With only 20 members spread out across southern Ontario from Sudbury to Oshawa, they may not be the largest car club in the province. But if you’re looking for people who remain dedicated and true to the custom car lifestyle, you need search no further than the Waterloo-based Lead Kings Club.
“What we have here is something pretty special,” declared Lead Kings President Brandon Roberts. “We’re a family based club, and we’re all friends. But what sets us apart is that we’re the only traditionally styled, custom car club. It’s gotta be a custom, and you gotta live the lifestyle if you want to run with us.”
Frustrated with the direction that their former car club was heading, about seven years ago Roberts and his like-minded compatriots left the group to create their own organization. Because their members are so widely dispersed, regular meetings are limited, but when they do gather, they cruise together, with their treks taking them across the province and to such places as the Detroit Autodrome and Las Vegas.
“Getting to some of those American shows can be quite an adventure,” laughed Roberts. “The one absolute rule we have is that the cars must be driven everywhere. We’ll roll into a show like Motorama with our cars covered in slush and road salt, we’ll towel them off and then push them onto the floor. There are no ‘trailer queens’ in this bunch.”
Like many other car clubs, the Lead Kings have joined forces to provide monetary support for charity, their choice being the Tri-City Literary Foundation. The Rodding for Reading program, through various car shows and a memorabilia auction, has managed to raise in excess of $40,000 to aid children’s literacy, all of the funds staying in the Cambridge/ Kitchener/ Waterloo area.
For the inaugural Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo, the Lead Kings have been granted the honour of being the show’s Featured Car Club. Their 11-car display will be constructed to resemble a used car lot from the 1960s, complete with automotive banners, signs and neon lights.
“This is the way we like to see our hobby, in its true throwback hot rod fashion,” concluded Roberts. “A show like Motorama is a social event for us. Our appearance will appeal to the backyard custom car guys and will help bring awareness to the custom car culture. We’re here to make this aspect of the hobby grow. And if we can connect with ‘car people’ who think the same way we do, they’ll be more than welcome to join us.”
The inaugural Motorama Custom Car & Motorsports Expo takes place March 13, 14 & 15 at Toronto’s International Centre, across from Pearson International Airport. For tickets, schedules and additional information, visit www.MotoramaShow.com. •
