As prepared by Dayton Ross. The Chapter is now called the 'Kelowna Classics Chapter of the Vintage Car Club of Canada'.
"While I was having my hair cut in Roy Sisetki's Barber Shop I saw a picture of Roy's Model A, and the talk got around to old cars. Roy is a lifetime member of the Saskatoon Antique Auto Club and I was a member of the Vintage Car Club of Canada from October 1960. We thought it would be nice if we could get a club going here in Kelowna. Roy knew Marvin Lewis and Stan Titanch and I passed a house on my home from town with a Model A in the carport. The name on the mail box was Chic Gray. I phoned Chic and he was interested and gave me the names of 9 others that he thought would also be. I phoned them all and Gordon Thomas was one. The first meeting was held in Roy's Barbershop and the club was started with the following 6 original members: Roy Sisetki, Dayton Ross, Chic Gray, Gordon Thomas, Marvin Lewis and Stan Titanch."
Roy Sisetki's owned a 1928 Ford Model A Sports Roadster.
"He purchased this car, which had 14,000 original miles on it, in 1960 from the original owner in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, and drove it to Kelowna in August 1966. He says the car is in "mint" condition. A newcomer to Kelowna, Mr. Sisetki was instrumental in starting the Okanagan Vintage Car club here. The First President was C.W. (Chic) Gray."
The Vintage Car Club of Canada (VCCC) was formed in Vancouver in 1958 by a group of old-car enthusiasts. The founders intended to register the Club as the Vintage Car Club of BC; however, that name had been taken by a group on Vancouver Island. The Club, therefore, decided to use the name Vintage Car Club of Canada even though all local Chapters are currently located within the province of BC. The purpose of our Club is to encourage the restoration, preservation, and display of our cars. If you have an interest in cars, you are welcome to join us. You do not need to own a car to become a member of this Club. The VCCC provides several services. The Club carries liability insurance that covers the activities sponsored by local Chapters. They publish a bi-monthly journal called the VINTAGE CAR as well as an Annual Roster of all members. They sponsor the annual May Tour. They maintain the Club website at www.vccc.com and make regular submissions to the government concerning vintage car insurance as well as offering input regarding vehicle testing and emissions. The Club holds membership in a larger organization called the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada.
The Association plans many local activities and takes part in events organized by other Car Clubs around the province and in the United States. Each local Chapter is regulated by the VCCC constitution. Virtually all Club activities are planned and conducted by local Chapters.
The VCCC has expanded steadily over the past 50+ years and now includes families belonging to 24 local Chapters. Twice each year, a locally elected Governor from each Chapter attends a meeting to conduct the business of the National Club. Between these semi-annual meetings, the Club Executive deals with routine matters.
Our KELOWNA CLASSICS CHAPTER, formally the OKANAGAN CHAPTER, follows the constitution and by-laws of the VINTAGE CAR CLUB of CANADA. The constitution is printed in the Annual Roster. Our Chapter Executive meets monthly to plan activities and conduct routine business. The Directors are assigned to specific portfolios for each year. All major issues are referred to the general membership at a regular meeting. The Chapter Governors represent our Chapter at the National level meetings. All club members are encouraged to be involved and be part of our executive. Elections are held in the fall of each year.
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The women of our Club have formed an auxiliary group which meets to plan activities for themselves and to support the activities of the entire Club. They also look after the pins issued to members for years of membership in the VCCC and sell Club T-shirts, hats, and badges at regular meetings.
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We meet at 2:00 PM on the first Sunday of each month. From September to April, we meet at the location announced on the club Web Page. The club provides coffee and refreshments at the meetings. From May to August, the meetings are usually held in conjunction with an outdoor activity. We try to have a special presentation at each regular General Meeting. The talks are brief and informative. We also respond to requests from members and arrange local and distant driving tours. In addition, we provide vehicles for "Show & Shines" at many of our local Retirement Resorts.
