Performance World Custom Car & Truck Show Coming To Toronto

Award Winning Custom American Muscle Cars Featured at the 2007 Performance World Custom Car & Truck Show

TORONTO - February 1, 2007: From a 1951 Mercury to a 1969 Camaro, the feature cars at the 2007 Performance World Custom Car and Truck Show are sure to capture both the eye and the imagination. The hardcore show for car enthusiasts rides into the International Centre (6900 Airport Road) from March 9-11, 2007 with custom cars and trucks competing for $50,000 in cash and awards. On top of the not-to-miss feature cars and personalities, the event boasts more than 600 top show cars and trucks and over 250 exhibitors, covering 350,000 square feet.

Visitors to the 2007 Performance World Show will be treated to the Foose ’69, one of only twenty Camaros conceived by renowned car designer Chip Foose and hand built by Unique Performance. Owner Fred Cini of Wasaga Beach, Ontario was on a flight two years ago when he read about this rare and stunning vehicle that combines world-class technology and automotive craftsmanship inside an updated beauty. While the motor consists of the raw power of a 572cid / 620 HP GM Aluminum Head Big Block V8 Engine, the body boasts style and sophistication with its Jaguar door handles, Foose badges, custom hood, smooth bumpers and Hot Hues paint. Cini, as an avid car enthusiast, jumped on the opportunity to obtain a Foose ’69 and now owns the only one in Canada.

Rod Saboury is no stranger to muscle cars, having started building and drag racing cars in the late 1960s. Even though he built a of couple of Pro Street Vettes since retiring from racing in 1999, his vision for this feature car was to have the first “streetable” six second car. It is Low Down Hot Rods built real 1963 Corvette with the body stretched 12 inches in three places, by Frank Morawski, to maintain proportions. This car features a Mike Moran 2400 HP twin turbo small block with Dart big block heads, Lenco 4 speed with an AFT triple disc clutch and a 9 ½ inch floater rear. The House of Kolor paint was done by Connery Custom Paint and Dave Bell. It is equipped with power windows, factory roll up headlights, interior and back up lights and even cup holders. This car was built to show, drive on the street and get a six second time slip.

Custom car builder Pat Keating is a master metalworker, so it was no surprise when custom car enthusiast Richard Barber contacted him looking to build a Merc custom that would stand the test of time and become an extension of the customs of the 1950s. After making the 1951 Mercury into a hardtop, Keating modified the chassis with a “C’d” rear framerail and de-arched rear springs. Amazingly the stock engine was in such good shape it was kept in the car. The Holly carburetor’s striking air breather was designed and fabricated by Keating, along much of the rest of the car, followed by PPG Black Concept and Vanilla Shake paint applied by Larry Sneed. The result is a stylish and sophisticated vehicle, reminiscent of a tuxedo.

The Golden Chariot started out as a 1956 Chevy 2 door hardtop, owned by Dan Tschan of Toledo, Ohio. It was initially painted black with long copper flames covering most of the body, and between 1959 and 1962, it was transformed by the famed Alexander Brothers of Detroit into the Candy Gold custom that it remains today. Among the many modifications Mike and Larry Alexander performed to the outside of the vehicle were a significant lowering of the car, handmade Lakes Pipes on the sides, an offset air scoop set into the hood, modified 1956 Chevy side trim, custom taillights, and a thorough shaving, nosing and decking of the bodywork. The final touch was the "A" Brothers' signature frenching of two antennas into the driver's door, which also control the remote solenoids to open the doors.

Another custom car featured at the Performance World Show, Copper Dust, shares Lou Calasibetta’s garage with the Golden Chariot. This 1951 Oldsmobile, owned by Pat Orsilla, is said to have found its owner and not the other way around. The history of the vehicle is almost as interesting as what has been done to it. Originally built for a man in Ohio, the car was driven to California to be customized at George Barris’ shop. With its 4-speed transmission, six two-barrel carburetors, Copper Dust was sold to Fred Gidden, and it was drag raced on the ¼ mile. Gidden heard tell that, before its custom work, the vehicle had been used to run moonshine – the reason for its powerful engine. By the time that Orsilla was notified of the cars existence, over five years ago, the car amazingly still had its two original Barris crests. Since then, its restoration and modifications have created a love-hate relationship between Copper Dust and Orsilla, resulting in a stunning Chevy T-10 with 4-speed Hurst shifter.

Performance World’s title sponsor is Concept on Wheels, while other sponsors include Castrol, GM (General Motors of Canada), Summit Ford, JL Audio, Kicker, Meguiar's, Rust Check, Pizza Pizza, Unique Visions, Whetter Oaklin Insurance, Radical Rods and Rides, Performance Auto & Sound Magazine and PRN (Performance Racing News). Performance World offers a view into the latest and hottest in the customization of cars and trucks. The show is produced by Pro-Sho, a management company started in 1984, responsible for several popular shows including Fashion North, BizBash and others. Regular Admission: Adults $18.00; Youth (6 to 12) $5.00; and Children (under 5) free when accompanied by an adult. Admission discount coupons will be available on the website at www.performanceworldcarshow.com.