Great job by Intek motors and the organizers for putting on such a fantastic event! This was my first MB World BBQ and i will be sure to attend future ones.
Turn-out was great…there were at least 20 C63s including two Black Series and some modified beasts! C63s in every colour
Not one, but TWO Black Series
They sounded incredible
One of my favourites of the day, visiting from the US, a Renntech modified C63 with Akrapovic exhaust
Sounded so mean!
Fung63’s beauty with Vorsteiner carbon diffuser and hood..looks great!
My Affalterbach edition…just when i thought it couldn’t get any nicer lol
An alternative to the Designo Magno Allanite Grey on my car is to get a matte wrap
black coupe arriving
and parked
white coupe
more sedans
Two old school AMG C43s arriving…
with its Eisenmann exhaust, this one still sounds better than 99.999% of cars on the road today
although this Gallardo with Tubi exhaust could be in that .0001%
Great wheel options…i still love the AMG Aeros
Vossen
And some others
Some fun licence plates
Now that’s dedication!
Plenty of reason to celebrate such a great event! See you at the next one…
Despite bad weather earlier in the day and competition from other car events going on today, the 2013 Yorkville Exotic car show was still an awesome show!
I arrived a bit later this year as i waited for it to stop raining. The crowd was already starting to form..
but sadly no red carpet this year (due to the rain).
I sponsored a car this year (the money goes to curing Prostate Cancer) and as luck would have it, it was parked right near the entrance. A 1987 Mercedes 190E 2.3 16, like the one Senna drove to DTM victory…this is way back from the year i got my driver’s licence and still one of my all time favourites. And also explains why i drive an AMG today lol.
Not too many other Mercedes this year…just a silver SLR coupe (vs. the black SLR convertible last year).
Next, some British cars…LOTS of Lotus this year…
awww Evorable
YB XXL? well i am XXXL so i guess i would not fit in this lotus
red Bentley GTC..why does Drake’s “started from the bottom” video come to mind?
TVR
I have seen the McLaren drop-top before but not with the roof in place..it looks stunning!
I was really looking forward to seeing the Aston Martin Lagonda 4 door in person…i hate to say anything negative but i have to admit it, ummm, looks better in pictures than it does in person (let’s say)
More old school and new school Aston Martins
My favourite car last year…may keep its crown lol..Ruf 911
Although the new 911 GT3 RS 4.0 is probably a better performer, i think i’d still rather have the Ruf
Lots of Porsches
Another of my all time favourites, the original M3
and a newer variant
To think i almost bought a 1M lol
Vossen! (I love saying that word out loud)
an older BMW
On to the Italians…Lambo keeping out of the rain
another Lambo
I did not see the BB512 that was supposed to be there…maybe he could not make it…luckily a few Testarossas did
Good mix of Ferraris
Now for some American muscle..woah, check out the size of that engine! lol
Not too many Japanese cars on display
Perfect car for clearing a path through Toronto traffic
Tesla
As a sponsor, i got to hang out in the paddock..but first, a red carpet photo op!
I have ordered car detailing supplies from eShine in the past and always found them to be a great online source. I was surprised to find out that they have a retail presence and host an annual open-house with sales, detailing demos, and a barbeque! Of course, the best part is all the cool cars that show up!
So a friend and i decided to make the 1.5 hour roadtrip…
We were among the first to arrive…
But it did not take long for the parking lot to fill up…mostly with vintage cars such as this beautiful Rolls
and muscle cars like these
the sound on this one was UNREAL! check out the video!
kinda makes my car sound silent by comparison!
I imagine this one would be loud too
now on to some shopping…they have TONS of products on display for you to peruse, though the stock is actually kept in the warehouse in the back.
i picked up a “few” things
Now on to one of the demonstrations, wet sanding.
And a quick hotdog before heading out.
The drive home was very scenic..we drove through Niagara on the Lake, passing through vineyards and other natural scenery.
We stopped off at this factory for a photo and video opp.
we did some more driving vids
oopsie 🙂
All in all a great day..thanks again to eShine…the staff were super friendly and very helpful in terms of giving advice. I will be sure to attend the next one!
When i got the call from Wally that my sword is ready, i thought it would be a great idea to make the four hour drive down to his shop and pick it up personally. What’s a better reason for a roadtrip right?
On the way down, i stopped off in Hamilton to pick up fellow forumite monkeyplayswithknives and to check out some local landmarks…such as Al Simmons gun shop…
where i had a chance to look at the Kriss
nice moose!
after buying tons of ammo, i headed up the street to Chuck’s Burger Bar for their famous bacon burger made out of, you guessed it, minced bacon!!!! Just to be sure, i ordered a side poutine with upgrade to goat cheese curds!
Then for dessert, i stopped off at Bitten for a cupcake..
a banana cupcake with peanut butter cream and caramelized bacon that is! Us Canadians love our bacon!
Finally a stop to a local art shop where i got this cool circuit board clock.
Fast forward a few hours, and we arrive at Wally’s place! Quite the opposite of my place in downtown Toronto lol
Wally’s shop is out in the back
The magic door
And here we go! First the grinding room
Next the forging room
Here’s a vid of Wally demonstrating the press
Very cool to see knives in various stages of completion, many of which were prototypes or new models not yet released
Wally has made knives for lots of celebs
Now on to my sword!!
Here’s Wally giving a bit of background
And demonstrating the throwing darts! (oops, i forgot to turn on the microphone)
Wally presenting me with my awesome new sword
And some closeup pics…blade
handle…two menukis
guard
scabbard locking mechanism…four posts and rare earth magnets
monkeyplayswithknives checks out my sword
Finally we headed down to Wally’s basement to see some memorobilia from his brush with celebrities
Wally’s fantastic guitar collection
Now that’s dedication!
Thanks so much Wally for your generosity in showing us around your shop and of course for my beautiful new sword!!
Last stop, Billy’s Pub before the long trip home.
Thanks also to monkeyplayswith knives for making the trip more enjoyable.
I discovered this show last year and was looking forward to the next one…although this year’s show was not quite as good, there were still lots of cool things to see.
Too bad these guns weren’t real
one of the cleanest trikes i have ever seen
a more extreme trike
t-rex…wonder what douchebag put the pizza on the rear wing
this one matched my shoes
another gold one
at the other end of the spectrum, stealth black
more cool custom bikes
and of course, biker babes
i couldnt decide which pic i liked best..so i am posting all three lol
repent after looking at those pics
more good causes
ok now on to the tattoo and art part of the show…some cool art for the “black collar” crowd
OMG I TOUCHED KEN BLOCK’S NEW CAR!!! That was my main reason to attend Megaspeed 2013…and thank God Nextmod posted about it on their Facebook page or i wouldn’t have even known the show was on this weekend!
Sadly i did not get to meet Ken but there was still plenty to see at the show. I’ll start with European cars…you do NOT want this in your rearview mirror!
a less stealthy Lambo
One of several awesome 911s
including one from local dealer Pfaff
and my friends at Sportscarboutique
for vintage fans
gorgeous ferrari racer
and its brother Scuddady
this BMW M5 looked awesome in real life
Another Bimmer
Bentley
Lone AMG, an SLS
Aston Martin
Maserati
On to Japanese cars…LOTS of Nissan GT-Rs
One of my favourite Japanese cars of all time..Acura Integra Type-R
and a newer Acura (not quite the same)
Mazda 3
TRD Celica
Now some American muscle..one of my favourite cars of all time, Buick Grand National GNX!!!
Even Shelbys seem boring next to the sinister GNX
neither pink paint or Lambo doors seem to help
Vintage Vette with huge power
Now on to the wacky and wild…what the…
ummmm…
you knew i would find a gold one! ya, you did
na na na na na na na na
more movie cars
do you prefer low..like this guy in the parking lot
or these
or high?
perhaps they would look better with a 32″ wheel?
not high enough? how about a monster tractor?
Rust bucket
Motorcycles…
gold again!
Great accessories at the show too,…like wheels
and awesome car stereos
randomly wrestler Goldberg was on hand to sign autographs…Goldberg! Goldberg! Goldberg!
and now the moment you have all been waiting for…Miss Megaspeed 2013!!!
No, these were not contestants
But these were the winners from the last two years
and some of this year’s contestants
sadly i did not stick around for the announcement of the winner..they were taking too long lol.
Although i look forward to the Canadian Knifemaker Guild show every year, there is always something in particular about the show that i am especially excited about. I will let you in on a little secret…weeks before the show i start emailing the makers to see who is coming and what they are bringing. And this year i was thrilled to learn of the return of Wally Hayes after nearly a decade of absence! For the longest time, Wally was the only Canadian recognized as an ABS Mastersmith and is a fantastic knifemaker.
Ironically we arrived at the same time in the parking lot! After checking in, we caught up in the lobby, along with a group of knifemakers including Brian Tighe, Wolgang Loerchner, Murray St. Amour, Mike Mossignton, Ron Post, and newcomers from Quebec, Patrick Leblanc and Guillaume Longval.
Eventually we were joined by Jim Emmons and Nathan Knowles…Beautiful temper line on Jim’s bowie..easy to see why he won two awards at last year’s show.
Friends of the Guild Pre-Show
After many years of my reviews, i am sure you all know the drill…down to the Friends of the Guild pre-show after a quick bite.
Not surprisingly, my first stop was Wally Hayes! Sadly both of these were sold, but that’s ok, because i ordered some of my own..along with a sword! I am so stoked to have THREE Hayes on order!
Can’t decide between forward and reverse grip??
This Brian Tighe will let you do both!
Can’t decide between damascus or not?
Again, do both
More beauties from Brian.
Next i went to have a second look at Jim Emmon’s bowie…although i had to wait for Murray White to finish his examination
It’s hard to believe Les Couteliers du ValBlanc have been making knives for just less than a year….seems like they have been at it for years.
Also from Quebec, some very artistic pieces from Stephanie Lemelin
And some unconventional karambits from Nathan Knowles…love the bolts on the sheaths!
Speaking of unconventional, you may remember that crazy ginormous axe from David MacDonald a few shows ago..this time he brought a Kriss blade
Back to more traditional designs…hunters / utility knives from Murray St.Amour
and Paul Bold
A mix of fixed blades in damascus by Steve Vanderkolff
And folders by Rod Olson
never know what you will see…a fellow collector’s knifeart Sebenza
Last but not least, the collaboration knife.
Pretty good turnout for the pre-show.
ok one last drink with Wally and Christophe before heading out. ..can’t wait till the show tomorrow
The 19th Annual Canadian Knifemaker Guild Show
For those of you who have seen my recent reviews of car and bicycle shows, you would know that i think “gold is the new black”…so i thought it would be fun to hunt down a gold knife. It did not take long! In the first few minutes of the show i found this beautiful fillet knife on Mike Mossington’s table! Given the match to my shoes and the fact that i don’t have any custom fillet knives, i just had to buy it (I am sure you all accessorize your shoes and knives as well, right?).
Thanks Mike! More fillet knives, along with hunters / utility knives by Mike Mossington.
Ok with my first purchase down, i wanted to check in with Wally Hayes to re-create the photo we took at his last show in 2002…
Yup, i haven’t changed a bit lol
Wally was also kind enough to autograph the latest issue of Blade featuring the steampunk tanto he made for Guns ‘N Roses lead singer Axl Rose.
Thanks to William Nease for supplying the swords for my retro pic. The shorter one I am holding, with titanium blade and carbide edge was my favourite of your selection this year. Here’s a video of William telling us about this blade.
And more table shots…that red and white handled pocket axe was hella cool! It is shocking to believe i bought two knives from you at your first show NINE years ago!!! It is insane how time flies!
Next Brian Tighe. I know that you were at the East Coast Custom Knife Show in New York last week but purposely held back some knives for the CKG…thanks, we appreciate it!
I’m still loving that dual blade!
Wolfgang Loerchner also at ECCKS last week, did the same by bringing a knife to sell at the CKG..but it did not last long and sold at the pre-show.
Rod Olsen was set-up next to Brian Tighe…i admit that i was not too familiar with his knives but i liked what i saw! Very “clean” work on these button lock folders and i like the use of lots of different materials. I liked the jigged bone flipper and carbon fiber with green G10 insert the best, i think.
Here’s a vid of Rod telling us about his most popular model.
By this time Guardian Gear arrived and i was anxious to check out the RMJ Forge Jenny Wren that i reserved..given their focus on fulfilling military orders, RMJs are very hard to come by, especially with unique camo patterns.
It was just as great as past RMJ products i have seen so buying it was a no-brainer. Besides, after buying a gold knife, i needed to get something more tactical so you all don’t think i have completely lost my mind.
More great selection at Guardian Gear including Emerson, Strider, Zero Tolerance, Spyderco and more.
I was also looking forward to seeing Peter Rassenti’s integral folders, especially the one with damascus blade…nice work
Here is another look at David MacDonald’s kriss from the pre-show
Now how about this cleaves made from a car leaf spring!
More from David
Some nice forged blades by Christoph Derringer, who is an ABS Mastersmith…and very generous with his knowledge to other makers
Last year i liked Nathan Knowles karambit the best, this year he brought several of them
along with the sword that he explains in this video
I liked the dual knife set the best on Steve Vanderkolpf’s table
My favourites from Murray St. Amour were the fillet knife with red / white handle (middle, second from bottom)
and this miniature.
For fans of miniatures, Jim Downie had a few
more from Jim Downie
Folders from Steve Linklater
Forged bowies from Jim Emmons
Paul Bold just finished building his shop so expect to see more from him including folders
Les Couteliers du ValBlanc
Guillaume Cote
Last but least, dealers and collectors
Murray White, who will also be posting pics
Russ Coultrub, i especially liked the Scream movie knives
Larry Danielkiewicz
Tom Novac
Steve Stuart
And finally some show pics
After the show we headed to Lonestar for a USN get-together…thanks to A.T.R. for organizing! We had a great turnout
Including a guest of honour!
And big thanks to wildfire for bringing your JLC..yes, you should have brought the depth gauge as well lol
We have two annual bicycle shows, the manufacturer show, which is more about he latest and greatest, and the dealer show, which seems to be about buying whatever doesnt sell. I would dub this year’s dealer show as the “Specialized” show because almost every bike seemed to be a Specialized!!!
First some show pics to give you an idea
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Rocky Mountain
Bianchi
ok now some closeups…Intense
Argon
with a very cool light up logo!
Cervelo
Multi-colour seems to be in
as are fat tires
and white tires!
now in keeping with my “gold is the new black”..as you may have seen in some of my recent posts, this is my new dream car…
and i just got these shoes…
so i was looking for a matching bike…success! well not quite as shiny but in the right direction…
Last year i chickened out of paying $175 to get into VIP night but now that i have done it, there is no other way to see the car show! It was NOT AT ALL what i was expecting! Going in, i thought it would be just a few people and that i would be able to take pics of all the cars without crowds. Instead, it was a GIANT party! An “ideally black tie but suits are acceptable” affair for the manufacturers to schmooze dealers and industry folks…multiple concerts and open bars everywhere with a well dressed HUGE crowd stammering about! All very surreal…
I was the first person in to the exotic car display..here i found my favourite car of the show..a Ferrari 599XX…simply STUNNING!!!
I’ll come back to the exotics later but first i want to cover some of my other favourites of the show…I LOVE THIS! Considering i have a matte car now, this would be the perfect match…
Ok, the new E63 S-series is HOT! The interior was awesome..i can’t wait to drive it! (I told the salesman that i didn’t have any alcohol before hitting the spinning display..no drinking and driving for me lol)
C63 (i still prefer my four door version)
SLK
SL
sadly no SLS Black..but a roadster
ok back to exotics…unfortunately the Lotus rep was not there as i wanted to sit in the Evora to see if i fit…it is on my “list”
Maserati MC-12
the new Quattroporte (not sure i like it)
Ferrari F40..as much as i love this, i admit it looks dated next to the 599XX (not to mention that my AMG has more horsepower and torque!!)
Ferrari FF (i hear these are amazing in the snow)
Ferrari open racer
More Ferraris, old and new
Alfa Romeo
McLaren coupe
and the new spider
Compared to the Gallardo spider
and droptops from Rolls and Bentley
Callaway Corvettes
Fisker
On to some other favourites… driving a 911 Turbo S around a racetrack in Vegas a couple of months ago has renewed my love of Porsche
the new Jaguar XF-RS with 560HP! It is awesome on paper and i like the blue but i couldn’t help think “Nissan Maxima”
and its two door sibling, XKR-S
more Brits… Range Rover
I am no longer a fan of the M5 thanks to their “fake” sound
M6 Grand Coupe
X5M
BMW concept
Audi R8
Audi RS5
Mercedes concept
Ok on to some American muscle…Shelby GT500 (a little plain after all the Super Snakes and 1000 i saw at the Shelby museum in Vegas a couple of months ago)
Mustang
the new Corvette Stingray..i am not sure about it…it does not have that “familiar” corvette look to me
ahh that’s more like it..ZR-1
the new Viper..i believe it has the highest torque rating on the market for a naturally aspirated engine
One serious Camaro
Challenger
Cadillac CTS-V in coupe, sedan and wagon
Jeep
wrapped dodge
electric truck with 800HP!!
Now Japanese…after driving the GT-R around a racetrack, i have removed it off my wishlist.
I’m sure the.Lexus LF-A wouldn’t be boring!
I love the wheels on this Lexus LF-CC concept..i was told this will be hitting the market with a hybrid engine
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